The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1909-01-15
IA Home
For Harriet.



boarding house Bteps
Amy feline hut HaYriett~ be de-
cIared. would at least feel mildly per
turbed at the prospect Of losing home
and Mistress
''You'd think 30. wouldn't youY' an
gwered Bessie Roberts, Bessie was
very pretty and wholly charming. but
at the present time little frown Of
anxiety wrinkled her forehead
II simply don't know what to do
about 1t, she continued. THE land
lady says that I've got 70 get rid Of
Harriet, and can't find any other
place 50 convenient to my work where
can live. suppose i suppose she
added wistfully, ''that ! shouldn't be
80 foolish over Harriet, but in some
way she seems the only link between
today and the other life. With all my
people gone and Harriet some other
place in this big city I'd foei too aw-
fully, miserably lonely"
Roger saw that Bessie was near
tears. "Poor, lonesome kiddie" he
thought. And, leaning over, he stroked
Harriett ver7 carefully HARRIET arch
cd her beck. purred and rose slowly TO
her feet. Then, turning round. she
jumped swlarely Into Rogers lap.
"What . sensible catls Roger smiled
Mt the gnA. You zee, she hikes me
very much II only every one-that Is.
some one liked me very, very DUchr
he glanced at the girl siyiy. A little
flush baSd p~read over Bessie's face
and she hept her eyes fixed stcadfastiy
on the cat
II only wish they allowed cats IN
my bosr1pg house." be continued
'sThat.e one q the troubles Of living in
a boarding house--you don't get the
real, simon pure comforts Of home
Now, TN tell you what wen do he
cried, jumping TO his feet. Wen take
HARRIET with us and 20 on tour OF
inspecthnA H. this neighborhoOd. Wen
hunt mp nice, quiet street where
there are little cottages instead Of big
houses. and when we nee nice.
honey comfortable housewife In one
of the boEDes wen 90 In and ask her
to keep Harriet for rs"
"For ugf' queried the girl. with a
little laugA
''Sure," continued Roges. unabashed.
you dnaet think Harriet belongs to
you alone. DO your I think Harriet
would resent any such idea as that
She likes me too we'll and ] IKE her
too weR. No, indeed, have minor
ity interest," IN this cat"
The giA laughed and rose 10 hog
feet.
"WelA come along" she said. Il sup.
pose IFS the best think we can do, and
as It's Sunday afternoon We ought e.
be able 30 and lots Of the people
home."
Roger helped the girl down the
steps, and, calling TO Harriet. they
walked DOWN the street HARRIET, bag.
sleek and black. followed decoronsly
enough until they reached small.
rathey obscure cross street
Roger happened TO be hooking back
as they crossed this street and dIscov-
cred Harriet very sedateiy ambiing
down the little thoroughfare.
Come here, HARRIET" Roger called
ana then whistled to the cat
Harriet paid not the slightest atten-
ton. but continued her sedate walk
away from Roger and the girl. Bessie
called, but even TO her Harriet. paid
no attentson.
well, deciarer' cried the girl In
surprise. Harriet has always been
peculiar, bat she has never ncted like
this before"
LET'S fofSow her and see where she
goes" cried Roger Perhaps she IA
looking for n home or perhaps she has
home already picked out"
"All right" said Bessie.
They turned back and FASTENED aft.
er Harriet. who was now about a
fourth Of block ahead. The street
was a quiet one. Neither Roger nor
Bessie was familiar with 1t and had
paid but little attention to It in prcvi-
GUS times
Now, however, they glanced curious
ly at the small, rather cory houses
which lined the sides. Although erect
I'D within recent years, they were al
most old fashioned by compariso-
with the big buildings on the more i'm
portant streets near by. II seemed az
II the little street was a mere eddy in
the swiritng life and progress ali
around It
'Oh, ! like this streetr' cried Bessie.
1T appeals to me. too" declared
Roger. with conviction.
For several blocks they followed
Harriet who continued her steady
course. AZ last they saw the cat turn
into q gate tn a charming stone fence.
and they FASTENED after her.
The feDse inciosed coy little cot
tage, wcA sek back from the sidewalk.
II me yard were q couple Of trees,
MOwer bed or two and a delightful
path. boriered BY how hedge which
nm ~ 10 the spacious veranda.
The Hide home had such a piuuant.
happy hook that inyoluntarily both
Roger and Ressie smiled as they gaEsd
81 o.
Yi.an Roger laughed
"xDCk who's on the vcrandar' ne
er1ed.
Bessie hooked closely and gasped.
IiDre was Harriet. curisd up tightly
In me blaze Of the sun. as II she had
been N the habit Of lying there Just
Mke that dag In and day out for years
well" cried the girl, Harriet
sesms 70 be perfectly satisfied with th.
psnoas
~Yea," acknowledged Roger. II could