The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-09-05
KITTY'S STRATAGEM.

Such little witch as she was this
Katy Day, Of whom I write. She
couldn't help flirting if she tried and
it wasn't her fault, Of course, il men
were taken in by the round, childish
face and great innocent blue eyes For
they were. scores Of them, and Kitty
went on her way rcjoicing-cnmpetin
their bewildcrment by the shy looks,
and smiles. aud bushes, that really
meant nothing, but were very effective
nevertheless.
But, in an uhlucky hour for Kitty,
she said eyes" to Il dark, melancholy
young man, who had been her shadow
for months. She wasn't in earnest, bu.
did it for the ''iun o! the thing" and
because she wanted to know how it felt
to lie 'engagcd.' 1t resulted seriously,
however, Tor, in spite Of express com
rnands TO the contrary, tie accepted
sutor went di cctly to her father and
told him all about it,
Mr.. Day looked at his daughter
mischievously that night, as she sat
behind the tea urn with such comcal
assumption Of dignity.
so I'm to lose my little housckeepcr
before long, am Z" qucs, oncd he,
Significantly.
why, papa, what do you mean 2"
MIR. Gilbert calIcI on me to -daJ.
lie isan excellent young man, and the
son Of ore OF my Oldest friends.
heartily approve ;our choice, my dear"
"ilc promised to keep the engage
ucnt u secret" said Kitty, in ycxcd
t0"c.
so lie told me, but concluded after.
ward to break his promise rather than
act dishonesty For it wouldn't have
been quito fair to have concealed the
engagement from me"
81 don't know why, Pm sure It's
only abit ofmy fun, anyway. Incvcr
to marry him"
Mr.. Day looked at her stcrnly.
"l'm not j.sting," she added, pctiish-
ly. "llc threw himself into such a
passion that was fairly frightened
into saying Y cs,' and sorry enough I've
been for it since
"Arc your in carnest, Kitty 7"
eyes, l am" and the blue eyes
dashed dclian,ly.
as it possible that daughter Of
mine has 50 little feeling and prin-
ciple !"
Now, papa, what is The use OF
lccturing. You know me of old. I'm
in trouble and want you to help me out
Of it,"
but you've given your word, Kitty,
and must abide by it''
"Didu't he break his 2"
"Ycs, and was justified in doing so
But you are not. Still, I'll give you n
choice Of two evils, if you think Of mar
rying young Gilbert one Few girls
would Either keep your promise an
make the best of circumstances. or
break it and pass the winter iu the
country with your aunt Dorothy For
I'm not going TO have you play fast and
loose with mems hearts after this
fashion"
Kitty looked up in her fathers face DIS
bclievingly, but was determination witt
ten there aud, filled with sudden dis
may, she bcgau to plead for rcprievc
of the sentence.
But Mr.. Day wouldn't listen.
"You can stay i'll the ely and par.
ticipate in its gaycties Oh one coniitlo,
only, and that I've mentioned said
| he.
"Was ever anything so provoking p
muttcred Kitty, after her father ia
gone down town. "Aunt Dorothy
lives in forlorn looking old place, and
it's perfect wilderness around her, aud
papa knows that she is the crosscst old
maid in existence. But I'll be even
with him yet"
The next morning Kitty announced
her attention of remaining in the city
"But, papa, if Mr.. Gilbert himself
should grow tired Of the engagement,
after knowing me better, you'll not
punish me for that, will you I" and her
eyes trenbled mischcvously.
"Certainly not, child. What a
question TO ask"
But Kitty had motive in it. \
plan had suggested itself to her mind
Tor outwittng both father and lover
But she didn't mean to hurry, and be-
gan to pave the way for 1t success
cautiously.
AS good luck would have it, who
should c;,i on her that morning but her
cousin tc, the firm ally and abcttor Of