Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-02-09
~ hear Miss Hughes marriage is to

near MISS HugneS marriage Is 10
come off this summer" Mr. Baverstock
said, in his weak alto voice, land now
that the young gentleman is here dare
say it will be all arranged"
q No DOUBT said Mrs Horton, little
spitefully. tor she had noticed his atten-
lions to Kitty, and felt they BODIED her no
good-probahly put ridiculous ideas into
her head; and prevented her from accept
ing the illustrious Frederick, who was
ready TO throw himself at her feet ON the
slightest provocation. 9 / have always
heard that they were very much attached
to each other"
Mrs. Horton had not heard anything of
the kind; but no matter-she was given to
fbbing.
The very next day the hero called. He
looked handsomer than ever, Kitty
thought His shoulders were broader, his
hands bigger, and his face more sunburnt.
He talked chiefly to Mrs. Horton, but he
kept looking across at kitty--that pretty,
innocent, round-faccd Kitty, with the
sparkle in her downcast eyes, and the
flush on her dimpled cheeks--till he
made her heart beat with happiness and
excitement.
"By the way, Miss Kitty" he said,
suddenly fumbling in the big pocket of
his loose tweed coat, Il have a note for
you. There's to be some croquet up at
the Laurels on Thursday, and my aunt
wants you to COME"
The white muslin dress was donned
and the coquettish hatand the little make
believe wrap twisted about her should ers
to the best advantage, and Kitty was ready
for the party at the Laurels. She did
look very pretty, as even her step-mother
secretly acknowledged.
Remember, Kitty, shall expect you
home by seven o'clock. 1t is not right
for you TO come later through those woods
alone. Indeed, | think Mrs. Hughes
ought to have asked me to chaperon you"
"Yes, mamma" and Kitty went on
her joyful way. The woods Mrs. Horton
the Laurels, but they made short cut for
Kitty and saved her Il good half-mile OF
road. Perhaps he will come and meet
me- she thought, shyly, and strained her
eyes 10 catch sight of his awkward figure
in the distance, but ii did not appear.
Then presently she heard the distant
church clock chime half past three.
There! I'm much too early. We were
not even asked till four. | know what
I'll do when | get further on; III sit
down in a shady part OF the wood and
wait till about five minutes after the
hour So she went on, and when she
was within Il quarter of a mile of the
house branchcd oil into thick part OF the
wood and followed IA sleepy stream that
wandered on beneath the tall trees and
among the tangled underwood, fecked
with water-llties and frnged with yellow
iris, which nodded their golden heads to
the sun, She found Il quiet, leafy nook
close to its edge and sat down and waited
Then suddenly through the distant trees
she saw coming along the edge of the
stream two figures those Of man and
a woman. The one she knew at "a glance
lit was John Laurence; the other she
saw minute later was his Cousin Caro-
line, With bound her heart seemed to
come into her throat. g It's Miss
Hughes, - she said to herself, and how
nice she looks, and what u pretty dress
she has onr She drew her white muslin
closer round her, and retreated few
inches further back behind the thick
bushes, so that they might pass her I'M
perceived, and waited. On they came,
arm in arm, talking earnestly and in n
low voice. The color fled from kitty's
cheek and the light died out OF her eyes
rs she saw them, for surely only lovers
walked rs they did They stopped as
they got to within three yards OF kitty's
hiding place, while Caroline Hughes
stopped absently TO pick one of the
yellow wateriris, and Kitty heard her
SAY
+" Do you know, John, never liked
you so we'll as do to.day, and thought
you did not care for me-"
My dear girl, was always awiully
me kiss 10 make up for all the unkind
things you have been SAYING
She put up her face and Kitty looked
away, with a pain which almost made her
cry. Then they passed on and we're soon
lost to view,
Kitty did not move from her hiding
place and went to no croqueiparty that
afternoon,
Mrs. Horton almost screamed with sur
prise, an hour later, when Kitty suddenly
appeared, her muslin dress crushed, the
rose in front of her dress all faded and her
checks and lips rs white as the jasmine
about her head, IA she stood in the window
leading from the garden.
Mamma, felt i'll and my head ached
and sat down in The wood and felt too i'll
to 80 on, and have come back
Didn't You see anyoney' Mrs, Horton
asked, doubuully.
have not spoken TO a soul, " She an.
swered, and went ~ her room saying she
wished 10 lie down
In the dusk of the evening Kitty came
down stairs again TO find Mr.. BaVcrstook
talking with her father and step-mother
We were talking of getting married,
Kitty Mrs Horton said, making way Tor
her 10 SIT down, but she stood staring at
the group before her almost as if In a
dreAm " And Nr. RaNcrstoek savs he