Arizona republican., 1911-12-18

ported by their enthusiastic, cat-loving Aunt Amelia. from which they had drawn bicycles and, as superintend- ents, were drawing pOcket-money. The kittens were indulging in few last engaging gambols before falling into the sleep of repletion which always followed their meals. But the Twins watched them with unsmiling eyes. for graver matters than the gambols of kittens filled their minds.
 The face of the Terror was nearly always grave, for an ineffable serenity lwelt on it. But today the piquant, vivacious face of Erebus was grave also: Christmas was at hand and the matter of q Christmas present for their Mother weighed on their minds. They had saved up nine shillings: large sum; one that must be expended with judgment. It. was their desire 10 give her something both attractive and use ful.
 They were in doubt whether it should be a hair-brush. or q tortoise she'll comb. to set in her hair. when Erebus drowning thoughtfully said. "l know what she really wants. though
 Whats that?' said the Terror sharply.
 Its one of those fur StOles in the window of Battam's at ROwingtOn. said Erebus. "I heard her sigh when she looked al 1t. She used tO have beautiful furs Once-befOre Father was lost But she sold then-tO get things for Us. I suppose. Uncle Mau rice told me so-at least I got it out If him.
 The Terror was now frowning thoughtfully too: and he said in q tone # decision. How much iS that stoleE"
 "Oh. it's no good thinking about it; it's three guineas.' said Erebus quickly.
 That's mort o' money. as old Stubbs says" said the Terror; and the rrown deepened on his brow.
 'I wonder if we c0ud get itE' said Erebus: and faint hOpcfulness dawned in her eyes as she looked II his pondering face. 'l should like to- IL must be hard on Mum not tO have nice things-much harder than for uS because we've never had them--at least we had them when we were small: but we never got used to them. So we've forgotten
 No: we're all right as lon" as we have useful things" said the Terror without relaxing his thoughtful frOwn. But you're right about Mum: she must be different I've got to think this out
 "Oh. but you've never thought Of as much as three suineas.' cried Ere1us.
 "I thought of thirty pounds oncc- for this Cats Home and our bicycles, said the Terror firmly. And if you come to think of it. Nuns stole is really more important than these thngs-though not so useful
 But it's different: we had to have bicycles-you said SO" said Erebus.
 Well. we've got to have this stole" said the Terror in a tone of iinality; and the matter settled. his brow smoothed to its wonted serenity.
 But how" said Erebus eagerly.
 Things will occur to Us. They al- ways do." said the Terror with a care less confidence.
 They began to put the kittens into their hutches. Halfway through the
 
 Il wonder if we could sell any of these kittens. Does anyone ever buy kit tens:"
 We did; we gave threepence each for these" said Erebus.
 An. but we had to have something in th. way of cats in the Home. We should never have bought q kitten but for that"
 Il should buy kittens. if l were rich and hadn't got any" said Erebus firmly.
 You would. would you? That's what I wanted to know: girls will buy kittens said the Terror in tone of satisfaction. Well, we'll sell these"
 But We cant empty the Home" said Erebus.
 We wouldn't. Wed buy fresh ones. just able to lap, for threepence each and sell these at shilling. We might make nearly a sovereign that way"
 You do think of things" said Ere bus with some envy.
 Ii was not the habit of the Twins to lose time: they put away the kit tens. took their bicycles. rode down to the village, and spread the news that they were once more prepared to buy kittens at threepence each. On their way home they met Tom Cobb. Tom Cobb was a villager they respected; ; and he and they were very good friends. Carping souls often said that Tom Cobb had never done an honest days work in his life. Yet he was the smartest man in the village, the most neatly dressed, always with money in his pocket. It was common knowledge that his fortunate state arose from his constitutional disability to observe those admirable laws which have been passed for the protection of English Dheasants from all dangers save the small shot of those who have them fed. Tom Cobb waged war. war or varying fortunes, against the Sacred Bird. Sometimes for a whole season he would sell the victims of the car mage of that war with never check to his ardor. In another season some prying gamekeeper would surprise him glutting his thirst for blood and gold and an infuriated Bench Of Magis- trates would fine him. The fine was always paid. Tom Cobb was one of those thrifty souls who lay up money against rainy dag.
 He and the Twins greeted one an