The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-06-30
A DOG and A CAT
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

turned out the burners of the gasO-
line stove. She surveyed her morn
ing's work proudly.
Lifting one platter at time in her
strong, white arms, she carried them
to bench on the back deck of the
houseboat on which the Cardwells
spent four months every summer.
On an island a short distance below,
was Greenglade, fashionable summer
resort, with an immense hotel in its
center.
Madeline, leaning over the water,
heard a whistle, and listened intently.
There's the steamer with the new ar
rivals at the dock | wonder IL 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 rela-
tives next winter, and every other girl
within a radius of ten miles is primp-
ing for the dance tonight"
In a few minutes, figure In a blue
climbed to the top OF the rail, gave a
little spring and disappeared like
knife blade under the smooth surface
of the water.
"Bravo!" cried young man in fan
nels, who had just appeared on the
island shore unseen by the water
nymph. That was bully dive, by
George! Here Krist, come back, sir!"
to his dog. But Krist, q 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 a dog
swimming for dear life toward the
boat. my berries!" she cried in dis
may and plunged instantly into the wa
ter again. IF he gets there first he'll
| ruin them!"
But the dog won the race! Just at
| first, he didn't ses the berries, but
kept shifting around for Tai, the Per-
sian cat, that Madeline had locked In
| the dining room. But giving it up as
a bad Job, he returned to the porch,
and, 10, the berries! A long, red
| tongue shot out and he tasted, he
| tapped awhile, essayed another search
| for the cat, and then returned to sam
pie another platter.
Madeline pulled herself up the
steps and saw the devastation of her
mornings work. She gave little
scream of dismay. you nasty, horrid
beast, get out of here! It'd like to
kill you!"
| "Krist, here, Krist!" And this time,
being satisfied, Krist went
Madeline went to the dance that
night in a belligerent mood Nov,
dear" admonished her mother, who
had returned, "be careful what you
do and say"
"Oh, mother, dear, pigeonhole that
particular lecture, please. That man
had no business to let his dog get
away. I'm sure it was Austin May
court, and that only makes 1t worse.
He's spoiled and petted wherever he
| goes, and he thinks the king can do no
wrong"
| That evening Austin Maycourt
asked for dance after he had been
presented, and Madeline refused, say
ing she was tired.
well, I'd rather sit it out with you
anyway. If l may" he suggested.
Madeline did not answer
Il take it that silence gives con-
SENT as he sat down. You see, I'm
anxious to find out what my dog did
today"
She told him briefly and forcibly
also what she thought of the whole
matter.
But you'll let me pay for the ber-
ries, surely!' he cried in consterna-
ton.
you can settle with mother II you
like, but 1 gave up a good game of
tennis for those berries, and l can't
see that you can help that much"
And, do what he could, Austin could
not make Madeline unbend.
The next day Madeline, armed with
her racquet, turned her boat for the
mainland. In the stern sat Tai the
cat. you must be very good today,
puss. Remember, you owe this vaca-
ton to the cut on your paw that
want the doctor to see. And while I'm
playing tennis you must take a nap
and be very quiet
So Madeline played in a double set
and Tai, with bandaged foot, slept
near by. But by and by he woke up
and, feeling like exploring, slipped
away unnoticed by his mistress. A
row Of cottages stood across the street
from the court and several windows
were open. Tai leaped through one of
these. Then Madeline missed him.
"Puss. here, puss! Kitty, kitty, kit.
ty! Oh, I must find him." she cried.
She left the court and gave chase to
her pet. In the middle of the road she
met Austin Maycourt and bowed. But
before they passed Tai appeared with
something green in his mouth. Austin
leaped for the cat and caught him
taking a dead bird from his mouth
Its Peter! My pet parrakeet," he
cried. I'VE let him run over the house
because he was so tame. Poor little
Peter!" stroking the lifeless little
bunch Of feathers.