The Southern herald., 1911-06-02

and as leaned back in Massinger's
luxurious new car yswned comfort
ably and thought OF tea
Wake up. said Massinger. We're
near Victoria; home in ive minutes, ="
He glanced at a clock by Jove. we've
done the journey in less"
A piercing scream cut him short.
and he drew up with a jerk. We both
Jumped out and peered through the
dusk. A crowd sprang up from no
where.
What the devil" began Mas
singer.
Something moved on the ground
and vhimpered softly; It was the lit
tie battered figure Of a boy.
We leaned over him.
Il say, are you-are you hurt?"
asked Msssinger.
The boy suddenly wiped his sleeve
across his eyes. stumbled to his feet.
and touched his disreputable cap.
"Hullo! You. Piper?" Massinger ex-
claimed.
Yes, sir; beg pardon, sir didn't
reckernize the car; very sorry, sir. +"
He tried to shamble away in boots
half dozen sizes too large for him.
But. l say. Piper"-Massinger
stopped him-"if you're not hurt and
we didn't touch you. what did you-er
let OF that yell for?"
beg pardon. sir" said the boy
again. neryously. Very sorry, sir"
You hurted his Kitty" interposed
the shrill, reproachful voice Of a lit
tie girl who was among the interested
spectators.
"Kitty?" echoed Masslnger.
There, sir! Behind I'm, sir!" A
dozen fingers pointed to a limp. vel
lowish object in the road, to which
the word hurt was painfully made
quate. Piper's cat was dead.
Massinger cleared his throat uncom-
fortably. Il say, do you mean We"
1T amt Of no consequence. sir, "
murmured Piper.
Well. you know, I'm uncommonly
sorry," Massinger stammered, coun-
founded alike by Piper's humble resig-
nation and the eager attention OF the
crowd.
Piper touched his cap again, and
as his hand descended something from
Massinger's hand passed into it.
Come along" whispered Masslnger
to me, and we walked to the car. But
before we could start we became
aware with relief that we were no
longer the center Of interest. A big,
loose limbered man had lurched out
OF an adjacent public house, at sight
OF whom Piper had suddenly put down
his head and tried to butt his way out
Of the crowd. But that body, either
resenting his abruptness or anticipa
ting further excitement. II they could
keep him. stolidly opposed their
weight to his.
THAT you, ye limbi" inquired the
big man, thickly.
"Lemme gol" urged Piper, butting
again.
But It was too late. The big man
had him by the coat collar. What
you bin up to, boy?" he demanded.
"Nothin'," said Piper, sullenly.
But the crowd was not to be de
frauded thus. Details were amply
forthcoming.
Gentleman thought e was dead!"
Gentleman ran over is cat n killed
IT."
Gentleman give I'm 'alf a crown!'
The drunken man looked Thoughtful
ly and with less amiability at his son
KILLED our cat, did 'e?" he inquired.
my cat" said Piper, defiantly.
None O. that, saucebox," recon
mended his father.
Cats what live in my house are
my cats, and alf crowns what art
paid for the funerals Of my cats are
my 'alf crowns. Out with IT,"
There was a short struggle, and Pi
per's spoil was transferred to his par
ent. Piper shuffied away with hi
sleeve across his eyes.
Poor little beggar!" l said, as W,
started. IT'S no good interfering now
but one might make 1t up to him to
morrow. Where does he liver?
Massinger chuckled. Don't vast,
too much Of your pity, Longworth
And l don't know where he lives. no,
what his real name is. My wife call
him Piper because that's the wor,
oftenest on his lips. He brings m,
evening papers round and we occa
sionally give him meal or a pair o
boots"
What do you mean about wastin,
my pity?"
Massinger laughed-a tolerant. su
perior laugh.
Regular little street Arab, ism
he? Good business, that fight"
Good business?"
"Yes; did you miss 1t, really?"
Miss what?" | asked, coldly. Mas
singers air of being particularly II
the know is apt to iritate one.
"Ha, hal" Massinger was In his ele
msnt as he explained. why, the hal
crown business"
Il saw his father take It, II that
what you mean"
Eyes, yesl His father took one, an
Is satisfied, too"