Only the light is dagger-edged with frost,
And breaks in spangles on the ice-mailed trees.
—Hattie Whitney in The Ladies’ World.
A CATASTROPHE IN HIGH LIFE.
Tertius, as his name signifies, was the third Maltese cat to occupy a very warm place in the hearts of a certain pet-loving family that lived on a quiet, tree-shaded street in a beautiful Eastern city.
His predecessors were both noted for their wonderful sagacity and great achievements, so he felt that he must improve all his opportunities if he was to keep up to their high standard. Just how they had obtained their reputation he did not know, and perhaps it was this ignorance that caused him to make his fatal mistake.
The beautiful house in which he lived had a large veranda on one side, over which ran a grapevine, and in this grapevine a pair of robins, most unwisely, decided to build their nest.
“It is a very beautiful spot,” said Mrs. Robin.
“Yes, and that arrangement in the center there will be splendid to lay the foundation on,” replied Mr. Robin.
“It is so picturesque,” returned Mrs. R., in a rapture of delight.