Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-02-08
KATIES STRATAGEM.

ell, same, you may taiR rs long rs
you will. but really must adhere to my
tirst opinion--thnt Mr.. Davis is very tim
id. for n man. Oh. you need not bride
up in that way g.! do not mean that he
is a coward. not at least as cowardicc is
generally understood. But will main
tain that he is timid and bashful-else
why does he keep beating about the bush
so long? Never mind looking so innocent,
sister mine-one can see with half an eve
that ne is desperately in love with you
well. upon my word "
This latter exclamation burst in anus
cal wonder from the speakers lips, as her
elder sister suddenly swept from the room
hot so quickly, however. bu, that her
tormcntor caught glimpse Of the crimson
cd. ngitatcd face which Salie had in vain
sought to conceal
Upon my word :" again calculated the
mischievous elf. "a she gravely shook her
clustering ring'cts back from her forehead
"Wcll, we'll. My 'madcap tongue as
Sallic calls it. has led to wonderful dis
covery: So that proud. naughty. stately
young lady is in love at last! We'll, |
do declare, Professor Wragg was quite
right in saying that many of the greatest
discoveries have been made by accident
Here have no, been home week fron.
the scene Of my triumphant exit from
school disciplinc-whcn. in trying to dis
cover whether | was right in NV surmisc
tha. Mr.. Davis is in love with SalIir. |
happen To hit upon the knowledge that
she is IN the same scrapc. Instead of one
there are pair of 'cm" -
"What 4 condition Of affairs. Mr. Da-
Wis loves Sallie. and Sale loves him but
he. like the rest of mankind, i. too stupid
to see that, 80 hr holds back in fear. leav-
ing poor Sallic in uncertainty. But III
fix him. that | will Just let me see now. "
And the young girl nestled down into
large armchair. and thought intent for
some half an hour: how much longer her
rcvcric might have lasted. had not the
quiet which surrounded the old farm house
been disturbed by the sound of horses
feet advancing up the avenue, it would be
difficult "a determine
As it was. the crounching Of the gravel
attracted her attention. and with one bound
she reached window which commanded
i view of the grand. toll-fashioned porch,
and Of the drive before it.
There he is now. jus, as l suspected.
come to spend the afternoon with Sallie.
the bashful swain. All! he is bowinc
now. 50 Salfc must be on the porch
That is glorious for me. How fortunate
th.s I b,vn NO, ell Sill, - 7
deceived our whole GLASS of graduates.
and even the crusty old professor in the
bargain. Sister will no more suspect me
in my fortune-teilcr's dress. than they
did. and if | caSnst manage to infusc a
little more hope aud courage into Will
Davis faint heart, why then am dis
grace to my new profession, and shall re-
tire in disgust. Vow. let me think
must guard against Sallie's seeking me
yhilc am not here.
A vigorous pull a. the bell-rOpc, which
HING conveniently near. bro't neat.lcok-
ing waitiac maid TO the door.
Mary" and 'malcap Katie strug-
glcd IN vain 70 assume a becoming gravi-
,y. If Miss Sallie asks for me. tell her
that | have gone to see tha, poor sick
woman in the village"
The instant the servants steps died
away in the distance. Katie sp.ang to the
door and locked 1t, even adopting the pre-
caution ofhanging an apron upon the knob.
that no eye nigh, by any chance penetrate
her secret By means Of the keyhole.
Then she danced across the room. and
throwing open Q half unp~eked trunk.
drew therefrem several articles which
seemed strangely out Of place amids, the
tasteful. expensive garments By which they
were surrounded.
One by one Katie held them op before
her, low, musical laugh ripping from