The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1927-08-05
"CoHette," Their
Mascot
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS

TTAD Paula Oeen tiny Dlack
i Persian kitten like the one In
the basket beside her, she would have
purred, too. She was so happy to
have finally succeeded in buying the
Long Island train with her that she
could actually have purred with JOY.
For many weeks she had been look
ing for small black kitten and only
that day while out at lunch had come
across this adorable one.
Having nothing whatever In the
office that she and her brother occu-
pied with which to make the kittens
basket soft and warm, Paula had
been obliged to use one of the office
supply towels.
She had already named the kitten
after the small patented article for
which she and her brother had ac-
quired the agency, which was al
ready bringing them decent living
Little "Collette' was to be their
mascot.
Paula peeped into the cozy basket
and as she did so small girl sat
down in the seat beside her. The
man who had found the seat for the
child found one for himself in front.
There was no slightest doubt that
the small girl was feeling very tear
full about something. Paula heard
an occasional trembling breath as IL
she were making a brave effort to
stifie her emotions.
Paula's first thought was to make
an effort to amuse the little girl, and
she very cautiously opened the lid of
"Collette's" basket. The kitten was
curled up into a perfect puff ball Of
silky black fur.
"Oh" cried the little girl with
snuggled against Paula and leaned
her head down SO that she could al
most rub her cheek against the kit
ten. MY daddy promised me one for
my birthday and we have tried all
day to get one and couldn't-get-a-
a s-single kitten" With that the
tears burst forth.
"What would your daddy say to me
IL / gave you this one?" questioned
Paula. 81 should love to make you
a present of it but you must name 1t
'Collette.' Do you think"
"Oh-h!" gasped the delighted child,
81 would just love"
The man in front turned and en-
tered into this strange conversation.
my dear Tots-you mustn't let the
lady give you her own kitten"
II should love to give the kitten
to your little girl. / can easily get
another tomorrow, as he Is one Of
big litter. Please let her have it
children S disappointments are so
very real to them"
The train was pulling in at Forest
Hills station and Paula pressed the
basket with "Collette'' in it into the
happy childs arms. BE sure you
name her "Collette," she said swiftly,
and only the searching eyes Of the all
wise kitten saw the look In Paula's
own eyes as she bade swift farewell
to her pet.
Paula felt forlorn as she walked
home from the station with the two
pink china bowls she had bought for
"Collettes" milk and boiled fish. She
recalled the very happy light in the
child's eyes when she accepted the
kitten and that cheered her bit.
And if Tots Blaine was treasuring
her kitten tremendously, so also was
John Blaine treasuring it because 1t
was the golden thread whereby his
heart had been tugged into heretofore
unknown regions.
And John Blaine's only hope for
the future was that he might again
see the girl on the train so that he
could easily and without any offense
thank her again.
But "Colletts," In her cozy basket,
had other plans for the bringing to-
gether of a couple in a more speedy
manner.
Of course "Collette" knew that John
Blaine was not the father Of Tots,
nor in any way, shape or form tied up
matrimonially. He was just Tots
best uncle. SO plans proceeded when
"Collette" almost refused to come out
of her coZy basket after arriving at
her new home and being made much
of by an animal-loving family. She
went back and forth in her basket,
went round and round in cat fashion
ON that Office towel which Paula had
used for cushion for her. and 1t was
not until John Blaine himself seemed
to grasp the idea that she seemed
pleased and purred loudly.
Blaine picked up the towel, noticed
1t was one of the towel-service va
riety, and a broad grin spread over
his goodlooking face.
"Collette" seemed too, to under
stand that things were moving now,
SO went off to lap little warm milk.
She had done her bit.
Blaine took the towel into his own
| possession and first thing in the morn
ing trailed to the office whose name
was written in red letters thereon
He mustn't lose any time In returning
itAOl LII lHc lcdSI lHdl lie cdTGu
about the towel-supply people-but he
| did not want to miss a moment more
of life without knowing Paula.
She was sitting beside great desk
| occupied by man whom Blaine in
stantly disliked, then as quickly ad-
mired when he found it was her
| brother.
81 had to return this towel" said
| blaine ~ didn't want unu To got In.