The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-05-02

there's a mouse In this room!"
His sister-in-law flung him one hor.
ror-stricken look. stood immovable for
a paralyzed second, then clutched her
skirts. ran frantically across the room
and jumped upon the end OF spi
derry, yellow brocade seat.
Where is lt?" she walled. trying
pathetically to balance herself. 20.
Harry, | can't-stand-micel"
1T isn't mice. Alice. It's mouse"
returned Harry solemnly. You'd bet
ter come down. or you'll break tina,
yellow gimcrack Well. never mind #
you do break It. But listen There's
a mouse In this room-Therei See
him?"
There was half-suppressed shud
dering shrek. and Mrs Field broke
out with sudden indignation. Why
don't you catch him? He cant hurt
you! The Idea of a great mans
Varsity setback-or-or-w
you are. afraid Of mouse!"
Just So" returned Harry amiably,
but ! don't care to get bitten. or
anything. Blood poisoning. you know
Now, I'll tell you. I'll come over and
personally conduct you to the door,
and you go up to the top floor and
borrow the cat Sec"
Mrs. Field could not see so very
we'll for the webbing OF the seat
and 1t might have been for the rea
son that her brother-ln-law could not
hear distinctly what she said. at
first.
Very well" came icy tones. at
length, with sufficient distinctness. and
all the dignity possible under the cir
cumstances Very well. Harrison
Field, very we'll"
The journey across the room safely
accomplished, Harry listened breath
lessly until be heard two pairs of feet
on the stair then he smiled the smile
of triumph. He opened the door
crack. He saw yellow ball encircled
by slim arm. and his smile grew
bland.
Il shall not come in." declared Mrs
Field sharply. "Miss-O. yes.-Dun
can-excuse me. will let the cat go
In and get it. o. I beg pardon. Miss
Duncan, my brother-in-law, Mr.. Field
| couldn't bear to see 1t dangling, or
hear its bones brunch"
II think, Mr.. Field" observed Miss
Duncan, in a voice of grave dignity,
Daffy had better go out when he
catches It,"
Leave everything to me-" returned
Mr. E%pId nj w., 10
dies seek place of safety, and have
no fear. Everything shall be done
decently and In order"
With the prompt closing OF the door
Mrs. Field drew a long. tremulous
breath and clutched at the wall.
1T is nothing. my dear Mrs. Field"
encouraged Miss Duncan. taking one
cold hand in her warm clasp. at will
soon be over. What did you say.
GTace?"
Bring Mrs. Field up" came a sym.
pathetic voice from above. You will
both get cold down there"
1t was a solemn and exceedingly
correct young man who later conduct
ed Mrs Thomas Field back to her OWL
apartment.
Regarding fats" he vouchsafed
with somber affability. there is much
to be said on both sides"
There was no response, and young
Mr. Field reflected sadly that the dig
nifled small person at his side mus
be decidedly annoyed when the allur
ing subject of flats" provoked no re
joinder, Still she might be thinking
that the public staircase, at 1890
o'clock at night, was not precisely the
ideal place for conversation. Alice
was nothing. If not proper
However. he was not long In doub
concerning the state of her mind
shuddered. Upon the threshold, she
cast rapid and fearful glances into
corners and under chairs.
It's gone" cheerfully assured her
protector. Quite gone. And really, |
think 1t was frightfully mea nmouse
to kick up such a rumpus with Tom
away. Sort of recalls the old adage.
though, doesn't it,"
Then did Mrs. Fields indignation
overleap its bounds. She shut the
door with decision, and walked firm.
ly into her parlor. A little too firm.
ly, thought her obseryant brother-in
law. She strobe firmly to a position
under the chandelier. and faced him
Harrison Field" she began stern
ly, why didn't you tell me you were
interested In one of those cat girls? .
If you had. would have called-.or /
Toms sake. But, no, instead OF be /
ing man enough to own up. you come |
around wondering If | have called |
and If 1t isn't a fiat-dwellers duty to
call, and | don't know what all nd
then. because cant see through your
hypocrisies, you take advantage OF
Toms being away Toto"
20, say, Alice, come of. won't you?'
exclaimed Harry. Not as bad as
that"
You take advantage OF Toms alb.
sence," repeated Mrs. Field. control
ing herself with violent effort, TO
bring out mouse. You did bring i,
out. know you did. We never had
a mouse in this house before II
was contemplate. underhanded-"
Alice" besought Harry. genuine
distress in his voice now, don't be
too hard on a fellow, Fll-Ill buy
Won that TURQUOISE ring you were tell