St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-11-13

|
ring in the box showed that the kit
ten, warmed and rested, was waxing
rebellious in it's cramped quarters.
The cover lifted the fraction OF an
inch, affording fleeting glimpse OF
| two black and white paws. Then
again came that plaintive cry.
| "Me-ow!"
Mercy! It's cat!" the woman ex-
claimed. where can it be hiding?
Everybody looked around. II that
dismal wall was repeated, the kitten
| would be located. They were APP
preaching the residence of Harding 5
best friend. Rising hastily he sig
nailed the conductor.
On alighting he suddenly became
aware that Miss Loring was close De-
hind him. Instinctively he Onered mis-
disengaged hand, but she haughttAy
declined it. Her frigid look as she
stepped down from the car was more
chilling than the piercing wind
Forced to leave her to shift for her
self, Harding pushed his way through
the storm to the big, carved door that
marked the abode of the Mortons.
He hang the bell and glanced be
hind him-just IL time to see Miss
Loring pause uncertainty on the lower
step.
why, Edith! Are you calling here.
too?" he was surprised into exclaim-
ing
Il have an appointment with Mrs
Morton" she responded coldly.
Harding gasped Retreat was out
of the question. The door had swung
open--Morton and his charming wife
stood on the threshold,
The next few moments were like
confused dream. In the warm, fra
grant drawing room, Miss LOring fell
into a careless pose before the fire.
Harding stared from his corner with
worshipping eyes. How remote she
seemed in her cold proud beauty!
Confess to this regal creature what a
soft-hearted fool he was? Never!
He had left the box on the hall
table on his way in. But there was
no counting on the imprisoned crea-
ture. He must invent an excuse for
the impromptu call and get away
quickly-or court disaster.
He noted from where he sat the
perilous nearness of the box to the
edge of the table. Suddenly it began
to sway slightly, and before he could
rush to the rescue, fell to the floor.
There was distressed mew-more 4
appalling than a thunderbolt. When
he reached the spot the kitten was
splitting" angrily, in an energetic
struggle to extricate ITSELF
Funny little beast! Where the
dickens did it come from?" Morton ex-
claimed, close at his heels Then he
stopped and looked hard into Hard
ing's face.
why. old chap, you had that box
under your arm, remember"
Yes, the box is mine," Harding
said sturdily, lifting the kitten against
his hot cheek. And I'll have to own
up to this little beggar, too. I-picked
him up-in the street. He was wet
and cold and miserable. / couldn't
let him freeze, you know Pm-tak-
lAS AAAAA~uOL1G Win
Morton stared, gasped, then, as the
dawned upon him, broke into
a roar of laughter.
"Ha, ha, ha! So you go about adopt.
ing alley cats? This little beast is to
be quartered comfortably in your
bachelor abode? Oh, shades of the
society with the long name! Tom
Carol and the boys shall hear Of
his"
The flush on Harding's cheek deem.
7ned. He turned blindly, holding the
Kitten close to him. He wanted to get
away. The one thing he could not do
vas to meet Miss Lorings scornful
eyes.
But there was rustic, quick stem
ohe mad slipped between him and the
loor.
It's a nasty night-of course vou
couldn't leave the poor creature ~
'er1sh' Ralph" she said, in a voice
gentle and sweet. at wonla
AVE Deen cruel" Then she smiled =
Iueer smile, and added with sudden ir.
eleVancy: But there were flowers in
nat DoX! what has become of themq,
1 threw them away"
On, you did? You sacrificed NV
overs for yagrant cat?"
I1arolng teIt the room go rouns
Tours Edlth?" he echoed feeblv
Iney We're sent to the club. didnv
now never dreamed-that thew
anne from you"
VI course not. They should have
une 10 your apartment-as usual
he messenger blundered."
m sorry" he began, and stopped.
'r two bejeweled hands fell sndden19,
n his deep shoulders.
Didn't you see that the flower.
ere Violets, Ralph" she whispered
thought you'd understand when
gu opened the box, that WAS sorrv
Tor last highland wanted to he
lends again!"
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