Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-03-28

Kitty looked up In her fatnerS lace
disbehevingly, bnt determination was
written there; and, filled with sudden
dismay, she began to plead for a re-
prieve 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 mentioned" said be.
Was ever anything SO provoking 2"
muttered Kitty, after her father had
gone down town. "Aunt Dorothy lives
in a forlorn-looking old place, and it's
a 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 intention of remaining in the city.
"But, papa, if Mr. Gilbert himself
should get tired of the engagement,
after knowing me better, you'll not
punish me for that. will you9' and her
eyes trembled mischievously.
Certainly not, child. What aques-
ton to ask.
But Kitty had a motive in it. Aplan
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 it's success cautiously.
As good luck would have it, who
should call on her but cousin Joe, the
firm ally and abettor of all her childish
mischief, and as ready to help her now
as then.
con Joe, such trouble as I'm in"
and she clasped her hands with a pretty
| little o~QSturp of aODeal.
"What, you, Kitty2 Is your canary
bird fractions, on is it something about
a new dress or bonnet that don't equal
your eXpectations2
Kitty looked at him SO reproachfully
that he was sObered in "A minute.
"tell me all about it," whispered he.
"Im engaged" and if she'd been
announcing her own funeral, she
couldn't have done 1T in a 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 cts
to that young Gilbert. He'sa splendid
fellow, and has great dark eyes and the
dearest little moustache. You know
him, don't you p
"No-yes-a little" stammered Joe,
to the delight of his listener. But
whats the trouble about? Won't your
father consent ~ and he looked So ut
terly wretched that Kitty, with n faint
twiuge of remorse, FASTENED to tell him
the true state OF the case.
He frightened up wonderfully
I - Nh. ..-. 1,.1l - ~. $685.. FLO,
all = he asked.
"Well, [ don't know she answered,
meditatiyely. II never looked INTO
the matter much. l suppose he's as
good as any one, but Tn not in q mar
rying mood Mt present.
Joe's couutenance fell again. "Will
you tell me just what you wants. said
he, a little sternly.
"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 modified at once. "Why
not break with Gilbert and accept the
alternative 2" suggested he. "Twon't
be a very dull mt Aunt Dorothy's. Eve
n college friend IN the neighborhood,
and-can visit YOU occasionally
Poor Joel The idea OF having her
all to himself was delightful, and he
waited for her answer with subdued
eagerness.
"Is that the only plan that has oc-
cured to you2' answered Kitty s%arcast-
ically "you haven't much ingenuity
if you can't devise some other way of
getting me out of this dilemma. I've
no intention of becoming an animated
fossil. Now listen to what | PROPOSE"
Then Kitty disclosed her plot, and
Joe listened approvingly, and the two
heads we're still bent close together
when young Gilbert called an hour
later. He entered unannounced, and
Kitty gave such a start and blush Mt
linn that Joe's hopes again sank tn zero.
But ii he'd been sensible he'd known
that hen embarrassment was the result
of surprise rather than motion. She
was very arch and winning that morn
ing until after Joe left (the little witch
knew he was OF nettles all The time,)
then she changed her tactics and grew
cold and distant, 80 you had TO tell
papa, after ALL she sneared, "men
can't keep Il secret
Her lover tried to explain, but she
wouldn't listen, and gave him such a
rating as would have done credit to the
shrillest and noisest of yiragos.
" Is this a specimen OF her temper ~
thought he, escaping into the street as
soon "a possible. Who'd have
thought her soft eyes could flash so,
or the lines of her face sharpen in such
a curious way1 She really looked dam
gerous."
Had he seen Kitty laugh and clap her
hands as she vanished from the scene,
hs'd have been more puzzled than ever.