The Van Buren press., 1878-07-30

You have me there, dear. But If
you'll count them all, and tell me,
III give You the biggest kite there is to be
bought.
"Wjll you, really though p said the
child, almost breathless at this magnifl-
cent offer. The ono at Street &
Browns p
"Yes," answered the young man,
thong ehtlessly.
90 With the ship and the elephant on
itt"
Eyes"
Shall ! count them now, uncle Tom 2"
said she drawing Il long breath.
"Oh. no, dear 'saae night, when
you are out. You can't see them all
here The house is in the way, you
know. Now you had better 60 to bed,
katey, for | must 60 down stairs"
So after carefully tucking the little
girl in, and kissing her goodnight,
for Tom had very warm spot in his
heart for this little nuisance" he took
his leave.
Katey left to her own devices, toss.
ed restlcssly about in her crib, her
mind in chaos Of excitement, at the
prospect of the bliss in store for her,
in the possession of the long coveted
kite. The task to be performed gave her
no uneasincss whatever, for," thought
she, sits only counting, and | can count
beautiful, clear up to fifty and there
can't be more stars than that
Finally, she jumped out of bed, and
tarted to the window.
"Ohw whispered she, softly to her
self, gazing eagerly at the starry
above her, "If | could only ount
them tonight" May Ford is com
ing omorrow, and wouldn't she he
s'prsed at the kite" Then bright
thought striking her, she said, a ! Won
der if mamma wouldn't let me 90 out
into the garden minute and do it.
if put Nancy's shawl on. I'll so and
see
Fairly trembling with excitement,
Katey seized the heavy shawl opened the
nursery door and fastened down stairs,
her eyes shining, her yellow hair flying,
and the old red shawl trailing picturesque.
ly behind. A pretty enough picture it
was. if any one had been there to see :;
but Nancy was still in the kitchen, her
father was detained at his Office, and
uncle Tom was in his own room, smo-
king cigar.
Quickly Katey appeared at the library
door, for this little nuisance was not
disobedient, and began, eagerly, Mamma,
But she was allowed to proceed no
further Mrs. Lester scarcely looked up
from her absorbing occupation. The
picture at the door had no charms for
her; she was devoted 10 higher art So
she only exclaimed, impatiently, Run
away. Katcy; what lite nuisance you
are Do what you like
Katey with these words which she
took as permission, trotted off we'll
satisfied.
Down the hall she ran, stumbling
little in the large shawl; stopping mo
mont to open the hall door; then along
the piazza, and SO out into the night.
The mothers ears were drinking in, too
eagerly, the words 'Palissa,' 'Majolica,
Faience, to hear the commonplace
sounds oc little feet pattering along past
the library window. Down the gravel
ed walk the bare, white little feet twink
led in the starlight, until desirable
spot was reached for taking the first
astronomical observation and then Katey
sat down to begin her task, carrying
ON a sort of monologue to herself to
keep up her courage. with no one but
the flowers, and the trees and stars to
listen.
Now, Katey Lester, you'd better begin
with the moon, SOS not TO lose your
place. Don't you be fraid, you silly
little thing; Pm s'prised at you. 'Tisn't
very dark, and you're going to get a
kite, with elephant on it and ship.
One, two, three, four, five. There's n
unagreoable little star getting in the
way. ! must begin again One, two,
three, four, five, sis, x,seven-that stars come
again. One, two, three, why, you nau-
ghty star, m 'shamed of you. Guess
you must be a nuisance, cause you can't
keep STILL
So on, for some time, until at last the
weary head sank upon the grass, with a
murmur, \ guess you'd better rest a
minute, Katey Lester, and then begin
again. Perhaps that little star'il get
tired
Two hours after, Mr., George Lester,
wcaricd with overwork, for TO keep
his lady-wife taxed his every energy,
entered the gate Of his suburban home.
A change had taken place, meantime
in the weather, The stars were ov r
cast, the wind was playing sad havoc
with the flowers, in the the tastefully
arranged garden, and the rain was pour
ing piteously down. Mr.. Lester was
fastening up the gravel walk, when sud
denly, in the darkness, his foot struck
against some obstacle in the path, some
thing which gave forth "a low, frighton
cd cry. lie stopped with a startled
exclamation of horror, as his hand
came in contact with little, cold wet
foot. 'Katey, can it be my little ka
tcyr
Papa Y said relieved, childish voice,
and in an instant the father was hurry
ing to the house with the child in his
arms.
A bush had protected Katey's face
from the pe,ting rain, but the shawl had
fallen off, and the thin, white night
gown had been the only protection to the
childish form it covered. Mr.. Lester
strobe into the house with the drip
ming burden. and found his wife still