Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-20
q suppose an to bo sort Of servant'''

~ suppose am to be sort of servant p
II want you. all right, Jennie" returned
the young man, "but / don't think have
ever bargained for Chris"
But that was understood. of course.
You couldn't keep Chris away from me
II he knew where / wasr'
1--WE are not fond of cats at our house;
they are entirely too useless. They are
forever killing chickens and stealing
meat; and II you want mouse caught
you have to set trap. / guess II Chris
gets troublesome about not staying home,
he'll have to be put out of the wayl'
Rumford spoke with easy assurance.
The girl realized that her lovers manner
was unmistakably changing as the we'd
ding day approached and his certainty of
her Increased. She clutched her pet pro-
tectingly. and her eyes looked defiant un-
der cover OF the dusk.
Chris will be afraid of our dog" he
added, with a laugh, dropping down on
step near where the girl was seated.
THAT reminds me, Fred" Jennie spoke
In carefully pleasant tones. 1T wish you
would move that dog to some other part
of the yard, II Is so conspicuous right
there beside the porch; and besides 1
want that spot spaded up for flower
border"
Fred Rumtord was silenced for a mo-
ment by her sheer audacity. Then the
Walls OF his displeasure overfowed gener-
Ously.
"wen. I'd just like to have YOU hear
what father would say II that dog was
TO he movedl 1t is a valuable ornament,
and deserves conspicuous place And
there is going to be no flower bed litter
Ing up the front yard. II you have a
desire to fuss with growing things you
can work in the garden az something
profitable"
Il suppose am to be a sort OF servant
then with no privileges or voice in the
management OF affairs2" said Jennie
gently
Her very gentleness disconnected the
young man. and he sat in bewildered
silence.
But understand one thing. Fred Rum
ford am not that wifel I can never
call place home where cannot keep
, pet or plant a flower or breathe free
breath"
With tho utmost cOolness she drew
from her nnEer the inexpensive little ring
and held II out to him.
You must find some one else for the
position" she said, walking deliberately
into the house.
II the girl felt any soFroW for the shat
iering OF her dreams she concealed Il ad-
mirably. She tended her flowers, petted
the yellow cat ostentatiousIy, and watch
-+NN AfNAhAotu hoiioH hef al
But the utmost he did was to give the
iron dog a new coat OF shiny black paint
that caused Il to stand forth with in
ereasing cOnspieuousness. Never onca ia
the months that followed did he ae-
knowledge her existence BY sign or word.
One beautiful spring day the cat Chris
had failed TO come 70 his dinner. Jennie.
peerinG an4iously about the premises.
heard distressed cat voice from the
Rumford front yard
There, high up on a branch Of the huge
maple. sat Chris crying dismaliy.
With wildly beating heart Jennie ven
tufed into the neishborinE yard.
Come down. kitty Come down. Christi
she coaxed cautiously. yet entlcingly. But
ihrts, intimidated BY his crippled state,
ianced az his mistress and then at the
cree iron dog. and remained obdurate.
'0h. you foolish creature. L ia only an
pa dog" she laughed AZ last half ready
cry
"can I help youg asked a famniar
voice 50 near Il made her start
roh, do you think you could get him7''
questioned the girl, hushing furiously
ana pressing her hands against the tree
Tor support
For answer. he silently procured a lad
der. mounted 10 the tree and gently
ilied the frightened Chris % hia shoulder.
Being 4 cat 81 vide experience. Chris ale
lowed himself b be returned 70 MS mis-
issss eflns without q sirugsie
Thank sea very much. muTmursd
Ilrnil. feeling exceeoinsly uncomfortable
aH sQfFy Ia have made FaV - much
iroahle
~ HamfeEd - - Hzad en shs sats