Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-10-04


loud tone. that she could not, had she willed
it, remained ignorant of what he was saying.
She had heard his companion give her. his
tory, in short, detached sentences Poor
orphan-d delcatel y yreared-well educated
very beautiful and talented-proud-living
with poor relation on the outskirts of the
village" were the words that fell upon her
ear, as she swept haughtily by them. After
that, she had been introduced to the hand
some, wealthy young farmer at the school
picnic. She knew that the presentation
had first been suggested by him; and, though
she met his courteous, gentlemanly advances
with quiet, easy dignity, at heart she was
icpulsing him all the while.
i Perhaps he was conscious Of this, for he
was more than usually winning and pleasing
il his addresses. even when he saw in what
3. bitter, satirical way she cut down his finest
end most polished sentiments, quietly max
lug them the food Of her merriment That
#as not all, either 1t was not enough that
Kate should have all the enjoyment of the
day spoiled for her; but she must work her
self up into such passion as to lay awake
half that night, in order to sob it away from
her naughty, perverse little heart.
Poor Kate! And what was all that,
either. On St. Valentines Day, some one
bad annoyed her by sending for her accep-
tance one Of the prettiest, daintiest little
rings imaginable, within the expanding bud
of bush-rose valentine And then the
'nost puzzling Of anything about it was that
it was posted at Cranston, where she did not
know a single gentleman who could afford
to send her present of so much worth.
She had vowed, at first, never to wear it !;
but after while, when she found that it
looked so pretty upon her slender, white
finger, and improved her taper hand so
much, she gave up, and did not allow it to
go a single moment from her sight. And
better still, she used sometimes to press the
dainty circle to her lips, and then pout and
put on the haughtiest of all her ways to
make up for her foolishness.
So it was that matters went on between
the proud, gentlemanly young farmer and
the brilliant, beautiful Kate until the affair
of purloining the apples was brought to no.
tice. Kate could not brook threat, and
when the young farmers cartel reached her,
she headed the little group Of her school
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Kate looked very beautiful, standing there
in the clear, silvery moonlight, holding up
one white hand menacingly towards her
witching band of followers.
'.Pshaw, Kate, don't let's try to keep
still! Let him chase us if he likes, and see
what he'll CATCH" sounded the pleasant,
musical voice Of little Lucy Smiles. Il
don't believe [ shall drop another glove for
him to pick up, let me run ever SO fast. l
'hope he was pleased with my name stamped
upon the wrist
He didn't trouble himself much about
you or your name. I'll wager you, when he
had Kate's dainty handkerchief to wear next
his heart. That amt the best Of it; there
was specimen of her hand writing upon
one corner of it. and if he isn't as blind as
a bat he'll see who favored him with the
bushel May basket made out of cabbage
heads. Kate wrote the verses" retorted
MARY Prince, laughing and clapping her
hands.
''Hush I say, girls, you mustn't run on
so; | don't want to be caught without any
apples" said Kate. 80 speak low, if you
cannot keep from talking. We are almost
there now. Hush see the ripe yellow fruit
glisten in the clear moonlight !"
Kate tip-toed up to the little thicket Of
trees, followed by the hushed group.
after all, I don't believe there is any
use in keeping so STILL" she said, looking
around. 1T looks two much like down
right stealing, instead of graciously conde.
sending to test our neighbor's hospitality
So help yourselves, dears, while I preside
as we'll as [ can, in place Of the gentleman
himself No doubt he'll thank me for il
when-he gets chancer'
perhaps, after all he's hid right in this
thicket Of trees; and when we get to help.
Hng ourselves, as you say, he'll come jump.
ing out here in the very midst of u.s.. sug g.
gested some one, in timid voice.
"Pshaw Don't fear, Hattie Why well
frighten him to death in FIVE minutes, if he
ventures to show his head. There, take this
apple-and this-and this Catch them az
fast as throw them. That's brave! Stanc
out where you are, and ify you hear any noise
why run - cried Kate, turning again to the
tree. Here, catch my hat, and bring me
some leaves! I'm going to ornament my
hair upon the occasion"
She twined the dark leaves in and out hel
glossy braids, and then looping fairy white
apron upon one arm, commenced filing il
with apples.
''One for ELY Gray. two for dame Liza.
beth, three for little Bobby, and that nice
big bouncer for me! Thank you, thank
you, Mr. Waters! The company beg me
to tender you in their behalf their-th their
what's that girls %
AS Kate spoke, there was little crack
ding noise among the apple-boughs in the
thicket at her back, and before she had time
to sound an alarm. young Waters bounded
out in the very midst Of the frightened girls,
who ran screaming Justify, in every direc-
ton. But could there have been an eye
witness to the comical scene it would have
been very easily observed that the farmer
cared little about capturing any save their
wild, reckless leader. Down the long ave-
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