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

Such n little witch MS she was, This
Katy Day, of whom write She
couldn't help flirting if she tried, and
it wasn't her fault, Of course, it 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 rejoicing accomplishing
their bewildcrment by the shy looks,
and smiles. and blushas, that really
meant nothing, but were very effective
nevertheless.
But, in an ublucky hour for Kitty.
she said "Ycs" to dark, melancholy
young man, who had been her shadow
for months. She wasn't in earnest, bu.
did it for the ''iun of the thing" and
because She wanted to know how it felt
to Lc "engagcd." 1t trcsulted seriously.
however, for, in spite Of express com
luands TO the contrary, tie accepted
suilor went di cclly 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 comicaI
so I'm to lose my little honsckeepcr
before long, am Z" qucs, ioned he,
significantly.
why, papa, what do you mean z"
and Kitty hlush,d scarlet.
"Mr Gilbert callcl on me to -da,.
lie isan excellent young man. aud the
son of ore Of my Oldest friends.
han ~ I ~ IL, 4
"llc promised to keep the engage
mcnt u secret" said Kitty in a ycxcl
tonc.
so ctold me, but concluded after,
ward to break his promise rather than
act dishonesty. For it wouldn have
been quito fair to have concealed the
engagement from me-"
81 don't know why. I'm sure It's
ony Il bit of my fun, anyway. never
meautto marry him"
Mr.. Day looked at her stcrnly.
"i'm not jcs,ing," she added, pcttish.
ly. "Ilc threw himself into such a
passion that | was fairly frightened
into saying Yes and sorry enough I've
been for it since"
|
eyes, l am" and the blue eyes
h:sled dcGan,ly.
SIS it possible that daughter Of
mine has 50 little feeling aud 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 giveuyour word, Kitty,
and must abide by it,
"Didu't he break his 2"
"Ics, and was justified in doing so
But you are not. Still, I'll give you a
choice Of two evils, if you think Of mar
rying young Gilbert one Few girls
would Either keep your promise AMI
make the best OF circumstances or
break it and pass the winter in tn,
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
belicviugly, but was determination witt
ten there; and, filled with sudden dis
may, she bcgau to plead for rcpricvc
Of the sentence.
But Mr.. Day wouldn't listen.
"You can stay in the ely and par
licipatc in its gayet;es Oh one conditloi
only, and that I've mentioned" said
he.
"Was ever anything so provoking ?"
muttcred Kitty, after her father ha /
gone down town. "Aunt Dorothy
lives in forlorn looking old place, anal
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 intention of remaining in the city.
"But, papa, if Mr. Gilbert himself
should grow tired Of the engagement,
alter knowing me better, you'll not
punish me for that, will you i" and her
eyes trcnbled miscliievonsly.
Certainly not, child What a
question to ask"
But Kitty had motive in it. a
plan had suggested itself to her mind
Tor outwittiny both iathcr 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 il, who
should call on her that morning but her
cousin Joe, the frm ally and abcttor of