The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1922-02-02
The HouaeIess
Black Cat
p wlNIFRED DUNBAR.

OEV1b WhoQ0kLOu VOteO IL u Dlc1Dc
chance that tmpeiled him to spoil
good suit Of clothes, indulge in chill
ing bath and place himself under
doctors care for week. II was al
for 9 cat, q skinny, homeless. ill-na
tured black cat, only-the feline ha,
leaped into disaster from the sof
graceful arms OF the mOst radian
young girl Croft had ever seen.
He had been only week NJ Durham
and Was u stranger there. He bao
worked too hard for five years for 4
great oil concern In the city and hac
broken down. Valued and popular. the
giant monopoly had given him two
months' salary In advance and lib
eral bonus and had told him to get Out
into the country and build up.
II was dull vt the dead little town
he had come to. He had come upon
the girl on q rustic bridge crossing
narrow but deep stream. At glance
Croft saw that she was In direful dis
tress. She had 0een carrying half-cov-
cred up In light wrap the black cat
In question. II had given q sudden
leap for freedom. The animal missed
the rail aimed for. and with u 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 second splash.
Nina screamed again.
with apologies from both" OBJ
served Croft with faint smile as he
held the wilted and bedraggled feline
towards her.
"Oh. why did your cried Nina, her
eyes sparkling, her lips dlstended, her
hand resting gratefully on his arm,
dripping as 1t was-"but oh, now
grand |"
1T 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 teach music In the vii
lage," she went on In her artIess 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, I'M
Sempt as he was, the venturesome
Croft glided along by the side OF the
lainty little miss, an lnsistent and adj
hiring cavalier, and-caught the cold
# his life.
He went to sleep that night dream
ng of a stroll to that same woodland
He awoke with a sore throat
md a fever and doctor sent for.
dore than once, after day or two
when he was over the crisis, he heard .
gentle feminine voice speak In the
utter apartment. His landlady told
lin 1t was Miss Vincent.
Then there was a beautiful b0uquet
# wild flowers brought to him each
ny.
The next day Croft essayed one of
Yards the woodland cottage. She had
hided herself as the cause Of his Ill
less-a rush Of words, to check her
elf with conscious blush In the midst
+ telling how he had not left her
houghts.
"Hence these tearsr he intimated
milingly.
ION, dear. moi" she disclaimeti-.it
8 Cleo"
"Cleo?" he repeated ignorantly.
"CleOpatra, the black cat"
"Ah, understand now" bowed
,roft "In trouble again?"
"In dreadful trouble" declared Nina,
nd the corners of her pretty mouth
rev down dlsmally. From the first
unity has rebelled-says q black cat
rings bad luck. l have traced her I
o burrow over near the creek. but
can't coax her out"
Let me help you"
Behold the convalescent. lively as q
ricket, one-half an hour later bending
ver 4 rock-strewn spot with match
md looking down 4 cavernous hole
where two bright eyes glowed.
rev out the truant. Az Croft did so
le dropped the lighted match into Q
title pool at one side. There was q
lash.
"Onw he said. In some surprise.
Quite 4 and. Miss Vincent. wish to
investigate this"
One week later Miss Clarinda Mes
lit walked into town to sign over the
I'D farm for 4 royal sum to the great
IL monopoly.
She carried in her arms, tenderiy
the former token Of mlsfor-
une, Of III luck, now transformed to
Ter glorifled vision into veritable
mascot Cleopatra.
And In her wake like cooling lovers
rallied Croft and Nina. She wore an
ring, and he the cherry
-ibAnd stolen from Cleopatra through