Charlevoix county herald., 1910-11-26

, terest, and brousat 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 III
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 Staiey's nature.
He had to so about it slowly, for she
permitted no cessation cf their strict
, business relations. The only subject
which he dared to discuss with her in
| formally was the Office cat. Never
| did a feline acquire Importance more
| suddenly. 1t became q daily occur
renco for the judge to step In and say
| good morning TO "Pussyk.n." He put
her milk on the office expense ac-
count, experimental with prepared
foods, and furnished fresh and dried
supplies of catnip, until at last, when
the one-time starving took her
place beside the pot of l'ansies on
Miss Staley's window, she was JOY
to behold.
Thus all went well unit! ono 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 il l
heard him beating his boy again !
would report him to the police"
WELL" the judge stated, 'he will
find out that l."
The janitor, after much compul-
| sion, admitted that he had car
the cat to the edge Of the city, and
had dropped her near the ash dump.
"She was mine," was his defense.
II will get you another cat" was
the way the Judge tried to comfort
Miss Staley.
But Miss Staley shook her head.
"Oh. no. you mustn't. ! think the
! reason l liked this one was because
she was alone, and nobody seemed to
care for her, and since | came here
among strangcrs--I know how 1t
feels"
Then, lest she should seem TO claim
his sympathy, she turned it off with
n little laugh. but | have enough
| to eat"
"As IL that suflced," the Judge
soliloquized, when 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 ho 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 scat. Under
stress of circumstances, Miss Sta
ley consented. They did not find the
cat, but the Judge found out where
Miss Staley lived.
During q 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.
Tho fourth day Miss Staley de-
clined to go with him. II am busy.
and l am afraid It's OF no use 10
look further" she said.
The Judge wasted the next day in
meditation. and having como 90 a
decision, he went back late to his
Office to look over case that was
coming up the next day. Thus II
happened that, at midnight, he heard
in the hall an unmistakable NEW.
He was out of his room like q shot,
to find before Miss Staley's closed
portal shivering, foot-sore creature
who dragged herself to him over the
stone floor.
why, Pussykin, Pussykin." he said
and petted her and carried her back
to his office. and made her comforta'
bic beside his radiator. Then he
telephoned to the corner lunchrcom
for a bottle of milk and n box oi
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 il 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 Pussykiu
purred at their feet. THAT cat cant
stay here-it isn't really businesslike
you know"
81 know" Miss Staley's toue was
deprecating. But | live in board
ing house, and"
81 don't" said the Judge.
"You mean" her glance met his
that you want her?'
| both of ynrf " fbc iudOf