The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-21
KITTY.


L
CHAPTER THE FIRST.
"He will be sure to come before the
summer is over" said little Kitty to
herself.
She was always called little Kitty, al
though nineteen years old, but she was
round and soft and pretty and pettable,
and looked like little kitten, SO the
name and the adjective suited her per-
!fectsy. And she was very careful, in
spite OF many o temptation to the con-
trary, not to wear her new white mus.
lin dress at the doctors wife's or the
lawyers wife's party, and none of her
best bows were seen at church, though
on many a Sunday the sun shone SO
brightly 1t seemed to be almost insulting
not TO wear them. She was keeping
them all for the benefit OF John Lau-
renee when next be came to stay at tn 9
Laurels, which he was sure to do soon,
for he always turned up about twice in
the year.
Old Mr.. Hughes was very fond Of his
big, handsome nephew, who had not long
attained the elevated position Of lieu
tenant in the artillery, and having no
! son of his own, and the estates being en-
he should make much of his heir.
There was another reason, too, why
old Hughes made much of Johnnie
wanted him to marry his daughter; nay,
it had always been considered settled
though undiscussed thing that he should
do so, and people said that they were en-
gagged. Kitty believed this gossip was
ali nonsense, for Caroline Hughes was
tall and thin, with two large white teeth
sticking out in front of her mouth
Though she was otherwise agreeable), },
and, moreover, whenever John Laurence
came over to Cragtord he made love to
destine fashion that annoyed Kitty ex-
cessively, and never paid her marked
attentions before other people;
still he did not make love
to her, that was certain, and
she did not believe that he cared for Car
oline. Kitty did not often 60 to the
Laurels. Kitty's father was only re-
tired solicitor, though well of, and Mr..
and Mrs. and Miss Hughes ranked
among the big swells of Cragford. and
only invited the professional men and
their wives once or twice year to din
ner, and their daughters once or twice q
year to ball or croquet party. 1t CALLED
| little Kitty to think that this social differ
ence in their station at Cragford was
perhaps the reason why the love that
John Laurence made to her was Clan
destine. Poor little Kittyl she had not
very nice time of it at home.
81 can't imagine why you do not give
Mr.. Baverstock more encouragement" !"
Mrs. Horton was always saying to her.
''He will be snapped up soon, for there
are very few chances for girls in this
dead-alive place."
| Mr.. Baverstoek was young surgeon
who had settled down in Cragiord about
year previously. He wore spectacles;
had thin legs and red hair, and was not
| by any means a charming object to be-
hold. He was very devoted to Kitty, as
all Cragtord knew, but Kitty always
| snubped him numerically.
II detest him, mamma" (Kity's papa
Ihad Unexpectedly taken to himself a
second wife during visit to London
about two years since, and Kitty called
her mamma to please him, but there was
no love lost between them.) "Why, he's
as ugly as a toad"
"He is getting a very good practice"
81 would sooner marry the man in the
moon;'' and she settled restlessly down
| to read "Lallah Rookh" tor about the
twenty-seventh time that year. 1t was
| a beautifully bound edition, radiant in
crimson aud gold, and illustrated by
| beautiful pictures protected by tissue
paper. Somebody had. sent IL anony-
mously to Kitty on her last birthday.
| She declared she did not know where it
came from, and 1t was quite true she
| didn't; but she could have made an ex-
| cellent guess il she had tried.
| CHAPTER THE SECOND.
Only q week later, and John Laurence
had arrived at the Laurels. MIR. Baver.
stock brought the news, and when Kitty
heard it she looked so sweet, the surgeon
ielt himself encouraged, and ventured
| 10 stay the evening. There was only one
yeXing thing, that he had brought his
| friend Mr.. Fletcher with him again. He
had accompanied John Laurence on his
4 last two visits 10 Cragford, and Kitty
had felt on each occasion that he had
been decidedly in the way; for when
ever, quite by accident, John had me
her when she was out for a walk, Mir
Fletcher had not been far oil, and she
devoutly wished him at Jericho.
IL hear Miss Hughes marriage is tt
come off this summer" Mr.. BaYerstocl
said, in his weak alto voice; "and now
| that the young gentleman is here dare
say it will be all arranged"
aNo doubt" said Mrs. Horton, little
spite1ully, for she had noticed his atten
tions to Kitty, and felt they BODIED her M
Igood-probabIy put ridiculous IDEAS init
her head, ana prevented her from &C
cepting the illustrious Frederick, VIII,
was ready to throw himself at her fee
on the slightest provocation. II hav,
always heard that they were very mucl
attached to each other"
Mrs. Horton hadn't heard anything o
the kind; but no matter-she was giYel
to tibbing.
The very next day the hero called. II
looked handsomer than ever, Kilt
thou ght; his shoulders were broader, hi
hands bigger, and his face more sun
burnt. He talked chiefly to Mrs. Horton
but he kept looking across at Kitty-tha
pretty, innocent, round-faced Kitty, wit
the sparkle in her downcast yes and tn
flush on her dimpled cheeks-till Ii
made her heart beat with happiness an
excitement.
"By the way, Miss Kitty" he said
suddenly fumbling in the big pocket 0
his loose tweed coat, ~ have note TO
Iyou. There's to be some croquet up q
1.-The Laurels ON Thursday, and my aun
wants you to come."
The white muslin dress was donned
and the coquettlsh hat and the littl
make-believe wrap twisted about he
shoulders to the best advantage, an
Kitty was ready for the party at tn
, Laurels. She did look very pretty, a
even her step-motheH secretly az