The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-10-22
CAPTAIN EPHRlIn's CAT
.Soias
sy DORIS Brown.
BY DORIS BROWN.

came forth, trim and neat, In = fresl
lilac lawn with black velvet bow q
her round throat. Her hair was br1gh
brown and her skin was pink ans uu
lined. Contrary to Woodell tradition
Myra Pitt continued for many years Il
be a maid, but she refused to grow
old.
Trim little craft" muttsred thl
captain, as his neighbor approached
her black eyes dancing as usual.
Good evening. Myra," he greetet
her. removing the stubby pipe from
between his lips.
Good evening, captain" returned
Myra. pausing. you heard anything
about your cat?"
mot world"
I've got to say this" went on Myrs
firmly; fits sort Of q reflection or
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 OF
on to my prop'ty."
$50 she was"
Land sake!" gasped Myra, clinginS
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-
II hate 'em!"
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 confounded glad you didn'tl'
he roared.
Myra smiled provokingly over hei
shoulder as she turned away.
At that moment two barefooted lade
came scuffiing along the dusty road.
ooh, Capn EphI l jest heard a cal
in Miss Pitts >smokehouse, sounded
like your Tibby!"
Il reckon we better be setting sail
for your smokehouse, Myra," said Cap
tain Ephra1m, mildly.
There was a 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-eow!"
There was no mistaking 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 Ephraim's hand stroked her
silky coat, but his bright blue eyes
we're staring into the open door Of the
On the clean, bare floor were set .
empting array of blue and white china
One contained cream, another
,ne chicken livers, still another the
white breast of chicken, another one
If water. A soft, silken pillow showed
where libby had rested her well-fed
,ody.
Surely libby had Jared well.
Captain Ephraim's blue eyes turned
n puzzled inquiry on Myra's downcast
ace.
What made you do 1t, Myra?" he
sked sternly.
How do you know" she lifted
er hand, saw the discriminating row
f saucers in the smokehouse, and
i'd her face In her hands.
libby snarled as her master uncere- I
loniously shook her to the ground.
lis hands gently grasped Myra's fin.
ers and pulled them away from her
!et eyes.
How did / know" he chuckled
oftly. why, / jest happened to see
libby cruising over this way-and ] :
Nv you steer her into the smoke I
ouse and / knew she was there; but I
understand what you wanted .
her. / wasn't afraid you'd harm !,
/ was pretty sure you !.
ouldn't. l says to myself, II she
arms poor libby, I'll be COMPOUNDED
ad she wouldn't marry me. II she
mt harm her, why, I'll Jest keep on
ing sorry she won't have me and a.
AXE me the unloneliest man In Wood "
II"
"Oh-oh!" sobbed Myra Pitt U
why did you lock up my libby and 70
en- treat her like the queen Of cats7"
sisted Captain Ephraim. q
"Oh, because -because was jealous Il
her, there!" confessed Myra. she
ed to come to meet you every night &C
and wanted to be doing It myself. Al
'hraim--yes, did! Don't ask ms nc