The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-10

invest in about a dimes with o.
'Shoah- and administer
hit unbeknownst! But bein' ole maids,
poah thengs. dey don't know dat when
you gifts n man mad-hell fuhgit
about bein' in de marryin' notion!"
Before breakfast next morning AL
derson appearedaat the Lovejoy House,
tremulous with nervous anger. Miss
Nellie opened the door. Tn sorry if
the kitty disturbed you," her soft voice
loves him so, she can't bear to restrain
his liberty and fasten him up at night. -
Alderson's evaporation broke out
in mild fury. Loves the pestiferous
bunch of fur, does she? I love sleep,
too, and I'm going to stay in the house
where I am and get it. The next time
that cat disturbs me, I'm going to re-
strain his liberty--with a bullet"
THAT wouldn't be right" quavered
Miss Nellie.
i Anderson turned abruptly and left
her without another word.
He was not disturbed that night. but
the next day he kept out of Miss Nell
lies way The night after, at the
usual hour of half-past three. he was
awakened by feline wailing. He
rose instantly. A single shot from his
pearl-handled revolver and Snow
Darling was no more.
Next day a very fat and exceedingly
irate lady telegraphed her son to come
to her. Jacob came. Anderson was
hailed into the police court and fined
ten dollars for shooting Mrs. Gilman's
cat
.'I'n go to jail and dry up before I
pay that fine!" he informed the court.
Sixty days in Jail or the fine paid!"
answered the judge.
'rll live on bread and water for the
next two months in my cell before
will pay that fine!" Anderson COM
mented.
The town rang with the tale.
DE jailer says dat Detroit man s
agettin' pale and his rheumatism s
comm back on him--not gittin' his
mineral baths and de water. He says
he plumb Uneasy about him!' Miss
Nellie overheard Jonathan saying to
the cook about a week after Alder
sons Incarceration.
Suppose he died OF the heat or
something? For three nights Miss
Nellie cried herself to sleep. Then
she could stand it no longer. She
went to the judges office and paid AL
derson's fine.
The judge, supposing that Anderson
had requested his landlady to bring
the money, to spare himself mortifica-
ton, sent an order to the jailer: RE
lease T. M Anderson. Fine paid
Judge said your fine was paid and
to turn you out. That's all I know!"
The jailer answered Alderson's re-
mOnStrance.
He went to the judge. who dared
to pay that fine?" he demanded.
Lady brought it. Suppose you
sent it by your lapdlady," answered
his honor.
fFuming with anger Anderson strobe
off in the direction of the woods
across the river In a thicket of pines
lying prone on the pine needles, sob
bling like a hurt child. he came. upon
Miss Nellie. At sight of the little
disconsolate figure in the leaves he
felt his anger cool. A twig broke IN
der his feet. She sat up, shaking.
"Oh, don't be angry with mel" she
begged. They said you were sick
and suffering in that awful Jail and
FL couldn't bear it! 1 went and paid
your fine."
With the touch of the wind, sweet
whit piny fragrance, in his flushed
face and Miss Nellie's low sobs in his
ears, Alderson's- pride and obstinacy
fled. Nothing mattered but that little
white bundle at his feet. He bent over
and lifted her.
Z You were afraid / couldn't rough it
out?" he said, very tenderly. tY gu
| thought T needed somebody to book
after me? I do, and for all time!
Won't you do it, little girl?'
Copyright, 1920, by the Mcclure News.
ota