Las Vegas optic., 1912-06-20

ness manager. sporting editor and
society reporter for the only paper In
the county, that his Aunt Sallie. who
had raised him. had said that very
night that any girl would be proud
20 marry him. and that It must be
now or never. And ali the time he
sat glumly~in straight backed chair.
facing Genevieve, who chatted gayly
They, too. heard the unusual noise
in the hall. and the girl was fright
ened. Before Jack Wilton could re-
assure her the curtains parted and
the rat and the cat darted into the
room. The young man sprang up
with open arms and Genevieve. utter
ing one unearthly shrek. rushed into
his close embrace. Her hair was
tousled, her white frock crushed and
Jack Wilton, in hot rush OF words
told her everything that he had meant
to tell her and a great deal more
besides.
He might have talked all night. had
not a voice of thunder interrupted
him.
Sir. what does this mean?"
In the door stood Mr.. Grantwood,
glaring ominously, with Mrs. Grant
wood In curl papers and blanket.
trying very hard to see and not be
seen. and behind them Tommy Grant
wood, grinning broadly. John viii
ton had seen Mr.. Grantwood in tow
ering RACES. but never so angry as
this; he had seen Mrs. Grantwood
relaxing" In a rocking chair. but
never so limp as now. Still he did
not waver
"Genevieve, come to your mother"
commanded Mrs. Grantwood
Genevieve did not stir; she was ex-
periencing the first great thrill of her
ladylike life, and she chung to her
lover.
"Sirl" cried Mr. Grantwood, swell
ing with rage; but his wrathful tor
rent of words was cut short by Thom-
as Vaudeville Grantwood. who shout
ed:
Say, pa, look at that rat!"
For Jack Wiltons cat had at last
cornered her prey and was bringing
1t to her master for the customary
praise. Mr.. Grantwood. at his small
sons suggestion, looked
Good gracious, Lily" he exclaimed,
what a rat!" And forgetting his
daughter he fell on his knees by the
cat.
''Mr. Grantwood," begged Jack VIII
ton, pressing his girl to his heart.
II love your daughter"
Mr.. Grantwood was pressing the
cat to his heart. Jack" he replied
with conviction, she's the best ratter
in the state"
Il know l am not worthy" sighed
the young man. "but I'll try to make
her happy"
"she's hungry" suggested Mr..
Grantwood, "and she's much too fine
to eat rats. Get her chicken bone,
Tommy"
GIVE her to me-" urged Jack Will
ton, and the absent-minded Mr..
Grantwood realized at last that he
was being asked for his daughters
hand. He picked up the cat and his
eyes began to twinkle. "All right.
jack he answered, "Ill swap with
YOU. II you must have Genevieve, |
must have the cat, Now that's bar
gain"
A little later in the evening Jack
Wilton was Fastening home to tell
his Aunt Sallie the glad news. The
blood was still pounding unreason-
ably through his veins, and he
seemed to be walking on air, when
suddenly the words of his poem came
back to him, imbued with new and
wonderful meaning. He thought OF
the time he had spent on that poem,
his nights of agony, his early morn
ing fittings In pursuit of inspiration
from the rising sun And its queer"
he mused. for he was still OF the
opinion that newspaper man is
necessarily literary" that it wasn't
the poem that won her after all, but
nv old mouser. Nelly"