Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1915-09-14
CAPTAIN EPHRAIM'S CAT
BY DORIS BROWN.


came forth. trim and neat. in a fresh
lilac lawn with a black velvet bow az
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 cat?"
mot word!"
I've got to say this" went on Myra
firmly; It's 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."
80 she was"
Land sake!" gasped Myra. clinging
to the gate. Next thing you'll be say
ing that stole Tibby."
Hum! You amt any too fond OF
cats" ventured the captain warily.
81 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't!"
he roared
Myra smiled provokingly over her
| shoulder as she turned away.
At that moment two barefooted lads
came scuffling along the dusty road.
"Oh, Capn 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, u
she thought with mental anguish. but
never a word did her lips utter. She
| lifted her brown head and proudly led
the way south-soAtheast through her
front gate to the little weather-beater
smokehouse near the orchard.
| "Mr-r-r-e-e-eow!"
There was no mistaking Tibby's pc
culiar wall af despair.
Il guess we've sighted SAIL" re
marked the captain dryly as ht
tramped up the grassy path to thu
smokehouse door.
Myra grew paler than before. Al
the pink forsook her sweet face anC
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
were staring into the open door of the
smokehouse.
On the clean, bare floor were set q
tempting array of blue and white china
saucers. One contained cream, another
one chicken livers, still another the
white breast of chicken, another one
| of water. A soft, silken pillow showed
where Tibby had rested her well-fe6
body.
Surely Tibby had Jared well.
Captain Ephraim's blue eyes turned
in puzzled inquiry ON Myra's downcasi
face.
What made you do it. Myra?" he
asked sternly.
"How do you know" she lifted
her hand. saw the incriminating row
Of saucers in the smokehouse, anc
hid her face in her hands.
TibSy snarled as her master uncere
moniOusly shook her to the ground
His hands gently grasped Myras fin
gers and pulled them away from hel
wet eyes.
"Eiow did | know?" he chuckled
softly. Why. Jest happened to see
Tibby 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. I wasn't afraid you'd harm
her-leastways. | was pretty sure you
wouldn't. | says to myself, III she
harms poor Tibby. 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
'Why did you lock up my Tibby and