The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-07-24

"Good gracious" exclaimed Kitty, "whal
could have brought uncle homo 80 soonY"
at is only ton minutes past ten," said
Harry, looking burredly at his watch.
"Somclhug or other has happened to ha..
ten bis return. Is 1t possible that he suspect
cd anything about ~ VI being here' What
will be done when he finds you?"
"He cant any moro than order me out Of
the house" said Harry "Don't lie alarmed
Kitty, will take oil the blame"
"But you can escape, You must"
This seemed to be impossible, as Just then
tho miller was heard knocking his feet against
the scraper
"Quick, let me hid you in the closet" said
Kitty.
She flew TO the closet, opened the door
pushed in tie bewildered Harry and button
ed it.
Then, with her face little flushed, she
pumped down in the rocking chair and was
knitting very industriously y when her uncle
entered.
"Hey, Kitty" said her uncle, 81 suppose
you didn't expect to see me quite so soon?"
"No, uncle, said Kitty. "Why it isn't
much more than ten."
"The way Of it was, / happened to meet
the Squire at the store, four miles this side OF
his house, and we transacted our business
there. So You see gained an hour moro in
that way
81 wish to goodness the Squire had stopped
at home thought Kitty.
"Have vou been lonely, Kitty" epquired
her uncle.
"No, sir, said his neice demurely, II was
busy, yon know"
"You are Getting to be quite industrious
The miller took off his boots and sat down
composodly at the fire.
Kitty was ia hopes he would 90 to bed. in
order that She nigh give her lover chance
to escape. lat this he did nol appear at all
inclined to do.
"Isn't it almost bedtime, uncle" said Kit
ty.
81 don't know why it is. but don't feel at
all sleepy tonight"
Kitty inwarllv groaned.
"If you are sleepy don't wait for me-"
"Oh," said Kitty, looking particularly wide
awake 81 feel as if l could sit up all night" ;"
"Whero'- the last weekly paper, Kitty?'
Kitty would like to have said she did not
know, for she knew if her uncle got hold of
that he would quite disregard tue passage Of
time. Unfortunately there was the paper on
the table nulcr the kitchen glass. 1t was the
first otjec. that met her gaze as she look d
up.
II see am in for q sege,' said Kitty TO
herself 'but can stand it as long as be can
that's comfort But | am afraid Harry
will find it pretty dull work in the closet
What would uncle say if he should find out
be was there T.
Half an hour passed.
The miller, who was a slow reader, was in
tent upon story which interested him. Kit
ty saw, with despsiring glance, that he was
not quite half through it.
She was beginning to be sleepy herself, or
would ha t. been If she had not 80 much to
keep her awake.
"Kitty,' said her uncle, looking up sudden
ly, "you had better 90 to bed. It's almost
eleven O'clock"
"Are you going to bed, Uncle?'
"No not Just yet. l want to finish this
story. 1t, pretty cute one. But shah't
need any company. So don't sit up on my
account"
II shouldn't 60 to sleep if went to bed,
uncle, Bcsiles | want to get so much done
before 90 to bed"
"Well, child, just as you like. Bless me.
what's that =
Kitty TUNED pale. There was suppress.
ed noise in the closet. Harry had evidently
got tired Of his constrained position, and was
stirring around little.
at must be the cat," said Kitty, hurried.
ly.
"The eat. Do you allow her to be in the
closetl S. ought to be driven OUT
The miller rose, but Kitty hurricdy anti.
cipated him.
She went to the closet, opened it tri1e
and called, scat"
mo the eat is not there" she said return
ing to lcr scat.
Quarter of ap hour passed.
Again noise Of more decided character
was heard
Harry elbow happened to hit against {
plate aud il GIl with a sudden crash to the
floor.
an see what il is," exclaimed the miller
rising.
He threw open the door, and out rushed
Harry looking rather foolish
"Well urver," CALCULATED the miller.
Before he had time to say anything further
Kitty said huriedly, "Uuucle, didn't yor
promise me a ccllarW
"Yes," returned the miller, "but-" KITTY
pressed to The side of her lover, passed h
arm around her neck, and then said, while
her eye, twluked with mischief This is the
collar want, uncle. You promised me, you
know"
"And I'll keep it, Kitty" exclaimed the
miller, bursting into hearty laugh, mo mat
ter what il COSTS"
Two months from that day Kitty Cutting
changed her name. Some years have elaps
ed; but she has not yet got tired of the "col
lar" which her uncle gave her.