Evening star., 1938-12-04

q kind to human beings. He would sit on
~ their laps if they didn't twitch or keep
jumping up to do errands. He allowed humans
to scratch behind his tufted ears, although they
usually bungled the job and he had to finish
it with one of his hind feet. At night he would
rid the neighborhood of mice. and sometimes OF
nc,s!.'r,rs too.
But in return he demanded certain tnlnss.
For example" his mistress was explaining.
"he will only sleep on our guest room bed And
he hates loud radio programs and cigarette
smoke and skinned milk and dried Goldfish
and ...'
Valerie Trent said, somewhat bitterly, Il do
hope he'll be happy here then while you're
abroad Because we have chicken. only once
week. and Dad insists on gnawing the chop
bones, and I'm afraid we can't afford to get
George cream
I'm sure George will understa and. Out here
in the country he must expect to rough it "A
little
Valerie watched George climb halfway up
the dining room draperies. She asked wistfully,
Doesn't anybody ever throw things at
GEORGE
''Oh, dear no. George is very special ca,
After he got me married off felt nothing was
too good for
AFTER he did nhat3'
Georges mistress rose hastily and movco
toward the door, Nothing. dear Slip of tn,
tongue
"You said he got you married off, Valerie
insisted.
"Wel, suppose did. But of course that's
silly, isn't it? Just coincidence"
Valerie murmured. "They say ocean travel is
grand for the nerves.
My nerves are excellent, darling; how are
yours? Didn't you drop plate at lunch when
l happened to ask about that fascinating
Staunton man: Isn't he the one who won't give
you tumble::"
The plate was hot
"Of course. Personally, think the Staunton
case would interest George. believe I'll send
you some horrible bead curtains from Hawaii
As wedding present. To pay you back for
thinking I'm coming unstitched in the head
She waved gaily and drove off. Valerie wen,
back to raking leaves on the lawn. George came
out to help. Autumn leaves in such quantity
were a novelty to him; he was city Cat, He
closed his amber eyes blissfully, fattened his
ears and dove through the rustng heaps. He
pursued individual leaves and shook them
feroclously.
Valerie no longer felt like reproving him. She
knew she was being silly and superstitious bu,
. but after all Jeb Staunton wouldn't pay any
attention to her. He never noticed anything
unless it ran very fast on four legs and either
barked or neighed. He bred hunters on his
stock farm few miles away, and he was Master
of Fox Hounds of the Wayne County Hunt
Club.
She hardly ever saw him except at the start
of the Hunt meetings. She rode faithfully to
each one, hoping to be in at the finish. Maybe
if he admired her riding he would ask for date.
The only trouble was that he'd have to ask in
very loud tone. She was usually about four
miles behind at the finish
She relaxed on the ground and pillowed her
head in the leaves. George walked on her, wav-
ing his feathery gray tail like semaphore flag
He tramped in circles on her flat little stomach
until he considered it soft enough, then sat
down.
Jeb Staunton halted his rangy hunter at the
open gate and peered around the yard At first
he didn't see the girl. Maple leaves had drifted
over her slim body and blended with the colo,
of her loose hair.
"Hello." he shouted, making it sound like {,
View Halloa