The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-02
THE EVENING STORY
A Home for HARRIET.
(By Frank H. williams.

|
| the boarding house steps.
ANY feline but HARRIET" he de-
clared, would at least feel mildly per-
| turbed at the prospect of losing a
home and Mistress
| you'd think so, wouldn't you" an
SWered Bessie Roberts. Bessie was
very pretty and wholly charming, but
at the present time a little frown of
anxiety wrinkled her forehead.
| IT simply don't know what to do
about it," she continued. "The land
lady says that I've got to get rid of
! Harriet, and I can't find any other
pace SO convenient to my work, where
can live. ] suppose suppose" she
added, wistfully, that L shouldn't be
SO 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, ia feel too
awfully, miserably lone-ly''
Roger saw that Bessie was near
tears. Poor, lonesome kiddie," he
thought-and, leaning over, he strok-
ed Harriet very carefully. HARRIET
arched her back, purred and rose
slowly to his feet. Then, turning
round, she jumped squarely into Rog-
er's lap.
What sensible cat!' Roger smiled
at the girl. You see, she likes me
very much. If only every one-that is,
some one-liked me very, very much''
He glanced at the girl slyly. A lit
and she kept her eyes fixed. steadfastly
on the cat.
81 only wish they allowed cats in
my boarding house., he continued.
That's one of the troubles of living
in boarding house-you don't get
home. Now, I'll tell you what we'll
do" he cried, jumping to his feet
Wen take Harriet with US and go on
tour of inspection in this neighbor-
hood. Wen hunt up a nice, quiet
street where there are little cottages
instead of big houses. and when we
see nice, honey comfortable house
wife in one of the homes We'll go in
and ask her to keep Harriet for us"
For us?" queried the girl, with a
little laugh.
Sure" continued Roger, unabash-
ed. You don't think HARRIET belongs
to you, alone, do you? I think Harriet
would resent any such idea as that
She likes me too well. and 1 like her
too well. No. indeed. have a minor
ity interest in this cat"
The girl laughed and rose to her.
feet.
We'll, come along" she said "I
suppose it's the best thing we can do,
and as it's Sunday afternoon we
ought to be able to find lots OF the peo-
pie home"
Roger helped the girl down the
steps, and, calling to Harriet, they
walked down the street. Harriet,
big, sleek and black, followed deco
rously enough until they reached a
small, rather obscure cross street.
Roger happened to be looking back
as, they scorssed this street and discov-
cred Harriet very sedateIy ambline
down the little thoroughfare
Come here. Harriet" Roger called
and then whistled to the cat
Harriet paid not~the slightest at
tention, but continued her sedate walk
r n ON he i'll d
called but even to her HARRIET paid
not attention.
We'll, I declare" cried the girl in
surprise. Harriet has always been
peculiar, but she has never acted like
this before.
Lets follow her and see where she
goes cried Roger. Perhaps she is
looking for a home. or perhaps she
has a home already picked out"
"All right said Bessie
They turned back and fastened af-
ter Harriet, who was now about a
fourth of a block ahead. The street
was quiet one. Neither Roger nor
Bessie was familiar with it, and had
paid but little attention to it in pre-
vious times.
Now, however they glanced curious
ly at the small. rather cozy houses
which lined the sides. Although erect
ed within recent years, they were al
most old-fashioned by comparison
with the big buildings on the more i'm
portant streets nearby. 1t seemed as
if the little street was a mere eddv in
the swirling life and progress all
around it.
"Oh. like this street." cried Bes-
sic
'It appeals to me, too declared
Roger. with conviction.
For several blocks they followed
HARRIET. who continued her steady
course. At last they saw the cat turn
into gate in a charming stone fence
n "A r.
The fence inclosed coy little cot
tage, well set back from the sidewalk.
In the yard were couple of tres. a
path, bordered by a low hedge, which
run up to the spacious veranda-
The little home had such a piquant,
happy look that, involuntarily, both
Roger and Bessie smiled as they
gazed at it.
Then Roger laughed
LOOK who's on the veranda" he
cried
Bessie looked closely and gasped.
There was Harriet, curled up tightly |
in the blaze of the sun as if she had |
been in the habit of lying there, just
like that, day in and day out for years. |
Well" cried the girl. Harriet |
seems to be perfectly satisfied with
the place..
YES" acknowledged Roger. at
could be happy, too. in a home like |
this if had the right person to share
It with me- He looked directly at the
girl. For f1eeting moment her eyes
met his, and then, startled, and with
her face flushed, she ran up the path |
to the veranda-
why" she exclaimed, as she |
reached the first step, there's no one
living here-the place is for remit"
She pointed to a sign that had slipped |
from its position in window.
'iWhy, so it is,'' cried Roger. liar |
riett can't stay here. of course-un- |
Iac5 loo %
sic with a smile full of meaning.
"Of course she can't stay here"