The Ottawa free trader., 1876-01-08

he made love to Kitty. He always did 1t II
a half clandestine fashion that annoyed Kilt.
excessively, and never paid her marked al
tenton before other people; still. he dix
make love to her, that was certain, and sh
did not believe that he cared tor Caroline
Kitty did not often go to the Laurels. KITTY,
father was retired solicitor, though well OH
and Mr.. and Mrs. Hughes ranked among TIT
big swells Of Cragford, and only invited tn
professional men and Their wives once o
twice year to dinner and their daughter
once or twice year to ball or croquet par
lty. 1t CALLED little Kitty to think that thl
social difference In their station at Cragforl
was perhaps the reason why the love tha
John Laurence made to her was clandestinc
Poor little Kitty she had not very hic'
time at home. =,
II cant imagine why you do Iot give Mr
Baverstock more encouragement" Mrs. Hor
ton was always saying to her. "He Will bt
snapped up soon, for there are very few
chances for girls in this dead-allve place"
Mr.. Baverstock was a young surgeon who
had settled down in Cragford about veal
previously He wore spectaces, had thin
legs and red hair, and was not by any mean:
a charming object to behold. lie was very
devoted to Kitty, as all Cragford knew, bu
Kitty always snubbed him numerically.
1 I'll detest him, mamma" (Kitty's papa
had Unexpectedly taken to himself a second
wife during a 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 toad ~
"He is getting a very good practice
II would sooner marry the man In the
moon" and she settled down to read "Lallah
Rookh" for about the twenty-sevGnth time
that year. 1t was a beautifully bound edi
liOn, radiant in crimson and gold, and illus
trated by beautiful pictures protected by it's
sue paper. Somebody had sent in anony
mously to Kitty on her birthday. She declar
ed she did not know where it came from, and
1t was quite true she didn't; but she could
have made an excellent guess if she had tried
CHAPTER THE SECOND.
Only week later, and John Laurence had
arrived at the Laurels. Mr.. Baverstock
brought the news, and when Kitty heard it
she looked sweet, so sweet the surgeon felt
himself encouraged, and ventured to stay the
evening. There WAS only one vexing thing,
that he had brought his friend, MIR. Fletcher,
with him again He had accompanied John
Laurence on his last two visits to Cragford,
and Kitty had felt on each occasion that he
had been decidedly in the way; for whenever,
quite by accident, John had met her when
SUE MAS Out lOI u Wdlh, uOl
been far of, and she devoutly wished him at
Jericho
IL hear Miss Hughes marriage is to 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
mo boubl," said Mrs. HORTON, u little spite.
fully, for she had noticed his attentions to
Kitty, and felt they boded her no good; pro
badly put ridiculous ideas into her head, and
prevented her from accepting the illustrious
Frederick, who was ready to throw himself
at her feet on the slightest provocation. 81
have always heard that they were very much
attached to each other"
Mrs Horton had not heard anything of the
kind; but no matter-shc was given to fib.
bing.
The very next day the hero called. lie
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 al Kitty--that pretty, innocent, round.
faced Kitty, with the sparkle in her down.
cast eyes, and tho flush on her dimpled
cheeks--iill he made her heart beat with
happiness and excitement.
by the way, Miss Kitty" he SAID, sudden.
tweed coat, ~ have 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 hat and the little make, believe
wrap twisted about her shoulders to the best
advantage, and Kitty was ready for the party
at the Laurels She did look very pretty, as
even her step.mother acknowledged
Remember Kitty, shall expec. you home
by o'clock. 1t is not right for you to come
later through those woods alone Indeed,
Ihink Mrs. Hughes ought to have asked me
% chaperon you"
"Yes, mamma" and Kitty went ON her Joy.
'ul way. The woods Mrs, Horton alluded to
we're private ones, belonging to the Laurels,
out they made short cut for Kitty, and saw
I'd her u good half mile of road. Perhaps
le will come and meet me-" she thought,
'hyly, and strained her eyes 10 catch sight of
lis handsome bgure In the distance, but II
lid not appear. Then presently she heard
llstant clock chime half past three. There
IN much too early We are not even asked
Ill four. | know what I'll do when get
urther on I'll sit down in the shady part of
he wood and wait TIL about five minutes af.
er the hour" So she went on, and when
he was within quarter of mile of the
louse, branched oil into thick part of the
vood and followed sleepy stream that wan
cred on beneath the tall trees and among
he tangled underwood, tlecked with water
lilies and frihged with yellow iris, which
odded their golden heads to the sun. She
ound quiet leaiy nook, close TO its edge,
nd sat down and waited, Then suddenly, |,
trough the distant trees, she saw coming
long the edge of the stream two figures,
hose OF u man and woman. The one she
new at glance; it was John Laurence; the
thcI, she saw minute later, was his cousin
aroline.
With bound, her heart seemed to jump ,
,to her throat. "It's Miss Hughes" /; she said
, herself, "and how nice she looks, and
hat pretty dress she has on" She drew her
'hite muslin closer round her, and retreated
few inches further back behind the thick !
ushes, so that they might pass her unper-
eIved, and waited. On they came arm IN !
run, talking earnestly and IN low voice
he color fled from Kitty's cheek and tho
lght died out of her eyes, as she saw them, :
Or surely lovers, only lovers, walked as they q