Smyrna times., 1879-03-26
A Treasury Romance.

Kitty Rayne sat in the veranda and |
whistled "Within a Mile of Edinboro |
Town." while John Fenwick sat in the par
lor and scowled freely at the portrait of
that young lady hanging over the mantel
But scowling didn't seem to have much |
effect on the portrait, and his anger seemed |
to have about as much on the original.
The truth of the matter was, there had |
been lovers quarrel.
They had been engaged for six months. |
That was long time for Kitty to keep her
Irritation propensities in check. But she
had done it, and congratulated herself OH
the victory she had gained. Why is it that
just as soon as we think we have ourselves
under control, something comes along to
tempt US, and in a good many cases we
find that we are not masters of ourselves
after all? | don't know why it is, l am
sure. Kittie didn't either. But Just about
the time she began to plume herself on her
conquest. Davenport came along, and
straightway up popped the old penchant
for flirting. 1t seemed to her that she
couldn't help flirting with Davenport He
was handsome and jolly, and there was
something about her which seemed to dare
her. She knew John woulnd't like it;
that people would talk, and that her
mother would institute course of daily
lectures--but, she kept on flirting.
John did care, and by-and-by he spoke
| to her about it.
You aren't jealous, hope she said. I'd
never have thought that of you, John Fen
wick, never"
NO. am not jealous, he replied. But
| don't like to see you so thoughtless.
Would you like to have me flirting with
| MiSa POyan Op Mics COvopt no vo,, HirE /,
Davenport?"
"Oh, shouldn't care the least in the
world, she laughed back. It's real fun,
John. Try it and see.'
That was all the satisfaction he got then
BY and by he touched on the subject again
} and they came near having lovers quar-
rel.
But John, who had a holy horror of
lovers quarrels, had the good sense to stop
before they got to angry words. But now
the quarrel had come to dead earnest. For
half an hour there had been a tempest
raging in the parlor. Kittie took up her
position on the Veranda, and whistled to
show how little she cared, and he scowled.
To listen to her. he conclued that at that
particular moment her sole object in life
was to see how many runs and trills and
other embellishments she could get into
"Within "A Mile Of Edinhoro Town"
81 want to come to some understanding
in the matter" he said. "Ill tell you what
you must do. Either stop flirting with
Davenport, or" "Or break off our en-
. gagement, is that it?" she asked with
half flush on her cheeks.
Precisely" he answered, gravely. g.
have born it as long as | can. If you really
care for him, of course it is better for us tC
understand the matter. If you don't care
for him, | have right to insist"
"You insist T. she cried with flashing
$ eyes. You insist I'd have you under
stand, John Fenwict, that you nor an,
other man can order me to act according t.
your own sovereign will and pleasure.
i, shall do just as please, sir"
Very well. !,c answered sternly. " Yo
understand the consequence, Of course"
IL do she said scornfully. You nee
not wait for them. You can have you
freedom now. Here's your ring. Keep
for some woman who will allow herself t
y be dictated to, and who will come and g
at your royal will. Good morning, sir
And then she went in and shut the doc
in his face. Kittie from behind the Gu
tain, saw him 60 away without once lookin
!, back.
- ITO dare to tell me what must do {
must not dol" she cried. 81 will sho
himw
She had grown to be a grave and though
full woman. The years had come and gon
ay and she was thirty now, with silver threaC
beginning TO show in her brown hair, an
oo little lines of care about her mouth.
In all these years she had heard but Ii
tie of John Fenwick. She knew that
was getting to be a prominent man at I'll
Or west. But that was about all. 1t had q
ways seemed to her that they would me-
again somewhere. She wondered whe
7 and how. Loving him as she had don
Ill she felt what it is to lose, and in the bite
est way loss can ever come to us. Ev
since they had known her in the Treasu
Department she had carried that look
patient sorrow in her eyes.
al am sure there must be some roman
in Miss Rayne's past" declared Susie We
non. 81 wish knew what it was"
"She isn't looking at all well lately" sa
Susie to her neighbor, "this drowsy da
If She is overworking herself She'll
- down completely if she isn't careful"
"a There was a sound of voices at the doC
y and one of the Treasury officers came
with some gentleman. Visitors were
common that no one gave them more tn
a passing glance as they entered; tn
work went on again in its usual systema
way.
Katie did not look up. But sne Oecai
: aware, by some subtle influence all at on
that some one was watching her. )
looked up then, and gave little cry IL
was almost a sob.
"Kittier it was John Fenwick's vo
that spoke. 1t was his hand that was o
stretched in welcome.
Haven't you a word Of welcome 70
fellow ?" he said, looking down into
face questioningly.
AZ am glad to see you, John" she ss
and then burst into a sudden fit Of weepi
os,, 81 have not forgotten you in all tn