South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-09
SECOND YEAR OF
MARRIED LIFE.
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

Helen opened the door to mes
senger boy with covered basket.
Mrs. Warren Curtis ?" he asked.
Helen nodded.
Sign here, please"
But what is tim not expecting
anything"
Il don't know. ma'am." the boy
grinned. 81 was told to handle it
right carbohydrates ALL"
Before she could question him fur
ther he had gone.
AS Helen took up the basket there
was q curious little sound from in
side and then a distinct 'meaw'.
Hurriedly she loOsened the cover, a
tiny graw paw reached up and then.
with a bound A fluffy little Persian
kitten jumped out. For a moment 1t
seemed bewildered, then it ran under
the couch.
In the basket was a small envelope.
Helen tore it open: PUSSY Purrmew-
for Helen Curtis"
A kitten for Winifred.> But who had
sent it? There was no name on the
card. STOPPING down, Helen drew
out from under the frightened ball Of
fur and cuddled it lovingly.
'Oh, you dear little thing.
The kitten purred and rubbed
it's neck, with a silver bangle on which
was engraved PUSSY Purr-mew".
PUSSY Purr-mew - Pussy Purr-
new" Helen repeated it aloud.
What a dear name for a kitten"
Then she took it in to Winifred, who
was playing with a small woody sheep
on rollers At first she seemed afraid.
then with a gurgling laugh she put
out her hand and stroked its soft FUR.
But the kitten was still shy. and 1t
struggled away and ran under the
bed
Again Helen went back TO the bas-
ket and shook out the piece OF pink
ranton flannel that lay in the bottom,
hoping to find some clew as TO VINO
had sent it, but there was none. Who
could il have been? Certainly none
&C Warren's people, for they disap-
proved of children having live pets.
"Delia." Helen called into the
kitchen, bring me a saucer of milk.
There's a little kitten in here that
some one has sent Winifred.
Della Likes 1t.
"a kitten!" Della came TO the door
in establishment. "Oh, amt it a purity
one? Ny, what long hair-I amt
never seen one like that"
She brought the milk and the kitten
laDped it up eagerly, and then pro
ceeded to wash its paws and face with
the gravest kitten dignity Helen
found a piece of pale blue ribbon and
tied a butterfly bow on its collar. 'Oh
YOU dear. soft, fluffy, furry little
thing" as she put the kitten on
chair and adjusted the bow.
But could she keep it? Would
/ Warren let her? She knew ne hau
never approved of pets in an apart
ment. IL was a very valuable kitten,
It's long fur end fluffy tail proclaimed
/ that. And if she couldn't keep it
what would she do with it? Since
she didn't know from whom II came
she could not return IL.
Meanwhile the kitten went to sleeI
on the chair trustfuliy UNCONSCIOUS u
| the uncertainty of its future.
II was later than usual when war
rem came home. and Helen could see
that he was not in the best humor
| She had fixed a box for the kitten IN
the nursery. and now she shut 1T up IT
| there, not wanting him 10 see 1t unu
after he had had his dinner, hoping
he would feel more kindly inclined.
| Stevens a fool he declared q
he watched Helen break open a large
baked potato and fix II for him with
| butter. salt and paprika. y on know
I warned him not 10 go INTO ina
| Lowison deal. and now the bottom
| dropped out OF the whole thing, JUS
as said II would
And he lost what he put in
| asked Helen. pushing the potato TO-
i ward him.
"Of course he lost what he put II
over five thousand. digging into the
( potato with his fork.
Perhaps you'll want little more
paprika. dear. that's stronger than any
we've had and 7 was afraid I'd ge'
too much"
| land now the whole concern |:
| down and out" he went on. ignoring
| her comment And il serves then
! right-they were crooked from the
! start and I told Stevens all along
See hsye. is this all the bread you'vt
got2 What about that whole whea'
bread YOU ordered ,"
'.Thev didn't deliver IL today