West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-05-18

above whisper; but each moment they
gained courage, and before they had
traversed through half the grounds
their mirth got the better of their fears
and they laughingly joined their daring
leader in plan TO capture the owner II
he should trouble them.
Then she that shall catch him first
shall have him." broke in light musi
cal voice above the buzz and laughter OF
the party.
"but that will be Kate Weston, oul
Captain Kate, / am sure. for she can out
run any girl in Crsnston. Why, girls
she goes it like deer"
Hush, hush" !" Captain Kate turned
about suddenly as she spoke, and held
one hand up threateniDgly 20 the party
IF you mention the old ogre's name
he'll be sure TO be out here. Remember
his apples are more precious than his
gold; for, like many men, he thinks
more Of having his stomach well filled
than his pocket"
How beautiful she looked, standing
up there in the full clear moonlight
brilliant, daring Kate Westonl There
was a deal of pride about her slender
willowy form-in the way she carried
her perfect head, flashed her great hazel
eyes, and curved her tempting, rose bud
mouth. And now as she spoke OF
Farmer Waters her whole face seemed
to glow with an expression nearly akin
To scorn. For some reason, no one
knew what, she had taken dis.
like TO the great man of the village.
Her first impression of him was an un-
favorable one, she used 10 say. When
she met him one afternoon as she was re-
turning from a walk he had stopped n
friend to ask about her, and that too in
such a loud tone that she could not, had
she wifled it, remain ignorant of what
he was saying. She heard his compan-
ion give her history in short, detached
sentences:
Poor orphan-delicately reared
well educated-very beautiful and tai
ented-proud-living with poor rela-
tions on the outskirts of the village" !"
were the words that fell upon her ear. az
she swept haughtily by them.
After that she had been introduced to
the handsome, wealthy young farmer at
the school picnic. She knew that the
presentation had first been suggested by
him; and, though she met his courteous,
Lgentlemanly advances with a quiet easy
dignity, at heart she was repulsing him
all the while.
Perhaps he was conscious of this for
he was more than winning and pleasing in
his addresses, even when he saw what n
bitter, satirical way she cut down his
finest and most polished sentiments,
quietly making them the food of her
merriment. That was not all, either.
lt was not enough that Kate should
have the enjoyment of the day spoilt for
her; but she must work herself into
such passion as to lay awake half that
night, in order to sob it away from her
naughty, perverse little heart.
Poor Kate And that was not all.
either. On st. Valentines Day, some
one had annoyed her by sending for her
acceptance one of the prettiest, daintiest
little rings imaginable, within the ex-
panding bud of blush-rose valentine.
And then the most puzzling of anything
about it was that it was posted at Gran
ston, where she did not know a single gen
tleman who could afford to send her a
present of such worth. She had vowed
at first never 10 wear it; but after while.
when she found that it looked so pretty
upon her slender, white finger, and i'm
proved her taper hand 80 much, she
gave up, and did not allow it TO 90 a
single moment from her sight. And
better still, she used sometime TO press
the dainty circlet to her lips, and then
pout and put on the haughtiest of all
her ways to make mp for her foolishness.
so IT was that matters went on be-
tween the proud, gentlemanly young
farmer, and the brilliant, beautiful X ate,
until the affair Of purloining the apples
was brought 10 notice Kate could not
brook a threat, and when the young
farmers cartel reached her, she headed
the little group Of her school friends for
the second attack.
Kate looked very beautiful standing
there in the clear, silvery moonlight.
holding up one white hand menacinply
toward her watching band of followers.
Pshaw, Kate, don't let's try too keen
still! Let him chase us If he likes. and
see what he'll catch" sounded the pleas
ant musical voice of little Lucy Smiles
" IdOn't believe shall drop another glove
for him to pick up, let me run ever 80
fast. hope he was pleased with the
name stamped upon the wrist"
He didn't trouble himself much
about your name, I'll wager you. when
he had Kate's dainty 'kerchief TO wear
next TO his heart. That isn't the best of
IT; there was a specimen of her hand
writing upon one corner of IL, and If he
isn't as blind az q bat he'll see who fa-
vored him with the bushel-may-bayket
made out Of cabbage heads. Kate wrote
the verse, retorted Mary Prince, laugh
ing and claPpiDg her hands.
Hush say, girls. You mustn't run
on 80; / don't want 70 be caught with
out any apples" said Kate. ." 30 sneak
low II you cannot keep from talking.
We are almost there now. Hush See
the ripe, yellow fruit glisten in the
moonlight
Kate tip.toed up 10 the little tbicket
OF trees, followed by the hushed group.
" After all, don't believe there is apv
use OF keeping so STILL" she said, look
ing around. II seems too much like
downright stealing, instead Of graciously
condescending 10 test our neigh hbor's hos
pitality. So help yourselves, dears.
while ] preside a. well as I can, in place
OF the gentleman himself. No doubt
he'll thank me for it when-he gets
chancew
" Perhaps after all he's hid in this
thicket OF trees, and when we get TO
helping ourselves ~ you say. he'll
come jumping out here in the very
midst Of ne ~ auoOoofaI aor.. - -