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


little gesture OF appeal
What, you, KITTY? Is Your canary
bird tractious, or is it something ah ,ut
n new dress or bonnet that don't equal
your expectations 2"
Kitty looked at him so rcproachfully
that he was sobcrcd in minute.
"Tcll me all about it," whispered he.
I'm engaged" and if she had been
announcing her own funeral, She
couldn't have done it in a more solemn
voice.
Joe flushed up to tho roots of his
kair, and clnspcl and unclasocd his
hands in Il nervous sort Of way, but
didn't say anything.
Kitty watched him maliciously. CHS
to THAI young Gilbert. He's splendid
fellow, and has great dark eyes aud the
dearest little moustachc You know
him, don't you"
"Nn-yes-a little" stammered Joe.
to the delight Of his listener. But
what's the trouble about ? Won t your
father consent?" and he looked 50 ut
terly "rctchcd that Kitty, with a faint
twin-c Of rcmorsc, hastcncd to tell him
the true state OF the case.
lie frightened up wonderfully.
Then you don's love tho man, after
all Z" he asked
"WclI, | don't know" 'lc answered.
mrditativcly. IL never looked into the
matter much. | suppose he's rs good
as any one, but | IN not in u marrying
mood at present
Joe's countcnancr fell again "Will
you tel me just what you want 2" sail
he, little stcrnly.
"Now don't be cross, Joe; you're the
only friend I've got in the world" aud
Kitty / ,sed hcf soft cy cs implorinyly.
lie was lnolliiicd at once. "Why not
break with Gilbert AMI accept the
alternative 7" sag ,est.l he. ..Twon't
be SO very dull at Aunt D orothy's I've
a college friend in the ncshborhood
AMI can visit you occasionally :"
Poor Joe Ihc idea Of having her
all to himself was delightful, an he
waited Tor her answer with sublusI
cngcrne>s
rs that the only plan that has
occurred to you ?' answered. Kitty
sarcasica!ly; you haven't .mueh il
S:enuity If you eau lavise no other way
Of getting me out orthi5 dilom NJ. I've
no intention Of baco ming an anim,ted
fossil. Now listen to what | prop psc. !"
Then Kitty disclosed her plot. aud
Joe listened apprnvingly, AMI the two
heads were still bent close together
when young Gilbert called in hour
later. He entered unannaunc.I. and
Kitty gave such Il start and blnsh ut
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 anl winning IL, 1t
morning until after Joe left (thc litt!c
witch knew he was on nc,tics all the
time), then she changed her tactics and
grew cold and distant. so you had to
tell papi, after all she succrcd, men
cant keep secret"
Her lover tried to explain, but she
wouldn't listen, and gave him such a
raspinS rs would have done ere iit to the
shrillcst and noisicst of viragos.
is this a spcoiucn OF her temper p
thought he, escaping into the street 'as
soon rs possible. Who'd have thought
her soft eyes could fash so, or the lines
Of her face sharpen in such curiou,
Way? She really looked dangerous"
Had he seen Kitty laugh 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 charming smile, and
looked So naive aud unconsciou, that
this little cpis ,dc would have passed
from his memory ifit hlln't bcol for
one circumstance.
lie accidentally (?) overheard con
vcrsation between he's cousin and
another gentleman. Kitty was the
theme Of the discourse
She's IL Dear little girl. bat reyu
lar virAgo,' said Joe. '.Evcryboly 8
AFRAID o! her when she gets into one Of
her tantrums. She Just raves and goes
on i'll IL way that's perfectly frishtlu.
There's taint of Insanity in the blood,
you know; her aunt and grandmother
died in an insane asylum"
Young Gilbert listened, shullarinc.
These words explained The scene that
had puzzled him before and awakened
torcbo limgs for the future. "Ion saw
her father come down town last week
with his head all bandagcd up, aud heard
him tell perhaps, how terribly he's
otllctcd with neuralgia" continued Joe
Poor old gentleman twas Kitty
did the mischief, for in onc of her angry
hts she threw the tlatiron across the
table, and it lit him in the temple.