Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-03-29
SELECTED STORY
KITTY'S STRATAGEM.
BY ELLEE NJ. MITCHELL

Sucn a little witch as sue was, this Kitty
Day of whom I write. She couldn't bel
flirting il she'd tried, and it wasn't he
fault, of course, if men were taken in by thu
round, childish face and great, innocent
blue eyes. For they were scores of them
and Kitty went on her way rejoicipg-com
pleting their bewilderment by the shy looks
and smiles and bushes, that really meant
nothing, but we're very effective, neyerthe
less.
But in an unlucky hour for Kitty, she
said Yes to dark. melancholy young
man, who bad been her shadow for months
She wasn't in earnest. but did it for the
''fun of the thing" and because she wanted
to know how it felt to be "engaged." 1t
resulted seriously. however. for in spite Of
express commands to the contrary. the &C.
cepted sutton went directly to her father and
told him all about it.
Mr. Day looked at his daughter mischiev
ously that night as she sat behind the tea
urn with such oomieal assumption of dig
nifty.
80 I'm to lose my little housekeeper be-
fore long, am [ p questioned he signii
cantly.
"Why, papa, what do you mean p and
Kitty blashcd gcarlet.
"Mr. Gilbert called On me to-day. He
is an excellent young man, and the son OF
one of my oldest friends. heartily approve
your choice. my deer"
"He promised to keep the engagement a
secret" said Kitty. in a vexed tone.
$50 be told me, but concluded afterward
to break his promise rather than act dishon
orably? For it wouldn't have been qui. e
fair to have concealed the engagement from
me-"
II don't know why, I'm sure. It's only
bit Of my fun, anyway. | never meant
to marry him."
Mr. Day looked at her severely.
"Im not jesting," she added, pettisbly
''He threw himself into such passion tina,
l was fairly frig htened into saying eyes, y
and sorry enough I've been for it SINCE"
care you in earnest, Kitty ?"
eyes, I am" and the blue eyes flashed
defantly.
sis it possible that daughter of mine
has so little feeling and principle :"
"Now, papa, what is the use of lecturing
You know me Of old, I'm in trouble and
want you to help me out of it y
but you've given your word, Kitty, and
must abide by it."
Didn't be break bis p
Eyes, and was justified in doing SO. Bu
you are not Still, I'll give you choice o.
two evils, if you think marrying young
Gilbert one Few girls would. Eithe
keep your promise and make the best of cir
cumstances, or break it and pass the VIII
ter in the country with your Aunt Dorothy
For I'm no, going to have you play fast ant
loose with mems hearts after this fashion.
Kitty looked up in her fathers face dis
belieyingly, but determination was writer
there; and filed with sudden dismay. sh
began to plead for reprieve of the sen
1 tepes.
But Mr. Day wouldn't listen. "You cal
stay in the city and participate in its gave
ties on one condition only, and that Nv
mentioned" said he.
"Was ever anything SO provoking I
muttered KITTY, after her father had gon
down town. "Aunt Dorothy lives in fo'
lorn-looking place, and its perfect wilder
ness all around her, and papa knows tina
she is the crossest old maid in existence. =
But I'll be even with him YETI
The next morning Kitty announce
her intention of remaining in To-
city. "But, papa, if Mr., Gilbert himse
should grow tired Of the engagement ate
knowing me better, you'll not punish ~
for that. will you?' and her eyes tremble
mischievously.
Certainly not, child. What questio
to ask"
But Kitty had motive for it, A pla
had suggested itself to her mind for outwi
ting both father and lover. But she didn
mean to hurry, and began to pave the wa
J, for its success cautiously.
y As good luck would have it, who shoul
call on her that morning but cousin Jo
the firm ally and abettor Of all her childis
Z mischief, and as ready to help her now
i then.
"Ah! Joe. such trouble as I'm in" an
she clasped her hands With pretty hit
gesture of appeal
"Whas-you, Kitty? Is your cana
bird fractions, or is it something about
new dress or bonnet that don't equal yo'