Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-08-06
visit to her intimate friend, Ella Brown
Mhn Eud1l in the Sanaa citu

who lived in the same CITY,
"Oh, Kittie, Pm SO glad TO see you'll
cried Ella, as that young lady burst int
her friends sleeping apartment, and foln'
her seated on the floor in Il vortex OF fem
mime linery.
"Why, what's the matter, MY dea
child? she cried, suddenly discovering
tear on Kitty's nose and an explosive ex
preston around the mouth.
One sympathetic word was enough tt
Start the good cry'' that Kitty had beel
longing for, and it came.
Ella seated her tenderly on the sofa, ant
with one arm around her and the Other
holding an open cologne bottle to the afflicL
ed ones nose, gradually extracted the
secret of her grief.
Before it was through Ella showed signs
of wishing a hearing, but restrained her
self until her friend had finished; she then
gave her u hearty kiss, and springing NJ
danced around the room like il delight ed
child, tossing up Kitty's hat, and crying
"I've glorious plan for you. Oh, Kit
ty, It's regularly splendid"
s.Then tell me quickly" cried Kitty,
who was bathing her eyes with cologne
water.
EsWell, then," began Ella, seating her
self on the side of the bed, "about an hour
ago, Harry Downing called here and in
CURED for Miss Brown. Betty told him |
was out, but would be home this evening.
He said he would cali to night at eight
O'Clock. Oh, Kitty, it is too funny" and
Ella fell back for moment on the pillow
in a fit of laughter 'sDon't look so as
tonisIed because he called for me, for, of
course, don't know him-except by sight;
and, Kitty, as sure as we are sitting here
together. that fellow is after Miss Brown,
the clairvoyant, who lives next door, and
intends getting his fortune told"
Kitty opened her blue eyes wide with as
constituent, and almost dropped the CO.
logne bottle.
'sNow for my plan" continued Ella.
s'Yo Oh can rig up in grandma's buds, like
the old fortune-teller, and when he comes
you can have such fun, and can tell him
lust what will send him at once after you
to make up.
At first Kitty protested that she would
not think of it, but after some coaxing and
kissing, administered in just the right
style, by Ella, she consented to undertake
the little ruse.
Ella ran to peep over the banisters, and
ran back, exclalming:
"'Tis he-I saw him in the parlor'
Kitty was parading before the mirror,
on either side Of which blazed Il gas-burner,
viewing with critical eyes her transformed
self.
A pair of green glasses, a ruffled cap,
from beneath which peeped several red
curls, a few pail ted age-lines about the
mouth, eyes ana forehead, together with a
convenient little body, formed of pillows
tied in at the waist, SO completely trans
formed Kitty Grinnell that neither her
self nor her friend could see the slightest
resemblance to her former self.
So, not fearing discovery. she started for
the parlor, Ella having first cleared the
track, arranged for an uninterrupted in
terview, and covered the gaslights with a
thick shade.
Her heart beat wildly as she descended
the stairs, and on the parlor threshold she
almost choked with fear when she realiZ-
ed her position, and then with laughter
when she considered the ridiculous appear.
anca she presented.
Harry advanced with one ofhis grandest
airs, and an almost imperceptible twinkle
in his fine eyes, saying:
miss Brown, the clairvoyant, l be-
lieve?'
''The same," replied Kitty, in high
pitched voice, as she slowly and cautiously
sunk into rocker, with her back to the
light.
"Will you consult the planets for me,
Miss Brown" continued he. strolling his
black moustache.
II will look at your palm, instead, sir,
and she motioned him to take the chair
near her Then taking his outstretcled
hand, said:
aoir, you will be twenty six on the third
of this month";"
Harry looked pleased.
"Sir, your father is ffty-six and your
mother forty-seven.''
Harry tried hard not to look surprised.
s'Sir," bending far over the hand as
though studying its lines, but in truth to
hide her face, 'syou are in trouble. A
young lady is the cause. She has blue eyes
and fair hair. You think she is fiirt."
She stopped and glanced up.
There was eagerness in his eyes.
"And isn't she?'' he asked slowly.
"No. sir. [ see ler-she is true-heart-
ed"
'sBut is she whole-hearted?''
ssNo, sir, she foves you,. but a cloud has
come between you.
"Will it pass away" he inquired with IL
strange light gathering in his eyes.
s.That depends entirely upon yourself,
sir"
AS Kitty raised his hand in both Of hers
u little nearer to the light. she felt the
owner start violently and the hand begin
to tremble. She glanced up and his face
was white aud frightened. Terror seized
her. What had he discovered?
He snatched her hand and like a flash
slipped /. peculiar ruby ring from one fin
, Ger turned it to the light and read her
| name within.
IT. was the hand that until that moment
had remained concealed.
"Kitty Grinnell." he exclaimed hoarse
with passion, and whirling her around to
the light. "why the deuce did you play me