Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-10-20
kittv'sStratagem.

Such a little witch as she was, this Katy Day
of whem am about 10 write.
She couldn'e help flirting II she tiled, and 1t
wasn't her fault, ofcourse, If men were taken
in by the round, childish face and great inno-
cent blue eyes. For thera were scores of them
and Kitty went Oh her way iejoicing-complet-
ing their be widerment by shy looks, and SMILES
and bushes that meant nothing, but We're very
effective, nevertheless.
But in an unlucky hour for Kitty, she SAID,
"Yes," to dark, melancholy young man, VIII O
had been her shadow for months, She wasn't
In earnest, but did II for the 'fun of thekhng,"
and because she waniel TO know how 1t felt to
be "engaged.'
1t resulted seriously, however, for, in spite OF
express commands 10 the contrary, the accept
ed sutor went directly TO her father and told
him all about it. Ar. Day looked at his
daughter mlschievously that night as she sat
bshind the ieaurn with such cumical assump-
ton of dignity.
$50 am to lose my litde housekeeper be-
fore long am IL" questioned he, Significantly.
"Why, papa, what do you meant" and Kitty
blushed scarlet
"Mr. Gilbert called on Inc to-day. Hs is an
excellent young man, and the son of one of my
oldest fiiends. Heartily approve your choice
my dear"
He promised to keep the engagement a se-
ctet, said Kitty, In a vexed tone.
$50 he told me, but concluded afterward to
break his promise rather than act dishonesty.
For IL wouldn't have been quite fair to have
concealed the engagement from me-"
81 done know, why, I'm sure. It's only a
/ bit Of my fun, anyway. l never ment 10 marry
| him."
| MIR. Day looked stern.
eyes, am" and the blue eyes flashed de-
6anly.
"ls II possible that daughter of mine has SO
little feeling and prlnciple?"
| NNaf ~.
You know me Of old. Pm in trouble and want
you to help me ont OF it,
"But you Lave given your word, Kitty, and
| must abide by it."
"Didn't he break bis?'i
"fes, and was justified in doing SO. But
you are moi. III give you choice Of two evils,
II you think marrying young Gilbert one. Few
giris would ther keep Jour promise and
| make The best OF circumstances, OF break 1t and
pass The winter in the country with your Aunt
Dorothy. For I'm not goiug TO have you play
fast and loose with mems hearts after this FASH
! ion."
Kitty locked up in her fathers face disbe-
hevingy, but determination was written there
ond was filled with slldden dismsy, she began
10 plead Tor reprieve of the sentence. But Mr..
Day wouldn't listen.
* ou can stay in the city aud participate in
Its gayeties Oh one condition only, and that I've
mentioned" said he.
"Was ever anything 80 provok ing?" mutter.
ed Kitty, after her father lad gone down town
"AuDt Dorothy lives in forlorn-lookin
old place, and it's a perfect wilderness around
her, and papa knows that she is tho crossest oil
maid ia existence. But IN be even with hin
| yet.
The next morning Kitty announced her iu
tention OF remaining in the city.
| "But, papa, If MIR. Gilbert himself should
/ grow tired Of the engagement, after knowin.
\ snah hat n.RK.t txttll TT.
will you?" and her eyes tremhled ,"ischievous
ly.
"Certainy not, child. What a question t,
ask"
But Kitty had motive la it. A plan ha
suggested itself to her mind for outwittlng faith
er and lover. But she didn't mean to hurry
aud began TO pave the way for its success eau
tiously.
As good luck would have it, who should ca
OH her that morning but Cousin .Joe the firm
ally aud abetter of all her childish m: schief, an
as ready to help her now as then.
"Ohl Joe, such trouble as I'm in," and ell
! clasped her hands with pretty gesture OF ap
peal.
"what, you, Kitiya Is your canary bird fra
tious, or Is it something about new dress c
bonnet that don't equal your expectations"
Kitty locked at him so reproachfully that h
l. was sobered In minute.
\ "reil me all about it," whispered he.
q ".'m engaged
lfshe had been announcing her own funer4
p she couldn't have done ii In more soiem
d voice.
i,i Joe flushed up to the roots of his hair, al
O. clasped and unclasped his hands in nervol
~ sort of way, but didn't say anythiag. Kit
\ watched him malicously.
"It's TO that young Gilbert. He's splend
fellow, aud has great dark eyes aud the dea
est little inustache. You know him, dol
yous"
a "No-yes-a little" stammered Joe, to d
" delight of his listener. "But what's the trou
10 about? Won't your mother consentf" and
ma looked 80 utterly wretched that Kitty, with
~ faint twlnge of remorse, happene, to tell h
he the true state of the case. He frightened
,n na wonderfully.
in "Then you don't love the man after all
te- he asked,
~ "Well, don't know" she answered me
In tatively. ~ never looked into the mat
II much. l suppose he's as good as any ol
'tet but am not In a marrying mood at the pr
OF ent time"
"a Joe's countenance fell again. Twill >
ers tell inc just what yon WANT" said he stol
the ly.
tho "Now don't be cross, Joe you're the Of
res friend I've got in the world, and Kitty raj
the her eyes imp loringy.
~, He was mollifed at once. "Why not bre
c,e with Gilbert aud accept the alternative.n n
gested he. 'Twon't be so dull at Aunt Dorotl
Ice. I've college friend in the neighborhood, q
!. can visit you occasionally"
Poor Joe! The idea of having her all to hi
8. self was delightful, ami lie waited for her
swer with subdued eagerness.
blc ais that the only plan that has occurred
IN l..