Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-09

thanked him. Now she can keep
her white fur. It is hard for her,
poor thing. when there are so many
ashes"
The screen made such an effectivs
hiding place that no one but the
Judge and Miss Staley knew OF the
good fortune that had come to the
office cat II furnished them, too.
with a little secret and delightful In
terest. and brought into the judges
somewhat staid bachelor life fresh
ness which was a relief from the
stale excitements Of late suppers and
showgirls which seemed to satisfy
his clubfellows.
Reverence for women had been In
stilled into the Judge by his mother,
but he had found few who had justi-
fed it. 1t was a real joy to discover
the depths Of Miss Staieys nature.
Thus all went well until one cold
morning. when Miss Staley came in
for dictation. The judge saw that
her usual self-possession had for
saken her. He gave her three letters
before she broke down, and then she
wrung her hands and said. wistfully,
like child: "oh. I've lost my cat.
How" the judge sat up. you
don't mean-?"
Yes, / do. ! haven't seen her for
two days The janitor has had it in
for me ever since | told him that II
heard him beating his boy again
would, report him to the police"
Well" the Judge stated. he win
find out that T."
The janitor. after much compul-
sion, admitted that he had car
the cat to the edge of the city.
Il will get you another cat" was
the way tho Judge tried to comfort
Miss Staley.
But Miss Staley shook her head.
"Oh. no. you mustn't think the
reason I liked this one was because
she was alone. and nobody seemed &c
care for her, and since ! came here
among strangers--I know how II
feels"
Then, lest she should seem to claim
his sympathy, she turned 1t of with
little laugh. But ] have enough
to eat"
'As If that sufaced." the Judge
soliloquized, wien she had left him
why what she needs is--love--"
The suddenness of the revelation
brought him up with jerk. "oh
look here" he admonished himself
you mustn't think Of such thing.
| you know"
But be did think OF It, and the out
come was an invitation to Miss Staley
| to go with him that afternoon In his
car to hunt for the Office cat. Under
stress of circumstances. Miss Sta
ley consented. They did not find the
cat, but the Judge found out where
Miss Staley lived.
During a second search. the judge
discovered that Miss Staley's name
was Margaret. and on the third trip
he had the Joy of buying her a bunch
OF violets.
The fourth day Miss Staley de
clined to go with him. Il am busy.
and I am afraid it's Of no use to
look further" she said.
The Judge wasted the next day In
meditation. and having come to
decision, he went back late to his
Office to look over case that was
coming up the next day. Thus u
happened that, at midnight. he heard
In the hall an unmistakable NEW"
He was out of his room lire shot.
to find before Miss Staley's closed
portal shivering, foot-sore creature
who dragged herself to him over the
store floor.
why, Pussykin. Pussykin." he said.
and petted her and carried her back
to his office. and made her ccmforta-
bic beside his radiator. Then he
teIephoned to the corner lunchroom
for a bottle Of .c!'k and box OF
fried oysters, and they had their late
supper together. happily.
The rapture of Miss Staley the next
morning was his reward. But he was
not content to let 1t end there, We've
got to plan it out" he said. firmly,
| and shut the door of Miss Staley's
sanctum and sat down and faced her.
while the regenerated Pussy kin
purred at their feet. THAT cat can't
STAY here-it isn't really businesslike.
| you know
Il know" Miss staley's tone was
deprecating. But live in board
Ing house. and
II don't" said the Judge.
you mean" her glance mot his
that you want herr"
81 want both of you," the Judge
ciared. bluntly; my house ls
empty, and my heart is empty-Mar
garet."
When they planned their wedding
tourney the Judge suggested England
In general. and Cheshire in particu
lar.
Because of the cheese?' was Miss
Staleys demand.
because of the CATS" was the
whimsical response.
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