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

such start and blush at him, that Joe's hopes
again sank to zero. But II he'd been sensible
he'd known that her embarrassment was the re-
suit Of surprise rather than emotion.
She was very arch and winning that morn
lug until after joe left (the little witch knew
he was on nettles all the time), then ahe chang
her tactics and grew cold and distant.
$50 you had 10 tell papa, after ALL" she
sneered; "men can't keep secret.''
Her lover tried TO explain, but she wouldn't
listen; and gave him such rating As would
have done credit to the shrillest and noisest Vi
ragoes.
"Is this q specimen of her sweet temper9"
thought he, escaping into the street as soon as
possible.
"Who'd have thought her soft eyes could
fash so, or the lines Of her face sharpen in
such curious waYY She really looked danger
ous."
Had he seen Kitty laugh and clap her hands
as she vanished fromthe scene, he'd have been
more puzzled than ever.
The next time they met she greeied him with
such charming smile, and looked 30 naive
and unconscious, that this little episode would
have passed. from his memory ifit hadn 7 been
for one circumstance. He accidentally (S) over
heard conversat ion between her cousin andf
another gentleman. Kitty was the theme Of
the discourse.
aShe's dear little girl, but q regular virago,"
said Joe. "Everybody's afraid Of her when
she gets In one of her tautrums. She just
raves andgoos on In away that perfectly fright
fun There's taint OF insanity in the blood,
yol know; her aunt and grandmother died III
aninsane asylum
Young Gilbert listened shuddering. These
words explained q scene that had puzzled him
before and awakened serious forebodings for the
future.
"Yvu saw her father come down last week
with his heal all banda9ed up, and heard him
tell perhaps, how terribly he's afflicted with
neuralgia continued Joe. "POor old gentle
nan! twas Kitty that did the mischief, for In
vne of her angry fits she threw the fiatiron
acFuss the table, aud it hit him in the temple.
He's anxious to marry her of, and hear Gil
berts 10 be the happy man."
That individual turned pale. He remem-
beed Mr.. Days eagerness In forwarding his
SUIT, and the wish he expressed that his daugh-
ter's marriage should take place at an early
daia. Though his love Of Kitty was as strong
as bis shallow nature was capable Of feeling,
o Ixenish wife would be uncomfortable. But
wasn't II possible that her cousin was mistaken
or had colored the picture little too highly p
lie resolved to wait for further developments.
They came speedily. \ week later he called
on Kitty just at husband was ushered by
mistake (p) into the library. The door between
that and the dining room stood slightly ajar a
wonan's shrill voice reached him from thence.
Was 1t Kitty's? Yes, he recognized IL; he had
heard 1t once before, pitched In the same high
key.
"Don't tell me You didn't mean to" sho
screeched, more like mad woman than any
thing else. "You did, you did, you wIetched
little imp" Then there was the sound Of a
heavy blow, and the shrek of child
"Oh don't, don't, Miss Kitty !" walled 1 ! l.
full voice:s" Twas so dark couldn't see when
you run up against me, and then stumbled and
fell, and the pitcher got broken, and tried 10
keep the milk of your pretty dress, but could
not"
"You stumbled and fell, mimcked Kitty
swell, III 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 sniveling, too. Do you hear? I'll
make you if you DON'T"
The sobs were hushed up, and Kitty went
on:
"'Twas the pret.iest dress had, and it's
spoiled completely; and all through your care
lessncss, you little impl Oh, if only had a
cOwhide, 1t would do me good to give YOU such
awhipping as you deserve"
"Ktty, let that chi d alone" said new voice,
which Gilbert recognized as her cousins.
81 shall do no such thing Get out Of the
WY, and mind your own business!" she shrek
ed, and there was something that sounded like
a bottle whizzing through the room and crash
Ing up agaIns. the wall Then mans groan
was heard distinctly.
"Oh Kitty, how could youP" said her ceu-
sin eproachfuly. "You've cut my cheek ter
ribly; see how the blood runs"
Gilbert didn't wait to hear any more, but fed
fiom the house, resolved that lie wouldn't mar.
ry such a vixen, though she had the face ami
form of Hebe.
Inc front door had no sooner closed on him
than the actors in the above drama went oil In
to pasns of merriment. Kitty stood revealed
in the gas-lght with dress uninjured there
Wa, not a scratch To be seen on Joe's face the
child was nowhere visible.
"oh OIL it was too funny" gasped Kitty
'tha, whine would have deceived anybody
| twas so natural. halt started myself, think
ing twas really u cbiid's voice instead of yours
You deserve reward Of merit for such splendid
/ acting"
'Give me one then. and let me choose 1t my.
self" whispered Joe.
swell, what will you haves" and she looke'
up archly.
| "YOnrsef."
"what a modest demand r. and she smiles
mockingly, but her eyes fell beneath his.
ado you think SOP" and taSiug the mis-
chievous little face between his hands, he scan
ned it closely. What he saw there was evident
ly satisfactory, tor lie kissed 1t over and over
aud Kitty, though she resisted little at first
finally submitted with very good grace.
""ris well to be of with the old love befor
you are oil with the new," whispered he slyly
"Gilbert's done for, and I've stepped into hi
Place"
"But he didn't treat me In this way" poute
she
~ hope not. 'fwould be worse for him
lie had. pJ shoot him in u minute !" and Jc
tried to look belliserent, but failed woefally.
Mr.. Day was surprised the nsxt morning by
call from Kltty's late suitor The young ma
seemed i'll at ease, and stammered good de
III making his errand known.
81 understand, sir, that insanity is hereiilar
in your family" he began, awkwardly, sand
And =" heIpausei and tried to collect his ije;
-"that Kitty's aunt and grandmother died In
, lunatic asylum"
IAN a mistake" responded Mr.. Day, pou
, pously. There never was case OF insanit
either among my own kindred, or that OF n
late wife,"
"But your daughter, sir, has a peculiar di
position, aud find II Isn't suited to mine at a
We should be miserable together. l desir
therefore, to withdraw my engagement"
"And have you told her this?" thundi ri
his listener white with rage. For Mr.. Day res
Q ly had violent temper, and didn't need to feis
= its possession, like Kitty.
"Dear me the father is worse than the daug
lter," thought the young man. Aloud he a
n swered, "Oh, no /; came to You first" (Tl
p Itact was he didn't dare face Kitty with any su
lproposition.)
swell, sir, all have 10 say Is that you're
n san, contemplate villain, and If you dout 2
l. out Of my Office this minute, Plkick you doV
y Istalrs," and before the words were fairly out
9, MIR. Days mouth he started to make his thre
s. good.
Young Gilbert made basty retreat, co
u vinced that not only Kitty, but Mr.. Day, all
L was partially insane.
KITTY listened demurelv to her fathers VI
ly sion Of the affair, and the anathemas he hurl
I'd against her recreant lover. Once, though, d.
ing that narration, she shook so with laugh
* that he looked at her suspciously. But 8
o. mt m nnea snch al of uvrafrhadpeSs nj