Middletown transcript., 1868-10-31

were constantly arriving for Miss Katie to
ride, or walk, or 60 to a picnic, or do some
one or other of the many pleasant things
that can be found to do in "A lovely coun-
try place.
There was scarcely a morning all
through the year that her little, spiri-
ted pony, Brownie, was not aaadled and
waiting at the door for her, to take long
ride before breakfast. Over hill and
meadow, through shadowy woods, musical
with the song of birds, and sweet with the
breath of thousand wild-fowcrs that
gemmed the grass beneath her horses
hoofs, never stopping for fences, but clear
ing them as easily as bird, she would 60
flying along the country and come home
with most unromantic appetite and dis
ordered curls. But Katie was not one to
mind such trifes. A few moments suf-
feed to make all as it should be, and she
came down smiling cordial good morn
ing to her father, who was generally, as on
this particular September morning, wait
ing for his daughter in the dining-room
This was y long, low, wainscotted apart
ment, and would have been dark, and per.
haps gloomy looking, had it not been for
the numerous windows that opened to the
lawn from all sides, and let in the air and
cheerful sunshine with great prodigality.
Simple, white curtains draped the case
ments, and few well chosen pictures dec
Grated the walls. Flowers were every
where in vases and baskets, wherever they
could be placed, for Katie's love for them
was carried almost to monomania, and
her father loved to indulge her in this, as
in everything else. Indeed, Mr.. Sunder-
land petted his daughter to such an ex-
cess, that many of his friends wondered
how the girl kept herself SO unspoiled by
it all, and so simple, and natural.
1t was quite early yet, notwithstanding
her long ride, when Katie appeared at the
door of the breakfast-room, dressed in a
soft, flowing white muslin, that was con-
fined at the waist by a blue ribbon, and
with wide, open sleeyes, showing in all
their rounded whiteness her dimpled arms.
A delicate color.glowed in her cheek, that
dcepeucd when she saw who was her faith
er's companion. Standing by one of the
windows, with his back to the door, was a
gentleman, apparently about twenty-five
years of age. Slightly above the middle
height, but with d,stinguc air that made
him look still taller. Harvey Stanton was
man, to look at once, was never to for
get. Hair and moustache of raven black
ness, and clear. olive complexion, uniting
ed by any trace of color, and large, we'll
opened, honest-looking, eyes; certainly a
very handsome man, and no wonder that
Miss Katie was somewhat confused at first
seeing him.
"My daughter, Mr.. Stanton"
1t was all over in momant, and she
found herself seated at the head of the ta-
BILE, as usual, pouring coffee as if nothing
hal happened. Well, what had happened
more than had happened fifty times before
with as many gentlemen? Still do wha
she would, she could not conquer a littl,
nervous futtering, that increased every
time her eyes met those of her father
guest and somehoW Or other, that seem
ed to be pretty often. Those splendit
brown eyes seemed to have fascination
in them, that compelled submission from
hers, and she was surprised to find tina
she was not angry with them.
At last, breakfast, like all else human
came to an end and relieved from he
embarrassment, Katie rose, and with
pleasant invitation for Mr. Stanton to com
out and see the lambs, she passed on to th
piazza. Harvey Stanton followed her
and thought as he watched her bendin;
|, down and carressing the beautiful littl
creatures, that be bad HeReF seen so lovel
a sight. And yet, Harry Stanton was n
impressionable school-boy, to be caught b
every pretty face he met, but polished
gentlcmanly man of the world, who ha
: seen a great deal, and travelled half tn
$ world over, and come back to England
slightly disguised with things mundane.
He was an old friend of Mr.. Sunder
!, lands, or rather the son of an old frien
! whom he had not seen for years: and hi
presence in the breakfast room at Holl
I. Orange, was in consequence of an invita
ton to spend few weeks there during til
= shooting season.
It was like revelation to this man
! ! this fresh, pure, girlish nature, and
= pleased him to study and analyze it;
talk to her aRTa aRTa bear heF opinion Of his fl
1ssss hsr aa'nSs oa Day aaea GRP9'S s nigh s
! and night into day for weeks and still /
stayed.
J. J, MIR. Sunderland began to be Rervo,
70 20 and troubled at the constant intimacy th
'e was maintained between this fascinatin,
y highbred man, and his daughter, al
> longed to put stop to it; especially as
&c thought be detected tq9 great degree
= y interest for him. in her eyer-changin
- expressive face; but exactly how to do s
~ he did not know.
ne Any illusions to business were met
AZ Harry with laugh, and the assuran
that winter was the time for that, and he
could map be expected to busy hims'
j" in books in such lovely weather? If N
of Harry had added, with such lovely col
II | nan;on he wonld more nearly lave in,