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


little gesture OF appeal
"What, you, KITTY? Is Your cauary
bird tractious, or is it sonethins ah )ut
a new dress or bonnet that don't equal
your expectations ?"
Kitty looked at him so rcproachfully
that he was sobercd in minute.
"Tcll me all about it," whispered he.
"I'n engaged" and ir she had been
announcing her own funeral! she
couldn't have done it in a more sclcmn
voice.
Joe flushed up to tho roots of his
kair, and claspcl and unclasoed his
hands i'll u nervous sort of way, but
didn't say anything.
Kitty watched him maliciousy. cts
to that young Gilbert. He's splendid
fellow, and has great dark eyes aud the
dearest little moustachc. You know
him, don't YOU"
"No-ycs--a little" stammercd .Joc.
to The delight Of his listeucr. But
what's the trouble about Won't your
father consent?' and he looked 50 ut
terly wrct ched that Ki;ty, with faint
twingc Of rcmorsc, hastci cd to tell him
the true state Of the ease
He frightened up wonderfully.
"Thcn you don. love the man, after
all 7" he asked
"WclI don't know" she ansscral,
mcditatvcly. 81 never lookel into the
matter much. ! suppose hes as good
as any one, but IN not in marrying
mood at present"
Joc's countcnancc fell again "Win
you tel me just what you WANT" said
he, little stcrnly.
Nov don't be cross, Joe; you're the
only friend I've got in the world" aud
Kitty ised hcr soit cy cs imploringly.
lie was modified at once. "Why not
break with Gilbert AMI accept the
alternative p as,c't.l nc. ..rwon't
be SO very dull ut Aunt y orothys. I've
college friend in the neishborhood
ana can visit you occasionally"
Poor Joe Vhc idea of having her
all to himself was delightful. anl he
waited Tor her answer with sublusl
cngcruess
rs that the only plan that has
occurred to you 2" answered. Kitty
Sarcasiically ; ''you haven't much ia
genuity il yol can davise no other way
OF getting me out orhi5 dilcm IN. I've
no intention Of b.co ming an anim,ted
fossil. Now ls,cn to what propose" !"
Then Kitty disclosed her plot anl
joe listened approvinyly AMI the two
heads were still bent close to-c,har
when young Gilbert called an hour
later He entered unannaunc.,l, and
Kitty gave such start and a blast, 1T
him that ,Joe's hopes a.a;n sank +,
zero But il he'd been sensible he'd
known that her embarrassment was the
result OF surprise rather than emotion.
She was very arch AMI winning I'll, 1t
morning until after joe left (thc lit !c
witch knew he was on ne;tlas all The
time), then she changed her tactics and
grew cold aud distant. so you had to
tell raps, after all" she snccrc d, ..mcn
can keep secret"
Her loyor trcl to explain, but she
wouldn't listen, and gave him such II
rasping rs would have done ere liz to the
shrillcst and noi.icst Of vragos.
is this specimen OF her temper ?'
thought he, escaping into th he stree, 'as
soon rs possible. Who'd have thought
her soft eyes could fash 50, or the lines
OF her lace sharpen in such curiou,
Way? She really looked dang sarous."
Had he soeu Kitty au.,h aud clap
her hands, as she vanished from the
scene, he'd have been more puzzled than
ever.
Tie next time they met she greeted
him with such Il charming smile, anl
looked SD naive aud unconsciou, that
this little episode would have passed
from his memory iiit hlln't bcc.l for
one circumstance.
le accidentally (?) overheard con
versation between her cousin and
another gentleman. Kitty was tn.
theme Of the discourse
She's II Dear little girl, bat reyu
lar viraso,' said Joe. .Evcryboly's
afraid o! her when she gets into one Of
her tautruns. She Just raves ard zoe,
on in way that's perfectly frishtrnl.
There's taint of Insanity in the blood.
you know; her aunt and gran dmothcr
died i'll an insane asylum"
ouHo pliuciI liSlcncu, Snuuucring.
These words explained the scene That
had puzzled him before and awakened
forcbo lings for tho future. "You saw
her father come down town last week
with his head all banlagcd up, aud heard
him tell, perhaps, how terribly he's
oillictcd with neuralgia" continued j Joe
Poor old gentleman twas Kitty
did the mischief, for in one or heransry
Its she threw the ilatron across the
table, and it lit him in the temple.