Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-03-16
SrIrrf Story.
QueenSe's Kiss.

Doctor Gersham threw himself
wearily into the great armchair in
Mrs. Hyde's cozy sittinG-room. He
had just returned from a professional
visit, and long ride in the cold and
wind had given him severe head
ache The doctor was Mrs HyGe's
boasder, but had been so long in the
family that he seemed like one Of
them.
Queenie Brian, Mrs. Hyde's niece.
sat by the window, busy with some
needlework.
Gu .enie was a slender, brilliant
little thing OF seventeen. with short,
boyisil curls, and big, roguish brown
eyes.
On the death OF her parents, years
before, she had been adopted by her
aunt. Queenie was wayward. wil,ful,
and bewitcliing. and ruled right roy
sil,y in tba little village of Maynard
Her cousins, Tom and Johnnie Hyde.
were her devoted slaves: and she
alternately petted and teased them.
Only of Doctor Gersham was she shy;
and sometimes even he was not quite
safe from her Wild pranks Bat, as-
terward, he would invariably lind
peace Offering in the shape OF some
favorite delicacy on the tea-table; or,
perhaps, his dressing gown and slip
pors comfortably warmed and ready
for him ON his return from a long,
tedious ride 1t is not TO be sup
posed, however, that she confessed
to any of these weaknesses. L am
afraid on the contrary, that my small
heroine manufactured innumerable
fibs when questioned too closely.
Doctor Ger-b.m had grown wise
through experience, and generally
accepted these little favors with "a
smile and but few words.
On the afternoon of the opening OF
my story, as the stalwart figure in
the armchair gave long sigh OF
WEAKNESS and pain, Queenie threw
her work aside, and ran from
the room. She returned pres
emily with an armful OF cushions,
which she arranged invitingly on the
lounge, and wheeling it closer to him,
motioned the doctor TO the i'm
pomptu couch.
He smiled and obeyed her gesture,
catching her hands as he sank back
on the pillows.
~Why did you do this. Qaeenie?'
She laughed archly, trying to re-
lease herself.
Il don't KNOW guess-because i
love you"
do you-do you?" he asked, his
face flushing eagerly.
II don't know. Do You love me?"
-Ahl have you need to ask me that,
grille? Kiss me."
He endeavored to draw her face
down to lis; but she slipped from his
grasp.
Il shall not kiss you, because the
man whom l kiss of my own free will
will be my future husband" and
away she danced, saluting Tom in the
hall with "a merry jest.
Doctor Gersham sighed.
"She is only a child" he said; "a
bright, beautiful, happy childl / will
be thirty-two years old Tomorrow =
too old and steady for a little hum
ming bird like Queenie.'
Several evening later, Queenie en-
tered the library where the doctor
sat reading his last journal. I'D ,ctor,
see il don't look nice"
Don't bother mel" he answered,
shortly. burying himself still deeper
in the journal.
"Humpl cross thing / am going
with Charlie Will skating on the
creek. There is sure to be a crowd,
and want to know il / look nice
He put his paper aside and looked
at her. Ii was impossible to help adj
miring Queenie at any time, and in
her jaunty skating costume she was
more bewitching than ever. But the
doctor only said, as he struggled
with the passionate love in his heart.
"You are vain little thing you look
well enough"
Queenie shook her skates together
with a musical clash, tried to frown
on him, and laughed instead: then
asked, with mock gravity, DO you
leve me as we'll as you did last Tues
day?"
"Yes."
The doctor threw his paper aside