Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-06-15

that I've mentioned" said he.
"Was ever anything so provoking ?"
muttered Kitty, after her father had gone
down town. "Auut Dorothy lives 10 a
forlorn-lookiug old place, and it's perfect
wilderness around her, and papa knows
she is the crossest old maid in existence.
But I'll be even with him yet"
The next morning Kitty announced her
intention of remaining in the city.
"But, papa, if Mr.. Gilbert himself
should grow tired of the engagement, after
knowing me better, you'll not punish me
for that, will your" aud her eyes trem-
bled mischievously.
Certainly not, child. What question
to ask"
But Kitty had motive in it. A plan
had suggested itself to her mind for out
whiting both father and lover. But she
didn't mean to hurry, and began to pave
the way for its success cautiously. AS
good luck would have it, who should call
on her that morning but Cousin Joe, the
irm ally aud abettor of all her childish
mischief, aud as ready to help her now as
then.
ooh Joe, such trouble as I'm in,"
aud she clasped her hands with a pretty
little gesture Of appeal.
"What! you. Kitty? Is your canary
bird fractious, or is it something about
new dress or bonnet that don't equal your
expectations ?"
Kitty looked at him so reproachfully
that hc was sobered in minute
Tell me all about it," whispered he.
"Tm engaged" and if she'd been an.
nouncing 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 uuclasped his hands in a
nervous sort of a way, but didn't say any.
thing. Kitty watched him maliciously.
" It's to that young Gilbert. He's splcn-
did fellow, aud his great dark eyes and the
darkest little moustache. You know him,
don't you?"
"No-yes-a little," stammered Joe, to
the delight Of his listener. But what is
the trouble about? Won't your father
consent?" aud he looked so utterly wretch
ed that Kitty, with faint twiuge of re.
morse, hastened to tell him the true state
Of the case. He frightened up wonder
fully. "Theu you don't love the man af.
ter all ?" he asked.
"Well, I don't know" she answered
u'cditatively. II never looked into the
matter much. suppose he's as good as
any one, but I'm not in marrying mood
ut present"
Joe's countenauce fell again. "Will
you tell me just what you want?" said lie
little steruly.
"Now don't be cross, Joe; you're the
only friend I've got in the world" and
Kitty raised her soft eyes imploringly.
He was molli6ed at once. "Why not
break with Gilbert and accept the alter
native ?" suggested lie. "'Twon't be so
very dull at Aunt Dorothy's. I've q col.
lege friend in the ueighborhood, and can
visit you occasionally"
Poor Joe! the idea Of having her all to
himself was delightful, aud he waited for
her answer with subdued eagerness.
els that the only plan that has occurred
to you?" answered Kitty sarcastically !;
"you haven't much ingenuity if you cant
devise some other way Of getting me out
Of this dilemma. I've no intention of
becoming an animated fossil. Now listen
to what l propose?"
Then Kitty disclosed her plot, and Joe
listened approviugly, and the two heads
were still bent close together when Gilbert
called IN hour later. He entered uuan.
nounced, and Kitty made such start and
blush at him, that Joe's hopes again sank
to zero. But 1t he'd been sensible he'd
known that her embarrassment was the re.
suit of surprise rather than emotion. She
was very arch and winning that morning
until after Joe left (the little witch knew
he was on pettles al the time), then she
changed her tactics and grew cold and dis
tant. $50 you had to tell papa, after all I"
she sueered, "men can't keep secret"
Her lover tried to explain. but she
wouldn't listen, and gave him such a rat
ing as would have done credit to the shrill-
est and noisicst of viragoes.
Is this specimen Of her temper ?"
thought he escaping into the streets as soon
as possible.
Who'd have thought her soft eyes