The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-04-16
DAILY SHORT STORY.
EARLY IN THE MORNING.
by DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
tCoprisht. lsIL.l

SosHud feThins became suuueniy pos
sessed OF a great desire fot a sight of
his two grandchildren. to say nothing
Of his longing for a glimpse Of city life.
For two long years he had scarcely
strayed from the tiny cottage on Long
Island, with its neatly kept flower gar
dens. its chickens and its cats.
1t had been the latter animals-his two
great house cats-that had precipitated
his acquaintance with his neighbors.
Faragot, the beloved vagabond OF the
cat world. had wandered through the
fence and into the fair neighbours do
main. Once there. he seemed lothe to
leave. Joshua Perkins did not blame
the cat for lingering under the caressinG
hands OF Kathleen OConner.
IF / were fifty years younger It would
not be that nOmad cat that would be get
ting fondled,' he reflected. and watched
the sunlight play on Eathlecn's hair
while she worked among the riot Of flow
ers In her small garden.
Il wonder he said, leaning over the
fence and smiling his winning smile di-
rectly into the girls laughing eyes,
whether you would feed my chickens
and cats-while / take short run in
to Broadway
Kathleen smiled banteringly.
rs 1t the tango teas or the children
that you are wanting to see? But.
surely. ! will be glad TO look after the
livestock and even water the flowers for
you as long as you want to stay
So 1t happened that Kathleen was left
In charge. not only Of her own small
property. but also that OF her neiGhbor.
1t was quite as easy TO feed two brOOds
of chickens as II was one. and GER
tainly the two cats had always given
her much of their purrinG society.
The flowers she reflected with a
tender smile at Joshua Perkins old-fash-
toned holly hocks and sunfiowers, will
take more time. but love every one of
them" She drew a long breath Of de-
light. She would not have exchanged
her tiny domain among the green fields
for castle in the city. Il hope Mr..
Perkins enjoys the city"
Kathleen attended her gardening
whether sun or rain offered itself in the
way OF weather. On sunny days a large
sunbOnnet OF pink or blue shaded her
deep blue eyes. and when mud and rain
entered into ;hC days work she wore
great top boots. a masculine coat and
SLOUGH hat
One might if passing Grove Cottage
on pouring We; day and spying some
one in the garden take that some one
to be boy. SO straight and bOyish was
the slim figure.
Kathleen rather enjoyed the extra
charge she had assumed in the care OF
her neighbours chickens Anything in
the manner Of change was a relief. II
had always been more or less lonely
when her brother was in the city all
day and now that Joshua Perkins. too.
was gone. Kathleen felt decidedly iso-
lated.
When a few days had passed by she
had worn quite a path over to Joshua 5
chicken run. 81 often did she 20 over
to inspect and fed the feathered pets.
Il doubt if Joshua ever kills a single
chicken" she unused as she returned
through the fence. followed by the two
cats.
Kathleen shiyored and looked at the
sky. There were dampness and fog in
the air. She took both cats inside with
her to sleep begide the open fire.
Early the next morning Kathleen was
awakened by the n.ouTnful sound OF The
fog horn. Il wis still dark outside, and
a heavy blanket of fog hid even her
neighbors hous. from her. She sprang
out of bed and 5rut her windows.
The thought Of the poor. cold chickens
outside prompted her to slip quietly
downstairs and put on a great pan of
mush to heat. After that she got into
her top boots and long coat and went
quietly out to the hen runs.
II might have been midnight, so dark
was the morning. and Kathleen had Ia
go cautiously out with her bowl Of not
meal She realized how grateful would
be those shivering chickens and her
heart was light
From tho upper window Of Joshua
Perkins cottage Young man peered
out through the fog. He was city bred
and the mournful horn had awakened
him. Also the weird silence OF the country
had disturbed his dreams and now he
ina gined he could discern figure slip
ping stealthily away from the chicken
run at the foot Of the garden.
1t will 10 ~ harm to pop OF this
gum" he muttcrcd. and fired Joshua :
shotgun in the direction Of tn" marauder-
The cocks set up a deafening noise. the
stealthy figure ,rumpled up and seemed
to drop to the ~ound, and somewhere in
the neighbOrhooi great dog harked.
An the joys Of the country muttered
the Young man. getting swiftly into his
clothes Now I've got to go down
through this CHASTITY fog and see wheth-
cr I've pepperel that chicken thief to
the extent OF gcttinE myself flung into
jail. Next time I come to the CUunt-''
for little quiet-l won't.
MutterinC and Crumbling. he made his
way through rhe mysteries Of the fog
Unfamiliar with the paths. it took him
some time to fin,l the low chicken houses.
and there. just by the small door. he
found the huddicd figure of the intruder.
STOPPING down he pcered int" the face.
then lifted Kathleen in his arms. For
tunately her lantern had gone out when
she fell. and was laying harmlessly at
her side. The great coat was so great
that il was not until a soft. silky braid
swept across his hand that ElwoOd Cur
tiss realized thar he had fired upon a
woman.
Great Scott. And she's tainted! I
am alone in this damp world with an I'M
conscious woman-girl.' he supplemented
upon gazing down into the almost child
lie face Of kathleen. He was not aware
that he had spoken aloud.
How dare you fire that hOrrid gun
at me- demanded the girl so suddenly
as to startlc Curtiss into releasing his
hold on her.
Il took you for a chicken thief. he