Litchfield enquirer., 1870-02-24

ty. wondering how great draught the un. dreamed of requisite would make upon her limited pocket money-for habit had rem dered the possession of desirable things | almost entirely contingent, in her expert ence, upon the possession of pin money, | so that the association of ideas was very i natural-asked MT. Cramer if he would be so good as to purchase her one when he | went to the village. l
 "Ha! ha! that's good oEel' laughed ] young Cramer, while flush of resentment rose to Kitty's face. II guess you don't know much about district schools, do you, Miss Loyd?'
 'You see, it's different from getting 8 license to give concerts or such things. You've got to go yourself and let the con- mittee see that you know thing or two" Aud Mir. Cramer, senior, entered into 8 limited explanation of the subject. while Jo remarked to his mother, in the cheese room, that "It was an odd go, anyhow, that a young woman like her," pointing with his thumb over his shoulder, ''should be wanting district school commission" Why didn't she go to her friends, ii she had any9 And if she hadn't why didn't she leave off her silk dresses and go to WOfk In the regular way!
 ''Your pa thought perhaps there was some love affair at the foundation of her coming here," con6ded Mrs. Cramer; "but it don't look like it to me. Nobody comes to see her. she don't get any letters, you know. confess l don't understand it myself"
 The season was advancing, and Kitty's pocket money was disappearing like the remnant winter snows. Kitty kept brvae heart, but it was very monotonous here, and, contrary to her first intention, she had with great precaution appraised William of her retreat. She had received one letter from him, expressing great re- gret that business urgently required his presence in an opposite direction for some however, and the epistle closed with usual protestations of unchangeable regard. The few days were long past, but the gentle man had not appeared.
 Taking up the village paper Kitty's eye fell opportunely upon the announcement of the school commissioner, to those de- sirous of obtaining schools, the coming summer. She resolved to improve the op- portunity to obtain the certificate. She was desirous to be main taing herself, or at least to be in way to do so, when Will liam should come, that she might seem in no way dependent upon the aid he would be so eager to render. He must come as suitor still.
 Early one bright spring morning, Kitty rode with Mir. Cramer over to Islington Forks, and sought the room of the com missioner. There were others there before her, and Kitty expecting to communicate the fact that she was graduate of Coverly Institute, together, perhaps. with mention of the course of studies there pursued, en- tered tbe room. The order of exercises was somewhat different, it must be confess sed from Miss Loyd's anticipation, and as one after another acquitted herself on ab- struse squestions in mathematics, which Kitty had tripped lightly over with Prof. Ogleby's help, the young lady began to look on the district school teaching as something more formidable than she had imagined. Self-possessed as she was, she scarcely knew herself in these new sur- roundings. and she found one branchs af- ter another coming under close considera- tion. Kitty's thoughts rose in agitation
 like flock of startled birds. She could'not pass this ordeal, it was certain. Invention was busy, and Kitty rose at the first op- portunity, and, thanks to some little in- formation she had obtained on the subject of Teachers Institutes, the young lady with apologies for intruding upon the bus mess of the hour, was able to make some happily very pertinent inquiries regarding the next Institute to be held in that vicin ity, and, with her habitual nonchalance, made very graceful exit, while there was but one thoug in the minds of those left behind-''I thought she came here for oth al han fn rpf a 0nrfifiPafaP'
 Kitty went to the hotel of the village to wait MT. Cramer's pleasure. She station ed herself by window, hopiug to get communication with that gentleman be- fore he should call for her elsewhere, and she was indebted for view of the street to gentlemen who lowered his newspaper and came forward to her assistance. He was stranger. Kitty was sure she had never met him before, but at his pleasant tones such tide of homesick feeling rush. upon her as she had not experienced in all these weeks. He seemed like some one from home. He was different in appear ance and manner from any one she had lately encountered; and as with quiet un- obtrusiveness he returned to his seat, Kit ty, realizing her isolated, comfortless po- sition, felt all her resolution for the time l ebbing away, and became in spirit much like little tired child. It was passing strange, she reflected, that William did not seek her. Perhaps he did not approve the step she had taken. though there was no such sentiment expressed in his letter. She feared she had not given him sufi- ciently definite directions. She imagined various ills that might have occurred to him. aza. ss # Meantime the gentleman behind the newspaper sent occasional respectful glan- ces across to the delicate, pretty face l dropping on the slender hand, and very cautiously consulted once or twice Q pie 1 ture in small velvet case, which he drew forth with his watch on pretence of noting the hour, and becoming directly absorbed in reading again. Kitty reused at last on catching glimpse of MT. Cramer saunter- ing across the street. Recognizing her, he bowed acknowledgement, and quickening his pace, shortly afterward ap- peared in person. Regardless of any oth- i presence, he came forward with-''Well didn't expect to find you here, Miss Lloyd.
 You got through the examination pretty sudden. Have you got your certificate, or will you have to go back there again? They kept Miss Hofingale two hours full, the time brought her up here.
 q am ready to return whenever you are, i" replied Kitty in a tone indicating no desire to enter into particulars