THE LOST KITTEN.

ae I-A-OW! Mi-a-ow!” cried Fluff,

the tabby cat, as she ran about

the house in a state of great

excitement, with her fur on end and her
tail sticking straight up in the air.

‘Boo-hoo! Boo-hoo!” cried golden-

haired Poppy as she followed Fluff about,

 

rubbing her fat little knuckles into her
pretty blue eyes.

In fact, these two little creatures were just as miserable as it is possible for
two little creatures to be. And yet the day before had been all sunshine and
happiness, both for the little girl and the tabby cat. The day before had been
Poppy’s birthday, and she had got up very early in the morning so as to make
the most of it.

Happy Poppy! What lovely presents there were waiting for her when she
got downstairs! There was a doll from her mother, a doll’s-house from her
father, and a lovely picture-book had come from Auntie by post.

Cook had made her a beautiful cake with sugar on the top; and Nurse had
given her a pretty mug with the words, “A present for a good girl,” written
in golden letters upon it. Nobody had forgotten her.

“There is one more present for you, Poppy,” said her father; “look in
pussy’s basket, and you will see what she has got for you.”

Now, what do you think it was? It was a kitten, a tiny wee kitten that
didn’t know how to open its eyes, and was not even able to stand. Fluff was
exceedingly proud of her baby, and purred when the little girl took it in her
arms. Poppy christened the kitten Midge, and Fluff seemed to think ita very
good name indeed.

So what with tea-parties given in the new doll’s-house, and what with
changing the new doll’s dress every half-hour, the day was a very happy one,
and bedtime seemed to come hours and hours too soon.

The next morning Poppy was awakened by Fluff mewing and scratching
at the bedroom-door; and as soon as it was opened in she ran, evidently in a
great state of mind about something.

‘“ Mi-a-ow! Mi-a-ow!” she cried as she jumped on Poppy’s bed and began
searching amongst the clothes.