Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1921-12-01
The Homeless
Black Cat
opyright. 1871. Western Newspaper Uniol
By WlNIFRED DUNBAR.

doctors care for a week. 1t was all
for cat, a skinny, homeless, lima
tured black cat, Only-the feline had
leaped into disaster from the soft
graceful arms of the most radiant
young girl Croft had ever seen.
He had been only a week at Durham
and was stranger there. He had
worked too hard for five years for a
great Oil concern in the city and had
broken down. Valued and popular, the
giant monopoly had given him two
months salary in advance and a lib
eral bonus and had told him to get out
into the country and build up.
1t was dull at the dead little town
he had come to. He had come upon
the girl on rustic bridge crossing
narrow but deep stream. At a glance
Croft saw that she was in direful dis
tress. She had been carrying half-cov,
cred up in light wrap the black cat
in question. 1t had given a sudden
leap for freedom. The animal missed
the rail aimed for, and with a reSound-
ing howl and splash struck the wa
ter and disappeared under it.
There was vivid scream from the
young lady. Croft leaped lightly over
the rail. There was a second splash
Nina screamed again.
with apologies from both," OBJ,
served Croft with a faint smile as he
held the wilted and bedraggIed feline
towards her.
ooh, why did you?" cried Nina, her
eyes sparkling, her lips distended, her
hand resting gratefully on his arm,
dripping as it was-"but oh, how
grand"
ut was worth it-for the cat" de-
clared Croft as Nina caressed the res
cued animal. She flushed and tried to
change the direct theme.
"You know l teach music in the vii
lage," she went on in her artlesS way.
II would ask you to the COTTAGE
proceeded Nina in deep embarrass.
ment, 'but you must be-dried"
"The sun will do that" insisted
Croft gaily. ''The cottage-your home,
presume? And in this lovely spot
/ should like to see it," and thus, un-
kempt as he was, the venturesome
Croft glided along by the side Of the
dainty little miss, an insistent and adj
miring cavalier, and-caught the cold
Of his life.
He went to sleep that night dream
ing of a stroll to that same woodland
cottage. He awokc with a sore throat
and a fever and doctor sent for.
More than once, after day or two
when he was over the crisis, he heard
a gentle feminine voice speak in the
outer apartment. His landlady told
him it was Miss Vincent.
Then there was a beautiful bouquet
of wild flowers brought to him each
day.
The next day Croft essayed one of
his customary walks-of course to-
wards the woodland cottage. She had
chided herself as the cause of his ILL
ness-a rush of words, to check her
self with conscious blush in the midst
of telling how he had not left her
thoughts.
Hence these tears?" he intimated
smilingly.
"oh, dear, MOI" she disclaimed-"it
is Cleo"
"Cleo?" he repeated ignorantly.
Cleopatra, the black cat"
"Ah, l understand now,' bowed
Croft. I'm trouble again?"
''In dreadful trouble" declared Nina,
and the corners of her pretty mouth
drew down dismally From the first
aunty has rebelled-says black cat
brings bad luck. l have traced her
to burrow over near the creek, but
can't coax her OUT
LET me help YOU"
Behold the convalescent, lively as a
cricket, one-half an hour later bending
over rock-strewn spot with a match
and looking down cavernous hole
where two bright eyes glowed.
1--WE got her." he announced, and
drew out the truant. AS Croft did so
he dropped the lighted match into a
little pool at one side. There was a
flash.
"Oil !" he said, in some surprise.
"Quite find. Miss Vincent, wish to
investigate this"
One week later Miss Clarinda Mes
bit walked into town to sign over the
old farm for royal sum to the great
oil monopoly.
She carried in her arms, tenderly
cherished, the former token of misfor-
tune, of i'll luck, now transformed to
her glorified vision into veritable
mascOt-Cleopatra.
And in her wake like cooling lovers
trailed Croft and Nina. She wore an
engagement ring, and he the cherry
riband stolen from Cleopatra through
whom golden fortune and happiness
had come.
Nav Be New Meat Supply.