Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1878-04-25
The HOMESTEAD.

But Katy, dear, won't you listen
whilst explain how | was unable to be
with you yesterday
No. Mr. Am0iy | will listen to no
excuses, nor never speak to you again.
Did YOU not promise for certain, to be at
the pic mic and row me on the lake? And
was nol asked to keep the first dance for
you? A nice laughing stock you made of
me before Lizzie Randall and Clara Ward
OF course, thsy knew why | refused to
dance the first set-although Frank
Churchill would scarcely take a refusal
Then to think you should have sighted
me before them all Don't think, sir,
that | allowed them to see that | was an
noyed | just danced all the evening, and
enjoyed myself thoroughly.
Dear Katy, | am so sorry | disap-
pointed you but '-
Disappointed Mr. Amory, not at all
| found Mr. Churchill most amusing
companion, and much better waltzer
than YOU are Lizzie Randall was cross
enough when she saw he did not leave my
side all the day, But the most delightful
part was his driving me home in his
charming Stanhope l never enjoyed
ANYTHING so much in my life. He drives
admirably-as he does everything else, |
| fancy | expect him every minute, for
he said he should certainly call and in
quire how was after yesterdays exer-
ton"
Then, Miss Langdon, have the
honor to wish You good afternoon. |
should be sorry to intrude my unwelcome
presence when so entertaining com
panion is expected.
Each turned from the other Katy 20
l. Il
Amory walking with quickened pace
towards the village.
The above dialogue had taken place at
the gate of an old fashioned farm house.
The speakers had for some time been
looked upon as lovers, though no pledge
had been made on either side. Katy s
angry words will explain how Harry Am
ory had offended.
She was an only child of Farmer Lang
don, who having lost his wife when Katy
was five years old, had since done his best
to spoil his pretty daughter.
Katy was, at the time we make her ac-
quaintance, Just eighteen, and though a
warm hearted, aflectonate girl, yet from
her position, as the beauty of the village,
had met with such homage from the village
swains that she could i'll brook the APP
parent neglect of her most favored lover
Could Harry have seen her as she hast
ened to her own little room, and there,
throwing herself on the bed, give way to IA
hearty cry, he would not have felt so
bitterly angry at the petulant beauty's
words
Il won't cry any more he will be sure
to come to morrow and then | will be
very good and make it up with him. lie
mast know did not mean what | said of
him. and only danced with him to tcazc
Lizzie Randall who makes love to him SO
openly. Harry is worth thousand such
as he
Il am coming, father she cried out,
as she heard his voice calling for her.
Where have you been, Pussy2 have
good news for you. Harry Amory was
sent for yesterday by the squire, and has
been promised the stewards place. |
always thought the lad would do well.
met Humphrey, the head gardener and
he tells me it is quite settled, Harry was
With the squire all yesterday. going over
the accounts. | fancy some one knows
who will be mistress of that pretty cottage
near the park gates, he added, pinching
her cheek "Ah here comes Harry
| suppose he would rather tell the good
news to you alone SO I'll be off to the
kitchen and get something to eat
Katy cheek flushed with pleasure as
she heard the latch raised, and rose to
welcome her lover. What was her disap-
pointment and disgust to sec. not Harry,
but Frank Churchill, who, noticing katy's
eager joy, caule forward With the greatest
alacrity, to take her outstretched hand.
Poor Katy could scarcely command her
self to give the intruder a civil greeting.
Her guest, however, evidently con
sidered his presence acceptable, and took
no notice of her embarrassment If he
remarked it at all, he rather put it down
to the overpOwering honor he was confer
ring in visiting a mere farmers daughter.
Frank Churchill had come on y isit to
his uncle. the village doctor. He had
studied medicine, but having a small in
dependent income, was too indolent to
make much progress in his profession. He
was TO stay with his uncle six months and
then see If he would like TO be taken as his
partner.
As yet, he had done nothing towards
ingratiating himself with his uncle 5
patients but on the contrary, had caused
great heart burnings in the younger por-
tions of the inhabitants.
The men despised him for his conceit
and foppshness, whilst he looked down
upon them as mere clods The village