246 THE FIRESIDE SPHINX 



touching stories about animals," observes M. Champ- 

 fleury, who well knew on what slender foundations 

 such pretty tales are built. Yet now and then even 

 his skepticism was shaken by curious and clearly 

 proven facts which seemed to indicate, not only affec- 

 tion and intelligence, but conscience and the power of 

 reasoning, — uncomfortable attributes, from which 

 the lower orders of creation are presumably exempt. 

 Mere chance must be held responsible for many 

 semi-miraculous things in a world full of wonders, 

 and accident rules the lives of beasts as well as 

 those of men. A country cat of my acquaintance 

 was much disturbed and excited by the introduction 

 of a tame chipmunk into the household where for- 

 merly she had reigned supreme. It was impressed 

 upon her in the most strenuous manner that the 

 intruder should not be molested, and for a few 

 weeks she acquiesced sullenly in its unwelcome 

 presence. Nature, however, has not intended that 

 cats and chipmunks should dwell in amity together. 

 One unlucky afternoon the tiny creature darted 

 tantalizingly across the room. There was a flash of 

 pursuit, a faint thin shriek, a dead squirrel lying limp 

 and blood-stained on the carpet. Retribution fol- 

 lowed swiftly. The cat was punished, reproached, 

 held over its victim, and finally thrust angrily and 

 ignominiously from the house. She disappeared 

 for two days, and her mistress was beginnmg to 



