The Portland daily press., 1872-04-27
Kitty's Stratagem.

course, il men were taken IN by the round,
childish face, and great innocent blue eyes.
For they were, scores OF them, and Kitty
went ON her way rejOicng-completing their
bewilderment,by the shy looks and smiles,
and bushes, that really meant nothing, but
were very effective, nevertheless.
But in an unlucky hour for Kitty, she said
'sYes'' to dark, melancholy youngmsn, who
had been her shadow for months. She wasn't
in earnest, but did it for the ''fun of the
thing" and because she wanted to know how
it felt to be engaged" 1t resulted serious
ly, however, for, in spite of express commands
to the contrary, the accepted sutton went di-
rectly to her father and told him all about it.
Mr.. Day looked at his daughter mischievous-
ly that night, as she sat behind the tea-urn
with such a comical assumption of dignity.
$50 Pm to lose my little housekeeper before
long, am ?" questioned he, significantly.
''Why, papa, what do you mean?" and
Kitty blushed scarlet.
''Mr. Gilbert called ON me to-day. He is
an excellent young man, and the son of one
of my oldest friends. l heartily approve your
choice, my dear"
"He promised to keep the engagement a
secret" said Kitty in vexed tone.
$50 he told me, but concluded afterward
to break his promise rather than act dishon-
estly. For it wouldn't have been quite fair
to have concealed the engagement from me-"
81 don't know why, Pm sure. It's only a
bit of my fun, anyway. l never meant to
marry him."
Mr.. Day looked at her sternly.
''Tm not jesting," she added pettishly.-
''He threw himself into such passion that
was fairly frightened into saying Eyes," and
sorry enough I've been for it since.'
care you in earnest, Kiity?"
eyes, am" and the blue eyes flashed de.
family.
SIS it possible that daughter of mine has
so little feeling and principle ?" =
Nov, papa, what is the use of lecturing
You know me of old. Pm in trouble and
want you to help me out of it's
"But you've given your word, Kitty, and
must abide by it."
Didn't he break his ?'' -.....
eyes, and was justified in doing so. But
you are not. Still, I'll give you choice OF
two evils, if you think marrying young Gil
bert one. Few girls would Either keep
your promise and make the best of circum-
country with your Aunt Dorothy. For Pm
not going to have you play fast and loose with
mems hearts after this fashion, -..H
Kitty looked up in her fathers face disbe-
lievingly, but determination was written
there; and, filled with sudden dismay, she
began to plead for reprieve of the sentence.
But Mr.. Day. wouldn't listen. 'You can stay
in the city and participate in its gayeties on
one condition only, and that I've mention
ed" said he.
"Was ever anything so provoking?" NUT
tered Kitty, after her father had gone down
town. Aunt Dorothy lives in forlorn-look-
ing old place, and it's perfect wilderness
around her, and papa knows that she is the
crossest old maid in existence. But I'll be
even with him yet"
The next morning Kitty announced her
int ofr oi,,i.,r in aa.@, ID,,k
papa, if Mr.. Gilbert himself should grow tired
of the engagement, after knowing me better,
you'll not punish me for that, will you?' and
her eyes trembled mischievously.
Certainly not, child. What a question to
ask"
But Kitty had motive in it, A plan had
suggested itself to her mind for outwitting
both father and lover. But she didn't mean
to hurry, and began to pave the way for its
it, who should call on her that morning but
Cousin Joe, the firm ally and abettor of all
her childish mischief, and as ready to help
her now as then. .-.4- ....st ia
"Oh! Joe, such trouble as Pm in" and she
clasped her hands with a pretty little gesture
of appeal.
"What you, Kitty? Is yonr canary bird
fractions, or is it something about new
dress or bonnet that don't equal your expec-
tations ?''
Kitty looked at him so reproachfully that
he was sobered in minute.
"Tell me all about it," whispered he.
''Pm engaged" and if she'd been announc-
ing her own funeral, she couldn't have done
it in more solemn voice.
Joe flushed up to the roots of his hair, and
clasped and unclasped his hands in a nervous
sort of way, but didn't say anything. Kitty
watched him maliciously. 'Its to that young
ate ell 4
great dark eyes and the dearest little mus
tache. You know him, don't you?'
"No-yes-a little" stammered Joe, to the
delight of his listener. "But what's the
trouble about? Won't your father consent ?"
and he looked so utterly wretched that Kitty
with faint twinge of remorse, fastened to
tell him the true state of the case. He
frightened up wonderfully. "Then yon don't
love the man after all ?' he asked
''Well, I don't KNOW she answered, med
itatively. 81 never looked into the matter
much. 1 suppose he's as good as any one,
but Pm not in marrying mood at present"
Joe's countenance fell again. Will you tell
me just what you want? said he little
sternly.
snow don't be cross, Joe; you're the only
friend Eve got in the world, and Kitty rails
ed her soft eyes imploringly.
He was Modified at once. SWhy not
tive? ?" suggested he. 'Twon't be SO very
dull at Aunt Dorothy's. I've college friend
in the neighborhood, and can visit you occa-
sionally"
Poor Joe! The idea of having her all to
himself was delightful, and he waited for her
answer with subdued eagerness.
SIS that the only plan that has occurred to
you?' answered Kitty sarcastically; ''you
haven't much ingenuity if you can't devise
yUou nf e Il.
dilemma. I've no intention of becoming an
animated FOSSIL Now listen to what / pro-
pose?"
linen Kitty disclosed her plot, and Joe lis
tened approvingly, and the two heads were
SUN pent close together when Young Gilbert
called an hour later. He entered unannounc-
ca ana KITTY gave such start and blush at
him, that Joe's hopes again sank to zero
But if he'd been sensible he dknown that her
embarrassment was the result of sunrise
rather than emotion. She was very arch and
winning that morning until after Joe left (the
little witch knew he was on nettles all the
time), then she changed her tactics and grew
cold and distant. $50 you had to tell papa
after all, !" she sneered, 'Emen can't keep a Sc
cret."
>. Her lover tried to explain but she wouldn't
listen, and gave him such a rating as would
nave done credit to the shriest and noisiest
of viragoes.
Is TINS specimen of her temper %,
as possible. '''0 ''i''' DO 'ooii
"Who'd have thought her soft eves co,,d
flash so, or the lines on her face sharnen T.,
such curious way? She really looked dom
gerous." ""ii-
Had he seen Kitty laugh and clan bor
hands as she vanished from the scene ba,d
have been more puzzled than ever.
The next time thew met she preatad h.,
with such charming smile, and looked 80
naive and unconscious that this little episode
would have passed from his memory If If
hadn't been for one circumstance. He acct
IDENTIFY p overheard conversation be tween
her cousin and another gentleman. Kitty
was the theme of the discourse.
. ''She's dear little girl, but a regular vira-
CO." said Joe. ''Everybody's afraid of her
when she gets into one of her tantrums. She
Just raves and gets on in way that's perfect
Y lr,ghtful. There's faint of insanity in
.ne ipiood, you know; her aunt and grand
'iiT W uied IN an insane asylum
uords ass, Hilbert listened, shuddering. These
moiuS eAp1alhed scene that had puzzled him
Dooio seW a"akened forebodings for the flu
lure. GU saw her father come down town
last week with his head all bandaoed nm 'c ond
heard him tell perhaps, how terribiv ~ Gun. af
ficted with neuralgia" Continued ID 1o aa