The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-20
KITTY RAYS REAUX.
BY WINWooD,


strai ut into his eyes.
"Ol course we will, little trembler," he
exclaimed in reply, payully dropping
his hand over those guileless blue orbs,
Tor their searching gaze made him un-
Eeasy. "Mlss Hargraye need not fret or
iume, for we will show her yet, what a
cosy couple we will make. Why, !
shall have just the prettiest, sweetest
Young wile in the whole parish-what
more could ask for in the name OF COM
mon SenseW
| And Kitty felt perfectly satisfied with
her handsome lover, aud wondered how
she had ever been SO foolish as to doubt
the geuuineness of her attachment for
him.
! When she saw Edward Wyndham, a
little later, and he had asked, in his ear
nest, sincere way if the "matter was all
settled, and she was really to marry
Hal Burton" she had replied with con-
siderable warmth that she was, and that
ended it between the former lovers.
And so the days sped on much faster
than Kitty liked to see them go by,
though they were even Fastening on her
wedding day.
| One night Hal had been to visit Kitty,
and had remained later than usual
until after every one in the house had
|
late it was geLLing she told him he must
go, but they stood in the passage-Way
some moments atterward, Kitty swing
ing the night key carelessly i'll her hand.
Hal suddenly caught il away from her,
darting through the back door, and care
fully locking it behind him; he then
called out playlully:
"Good night, pretty Miss Kittyl l am
locked out, but you are locked in. No
body will run away with you before
morning, FL be bound"
For reply Kitty had only laughingly
entreated him TO restore the key and go
home, at which he had thrown mock
ing defiance at her, and darted away
down The street.
On his next visit Kitty asked once
more Tor the key, but he now declared
that he had lost it, probably on return
ing home that night, and had not the re-
mOtest idea where to look for it. And
so the unsuspecting girl was compelled
to report to her mlstress-though she
was very careful to conceal who the
loser had been-and another key was
purchased.
And so the time sped on, until it was
: within one week OF The day appointed
Tor the wedding.
Kitty was sewing on some of the we'd
ding tinery, and Miss Hargrave relaxed
gradually from the usual severity OF her
manner to such degree that she had
finally taken up needle to assist her
maid in the work.
They sat rather late over their work,
and Kitty finally retired, feeling very
!, much tlattered and pleased over Miss
HargraVe's graciOusness, and almost
ready to wish that she was going to
marry Edward, alter all, as her mistres SIS
would have been 80 much better saLis.
fed. This wish she half repeated with
her prayers, as she laid down to rest
that night. And SO she gradually sank
into an uneasy slumber.
She could not tell how long she had
slept, but she finally awoke with sud
den start and a suppressed cry. She
had been troubled ny an unpleasant
dream, and awoke, restless and ill at
ease. A presentlment OF coming evil
seemed to weigh upon hermind so sensi-
bly, that sleep was entirely banished,
= and she could not close her eyes again.
An unaccountable feeling came over her
that she had neglected to tasten the
back door, and that some LURKING danger
was threatening the whole household
from that quarter. She tried in vain to
shake off the idea as something ex-
tremely foolish, and not to be entertained
for moment; but SO strongly did it
finally become, that she arose from her
couch and, throwing wrapper over her
shoulders, resolved to put the matter to
the test, and thus satisfy all doubts,
hoping thereafter to be able to compose
herself to sleep once more.
The rain was over, and the moon Just
struggling teebly through the breaking
clouds. She diU not light the lamp, toI
| 10 RI In it M
crept out upon the landing, and down
the stairs, with only the moon to guide
her way. The back door opened into a
passage way leading to the kitchen, and
into this she glided, pausing moment,
lher heart beating very fast, for she sud.
denly thought she heard step just out.
side. In another moment key was
pushed into the lock, and the bolt
snapped cautiously and almost noise
Ilessly back. Suppressing a scream oi
surprise and alarm at this confirmation
OF her worst fears, Kitty turned to
arouse the house, when voice from the
outside fell upon her ear, whispering the
single words, "All right"
In another moment the back door was
carefully opened, swinging back upon
it's hinges with scarce a sound. Two
men entered the passage, as Kitty knew
at once, for her hearing seemed aWfully
acute just then.
ga woman, by all that's lovely!" eX.
claimed one, springing forward. Quick,
my pal, stop her mouth or she will alarm
the houseV
"You here, Hal Burtonp
"Be quiet, Dick" said the young man,
for it was indeed he, suppressing an
oath. as he pulled at his companions
sleeve. Then stepping nearer to the
young girl, he resumed, in hoarse
whisper:
"Yes, am here, Kitty. But what are
you doing up at this time OF night?'
"Let me repeat the question to you
Hail." was the reply, spoken with some
bitterness. II find that l have need to
be up, il would not see my mistress
lrobbed and murdered in her own bed I"
"Dou't be squeamish, my dear, r,"returned
the man, win gesture of impatience
''You are altogether too severe upon US.
You know, Kuty,"--here his tone be-
came rather more tender-"that / would
not harm d hair of your head Tor the
whole world. love you too well for
that"
"Then why are you here tonight !?
Answer me that question"
sBelieve me, Kitty, it is for your sake
alone that have come," said Hal, earn
testify. II am q poor man, you know,
and could not bear to have my bride
endure the miseries Of poverty with me.