The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-01-16
My pretty, simple Kate took it, and

lnaC evening, aDOnt Two nourS before
the ball began, was with John in his ia
vorite retreat, the library, when Lady Clara
entered. Barely recognizing my presence,
she began at once.
"Is it possible, John, that you have Or
dered this box for Kate from London ?" /
can hardly believe even you capable of
such folly p
81 have ordered nothing" cried John,
~ did not know Kate required anything.
What do You mean?''
"There is box just come from London, {"
cried Lady Clara, addressed to Miss Kate
Challis, containing the most magnificent
dress ever saw-far better than l or my
daughter can afford Shoes, gloves, fan,
opera-cloak, wreath, boquet, and all COM
plete. If you did not order it, who didP"
"Most certainly, l did not?" said John,
emphaticly. "Is there no bill or memo
randum, or anything by which you can tell
from whence it came?'
Not word - she replied-"n fold
of paper !"
How I blessed Madame Ccrise for her at
tsntion to my wishes
what does Kate say herself?' asked John.
"Kate ~ cried Lady Clara, contemptu-
ously. "She pretends to be surprised but
it seems strange to me. do not like any
thing underhand--"
John rang the bell impetuously.
"Send Miss Challis to me at once !" he
said and in two minutes she came in,
smiles and tears struggling for mastery,
looking so pretty, and SO shy, SO happy, and
so puzzled, l longed to clasp her in my
arms, and kiss her tears away.
Kate" said John, "can you guess who
has made you this very handsome and val.
liable present?"
"No, uncle" she replied "no one has
ever given me anything but YOU"
"That will do, my DEAR" he said. "Weal
your dress, and look as nice as you can in it. y
Kate made her escape. Lady Clara look
ed both bafiled and spiteful.
"Your niece must have fairy god
mother ~ she said contemptuously. 81
do not like mysteries, nor do approve o.
poor, penniless girl like Kate being
dressed like a duchess"
She went away. All this time sat pre-
tending to read. When Lady Clara CLOSED
the door, poor John sighed heavily.
{" Who can have sent Kate that dress p
he said. az shall never hear the last of it
Yet am glad some one cares for the child. ;
"She should marry aneighbor," / said
then you could take refuge with he
sometimes"
John had ceased all pretence with me
He kneso that knew he was henpecke e,
and tyranized over in no light degree.
John was, like myself, very anxious t.
see Kate in her brave attire. We contriy
ed to send for her to the library when sh
was dressed and know not who was tn
most startled, John or /.
She looked magnificently lovely. Th
slender girlish figure, robedin fiowin,
dress Of white, shining silk, shrouded
costly lace-the graceful head, with il
fair hair wreathed with lilies and cluster
of scarlet verbena-every detail was perfect
the white satin shoes, the dainty whit
gloves, the costly fan, the bouquet of lii,
and verbcnas--the bright, sweet face shor
out from the silk and lace so fair and sonsi,
"Well done, Kate p cried John. "Yo
will be the belle tonight"
"Well done, S"somebodyp said Kat
Whoever sent me this dress, did we'll, uncle
Then she looked wisteully at me. i sa
she was wishing that !, too, had been pr
sented with box.
81 hope you will enjoy yourself, Kate,
} said John, wistfully. "Who shall yc
dance with?"
"Mr. Hylton," replied Kate, frankly
"and dare say Mr.. Horfrey will ask me.
John looked at hel. His old India
friend, and the young doctor asked out
civility-not brilliant selection of par
ners, certainly.
"You are good girl, Kate" he SAT-
"Give me kiss, and then run away"
She raised her sweet face, and kisse
him. No, l could not stand that
> Kiss me, tooW cried. 81 am not yo'
uncle but am his oldest friei.S,, I'D he
, is piece of misletoe-see p
eyes give him kiss, Kate, T" said John
"POor Paul has no one in the wide world.
But, seeing how the fair face flushed an
, the lips quivered, was content to kiss hs
hand, reverently, as though she had been
young queen.
1t was very brilliant ball, and Kate el
joyed it to her hearts content. More tina
! once saw Johns eyes following her, prou,
. ly yet sadly. He knew she would have
bear bitter penance for this temporal
sovereignty.
A few days afterward there was o grei
excitement at Lvnedale for soiue m