The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-01-07
CHAPTER TIE SECOND.

CHAPTER TIE SECOND.
Only week later, and John Laurence
had arrived mt the Laurels'. Mr.. Baver-
stock heard the news, and when Kitty
heard it she looked so sweet, the surgeon
felt himself encouraged, and vcntured to
stay tho evening. There was only one
vexing thing, that he had brought his
friend Mr.. 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 she was out for walk, Mr..
Fletcher had not been far of, and she
deyoutly wished him Mt Jericho.
Il hear Miss Hughes marriage is to
come off this SUMNER" Mr.. Baverstock
said, III his weak alto voice, land now
the young gentleman is here | daresay
it Will be all arranged"
No doubt" said Mrs. Horton, lit
tie spitefully, for she had noticed his at
tentions to Kitty, and felt they bodied her
no good-probably put ridiculous ideas
into her head, and prevented her
from accepting tie illustrious Frederick,
who was ready to throw himself at her
feet on the slightest provocatiOn. Il
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 hardsomer than ever, Kitty
thought. His shoulders were broader,
his hands bigger, and his face more sun.
burnt. He talked chiefly 20 Mrs. Hor
ton, but he kept looking across at Kitty
that pretty, innocent, round-face
Kitty, with the sparkle in her downcast
eyes, and the flush on her dimp!ed
cheeks-till lie made her heart beat with
happiness and excitement.
"By tie way, Miss Kitty" he said,
suddenly fumbling in the big pocket of
his loose tweed coat, " have note for
you. There's to be some croquet up at
the Laureis on Thursday, and my aunt
wants you to come"
The white muslin dress was donned,
and the coquettish hat and the little
make-belieye wrap twisted about her
shoulders to the best advantage, and
Kitty was ready for the party Mt the
Laurels. She did look very pretty, as
even her step-mother secretly aclInowl-
edged.
Remember, Kitty, shall expect you
home by seven o'clock. 1t is not right
for You TO cone later through those
woods alone. Indeed, think Mrs.
Hughes ought to have asked mo to
ch0pcrOn you.
Yes, mamma" and Kitty went on
her joyful way. The woods Mrs. Hor-
ton alluded to were private ones, belong
ing to the Laurels, but they made a
short cut for Kitty, and saved her
good half-mile OF road. "Perhaps he
will come and meet me-" she thought
shyly, and strained her eyes to catch
sight of his awkward figure in the dis
lance, but it 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. j know what I'll 90
when l get further on I'll sit down in
Il shady part of the wood and wait till
about five minutes after the hour" So
she went on, and wheh she was within a
quarter OF n mile of the house branched
of into thick part Of the wood ana fol
lowed sleepy stream tha; wandered on
beneath the tall trees and among the
tangled underwood, hecked with water
lilies and fringed with yellow iris, which
nodded their golden heads to the sun.
She found 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
woman. The one she knew at glance
it was John Laurence the other she
saw minute later was his cousin Caro-
line. With n bound her heart seemed
to come into her throas. 4" It's Miss
Hughes" she said 10 herself, "and how
nice she looks, and what pretty dress
she has on :" She drew her white mus
lin closer round her, aud 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
low voice. The color fed from Kitty's
check, and the light died out of her
eyes, MS size saw them, for surely only
lovers walked as they did, They stop
ped as they got to within three yards Of
Kitty's hiding place, while Caroline
Hughes stopped absently 20 pick one of
the yellow water-iiis, and Kitty heard
her say
EDO you know, John, l never liked
you so well as | do to-day, and thought
you did not care for me.
"My dear girl, was always awfully
fond of you. / think you ought to give
me kiss to 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 were
soon lost to view.
Kitty did not move from her hiding
place, and went to no croquet party that
afternoon.
Mrs. Horton almost scr smed with
surprise an hour later, Chen Kitty sud