The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-02
KATIE,S STRATAGEM,

Well Sallie. you may talk as long a
you will, but I really must adhere to m
first opinion-that Mr.. Davis is very timid
for man. Oh. you need not bride up i
that way. do not mean that he is a COW
ard, not at least as cowardice is general
understood. But l will maintain that h
is timid and bashful-else why does he kee
beating about the bush so long, Neve
mind looking so innocent, sister mine-on
can see with half an eye that he is desper
ately in love with you, and-well, upon m,
word.'
This latter exclamation burst in amused
wonder from the speakers lips, as her eide
sister suddenly swept from the room-no
so quickly. however, but that her tormen
tor caught glimpse of the crimsoned
agitated face which Salle had in vail
sought to conceal.
"Cpon my wordn' again calculated thu
mischievous elf, as she gravely shook he
clustering ringlets back from her forehead
swell, we'll! My 'madcap tongue a.
Sallie calls it, has led to wonderful dis
covery. So that proud, naughty, stately
young lady is in love at last. Well, I dc
declare! Professor Wragg was quite righ1
in saying that many Of the greatest dis
coveries have been made by accident. -
Here have not been home a week from,
the scene of my triumphant exit from
school cipline-when in trying to dis.
cover whether was right in my surmise
that Mr.. Davis is in love with Sallie, hap.
pen to hit upon the knowledge that she is
in the scrape. Instead of one there are a
pair of 'em.
"What a condition of affairs. Mr..
Davis loves Sallie, and Sallie loves him,
but he, like the rest of mankind, is too
stupid to see that, so he holds back in fear,
leaving poor Salle in uncertainty. But
I'll fix him, and that I will. Just let me
see now" And the young girl nestled
down into large arm chair, and thought
intent for some half an hour; how much
longer her reverie might have lasted, had
not the quiet that surrounded the old farm
house, been disturbed by the sound of a
horses feet advancing up the avenue it
would be difficult to determine.
AS it was, the crunching of the gravel
attracted her attention, and with one
bound she reached window which COM
manded view of the grand, old-fashioned
porch, and of the drive before it.
"There he is now, just as suspected,
come to spend the afternoon with Sallie,
the bashful swain. All! he is bowling now.
so Sallie must be on the porch. That is
glorious for me. How fortunate that
have not yet told sallie how nicely
deceived our whole class of graduates, and
even the crusty old professor in the bar
gain. Sister will no more suspect me in
my fortune-teller's dress than they did,
and if l cannot manage to infuse little
more hope and courage into Joe Davis
faint heart, why then am disgrace to
my new profession, and shall retire in dis
gust. Now, let me think-I must guard
against Sallie's seeking me while I 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. elf
Miss Sallie asks for me, tell her have
gone to see that poor sick woman in the
village"
The instant the servants steps died
away in the distance, Katie sprang to
the door and locked it, even adopting the
precaution 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 amidst the
tasteful, expensive garments by which
they were surrounded.
One by one Katie held them up before
her, low musical laugh ripping from her
lips as she looked upon them. A strange
collection, in sooth, to form part of fash
ionable young lady's wardrobe. An old
plaid calico sun bonnet, with full stiff
cape, long loose green and white plaid
sack of the same material, an old pair of
shoes, much larger than necessary, pair
of blue spectacles, ragged gloves, and
more homogeneous, if possible, than all
these, red dress, covered with sprawling
yellow figures, dress such as would cause
the eyes of genuine young gypsie to
sparkle with delight.
Ten minutes later our mischieveus friend
stood before the mirror, fully equipped
in this strange costume, save that her
beautiful curls yet dropped over the laugh
ing face, whose clear brunette was momen-
tarily becoming darker and redder under
the skillful manipulations of her busy fin
gers.
"Now then, will throw my large man.
tie over this dress, tuck the sun-bonnet
under my arm and with my hat on, no one
who may chance to meet me will suspect
that l am not in my usual costume. I told
no untruth when left word that was
going to the village. l am going there
after have told those two foolish persons
on the porch yonder their fortunes
"There, Miss Sallie,' exclaimed Joe
Davis, "therc comes one of the very tribe |
of gypsies that have been telling you
of. She is in haste to visit you, l Think
Her friends can scarcely have pitched their |
tents yet; for it has not been two hours |
since their chief asked my permission to |
settle down in my grove
"she is an old woman too," said Sallie,
"aud how Enthusiastically she is dressed-in |
r