The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-08-22

| girl?" He tweaked her ears, and the
stare of her optics was lost as she
bent her head to his caress.
Give 1t up," said Bertrand. weary
Of the subject.
Blind" explained Harris Iaconical-
ly.
'The devil she isr' vociferated the
other.
'She Is a devil sometimes; but, all
things considered, call her a very
patient lady. Want to hear the sto-
ryY'
Yes and no. You know l don't
care for cats" admitted Bertrand, set
Ting himself in his chair and lighting
cigar from the box on the table.
you know l was prowling In Egypt
last winter, and among the pyramids
Of Abusir ! came across Hara." He
smiled and rolled a cigarette my
guide had led me into an especially
interesting tomb. that of the Princess
Hara, whose family had ceased to
reign the Lord only knows how many
thousand years ago. had made the
rounds Of funeral urns. viewed several
interesting mummy cases, including
those of the princess and some Of her
retainers, and admired some of the
ancient furniture that had been found
within the sealed chamber.
IAN at once there ran between my
feet this. cat, not as you see her now.
with pure topazes for eyes. but with
hollows where eyes had once been.
She curled around me and arched her
back and mewed pitifully, and when
took her in my arms she stretched
herself on my shoulder and laid her
velvet tongue against my cheek.
'Oh, yes. | was an idiot. Of course
Just because found her In the tomb
of Princess Hara kept her and call
ed her Hara and bought topaz eyes
for her. and here she is. My guide
protested and told me great evil would
befall me and mine because adopted
the cat. The beggar said she was
probably the reinearnated soul Of
Princess Hara's cat. II not the princess
herself. Now, I've read something of
that royal lady's life. and I'll admit
she was something Of cat. Scratch.
win you? BounceP'
Harris tossed the cat to a distant
corner and lifted bis handkerchief to
his bleeding cheek. ''She does that
once In awhile he said ruefully, land
the funny part Of it all Is that it hap
pens whenever I've been criticising the
Princess Hara. whom q! y believe
was quite a devil In her Nay Seat.
you brutei''
The Egyptian cat had *
en- three long leaps across the room
and launched herself at Harris throat.
He tossed her into heap Of cushions
and laughingly brought out bottle Of
antiseptic solution and applied Il to
his scratch.
Suddenly he became aware Of Der.
trands long silence and looked quickly
at his friend. The latter was hunched
forward In his chair staring dazedly
at the cat, which crouched on her
cushions and glared back at him from
sightless jeweled eyes.
whats the matter, Bertrandr' Har-
ris asked sharply.
Bertrand looked up with little shud-
der.
"Retribution," he said DULY.
What? What are you talking about9"
Harris shook him into an upright posi-
ton.
"It's retribution." repeated Bertrand,
pointing finger at the cat.
explain yourself, old man. don't
know what you're talking about.
What has Hara got to do with your
Il, too, have been In the tombs Of
Abusir," said Bertrand, regaining bis
composure. but it was several years
ago. / committed a little crime-a
theft There; it's out now, although
thought ] paid then for what | took.
My guide had shown me the mummy
of the Princess Hara. and / was at
tracted by the mummified body OF her
pet cat, which reposed at her feet
Well, the cat mummy had In its head
the finest pair Of cats eye jewels ever
saw-steely blue In color with pale
yellow pupils. To make a long story
short, ! took the cats eyes and tucked
underneath the little cats body the
worth of the Jewels. ! wanted them
for my collection, you know"
Harris nodded assent and addees