The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-10
Eoening Story
Cupid Astray.
BY FREDERICK HART.

Hunter did not think anything particu-
larly about this particular outburst;
but as it repeated itself he was struck
with the plaintiveness of the voice
not at all like the strident bowls with
which the common variety of alley,
! beast skaters the welkin and the rest
OF folks in the small hours, Kitten
in trouble" thought Edward Hunter,
and looked about to find the cause of
the noise.
"Me-e-ow." There was no doubt
about it this time. A youth of the
cat breed had undoubtedly gotten it
self into scrape and was bewailing
the fact. Interested, Hunter continued
to search with his eyes. A third rep
etition of the heartbroken mewing
caused him to raise his eyes heaven
ward, and at last he saw the kitten. 1t
was clinging precariously to the cross
arm at the top of a lamppost, afraid
to jump and at the same time not at
all pleased with its present haven.
Hunter wondered how the little
thing had managed to perch itself so
high. But even as he wondered the
kitten, with desperate look in its
eye, gathered its small self into furry.
bundle and launched itself into the air,
apparently trusting to the fate that
watches over little cats for a safe
landing.
1t jumped straight at Hunter, and
that youth, altho surprised, managed
to catch it and set it into a safe posi-
ton in his arms. 1t seemed surprised,
but recognized in-Hunter a man who
was kind to kittens, accepted the sit
uation philosophically and made no at
tempt to escape. Hunter cuddled it
sympathetically.
You poor little cuss," he said. "Out
all night, I'll bet, and freed most of
the time. Wonder who you are?
You're no common cat, that's sure"
T,I, I-Sf dod h fol n
mew-a NEW that had lost it's quality
of woe, but that still expressed long
ings of sort. Hunter recognized the
primal yearning of the entire animal
family.
Hungry" he remarked to himself.
every well, then" he continued, ad-
dressing his small charge, well just
run up to my place and I'll see if
there are any mice or anything in the
icebox.'
At Hunters bachelor apartment the
kitten proceeded to put itself in deadly
and immediate peril of acute indiges-
ton by consuming the greater part OF
a half-pint of milk at record-breaking
speed. Hunter watched it anxiously,
but it showed no immediate signs of
dissolution; in fact, it curled itself up
on the rug and went to sleep with
contented little purr. Hunter removed
the dish and returned to the observa-
ton of the infant cat.
He had noticed a thin red ribbon
around its neck as he caught it from
the lamp post; but now. as it lay on
its side, he saw tiny silver tag at
tached to the ribbon. He took it in
his fingers, gently for fear of awak-
ing the kitten, and with some diff
Guilty deciphered the inscription. 1t
was street understanding more.
mo. "a Ralston place, Morristown,"
he said. 'H'm-must be pet pussy.
I greatly fear you and 1 are going to
part company before the sun sets. I'd
like to keep you, but you're probably
causing some old maid a succession of
heart attacks. When you wake up,
you and I are going to make a trip
to Ralston avenue and get you back
to your presumably distracted mistress.
So, sleep while you can, for it's you
for basket and the ferries"
He busted himself about the room
for awhile; then, as the hour drew on
toward noon, hegwent out, had lunch
at his club and returned to find the
kitten very much awake and amusing
itself by experimenting with the NOV
ables on his table, most of which lay
scattered on the floor.
Hunter rescued the inkwell just in
time, and unceremoniously bundled
pussy into a light basket. Then the
two set out for Morristown.
No. "a Ralston place proved to be an
attractive house set in the midst of a
green, tree-shaded lawn. He walked
up the path and rang the bell. A neat,
uninterrupted maid answered his ring
and he was soon in the presence of
his imagined "old maid" His expec-
tations were dashed, however. for the
owner of the stray, when she entered
the room, caused him to spring to his
feet with a flush on his face.
He knew that here was the one face
h h ad ,rrf1f oil hi fo n
imagined her old and cranky. This
beautiful girl of twenty or so, with
light hair curling about a clear face,
with the bluest eyes he had ever seen
Hunter found himself stammering
something that he felt instinctively
was banal
But I know you've had a lot of
trouble with Skookum." So that was
the kittens name. How adorable she
was. The girl, not the kitten, of
course.
Z mo trouble at ALL" he assured her.
I'm sure that it was a pleasure to
to return it to you"
She laughed deliciously. s"That's not
very complimentary to Skookum." she
replied.
"oh, but I didn't mean, that-at
least, not that way" He was fused
he was distinctly fused, and getting
more so every minute, he thought. II
only she wouldn't look at fellow that
way! 1t was disconcerting, very.
II think I must be going" he
stammered.
"Oh, but you must stay and have
tea" she cried. "And at least let me
know to whom it is that am obliged"
His wits were returning. my names
Hunter-Edward Hunter. And don't
want you to feel obliged to me. But IL
you must, won't you tell me to whom
I owe this pleasure2"
She blushed ever SO slightly.
I'm Este1le FISHERMAN she re-
piled. 81 live here all alone with my
mother. I'm sure that I'm awfully glad
to have met you, Mr.. Hunter. And
now let's have tea"
= They had tea and much talk. And
Hunter departed; but not without hav-
ing extracted an invitation to call
again
Some six months later, Skookum,
vastly improved in stature and dispo-
sition, found the house in an unaccus-
toned flutter. His mistress, who had