Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-03-21

S~eAOO4 S~A4>3 - 3O$SA4~UOAs
A
"What, you, Kitty2 Is your canary
bird fractions, or is it something about
a new dress or bonnet that don't equal
your expectations"
Kitty looked at him so reproachfully
that he was sobered in minute.
"tel me all about it, whispered he
"I'm engaged" and if she'd been
announcing her own funeral, she
couldn't have done 1t in more solemn
voice.
Joe flushed up to the roots of his
hair, and clasped and unclasped his
hands in nervous sort of way, but
didn't say anything.
Kitty watched him maliciously 'It's
to that young Gilbert. He'sa splendid
fellow, and has great dark eyes and the
dearest little moustache. You know
him, don't you 2"
| No-yes-ait little, stammered Joe,
to the delight Of his listener. But
what's the trouble about2 Won't your
father consent :" and he looked 50 ut
terly wretched that Kitty, with faint
twinge of remorse, hastened to tell him
the true state of the case.
He frightened mp wonderfully.
Then you don't love the man after
all r. he asked.
"Well, I don't know" she answered,
meditatively. II never looked into
the matter much. I suppose he's as
good as any one, but I'm not in q mar
ryiug mood at present."
Joe's countenance fell again. "Will
you tell me just what you want? said
he, 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 Z" suggested he. "Twon't
be very dull at Aunt Dorothy's. I've
college friend in the neighborhood,
and-can visit you occasionally"
Poor Joe! The idea of having her
all to himself was delightful, and he
waited for her answer with subdued
eagerness:
"1s that the only plan that has oc-
cured to you7 answered Kitty sarcast-
ically; "you haven't much ingenuity
IT 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 I PROPOSE"
Then Kitty disclosed her plot, and
Joe listened approvingly, and the two
heads were still bent close together
when young Gilbert called nm hour
later. He entered unannounced, and
Kitty gave such start and blush at
Linn that Joe's hopes again sank to zero.
But 1t he'd been sensible he'd known
that her embarrassment was the result
OF surprise rather than motion. She
was very arch and winning that morn
ing until after Joe left (tGe little witch
knew he was on netties ali the time. \
then she changed her tactics and grew
cold and distant: SO you had to tell
papa, after ALL" she sneered, "men
cant keep a 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 viragos.
els this specimen of her temper Z"
thought he, escaping into the street as
soon as possible. "Whod have
thought her soft eyes could flash so.
or the lines of her face sharpen in such
a curions way3 She really looked dan
geroue."
Had he seen Kitty laugh and clap her
hands as she vanished from the scene.
he'd have been more puzzled than ever.
The next time they met she greeted
him with q charming smile, and looked
80 naive and unconscious that this little
episode would have passed from his
memory if it hadn't been for one cir
cumstance.
He accidentally (a) overheard con-
versati0n between her cousin and
another gentleman. Kitty was the
theme of the discourse.
She's dear little girl. but q reg
ular virago," said Joe. "Everybody's
afraid of her when she gets into one of
her tantrams. She just raves and goes
on in a way that's perfectly frightful.
There's faint of insanity in the blood,
you know her aunt and grandmother
died in an insane asylum"
Young Gilbert listened, shudderine.
These words explained the scene that
had puzzled him before and awakened
forebodings for the future. "Yousaw
her father come down town last week
with his head all bandaged up, and
heard him tell, perhaps, how terribly
he's afflicted with neuralgia" con-
tinued, Joe. "Poor old gentleman
twas Kitty did the mischief, for in one
OF her angry fits she threw the flat.iron
across the table, and it hit him in the
temple. He's anxious to marry her off.
and I hear Gilbert's to be the happy
man."
That individual turned pale. He re.
membered Mr.. Days eaeerness in for.
warding his suit, and the wish he had
expressed that his daughters marriage
should take place at an early date
Though his love for Kitty was as strong
as his shallow nature was capable Of
feeling, q vixenish wife would be un-
endurable. But wasn't it possible that
her cousin was mistaken, or had color
ed the picture little too highly. He
resolved to wait for further develop
ements.
They came speedily: A week latter
he called on Kitty-just at husband
was ushered by mistake (9) into the
library. The door between that and the
dining-room stood slightly aiar a
woman's shrill voice reached him from
thence. Was it Kitty's9 Yes he re,og-
nized it he had heard it once before,
pitched in the same high key.
"Don't tell me you didn't mean to. ,,
she screeched, more like q mad woman
than anything else, "You did, YOU
did, you wretched little imp! Then
there WIS the sound of heavy blow
and the shrek of child.
"Oh! don't, don't, Miss Kitty9''
walled a pitiful voice. "'Twas so dark
couldn't see when you run up against
me, and then stumbled and fell and
the pitcher got broken, and 7 tried to
but couldn't"
"You stumbled and FELL" mimicked
Kitty. "Well, I'll teach you not to
another time. Take that, and that,
and that" giving the child blow after
blow that resounded through the room.
Stop your snivelling too. Do you
hear Z I'll make you if you don't.
The sobs were hushed up, ana Kitty
went on: "'Twas the prettiest dress
had, and it's spoilt com pletely and oil
through your carelessness, you little
imp! Oh! if I'd only cowhide
twould do me good to give you such q
whipping as you deserve"
Kitty, let that child alone" said a
new voice and Gilbert recognized il
M h.ar o011ain'a