The Dolores star., 1910-01-07


denly frigid. What II. through unto
ward accident. she discovered the con.
tents of the bcx? grown man lug
ging home n disreputable stray kitten.
She was a woman of the world-she
would see only the ridiculous side Of
the situation. He turned hot, then
cold, at the thought of her scorn.
She had taken the seat opposite. At
frst she had an expectant air; but he
sat like post. and the smile LIFT her
lips. Slowly the color sbbed from her
cheeks and her eyes flashed.
Presently as the car stopped to
leave passenger, sound arose in
the sudden silence that brought Hard.
ings heart into his throat-a pro
longed, piteous wall!
Good gracious! What's that ?"
cried a nervous looking woman beside
him.
His face was scarlet. A slight stir.
ring in the box showed that the kit.
ten, warmed and rested. was waxing
rebellious in its cramped quarters.
The cover lifted the fraction of an
inch, affording fieeting glimpse of
two black and white paws. Then
again came that plaintive cry.
Meow"
Mercy! It's cat," the woman ex.
claimed. Where can 1t be hiding ?"
Everybody looked around. II that
dismal wall was repeated. the kitten
would be located. They were ap-
preaching the residence of Harding's
best friend. Rising hastily he sig.
nailed the conductor.
On alighting he suddenly became
aware that Miss Loring was close be-
hind him. Instinctively he offered his
disengaged hand. but she haughtily
declined 1t. 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 in. time to see Miss
I-oring 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
In, h1 frp.
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 q
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 1t began
to sway slightly, and before he could
rush to the rescue, fell to the floor
There was distressed mew-more
appalling than 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 1t 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, I 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. rm-tak.
ing him-home with me-"
Morton stared, gasped, then, as the
situation 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 quartercd comfortably in your
bachelor abode? Oh, shades Of the
society with the long name! Tom
Carol and the boys shall hear OF
this"
The flush on Harding's cheek deep
ened. He turned blindly. holding the
kitten close to him. He wanted to get
away. The one thing he could not dc
was to meet Miss Loring's scornful
eyes.
But there was rustic, quick step
She had slipped between him and the
door.
IT'S a nasty night-of course you
couldn't leave the poor creature ia
perish. Ralph she said, in a voice
singularly gentle and sweet. TT would
have been cruel" Then she smiled q
queer smile, and added with sudden ir
relevancy: But there were flowers in