The Ordway new era., 1913-01-31
ne CAUGHT THE CAT
sy EDITH COHEN.

Il
Young Dewberry was cracking ice
ON the stone doorstep by way OF help
ing Althea make lemonade for the
rest Of the callers In the living room.
He had attained this privilege by
cheer force, inasmuch as three other
young men had sprung to their feet
whom Althea had murmured some
thing about making the lemonade.
Young Dewberry had simply hewn .
path through their ranks as he head
I'd for the icebox and bit of soil
tude with Althea.
rs that SOL" he remarked In re-
Spouse to her remark about the thir-
ty-six fats. He looked down into the
suge curved court. which nearly b.
sected the long building. 1t was a
canyon with walls showing spidery
staircases and narrow little porches
End It ended in cement well at the
yround, with an exit through the base
ment to the street.
"Oh!" Althea cried at that mo-
ment. For something 1.-THE and gray
ieaped over young Dewberry to the
porch and vanished. There goes my
.ati i never allow him out at night!
Catch him, quick!"
Dropping the Ice. young Derberry
made a leap after the cat. 1t glided
down the narrow staircases like a
ghost. Breathless, its pursuer reached
the bottom and chased the elusive
feline around the cement court. At
last he grabbed its tail and hung on.
The cat, scratching furiously. was
gathered to his manly chest and fur
lively choked.
Nov I've got you!" young Dew
berry muttered viciously. "Consarn
you! Why should she waste affection
on you?"
He looked up at the canyon wall
and was impressed by its UNMARRIED
nonotony. Then. seeing staircase
near. he started up. Mechanically
after 4 while he stopped. All the
back doors ON that floor were closed.
All loked alike. It suddenly dawned
IN young Dewberry that he was con-
!ronted by thirty-six back doors and
hat his chance Of finding the right
one was rather slim.
Peering over the rail, he counted mp
from the ground and found that he
was on the third floor. He began
considering doors. Most Of them had
names on them and none Of the
names was Simpson. He had not
-ealixed before how very many other
aames there were IN the world. FINAL
y he came to nAmeleas door and
.ook . sight out over the court This
must be the one. for the anglo was
similar to that he had seen when
Althea had called his attention TO the
else Of the court He tapped gently.
fae door nsw opsn With disquiet-
ing suddenness and . INST was shak-
On under young Dewberry's nose.
you clear QUIT" aid the voice that
went with the flst. Eve been waiting
for you-and let me tell you, II you
come around again bothering my cook
I'll have the law ON you! A loafins.
drunken husband and she hard
working wo-" Then the door was
slammed in young Dewberry's face.
Walking very rapidly and very
straight. young Dewberry headed for
the end Of that row Of porches. He
was lost and must 20 at It sensibly.
Selecting . door. he knocked. After
q while he found the bell and rang.
Presently 1t opened and . woman
peered out over the chain.
Excuse me. madam" powberry b.
gan in his politest tones. Il have
Good gracious!" the woman cried.
IAN agent at this time Of night" It's
perfectly disgraceful disturbing PEG
Pile who don't want to buy anything"
CT - - hpk Nd - y.
tied the chain pointedly.
Young Dewberry leaned against =
post and gazed at the cold, twinkling
stars. He and the cat were very
much alone. It occurred to him that
all this trouble could have been
averted had Althea remained ON her
back porch and watched his progress.
He began to feel bitter toward Al
thea.
Suddenly he realized that he was
not on the third floor. but the second
he had counted the back stairs up
from the cement basement where he
had caught the cat!
Hastily ascending another flight, he
renewed his scrutiny Of doors. The
name Of Simpson was. not on any Of
them. SO, still clutching the dis.
gusted cat, he went downstairs once
more and ascended the flights on tho
opposite side Of the canyon.
Presently he paused before . door.
There were bits of ice on the door
tep! Thus encouraged. Dewberry
turned the knob and entered.
why, where on earth have you
been?" asked Althea in some confu.
sion. She was at the icebox and
young Spriggs, who was with her.
moved aside quickly. you've been
gone agesl They've drunk up all the
lemonade and eaten everythingi I
don't think 1t was nice Of you'll"
.Oh," said young Dewberry. grim.
IL .slritfY and I have been taking q