The Crittenden press., 1920-08-10
The SQUIRREL
ey MAoGe WESTON.

ONCN0NCNdN6Nf NCNCNSOCOCNoN
Copyright is1s. Western Newspaper Union
Mr. Nathan Bennett was exceeding.
ly annoyed. That had hrcom- his
chronic condition since buying the
Groundley place. He had always
hoped to be the owner OF the pictur.
esque old mansion Ia Its beautiful park
setting. from the days wien he had
passed on his way to school.
Mischievous Nat Bennett loed
to linger In those days before the i'm
pressive gates Of the entrance, watch.
ing the squirrels scampcr across the
lawn. There was little resemblance
to the mlschievOus Nat. In this dlgni.
hed and austere Nathan. But anibi.
tion had brought It's own reward aud
Groundley place was his own. he ha,
started to enjoy himself there with
something of the old.timr enthusiasm.
when he became aware Of disagree.
sble and lnterfertsg nelghbor.
Miss Abigail Stevens Ind not mel.
lowed" with age. Nathan Bennett re-
membered her as q younger woman Of
meddllng nature.
Looking. upon the night " his arriv.
al at his new home. across 10 the white
house that was hers. he decided that
to ignore her presence there would he
oil that Was necessary 10 keep the
peace. Soon Nathan found his mis-
take. When Abigail Stevens was not
frightening his white chickens away
from her side Of the fence. she was
throwing dangerous sharp stones IN
the direction Of Niger. his calnna.
tured dog. an animal too accustomed
TO friendly companionshlp. To know
the meaning Of fear. And when
Miss Stevens WAS not engaged In en-.
dangering his live. stock. she amused
hersslf by penning certnin complaints
against himself and his household Ia
general.
Mrs. White. the housrkeeper. had
new grievance each evening. The
busy man riding to aud fro from his
city Office actually dreaded these home
comings. Niger upon one evening,
had exhibited pltifully II bruised paw,
while one by one valuable chickens
were reported missing. Hut now the
calamity had hsppened-fannle was
gone.
Nathan Bennett. In purchasing
the home Of bis boyhood dream.
had overlooked the misfortune " lone.
illness. In Nathan's lIfe OF endeavor
love had found no part. and Fannie
was the creature who comf"rted him
with her pranklsh ways and faithful
affection. Fannie was gray, pnre
squirrel. II was Mrs. White who made
the announcement NJ fBnnle's loss
when Nathan returned from busi.
ness trip. -Shes been gone four
days." said the woman "and ! saw
her last on Miss Stevens roof. She
went In by the attic window"
The woman knew that M further
warning WAS needed.
Angrily Nathan walked through the
garden that evening. Fannie had beer
wont to come to him with chlrp u
welcome. running up his arm TO her
reward VI nuts. Tonight no Fannie
came. Funing inwardly, he went In
doors, this time himself to write u
note. III Miss Stevens did not nj once
produce his sQuirs-l, she might he pre-
pared for all sorts of-lmposslble-
pun lshm.nts." Miss Stevens ut Que.
responded to his letter II was nn un'
expected communication. She would
at once set the squirrel free. "would
he go down" she wrote, ito the south
garden wall 10 receive her" Miss
Stevens was sorry--,ery sorry to have
coaxed his pet away.
"CoaIed!" muttrred the aslonished
Nathan. and In npologetIc manner :
made his way to the south garden
wall. A young woman stood upon the
opposite side Of the wall; on her arm
perch-d gray squirrel Fanrle's
bright eyes regarded him pertly. the
girls brighter eyes twlnkled at him.
IL did not know she was pet slur.
ret" the girl explained. II am Gall
Stevens. visiting my aunt coa,rd
your Fannie through the window he.
cause I was lonely and she was 81 en-
tsrtaining"
Il can readily understand" Nathan
Bennett said. smiling. "that y0u would
enjoy the relief Of cheerful colupun.
ionshlp."
Aud ss the 1irl Strengthened her
arnf to transfer the squirrel to his
Nathan Bennett clasped suddenly the
outstretchrd hand. And IN that clasp
was th. promise. strangely sweet VI
lonelibess no more.