Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1912-04-12


bedrooms in the house freed upon the
front and sides, aud It waf doubtful
If any one else IN the house could be
disturbed by the cat cries.
lie decided that a paper weight was
too heavy. a sofa pillow too soft. his
boots quite out Of the question. Snow
ball must be broken OF this midnight
serenading under his window. He
whooped softly as happy thought
struck him On his washstand was
an unopened package Of an especial
talcum powder that he used when shaw
ing himself a quaniiw OF this white
powder sitting down nom nowhere In
particular upon the upiurned face OF
Snowfall would effectually put that fe-
line nuisance to rout.
As Bob opened the half pound pack
age Of talcum powder he chuckled soft
II to himself, not bearing footballs on
the carpeted hall nor the careful open
ing Of the rear basement door. His
own window was wide open, and he
thrust his head out, turned the pack
age upside down and shook the powder
out Then be crumpled the pasteboard
container and tossed that down after II.
Snowbalrs cries ceased instantly. but
they We're followed BY a feminine OK
clamation OF surprise.
"Great Jove. il l haven't sprinkled
Miss Lanel What in thunder is she
doing down there, anywayY'
Thoroughly chagriued and penitent
at the outcome Of his joke upon the
white cat, Bob Folsom paused, uncer-
tain what to do. Miss Lane was an
elderly woman. and the sudden de-
scent of the powder must not only
have startled her, but might have
caused her suffering. Bob remember
ed what Mrs. Porter had said about
Miss Lanes asthma. and he resolved
to make amends as far as lay in his
power Consequently he dashed Into
a bathrobe and slippers and went out
into the darkened han and down the
black pit Of the stairway to the base
ment hall He was CROPPING his way
toward the rear door which he could
see was still open, when a voice close
beside him asked quietly;
who are you. and what do you
wtntfp
III beg your pardon, Miss Lane.
is b notfr he stammered-
''Yes, am Hiss Lane Bob heard
button click. and instantly the hall
was flooded with light
He leaned weakly against the wall
and actually stared at the vision that
confronted him If this was Miss
Lane who was the CLASSY eyed lady
who had peered at him over the ban
lister that very mornings
She was beautiful. She was young,
not mere than nsenty-three. with
peach timed complexion, green eyes.
dark eyebrows and-red hair, She
was the antithesis Of his ideal in every
respect. and he should have turned
away from her with superb indiffer-
ence only he fell head over heels in
love with her at once-yes, red hair
and all. And the lovely waving red
hair was powdered thlekly with white
talcum. and the peach tint of her COM
plexion wns iiecked with taleum. and
the dark blue silk Of her dressing
gown was heclied with 1t, and even
the tip Of her adorable nose. As for
Snowfall. claaped in the curve of her
soft arms, he was tossing powder with
every angry shake OF his head.
OF course Bob Folsom had to apollo
gle. and he did it hastily. stumbling
over his words as he watched for
some CLEAN of forgiveness In the
green eyes.
"Of course you didn't know" she
said when he had concluded, aand Of
course poor spowball doesn't like 1t
bit. I'm glad that l went down after
him instead OF Aunt Cleopatra. She
would really have minded the pow
der" She smiled sweetly at Bob as
she proceeded on her way. Il wonder
If you would mind closing the door
and putting out the lights / heard
you coming downstairs, and was SO
frightened that did not stop to close
the door l felt that must find out
who it was.v
your voice did not sound frightened,
and--well. really. Tn afraid I've been
awfully old maldish about that cat.
suppose you were anxious about
him lie was saying when she inter
rupted him with a negative gesture Of
her head that sent two long red braids
@ying over her shoulders.
"No, indeed; I'm not bit anxious or
fond Of Snowball- he is so cross and
scratchy. But Aunt Cleopatra adores
him, and that IS why I've had to 20
down and call him in every evening at
bedtime. suppose you heard me-
He blushed and nodded sheepishly.
Il thought it must be Miss Lane
your aunt. you know
She cast an enigmatic smile over her
shoulder as she went up the stairs,
the snow white cat Rugged close to her
BOSOM When she had disappeared
Bob Folsom locked the door, snapped
ont the light and tiptoed up to his
room, Before he returned to bed he
stood looking out into the moonlit
ward, lis face soft with the wonder
and delight Of one who sees beloved
dreams coming true.
1T is my dream girl all right. even
If her hair and eyes are not the color
! wanted wonder how could have
admired any other combinationl Ev-
erything seems to 90 by contraries.
It's Aunt Cleopatra instead Of Jemima.
Her name must be something very
beautiful and golden wonder how I
soon can find outr
OF course Bob Folsom found out the
girls name long before he married her.
nd --.la... L.. -. 49, ..-...=a l