The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-19
LITTLE FIRST FOOT
BY MOLLY MINISTER.

Upon the first morning OF the NE"
Year Dean Richmond had awakened
to find a small black kitten pro"iihs
lnquisitively about her studio nome
Good luck" was Deans nrS'
thought. They we're friends at once
Dean lived alone in the Bohemian
section of the city. She was an editoi
on one of the better magazines, anu
left her studio each morning sharp a'
$3.50 o'clock.
The kitten, which Dean called First
Foot, was sleek and daintily clean
little lady kitten. 1t would not have
been difficult for her to find lodgings
in the Bohemian section where Diach
cats were considered the best OF LUCK
The little collar with which Dean
Immediately made her ownership GER
tain was black leather The name IN
scribed on the tiny silver tag was
First Foot" since she had been the
first little visitor to put foot over
Deans threshold in the new year.
First Foot had been part of the
studio life for some five weeks be-
fore she brought down the wrath OF
her mistress upon her own sleek
head.
Upon picking up the kitten for her
evening nap in Deans lap the girl had
smelled tobacco. Upon examination
she made the discovery that her pet
was reeking of the noxious fumes.
You disgraceful little lady" ad-
monished Dean while she went to the
kitchen for brush and soap and toilet
water. you have been visiting the
den of some gentleman"
That proved to be only the first of
the visits, for each night Dean found
her erstwhile perfumed pet reeking of
tobacco smoke There was no good
in scolding. Dean finally accepted the
tobacco as a part of her troubles. She
did, however, tie a huge pink bow on
the neck of her cat and saturated 1t
with Wild Rose scent.
"The guilty man may take hint"
was her inward hope.
But the guilty man did not take the
hint Each day when the small black
cat came silently into his den he
arose. stroked her head and felt that
the day was we'll begun
When John Rogers finished a par
ticularly good story and determined
to try 1t on the editor of the Good
year Magazine" he dipped First
Foot's paw into the inkstand and
made her imprint on his manuscript.
So that when the story passed through
the hands Of the readers and found
its way to the editor Of the Good
year." Dean Richmond found herself
smiling at the imprint Of a cats paw
on the manuscript awaiting her judg-
ment.
In the evening she found herself
examining First Foot's paw. Her
amazement was very genuine when
she discovered that her pets foot was
sticky and that close scrutiny revealed
dried ink on the little toes.
80" unused Dean, "the person who
blows tobacco smoke all over my
lovely kitten and the author Of Stag.
nation are one and the same being"
She fell to specializing as to the mans
personality. "He assuredly is human
and would say-rather charming"
When John Rogers received the lit.
tie black visitor that morning he
glanced amusedly at the extra large
pink ribbon on her neck.
"You have an extravagant mistress.
little lucky lady" he said. "She would
never do for the wife Of a struggling
author" II the cat disagreed she
could not say so. Rogers petted First
Foot and dislodged the note Dean
Richmond had concealed in the bow.
THE plot thickens." laughed he, and
opened the letter. "The editor Of
Goodyear will see you tomorrow at
ten o'clock" he read aloud I'm
hanged! How in thunder" Rogers
ran his fingers through his hair and
sazed questioningly at First Foot,
who only went to sleep, having de.
hvered her message
1t was the perfume that reached
Rogers senses while they were dis.
GUESSING the merits Of his story and
the size Of the check he was to get.
YOU" he said suddenly, and II
seemed accusingly ARE the mistress
Of First Foot"
Il am" laughed Dean, but how do
you know"
The kitten reeks Of that same
scent" he told her.
1T is far better than reekinr Of n. |
bacco," flashed Dean.
Rogers flushed guilty.. "Mv n,no
10 rather strong" Then, "You mrst
live near, very near to me-" he added |
quickly. and there was a shameless
SUGGESTION Of Joy In his eyes.
Yes-it is strange, isn't ITO"
Dellshtfully strange" agreed Ros.
ers. Il wish First Foot knew tho e1.
tent OF the luck she had brought me
! sell a story for $3.50 and realize that |
l nave neighbor whom +"
Il am very busy" Dean s,id su.;..
~ trying to overcome the timid;,v /
'hat had swept her lashes down
Rogers only laughed and watched
the color sweeping stealthily into tho
cneeks OF the editor of GOODYEAR
First Foot is lucky cat" he m.
minated on the way home. lana
once informed her that her mistress
would not make good wife 10,
struggling author Humph." a so,t
whimsical smile played ahou, po. .'
srs lips A smile Of selfcontrad,c.
Worth CultIv.&,.