The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-22
Kitty.

She was always caileu little hitIy, al
though 10 years old, but she was round
and soft and pretty and petable, and looked
like a little kitten, so the name OF the
adjective suited her perfectly. And she
was very careful, in spite of many temp
tation to the contrary, not to wear her new
white muslin dress at the doctors wife
or the lawyers wifes party, and none of
her best bows were seen at church, though
on many Sunday the sun shone so bright
", it seemed to be almost Insulting not to
wear them She was keeping them for
the benefit of John Laurence, when next |
he came to stay at Laurels, which he was
sure to do soon, for he always turned up |
about twice in the year.
Old Mr.. Hughes was very fond OF his |
big, handsome nephew, who had not long |
attained the elevated position OF lleuten-
ant 10 the artillery. aud having no son ct
his own, and the estates being entalled, 1t
was perhaps only natural that he should
make much of his heir.
There was another reason, too, why old
Hughes made much of Johnnie wanted
him to marry his daughter; nay, it had
always been considered a settled though
undscussed thing that he should do so,
and people said they were engaged, Kitty
believed this gossip was nonsense, Tor
Caroline Hughes was tall and thin, with
two large white teeth sticking out in front
of her mouth Though she was otherwise
agreeable, and, moreover, whenever John
Laurence came to Cragford he made love
to Kitty. He always did it in half clan
uestine fashion that annoyed Kitty ex
cessively, and never paid her marked at
tention before other people; still he did
make love to her, that was certain, and
she did not believe that he cared for Car
olne, Kitty did not often go to the Lau-
rels. Ktty's father was only retired So
licitor. though well off, and Mr. and Mrs.
and Miss Hughes ranked among the big
swells at Cragford and only invited the
professional men and their wives once or
twice year to dinner. and their daughters
once or twice year to a ball or croquet
party. 1t CALLED little Kitty to think that
this social difference in their station at
Cragford was perhaps the reason why the
love that John Laurence made her was
clandestine. Poor little Kitty! she had
very nice time at home.
II can't imagine why You do not give
Mr. BaverstOck mere encouragement,
Mrs. Horton was always saying TO her
He will be snapped up soon, for there
are very few chances for girls iu this dead
alive place.
Mr. Baverst0ck was a young surgeon
who had settled down in Cragford about a
year previously. lie wore spectacles, has
thin legs and red hair, and was not by any
means charming object to behold. He
was very devoted to Kitty, as jail Cragtord
knew, but Kitty always snubbed hun un-
mercltully.
II detest him, mamma" (Kitty's papa
had Unexpectedly taken to himself sec
ond wife during a visit to London about
two years since, and Kitty called her mann
ma to please him. but there was no love
lost between them.) why, he's as ugly
as a toad"
He is getting a very good practice"
81 would sooner marry the mao in thu
MOON" and she settled restlessly down t.
read 'Iallah Rookh" for about the twenty
seventh tune that year, 1t was d beautl
fully bound edition, radient in crimson ant
gold, and illustrated by beautiful picture
protected by tissue paper. Somebody ha
sent it anonymously to Kitty on her las
birthday. She declared she did not kno
where it came from, and it was quite tru
she did not; but she could have made a
excellent guess if she had tried,
Only week later, ADD John Laurenc
had arrived at the Laurels. Mr.. Bave
stock brought the news, and when Kit
heard it she looked sweet, So sweet, tt
surgeon felt himself encouraged, and vel
tured to stay the evening. There VI
only one vexiug thing, that be had brougi
his friend, Mr. Fletcher. with him agair
He had accompanied John Laurence c
his last two visits 10 Cragford, ard Kit
had felt on each occasion that he had bee
decidedly in the way; for whenever, qui
by accident John had met her when 81
was out for a walk, Mr. Fletcher had n
been far off, aud she devoutly wished hi
at Jerecho.
Il hear Miss Hughes marriage is
come off this summer" Mr. BaVersto
said, in his weak alto voice, and nc
that the young gentleman is here, | dar
say it will be all arranged.
No doubt said Mrs. Horton, lit
spitefully, for she had noticed his ate
tons to Kitty. and felt they BODIED her
good-probably put ridiculous ideas in
her head, and prevented her from acceE
ing the iilustrious Frederick who was rea
to throw himself at her feet on the sligi
est prOvocation Il have always hea
that they were very much attached to ca
other"
Mrs. Horton had not heard anything
the kind: but no matter-she was Civ
to fbbing.
The very next day the hero called.
looked haudsomer than ever, Kitty though
his shoulders were broader, his hands b
ger, and his face more sunburnt. He la
ed chiefly to Mrs Horton, but he ke
looking across at Kitty-thas pretty, rou
faced, innocent Kitty, with the sparkle
her downcast eyes, and the flush on /
dlmpled cheeks-till he made her hej
beat with happiness and excitement
''By the way, Miss Kitty" he said, ST
denly fumbling in the big pocket of |
loose tweed coat, Il have a note for u
There is to be some croquet up at the 1t
rels on Thursday, and my aunt wants y
to come
Z. The white muslin dress was donned, a
the coquettish hat and the make belle
wrap twisted about her shoulders to /
best advantage, and Kitty was ready
the party at the Laurels She did lC
very pretty, as even he stepmother
cretly acknowledged.
Remember, Kitty, shall cxI ect )
home By seven o'clock, 1t is not right
you to come nome later through tn
woods alone. Indeed. think Mrs Hugl
ought to have asked me to chaperon 20,
Yes mamma" and Kitty went on
joyful way. The woods Mrs. Horton
luded to were private ones belonging
the Laurlels, but they made short
for ittv and saved her . half mile