was one moment of unfounded suspicion on Jill's part when two out of the four puppies unaccountably vanished, and she was inclined to set it down to her cat, but this past, she welcomed her friend as joint educator of the young, and even allowed the best-beloved to go staggering excursions, first about the wood-shed and later over the whole romantic playground of the garden, under the protection of his aunt. By degrees, too, the fascination of biting and kicking one's aunt in the face became apparent, and I have often seen the whole four of them mingled in one inextricable and struggling mass of paws and open mouths.

The road just outside the gate was a long straight level, much haunted by motor-cars. It was here that the end came to that strange animal friendship, for one day Jill was run over and killed just outside the house. The small slain body was brought in, and while the grave was being dug in the garden, Jill lay on the grass, quite still. And as she lay there, her cat came out of the house and went up to her, her work being over, and she therefore disengaged and desirous of relaxation. But Jill did not seem inclined to play, and her cat strolled off again. Then she returned and sat down by her looking at her, and again tried to attract her attention, touched her on the nose with her paw, and made a feint of running away. Then as this did not answer she stole off into the bushes and came back carrying a snail in her mouth, which she laid by her, giving a little cry of appeal. But the grave was ready by now, and they took Jill up and laid her in it and filled in the earth.

That night I was strolling about the garden and saw something white under the tree where Jill had been buried. It was Jill's cat sitting on the

grave.

E. F. BENSON.

PROVERBIAL ROMANCES.

1. THE MERCHANT AND THE ROBBER.

A merchant, having charge of a very valuable jewel, was travelling for safety in the garb of a beggar, when he was set upon by three robbers who demanded of him the stone.

Perceiving that his assailants were aware of his secret, he said to them "Why should three of you wish to be hanged for a robbery that a single one of you could accomplish; or why should three of you come to take that which can only make one of you happy?"

They answered him “We are not going to be hanged: we shall sell the jewel and divide the proceeds equally between us."

"You seem to be very honest fellows," said the merchant, "but you are none the less fools! This jewel belongs to my master, the Emperor; and assuredly I shall inform him of how you have robbed me."

"You will not!" they replied, “for before we part you will be dead.”

"Whether I am to die or not will be presently revealed," answered the merchant, "for that is in the hands of Allah : but it grieves me that all three of you should seek to stain your souls with the crime of killing me. Therefore I will