Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1915-06-24
CAPTAIN EPHRAIM'S CAT.
BY DORIS BROWN.
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
Miss Pitts door opened and she
came forth, trim and neat, in a fresh
lilac lawn with black velvet bow at
her round throat. Her hair was bright
brown and her skin was pink and Un-
lined. Contrary to Woodell tradition,
Myra Pitt continued for many years to
be maid, but she refused to grow
old.
Trim little craft" muttered the
captain, as his neighbor approached,
her black eyes dancing as usual.
= Good evening, Myra," he greeted
her, removing the stubby pipe from
between his lips.
Good evening, captain" returned
Myra. pausing. You heard anything
about your cat7"
mot a word!"
I've got to say this" went on Myra
firmly; its sort of reflection on
me-your putting that in the paper
about libby being seen going south
southeast; why, that would mean she
was going right through my gate or
on to my prop'ty.'
$50 she was"
Land sake!" gasped Myra, clinging
to the gate. Next thing you'll be say.
ing that stole libby"
Hum! You amt any too fond Of
cats" ventured the captain warily-
Il hate emil"
The captain grew red with anger.
You're the fust old maid ever saw
who didn't set store by CATS" he
barked rudely.
I'm the first old maid who didn't
accept the first half-witted old bache-
lor who wanted to marry her!" re-
torted Myra, still more rudely.
Captain Ephraim grew still more
crimson,
I'm COMPOUNDED glad you didn't"
he roared.
Myra smiled provokingly over her
shoulder as she turned away.
At that moment two barefooted lads
came scuffiing along the dusty road.
"oh, Cap'n Eph! jest heard cat
in Miss Pitts smokehouse, sounded
like your Tibby!"
Il reckon we better be setting sail
for your smokehouse, Myra," said Cap
tain Ephraim, mildly.
There was scared look in Myra
Pitts flashing black eyes.
It'll be on every tongue in town."
she thought with mental anguish, but
never word did her lips utter. She
lifted her brown head and proudly led
the way south-southeast through her
front gate to the little weather-beaten
smokehouse near the orchard.
"Mr-r-r-e-e-eowI"
There was no mistaling Tibby's pc.
culiar wall of despair. !"
Il guess we've sighted a SAIL" re-
marked the captain dryly as he
tramped up the grassy path to the
smokehouse door.
Myra grew paler than before. All
the pink forsook her sweet face and
she looked drawn and old.
"Mr-r-r-e-e-eow!" yowled libby from
within.
The latch clicked sharply and the
door swung open Something yellow
and gray and white, with shining fiery
eyes, leaped out and alighted on the
captains blue cloth shoulder.
Captain Ephraims hand stroked her
silky coat, but his bright blue eyes
we're staring into the open door of the
smokehouse.
On the clean, bare floor were set
tempting array of blue and white china
saucers. One contained cream, another
one chicken hvers, still another the
white breast of chicken, another one
of water. A soft, silken pillow showed
where libby had rested her well-fed
body.
Surely libby had Jared WELL
Captain Ephraim's blue eyes turned
in puzzled inquiry on Myra's downcast
face.
what made you do 1t, Myra?' he
asked sternly.
How do you know" she lifted
her hand, saw the discriminating row
OF saucers in the smokehouse, and
hid her face in her hands. @
libby snarled as her master uncere-
moniously shook her to the ground.
His hands gently grasped Myra's I'm.
gers and pulled them away from her
wet eyes.
"How did l known" he chuckled
softly. why, Jest happened to see
libby cruising over this way-and
saw you steer her into the smoke
house and knew she was there; but
couldn't understand what you wanted
of her. wasn't afraid you'd harm
her--leastways. was pretty sure you
wouldn't. l says to myself, IF she
harms poor libby, I'll be confounded
glad she wouldn't marry me. If she
don't harm her. why, I'll jest keep on
being sorry she won't have me and
make me the unloneliest man in Wood
ELL"
"oh--oh!" sobbed Myra Pitt.