182 Baby and the Kitten 



her a cruel kick which sent her into the area, and 

 passed along with a brutal laugh. The suddenness 

 of the action had prevented the cat from escaping, 

 and she fell into the area with two of her ribs 

 broken. 



There was a memorable, never-to-be-forgotten 

 night, which came to the circle of little friends. It 

 was November, cold and bleak. The snow fell 

 charily, and was seized and whirled in miniature 

 cyclones as fast as it came down. The signs upon 

 the offices and stores creaked dismally, and the shut- 

 ters of the houses rattled as if to resent the attack 

 of the storm. It was ' Winter's wild birthnight.' 

 And yet, within hundreds of homes, there was 

 warmth, quiet, and happiness. It was so in the 

 home that sheltered our baby and his parents. They 

 had retired early, and the wild noises without did 

 not disturb their slumbers. The lights were turned 

 low in the nursery, and all was still within. Sud- 

 denly but noiselessly a narrow ray of light flashed 

 out from a dark corner. It wandered in a long pen- 

 cilled line toward every portion of the room. Then 

 it vanished, and a stealthy, shuffling sound, scarcely 



