The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-20

over, and saying every five minutes he
must jest step over and see If she's sick.
Tho, sartin, I do remember I've seen
old DR.. Gays gig there twice. I'll tell
him, or he'll fdget into fever"
"Is it the little girl, or do you sup
pose it is her mother ?" said the colonel,
emphasizing the mother. 81 should
hate to have the little girl sick;" and he
added to himself, "I might feel worse
if it were the mother. There, I will call
over tomorrow and get light on this
mystery"
EDO I s'pose it is the mother" said
his housekeeper, vigorously. 81 don't
know nothin' about it. There" Mrs.
Timmins said, away in the recesses Of
her own consciousness, "that man has
been peekin' out of the blinds at that
child's mother. He's old enough to do
better"
That very day the colonel stepped out
on his piazza dressed up for the proposed
call. Looking opposite, he saw his lit
tie acquaintance running suddenly out
of the house, and as he looked, he
noticed light wreath OF smoke putting
after her.
"Oh, Mr.. Gayham, Mr.. Gayham,
mammals sick and houses afre. Tum
quick |" she cried.
The colonel rushed over. He ran into
the sitting-room. In a rocking-chair
sat lady in morning-gown.
"Oh, excuse me sir but the houses
on fire and I am still weak from my
sickness. I can't STIR"
The colonel bent over her, took her
in his arms, carried her toward the
light. "Wby, Kitty I" he said.
"Why, Will |" was the answer. Not
another word was spoken.
"Well," said Col. Graham to himself,
as his fair burden rested in his arms,
"this is awkward, though delightful.
Where shall I take herp Take her to
your house, of course, simpleton, said
an instinct within. Kitty had swooned,
he saw, and in that unconscious state he
bore her into his sitting room, there
to leave her and her child with the ener-
getic Timmins. The fire in Mrs. C.'s
house arose from defective furnace
Aue, was spreading rapidly, and the
colonel, who had gallantly return ed to
fight the flames, found the house could
not be saved. The next morning Mrs
Carleton looked out from the guest
chamber at the colonel's only to see a
charred heap of ruins.
"Why, mamma, we tan't go home
and hadn't us best stay here |" asked
Kitty.
"Hush, child, we must 60 some
where" There was knock at the door.
"Shall I bring your breakfast in
now?" said Mrs. Timmins, making the
following private remarks for the bene
fit Of one Timmins: "I know the colonel
wanted orJuliy to have her take her
breakfast down stairs, but said she was
an invalid"
"Thank you," replied Mrs. Carleton,
CT am sorry to trouble you. Gould
you order me carriage after breakfast
1 had better go to the hotel and not i'm.
pose on your hospitality"
"Ho-tel?" said the really warm
hearted Tirnmins. "You are better
fitted to take your bed than a carriage.
No sick folks leaves this house in such
fix. II sojer-boys can stay, eating the
colonel out of house and home, l guess
neighbor can."
There was another knock at the door.
1t was the colonel himself, and Timmins
withdrew.
"She won't CO." remarked Timmins
to herself. "Peekin' through the
blinds always did mean something"
"Why, how much the colonel looks
like Will Graham of DID," silently OBJ
served Mrs. Carleton.
"Kitty," said the colonel, blushing
suddenly" Mrs. Carleton, / mean,
why must you go?' She had told him
her intention. "She never looked so
charming" thought the colonel.
"He never looked handsomer, in
spite of his green patch" thought Mrs.
Carleton. "Oh, colonel, LIP
"Kitty," said Col. Graham, STOPPING
low and whispering, "couldn't you call
me Will again?"
"Will," came back in q soft, low
whisper.
"Here, little Kitty" said the colonel
blushing redder than ever, and taking
Mrs. C.'s child in his arms, "wouldn'i
you like to stay here all the time 2"
ooh, yes; and wouldn't you, nam
map"
"Say yes, dear Kitty" whispered tn,
colonel, STOPPING lower to Mrs. earle
ton.
No microphone ever brought the fain
answer to that outside public, who's,
greedy ear catches up every such thing
eagerly; but in few months there wa
a very happy wedding at st. Luke's
and little Kitty Carleton had a nev
60 ;,ay