Lincoln County advocate. (Canton, Dakota Territory, [S.D.]) 1876-1877, 1876-12-06

himself, as if by some magnetic attrac,
ton, drawn to Kitty's side. Kitty, too,
could not help occasionally glancing adj
miringly at his handsome face and grace
full figure. She saw, very soon, that he
was the best dancer in the room. So,
when a waltz struck up, End he asked
her to join in it, she could not resist.
"H I don't dance with him." she said
to herself, " the other girls will say he
didn't ask me; and that would never do"
Kitty had never enjoyed a waltz SO
much. She forgot the ridiculous cpl
sode in the swing, forgot the strangers
cool effrontery, forgot everything but
the dreamy music and the rythmical
movement of her companion. When
the band stopped, she sighed involun-
tarily, wishing it was all to go over
again.
Balls, picnics, and orcquet-parties fol-
lowed each other in rapid succession, for
the summer was a gay one. Kitty and
young Mr.. Mortimer were together al
most constantly. Somehow, Kitty fell
into the habit Of expecting Rupert al
ways, as her special escort; and he be-
gan to feel that no one but he had a
right to Kitty, and TO be very jealous
when others attempted to pay her atten-
tions. And yet, however, no words of
love had passed between them; for Ru.
pert, now thoroughly enamored, feared
to ruin all by too premature an avowal;
especially as, once or twice, when he
had yentured to approach tho subject,
Kitty had suddenly grown naughty and
cold.
A final picnic had been planned to
close the season. It proved great sue
cess. The day passed merrily on until
luncheon-time. Rupert had made up
his mind to have a quiet ramble with
Kitty, after this meal, and, if things
went well, to speak of his love. But he
had counted without his cost, for when
luncheon was over, and he had got rid of
his aunt, Mrs. Stacy, who had called him
to her side to wait on her, 10! Kitty had
disappeared. Full Of jealous fears, and
determined to find out who his rival was,
he set forth through the woods to dis
cover Kitty. He had not gone far be
fore her favorite dog came bounding to-
ward him, jumping end barking, and
manifesting the greatest delight at see
ing him. But when Rupert stopped to
pat his namesake, the dog darted ahead,
then stopped and looked wistfully at Ru-
pert, and then rushed on again. "What
can he mean!' said Rupert.
A sudden fear seized him that some
thing was wrong, and he hurried on, the
dog rapidly leading the way.
At last, in an opening of the woods,
on moss-covered rock, he saw Kitty,
pale, breathless, and apparently in pain.
In a moment he was at her side.
All his jealousy was gone. Love was
uppermost.
sob, darling /" he cried, "what is it 2
Thank heaven, I have found you"
ooh, Mr.. Mortimer" she cried, with
a little sob, show glad I am to see you |!
l began to think I should have to stay
here all night alone. I've sprained my
ankle so I can't walk. What shall I
do9" and she burst into tears.
Our hero took both the little hands
and held them tightly in his own, while
he questioned her anxious]y as to the
accident, relating in the meantime how
he came to find her.
"But how" exclaimed Kitty, rue
fully, when he had done, show am I
ever to set baoks I don't believe I can
walk STEP"
"Of course you can't. Who said
you could?" cried Rupert. "But you'll
get back right, all the same, for I intend
to carry you."
"Carry mel" Kitty gave a little
scream, and shrank back and covered
her face with both hands, for she felt
the hot blood in her checks.
ooh, no! that will never do ;" she
Numbered out, unthinkingly. "What
will people say2"
But Rupert did not stop to reply to
this question. Very little cared he for
what people said. Withouta word, ne
put his arms about Kitty, and lifting
her bodily from her feet, walked off
with her as if she had been q feather
weight.
At first, Kitty struggled little !; but
the strong, manful arms held her close.
and she soon began rather to like it. and
to think it all very delightful.
cat any rate" she said to herself, 1T
can't help it; he is too masterful to re-
sist."
With this comforting conclusion, her
fair head sank on his shoulder, and for
the first time in her life Kitty knew what
it was to be supremely happy.
Rupert carried his lovely burden to
his own phaeton, which stood apart from
the crowd, and carefully placed Kitty
in it.
"There now," he said, 81 shall take
you home Immediately, and stop for a
doctor on the way. Nobody can drive
Won with 40 little nain M oon - bo 81