Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-03-09
7OODST0CK, VIRGINIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1871.

SNSA"'
ron, Frank
Poor Frank. You might have knocked
HIM down with a kn itting-needle. But
he was gentleman enough to statnmer
some responses to the beautiful lady's cour-
teous greetings, aud try TO recover from
his con fusion as best he might.
Half an hour later, he and Tom were
standing together on the car platform,
and then his wrath had vent.
Tom Courtenay, I'll never forgive
you
You will. I had to deceive you, SO
that you wouldn't act like fool, aud
disappoint me of your VISIT. But Kate
will neither eat you up nor fall in love
with YOU, SO you need not be afraid.
Don't expect me to pay attention to
her.
Hold on there, she hasn't give you a
chance yet Hates quite be lie in city
society, and aw ful particular in her COM
pany. Sad dogs, like you and [, wouldn't
stand the ghost of achance.
'Humph don't know that she could
do better growled Frank, instantly,
with mans usual contrariness, taking the
opposite tack.
She might think SO. I'm going to
the smoking car. Frank, Come aloug.'
No; l don't care about smoking now
All right. Just look after Kate till
| come back--tbat's good fellow
Now Frank had not the least intention
of looking after Kate, but when he APP
preached her seat; she looked up with
such a frank, pleasant smile, and moved
her shawl from the opposite seat. to make
room for him, with such cordial air,
that he could not resist the temptation
and enjoy her society.
Not much of it did he get, however,
for. a fter that pleasant reception, Mrs.
Kate betook herself to her book again,
and never even looked at him. BY re-
venging himself. Frank looked at her,
and the more he looked the prettier she
grew.
She widow" he thought. She's
not day over one aud-twenty, if she's
that. | wonder if she is Toms sweet
hearth
And, strange to say. this reflection
made Frank feel like grinding his teeth
at the unconscious Tom. calmly enjoying
his cigar in the smoking car.
The journey passed off without any
sp ,cial incident, and without Mrs. Kate
troubling Frank, in the least, for any at
tentions. At the station they found
Black Bob awaiting them with the big
sleigh, and a few minutes breezy sleigh
ride bl ought them safely to the door OF
Toms home. If Frank had found Kate
Cameron pretty in her hat and travelling
wraps, when she took them of, and
cbowed the slight form, with its grace
full curves and arches, he thought her be-
witching. OF course, he didn't care any
thing about her; but, some way, it was a
great relief to find certain pretty hit c
Minnie Brown, WI o was one Of the holi-
day party. Enthusiastically occupying the
position of Toms sweetheart, and put
ting Kate out of the question.
Before they had been there three days,
Frank begun to have an uncom Portable
sensation under the left side of his vest
whenever Kate was near and Sunday
morning, when she came down dressed in
a bewildering suit of velvet, ready for
church, he quite gave up, and owned
to himself that he loved every inch of her
fiom the heels of her tiny boots to the
tips of her little blue gloves.
Mrs. Kate was sharp enough very
speedily TO see how the land lay but
she never gave one sign that she cared
straw for him, and Frank tormcnted him
self daily with hopes and fears, after the
usual fashion of lovers.
The holiday visit was to close with
grand party on New Years night, and
all the young people in the neighbor-
hood we're invited in to assist in the
merry making.
Late in the evening. silent figure sat
by the dim library fire, having stolen
away from the reyeric below stairs to in
duge in moments quiet reverie. Pres
emily the door pushed softly open. and the
faint light glistcned on Kate Cameron's
blue robes, as she came forward and ad-
dressed the figure in the chair.
Why. Tom. Old fellow, what is the
matter? Have you got fit of the
blues?
A.deep sigh was her only answer.
Why, dear, dear, it is worse than
laughed Kate. Have you been
quarrelling with Minnie Brown +? Tell
me all about it.
Aud, with couslnly freedom, she laid
her hand upon his head.
Tho little hand was quickly imprisoned
and carried to the lips of the silent figure;
and then Kate stopped and looked into the
face, not of her Cousin Tom, but Frank
Worthiugton.
She gave vent to low exclamation,
and would have fed instantly, but Frank
took good care to hold fast to his little
white prisoner and detain her.
1t isn't Tom. but don't go. he pleaded.
Stay with me, Mrs. Cameron-dear Kate,
Tom doesn't love you half so we'll as l
do.
How do you know? whispered Kate,
shily.
Because Tom only loves you as a cous-
III, and I-oh, Kate, | love you better
than my life
But you have known me such little
while.
Yes-and might never have known you
at all if Tom, the blessed old boy, hadn
deceived me, aud made me believe it was
an old lady who was to come down with
US.
know-Tom told me all about it,
laughed Kate.
Did he But you Will forgive me,