Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 289, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1912 — THE LITTLE LADY IN FUR [ARTICLE]

THE LITTLE LADY IN FUR

“Sister, Jack’s come!” “Mercy me! So early!” exclaimed Dora. “Why, no, it Isn’t early, is it, Toots; 8 o’clock, and I’ve been writing an hour. Run along, dear, and ask Jack to tell you a story while sister finishes her letter.” Toots needed no second bidding. One of Jack’s stories to this four-year-old was a glimpse into fairyland. She tripped lightly into the drawing room. “Dood evenin’. Mister Jack.” “Hey, Toots!” exclaimed Jack Esmond. “Good evening, my little lady,” and in a second more she was perched high on a broad shoulder. Toots loßt' her breath, the ascent had been so very sudden, but she managed to lisp: “Mitter Jack, Dora * thaid p r’aps you‘d tell me a thtory.” r “A story. Toots? You bet, but w'here Is Dora?” “Writing to muver and she wanted to finish it so you can mail it to-night. She said she’d -hurry and be down very tboon.” “All right; where is our big comfy story chair? Ah, over here! Come on, Toots, cuddle down, it’s going to be a really truly one to-night.” “Ooo! All true, Mitter Jack?” - “ “Every word, dear. You see, I was called to New York to-day and took the train you and Dora always take, Toots, when Dora goes to buy you a new dress. Well, at the very first station, the daintiest little lady I ever saw boarded the train. She stepped so lightly up the aisle and took the seat next mine. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Toots, she was such a beauty: O, I must tell you Ivor she was dressed because you are a little girl and of course you will want to know that. “She was all in fur, from her head to her feet, the softest, prettiest gray, Toots, and at her neck such a pretty blue satin bow.” “Did the pretty lady look at you* Mitter Jack?" . “Did she look at me? Well, l should say. You see, Toots, I read icy paper very fast so I would not watch tor every moment. But when I did look again she actually winked at me, Toots.” i “O, Mitter Jack!" exclaimed Miss Toots. “Dora says that is very rude, and a lady never do* s that. I heard her tell Becky that just the 'other day.” “O, but Toots, It was all right for, this little lady*; she was far from rude. Weil as I was saying 1 read my paper harder than ever a.ter that; and, Toots, you never cotud gues3 what happened next.” “O, did she faint, Mitter Jack?" “Faint? No, but 1 nearly did that. Toots. I felt,, a light touch on my arm and behold in my seat right beside me sat the little-lady in fur. Her touch was like a feather, but it made me jump, Toots, and it made my heart go pit-a-pat.” At this Toots clapped her chubby hands and giggled, “O, Mitter Jack, 1 heard Dora tell muver that her heart did that when you gave her that flashy ring that she kisses every night when she puts it in its little velvet box.” s Toots got a big, big hug for that bit information and Jack Esmond almost forgot his story, but Toots had no notion of missing the end. “What next, Mitter Jack?” “Let’s see. O, yes. ‘What can I do for you, miss?’ I asked. Then she spoke and O, Toots, such a voice,! Soft as music. 1 never beard such a beautiful voice. I had to bend my head to catch what she said, and when I did that she sat plum down in my lap.” “Oh-h!” Toots’ voice was as s hocked as it should have been while breathlessly she asked: “What did you do, Mitter Jack?” “What did I do? I hugged her tight, just as tight as I’m hugging you, Toots, and —” “Jack Esmond!" Through the silent room the tones of Dora Ware’s voice sounded like an exploded bomb. “Ah, good evening, Dora, dear, thought you were never coming. Toots wanted another story and—” “That will do. Toots, come here in stantly. And now, Mr. Esmond, how dare you sit there In my house anc tell my little sister such trash?” “But, Dora, dear.” “Not a word!” Dora’s eyes flashed Are. “Our engagement is broken, Mr Esmond, and please never darken mj doors again.”

Like a wounded queen she swep 1 from the room, poor Toots follow ini wonderingly behind. “Dora! Dora!” Jack Esmond called but only the echo at his own voice an swered him. Only after Dora heard the frondoor close did the storm cloud burst Throwing herself upon her couch sh sobbed: “O, Jack —Jack, how couli you—how could you?" A whole .week passed. Poor, mlsei able Dora! She wept all the pent-u; tears within her frail, little body, un til she was pale and drooping as a fad ing flowed At last there came a letter in Jack’ handwriting. \

Trembling <»ened It and read "My dear Dora —Imad hoped to tel Toots the end of the story and I thin) it is unfair for her little mind t ponder longer, so I am going to as) you to finish the storg for me. Whe. I clasped that little lady In fur tn m arms she winked at me again an again, then pufred the softest kind c a purr, for she was Just it little gra ’pussy cat* Aa ever, yours, Jaek.”KAUDB JOHNSON WA&RBR