Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-11
Euening Story
A DOG AND CAT AFFAIR.
By Louise oliver
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

| (COpyTlSuI, lSlO, Ny IAS AASoAoA
| Newspaper Syndicate.)
Madeline dipped the hot syrupy
strawberries out of the big Kettle on
to four large platters on the table, and
turned out the burners of the gasoline
stove. She surveyed her mornings
work proudly. Even mother couldn't
do better" she exulted, and this 10
my first attempt. All afternoon IN the
hot sun on the porch to exaporate the
extra moisture and my sun cooked
berries will be At for king"
Lifting one platter at time in her
strong, white arms, she carried them
to bench on the back deck Of the
house boat on which the Cardwells
spent four months every summer.
The last platter placed In position
for it's sun bath, Madeline rested her
elbows on the rail and looked over at
the water. A cool breeze blew the
moist little rings Of hair about her
|eyes. and even in her berry-stained
bingham dress she was not by any
means the least attractive object IN a
very beautiful landscape.
The spot chosen for anchoring the
ICrescent, the Cardwell's houseboat,
was an arm or bayou Of the beautiful
Merribec river The water here
stretched out like lake and the trees
TALL around grew close to the waters
edge. On an island a short distance
below was Greenglade, fashionable
summer resort, with an immense hotel
in its center. s,a-a.s
Madeline, leaning over the water,
heard whistle and listened intently'
There's the steamer with the new ar
rivals at the dock. wonder If Austin
Maycourt, the much expected, is
among them. Here l am up to my
ears preserving berries for mother to
give as Christmas gifts to our relatives
next winter, and every other girl with
in a radius of ten miles is primping
for the dance tonight" She tossed
back the curls and stood upright. 81
don't care! I'll have a better time
than any of them for all Of their sham.
pooling and primping. What's more,
don't care whether Mr.. Austin May
court looks at me or not" She pir
Quilted I'D the deck my, but it's hot
when the wind stops. I believe I'll
get into my bathing suit and have
swim to cool of" w.
In few minutes, figure in blue
silk swimming suit and rubber cap
climbed to the top Of the rail, gave a
little spring and disappeared like a
knife blade under the smooth surface
of the water There was scarcely
ripple.
nels, who had just appeared on the
island shore unseen by the water
nymph. THAT was a bully dive, by
George! Here, Krist, come back, sir!"
to his dog. But Krist, a big wolf
hound, was in the water headed for the
boat and refused to turn.
Madeline, swimming under water,
, came up on the opposite bank, then
turned and to her horror saw dog
; swimming for dear life toward the
!. boat. "My berries!" she cried In dis
Imay and plunged instantly into the wa.
ter again. III he gets there first he'll
ruin them!" wondering why she had
been so foolish as to set them so close
to the floor. II can Just see him
lsticking his tongue into everyone Of
1.-THE plates, the BEAST" And she
Istrained her muscles to extra effort.
| But the dog won the race! Just at
first he didn't see the berries. but
kept smiling around for Tai, the Per.
Islam cat. that Madeline had locked in
the dining room. But, giving 1t up as
a bad Job, he returned to the porch,
land, 10, the berries! A long. red ton
que shot out and he tasted, he Tapped
awhile, essayed another search for the
cat, and then returned to sample an
other platter.
A.; "Krist! Here, Krist! Come here,
sir!" the man commanded from the
shore. But Krist was having a good
time and merely shook himself-a
heavy shower Of drops flying into the
fruit-laden platters.
Madeline pulled herself up the steps
and saw the devastation Of her morn
ing's work. She gave little scream
of dismay you nasty, horrid beat,
get out of here! I'D like to kill
you!" 49,
"Krist, here, Krist!" And this time
being satisfied, Krist went.
| Madeline went to the dance that
might in bell1gerent mood Now,
dear" admonished her mother, who
had returned, "be careful what you do
and say. It's only a matter Of few
berries anyway and what is that to
having a reputation for being IA"
j Madeline finished. "A termagent.
lust because I'm honest and independ-