Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-31

stretched out his little bare catch hold of the
rails and gently began his Descent counting each
step he went
Cone two, buck 500; free, four, knock at
door, he repeated softly, and then he stopped and
looked down and up and around him. The stiffness
of the house began to Overawe him. Never in his
three years experience of his home at Cedarlawn had
the house been plunged in such deep quiet He took
a third step and fourth, and paused again. Then
sunny smile flooded his sleep-fushed face, and his
blue eyes sparkled, for he friend coming up
the stairs to meet him.
'Pussy!" he cried, stretching out his dmped
hands; and the big black Persian cat, giving low
pr-rr-r of joy, sprang up the intervening steps and
rubbed herself against the dear bare legs Of her
favorte.
Cyril stopped down and rested his cheeks against
the soft fur then he sat the step he had reached
and put his round pussy neck and Rugged her,
while she continued to purr and rub herself against
his little body.
Dear puss good puss," he whispered, sroking
the cat S head. 'Where's nurse puss9 Where S
all of gomez Nurse-nurse! Gwen-Gwen!
Naughty sings leavin us all aloney, puss "
After while he rose, and continued his downward
progress to the hall and sitting The doors
closed and locked, and, anyway, Cyril had not
reached the epoch marking moment when little hands
turn the knobs of doors and make exits and en-
frances unaded
He drew a long, quivering sigh, and when at last,
with puss at his SIDE he had reached the door at the
head of the basement staircase and found that closed
the first feeling of distress puckered his brow and
made the corners of his mouth droop
The hall was big and square, fine apartment with
rugs and couch and lounge chairs-One of the feat
ures of the house most strongly emphasized by the
agent in his advertisement. Cyril trotted round and
round, his bright eyes the lookout for objects of
interest. little horse, with hairy coat, whose legs
had all but given way under the chid's fervent
embraces, lay under table. lie caught it up and
kissed it, and cuddng it under one arm, continued
his career, the cat marching beside him. After
while he grew tired; little SILVER shook him, for in
spite of the July heat the hall cool, and Cyril
had on only his little vest and petticoat He began
to feel frightened; his calls were louder and more
frequent and pussy seemed to share his trouble for
she no longer purred, but mewed T,ars began to
gather in the boys eyes, and climbing on to the deep
Chesterfield couch he buried his face in the cushions
and sobs shook his little body
''Dear, dear! Poor Cyril! Dey've all gone away
and forgotten us. What shall we do, pussy, what
shall we do?'
A HANSON stopped at the gates of Cedarlawn.
IA Two ladies-mOther and daughter-got out;
the younger gave directions to the cabman, and
he drove away Then they turned to survey the house
before opening the gate:
Every nice, my dear. I think it might suit
very well. I like the lawn in front. The house
stands well back, and what is a magnificent cedar.
Let go in
The girl approached the gate, then stopped short.
cit is padlocked' she cried; "they must have gone
away already!''
care you sure, dear? Why, we only saw the ad-
vertisement yesterday. And it said, Inquire at
house. ;"
Eyes There is no board, either; nothing to tell
one what to do How very provoking! What are
we to do2 See, there is no manner of doubt about
the gate being locked, and the place looks deserted
"What did you say to the cabman dear!'
81 told him to back in hour
''Of course-we should need that tme'
eff I could find a resting place for you, mother,
d go and inquire in the town.
The elder lady looked about her in dismay. cit 8
quite a lonely stuation'' she said, 'and it g too
early in the afternoon for any radesmen to be about
If it not far
''You cannot walk hack mother said the girl
firmly. " There is nothing for to do but find
rlacn Nv the rnadsida until the cal