Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-05-16

as ne executed &uOIHol PAoAo"nU WV, ~"u
then turned, an putting bis hand aon the
TOP of the fence vaulted over, and the next
moment va out OF sight.
Kitty We 1T back to the!house muttering,
1.-THE impudent fellowl'' while tie real
Rupert. who had started off chasing rab
bit, reappsared at this juncture and &C
companied her. But this was not the
Rupert she meant when she said "the i'm
pudent fellow.''
A week passed. Kitty saw no MOI Of
the stranger, though she often wondered
who he could be, and if he were staying in
the neighborhood. At the end of that
| time she attended an evening party at
Squire Staceys. Almost the first person
she saw on entering the room was the
handsome stranger.
81 wish to introduce you to my nephew"
said the squire, leading that parsonage up
Ito Kitty. His name. by baptism, il Ru-
pert Mortimer, but lie is such saucy fell
low that he is hest known among his
friends as "that lmpudent puppy"
! The eyes of the young people met.
Young MIR Mortimer's were dancing with
fun. For tire life of her Kitty could not
help laughing. So tley laughed in con
cert, and he said, bowling low, and re-
peating the same words he had used in the
woods: Eyes, that impudent puppy-at
your service, Miss"
HE is making sport of me-" said kitty
to herself, and drew herself up haughtily;
| and for the rest Of the interview she was
cold and reserved, combining herself to
monosyllabic replies. Very soon, at the
appearance Of one Of her many admirers.
she excused herself, and went off to dance;
"a bit of Tartar. I'm afraid" solilo-
pulsed Rupert Mortimer'-"But how pref
she is. She looks too as though she had
a noble character; and she can take he,
own part, as have found to my cost. But
I'm afraid she has been spoilt by admira
ton. To get into her good graces one
must 60 on his very knees to her; and
faith! it is almost worth while to do it.
But no, Rup4 TT Mortimer, MY boy, keep
your self respect Then, with laugh,
| rs thy servant dog, that he should do
this thing?''
Yet often that evening Rupert found
himself, as if by some magnetic attraction.
drawn to Kitty's side. Kitty, too, could
not help occasionally glancing admirlngly
1t his handsome face and graceful figure
She saw very soon that he was the best
dancer IN the room.-So, when q waltz
was struck up, and he asked her to JOIN in
| it, she could not resist the temptation.
eff don't dance with him." she said to
herself, ''the other girls will say that he
didn't ask me; and that would never do"
Kitty had never enjoyed waltz so much
Sha forgot the ridiculous episode in the
wood-forgot the stronger's cool effrontery
forgot everything but the dreamy music
and the rhythmical movement of her com
panion. When the band stopped she sigh
ed involuntarlly, wishing it was all to- go
over again.
Balls, p1c-nics, and croquet parties fol
lowed each other in rapid succession, for
the sum.ner was gay one. Kitty and
young Mr.. Mortimer were together almost
constantly. Somehow Kitty fell into the
habit of expecting Rupert always as her
special escort; and he began to feel that no
one but he had right to Kitty, and to be
very jealous when others attempted to pay
her attention. As yet, however, no words
| Ut love had passed between them; for Ru-
pert, now thoroughly enamored, feared to
ruin all by too premature avowal; epec-
tally, as once or twice. when he ventured
to approach the subject. Kitty had sudden
ly grown naughty and cold.
A final picnic had been planned to close
the season. It proved great success.
The day passed merrily on until luncheon
time. Rupert had made up his mind to
have quiet ramble with Kitty after this
meal, and if things went we'll, to speak OF
his love. But he had counted without his
host, for when luncheon was over. and he
had got rid of his aunt, Mrs. Stacey, VIII"
had called him to her side to wait on her,
10! Kitty had Disappeared. Full of jealous
fears, and determined to find out who was
lis rival, he set forth through the woods
to discover Kitty.
He had not gone far before her favorite
dog came bounding towarde him, jumping
and barking, and manifesting the greatest
delight at seeing him. But when Rupert
stopped to pat his namesake, the dog dar-
ted ahead; then stopped and looked visit
fully at Rupert. and then rushed on again.
what can he mean ?" said Rupert.
A sudden fear seized him that some
thing was wrong, and he hurried on, the
dog rapidly leading the way.
At last, in an opening OF the woods. on
a moss-covered rock, he saw Kitty, pale.
breathless and apparently in pain. In
moment he was at her side. All his jeal-
ousy was gone. Love was uppermost
now.
'Oh, darlingE' he cried, ''what is it =?
Thank heaven, have found you."
"Oh! Mr.. Mortimer" she cried, with
little sob, chow glad am to see you. /
began to think should have to stay here
| all night alone.-I've sprained my ankle
and l can't walk. What shall do?''
And she burst into tears.
Our hero took both the little hands, and
held them tightly in his own, while he
questioned her anxlously as to the acct
dent, relating meantime how he came to
find her.
''But how,'' exclaimed Kitty, ruefully.
when he had dope-'how am ever to get
back? don't believe can walk step.'
s'Of course you can't. Who said yeu
could?" cried Rupert. "But you'll get
back right, all the same, for intend to
carry you.
''Carry mel" Kitty gave little scream
and shrank back, and covered her face
with both hands; for she felt the hot
blood in her cheeks. ''Oh, no that will
never do;'' and she blundered out, un-