Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-03-09
w AN'T|E:,|D
By HARRIET LUMMIs SMITH


| tCopyright, 1910, by Associated Literary Press)
| 1t was after midnight and Moulton
was returning to his boarding house
| on bad terms with himself and the
world. He had sat through a stupid
| show for no other reason than that he
had nothing else to do. He was won
dering how many of these lonely even
| lngs he could endure. He had been in
the city six weeks and was as friend
less as when he started, the acquaint-
aHces he had made in connection with
his business and at his boarding
house not appealing to him as possible
intimates. But this evening he recog-
nized that he was becoming desper-
ate.
Other fellows make friends"
Moulton reflected. They don't need
SIX weeks to do it, either. How the
deuce do they manage it?" He told
himself gloomily it was partly ques-
ton Of luck, and the luck was always
against him.
What further pessimistic conclu-
sion he might haze reached, left to
himself, 1t is impossible to say, for at
this instant he was accosted, and by
young woman. She was dressed
most peculiarly for the street. guilt
less of hat or wrap. Her close-fitting
blue frock gave glimpse Of white
neck and the sleeves, ending at the ell.
bow, revealed pair of plump, pretty
arms.
Excuse me-" said the girl to Moul-
ton. and paused.
In Moulton's present state Of feel
Ing he would have excused any
human being who made advances to-
ward acquaintance, but in the case of
the girl, the need Of excuses was es-
pecially slight.
do you." began the girl hesitating-
ly, do. you mind-rats?"
In an instant Moulton understood.
Her unusual dress, her unconven-
tional hating of stranger and
when he came to notice tia certain
wlldness In her gaze, all pointed to
the same painful conclusion: This
fair young creature had escaped some
inexcusably careless keeper. Moul-
ton had had few dealings with the in
sane, but he recalled having heard
that 1t was advisable always to agree
with them. Her voice had trembled
as she asked the question, and Moul-
ton promptly fell into her mood.
mind them?" he repeated. II
should say do. Horrible vermin."
1t is never well to trust too much
to theories, especially the theories of
other people. The girl stamped her
| foot.
Il never heard of such thing"
she cried. "a great big man-you
must be fully six feet-afraid of rats"
Moulton fastened to appease her.
Afraid" he exclaimed. mot bit
of It, In fact, l rather like them. If
anything. Playful little creatures!"
DO you like them so we'll that you
would object to killing one?" the girl
asked anxiously.
And at that moment it occurred to
Moulton that perhaps there was meth
cd in her madness. He murmured
something unintelligible which she
evidently took for assent, for she
seemed relieved. 0y@1
In that case," she said, "Tll ask
| you to come up to the library. It's
unconventional, l know. but as rat
has had grandma freed on the library
table for two hours, and 1t is long
past grandma's bedtime, 1t doesn't
| seem to me a time to stand on cere-
mony."
She led the way into the house, and
Moulton, convinced by her tone that
her questions were all method and no
madness, followed her. congratulating
himself on his own good fortune. The
library was on the second floor. Its
only unconventional feature was an
old lady sitting on the library table,
with her feet drawn up under her. On
the floor below, fat terrier gazed
flxedly at some object hidden by the
dropping cover.
AT the door the girl paused. Grand
ma" she said, this is Mr.-Mr.-.
"Moulton," prompted the owner of
the name.
This is Mr.. Moulton, grandma, and
he is going to be kind enough to kill
the rat for u.s.
| The girl climbed nimbly into an
armchair as she spoke, and stood with
her garments drawn tightly about
her. The old lady on the table ac-
knowledged the introduction with
much dignity.
Il hope, Ethel" she said plaintiye.
ly, you have explained the situation
In housekeeping experience extend
ing over fifty years, Mr.. Moulton.
there has never been rat in nv
| house until this moment"
II haven't explained, but / will"
said the girl with an air OF not relish.
ing the prospect. Puck, our dog.
Your dog. my DEAR" said the old
lady "Anda very worthless animal"
Puck" repeated Ethel, LOOKING in.
the direction OF the fat terrier
Caught a rat in the back yard this
evening. called him into the house
| and he rushed by me and hro,,ot,+ -.