Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-01-25
g. 1881 laMsoE
KATIE'S STRATAGEM.

"Weli. Sallie, you may talk as long as
you will, but | lily must adhere to my
first opinion-that Mr.. Davis is very TIM
id fer man. OH yea need not bride
up in that way. do not mean that be
is coward not at leasta as coward ice is
understood. But will maintain that he
is tint aud bashful-else why does he
keep beatllg about The bush so long
Never mind looking SO innocent, sister
mine-ope can see with half an eye that
he is .desper,tely in l9ES with you, and
well, upon my word
This latter exclamation burst in amused
wonder from the speakers lips, as her ell
der sister suddenly swept from the room
not SO quickly, however. but that her
tormentor caught glimps of the Grim
soned, agitated face which Sallie had in
vain sought to colcsal
Upon my word" again calculated the
mischeiyous elf, as she gravely shook her
clustering ringlets. back from her fore
head. Nell Sell, my madcap tongue
as 4Sallie callsIts has led To- a great dis
eosery. So that proud, naughty, stately
young lady is ip. love at last. Well do
declare. Professor Wfhgg was quite
right in saying that many Of the greatest
d scoveries have been made by accident.
Here have I not been heme week from
the scene of my triumphant exit from
school discipline-when. in trying to dis
cover in my surm ise that Mr.. Davis is in
love with Sallie. l happen to hit upon
the knowledge that she is in the scrape.
Instead of one, there are pair of EN-"
.'What condition of affairs! Mir. Da-
Wis loves Sallie, and Ssllie loves him but
he, like the rest of mankind, is too stu
Did to see that, so he holds back in fear,
leaving poor Sallie in uncertainty. But
I'll fix him, that / will. Just let me
see now"
And the young girl nestled down into
a large armed-chair, and thought intently
for some half an hour; how much longer
her reverie might have lasted, had mot
the quiet which surrounded the old farm
hous. been disturbed by the sound of a
horses feet advancing up the avenue it
would be har! to determine
As it was, the crounching of the gravel
attracted her attention, and with oae
bound she reached a window which
commanded view of the grand, old
fashioned porch, and of the drive before
it.
'There he is now, just as I suspected,
come to spend the afternoon with Sallie.
the bashful swain ALI he is bowling
now, so Sallie must be on the porch. That
is glorious for me. How fortunate that
l have not yet told Sallie how nicely I
deceived our whole class of graduates. and
even the crusty cid Professor in the bar
gain. Sister will no more suspect me in
my fortnne-t cller's dress. than they did i,
and if l cannot man age to infuse little
more hope and courage into VIII Davis
faint heart. why then | am disgace to
my new profession, and shall retire in
disgust. Now, let me think-I must
guard against Sallie's seeking me while |
am not here.
A vigorous pull at the bell-rope which
hung conveniently near brought neat
looking waiting maid to the door.
MARY and madcap Katie struggled
in vain to assume becoming gravity.
eff Miss Sallie asks for me. tell her |
have gone to see the poor sick womap in
the village"
The instant the servants steps died
away in the distance Katie sprang to the
door and locked it, even adopting the
precau tioh of hanging an apron upon the
knob, that no eye might by any chance
penetrate her secret by means of the key
hole.
Then she danced across the room, and
throwing open half unpacked trunk
drew therefrom several articles which
seemed strangely out Of place among the
tasteful, expensive garments by which
they were surrounded.
One by one Kate held them up before
her, low, musical laugh ripping from
her lips as she looked upon them. A
strang collection, in sooth, to form part
ofa fashionable young lady's wardrobe.