The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-27
Daily Short Story
EARLY IN THE MORNING
81 Dorothy DOUGLAS.


Joshua Perkins became suddenly
possessed OF a great desire for a sight
OF his two grandchildren. TO say moth
ing o. his longing for glimpse OF
city lie. For two years he had
scarcely strayed from the tiny cot
tage on Long Island. with its neatly
Kept flower gardens. It's chickens and
its cats
Il had been the latter animals-his
two great house Cats-that had pre-
eipitated his acquaintance with his
neighbors.
Paragot. the beloved vagabond of
the cat world. had wandered through
The fence and into the fair neighbors
domain. Once there, he seemed loathe
70 leave. Joshua Perkins did not
blame the cat for lingering under the
csressing hand % Kathleen OConner
If | were 50 years younger II
would not be that nomad cat that
would be getting fondled he reflect
ed. and watched the sunlight play on
Kathleen haid while she worked the
riot OF flowers in her small garden.
wonder he said. leaning over
the fence and smiling his winning
smile directly into the girls laughing
eyes. whether you would feed nv
chickens and cats-while take a
short run in TO Broadway
Kathleen smiled banteringly.
Is IL the tango teas or the children
that you are wanting 20 seeg But
surely. will be glad to look after the
i've stock and even waNT the flowers
Tor you as long as YOU want TO STAY "
So II happened that Kathleen was
left in charge. not only OF her own
small property. but also that of her
neighbor. II was quite as easy TO
feed two broods of chickens as IL was
one. and certainly the two cats had
always given her much Of their purr-
ing society.
Kathleen attended her gardening
whether sun or rain offered itself in
the way OF weather. On sunny days
large sunbonnet OF pink or blue
shaded her deep blue eyes. and when
mud and rain entered into the days
work she wore great top boots. a mas
culine coat and SLOUGH hat.
When a few days had passed by she
had worn quite path over 10
Joshua's chicken run. so often did she
20 over to inspect and feed the feath.
cred pets.
Il doubt II Joshua ever kills a sin
gle chicken" she unused as she
returned through the fence. followed
by the two cats.
Early the next morning Kathleen
was awakened by the mournful sound
or the dog horn. 10 was still dark out
side. and a heavy blanket OF fog hid
even her neighbor's house from her
She sprang out OF bed and shut her
windows
The thought Of the poor. cold chick.
ems outside prompted her TO slip qui-
city 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 I'm runs.
From he upper window of Joshua
- 20 a
out through the fog He was city
bred and the mournful horn had
awakened him. Also the weird ST.
ience OF the country has disturbed his
dreams. and now he imagined he
could discern a figure slipping stealth
liy away from the chicken run at the
foot of the garden.
1T will do no harm to pop off this
gum he muttered. and fired Joshua's
shotgun In the direction OF the marau-
der.
The cocks set up a deafening noise.
the stealthy figure crumpipd up and
seemed TO drop 10 the ground and
somewhere In the neighborhood a
great doc barked.
Mutterlng and grumbling. the young
man made his way through the mys-
teries OF the foE-hung morning.
Unfamiliar with the paths. II took
him some time TO find the low chicken
lAOuStHs anu NAlfffs luNl by NNt ffflfll
door, he found the huddel figure of
the intruder
STOPPING down he peered into the
face. then lifted Kathleen in his arms
Fortunately her lantern had gone out
when she fell. and was lying harm
lessly at her side The great coat
was so great that IL was not until a
soft. silky braid swept across his
hand that Elwood Curtiss realized
that he had fired unon a woman.
Great Scott And she's tainted,
am alone i'm this damp world with an
unconscious woman-girl." he supple
mented upon gazing down into the
almost Childlike face Of Kathleen. He
was not aware that he had spoken
aloud
How dare YOU fire that horrid gun
az me" demanded the girl so sudden
~ as TO startle Curtiss into releasing
his hold on her
i took you for a chicken thief" he
apologized swiftly. the while he began
20 appreciate the fog and the country
and his Uncle Joshua Il am sorry
10 have startled you; ! hope no dam
age has been done
None whatever" said Kathleen TT
there is one thing I do like letter
than another 10 b. 20 he taken FOR a