The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-01
MISS MONKT0N'S MAR
RIAGE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "a FRENCH HEIREsS
IN HER OWN CHATEAU"
CHAPTER TX.
A F0RL0RN HOPE.

through this without showing much in
terest; but also without any appearance
Of disgust. Afterwards she put OH her
red cloak and went out to feed the chick
ems,
There was large paved yard behind
the house, with coach-houses and dog
kennels all round, and a wooden granary
in the middle, built IN posts several feet
above the ground. On the steps of this
grlnary Letitia stood with her bag of
grain, and at the sound of her voice the
feathered creatures ran and flew from
every corner Of the place. White pig
cons came futtering down from the roofs
and chimneys, aud perched about her;
cocks strut:ed, hens cackled and quar-
relied; the little lady was in the midst of
a noisy, greedy crowd, over which she
poured showers of yellow grain. While
she was doing this the yard-gate opened,
and tall young woman came in with a
basket of eggs on her arm. She half
paused at the sight Of Letitia, standing
there in the sun. Then she curtsied and
came towards her, stepping carefully
among the chickens
Miss Monkton looked rather curiously
at her BRIGHT rosy face. at the clear, dark
eyes which we're watching her so anxious
ly, and glancing round now and then AS
she came, as if to make sure that there
was no one within sight or hearing. All
the d ors were shut; the men were busy
or away; only one old dog looked out of
his kennel, wagged his tail, and went
back again.
"Pray, ma'am, do you remember me?'
said the young woman with the eggs,
standing at the foot of the steps, and
dropping another curtsy.
There was no peasant shyness in her
manner, but the well-bred, fearless ease
of . yeoman's daughter. She was we'll
dressed, too, and carried her basket
gracefully. And there was kindliness
in her smile which made Letitia smile
too as she answered her:
II am sure have seen you before"
II have bruught eggs and hutter to the
house many time. Pve got some eggs
here now; but came to-day on purpose
to see you, ma'am. / am Kitty Pratt, of
Jacks Croft"
Can l do anything for your said
Letitia.
viii you kindly read this, ma'am,
and give me an answer to take b,lckT'
A small sealed vote appeared from un-
der the folds Of Kitty's shawl. Letitia
felt almost dizzy as she took it; thu
writing was familiar to her She turned
away to read it. Kitty quietly sat down
her basket, took the bag of grain, and
went on feeding the impatient fowls.
"The bearer Of this can be trusted.
Will you send me word by her whether
che terrible report | hear is true? lam
not far from YOU, but dare not compro-
mise you by appearing. Tell me that if
it is true, it is against your will, and it
shall never happen"
Let!tia read this three or four times
over. Then she turned quite calmly to
Kitty Pratt.
This note tells me you are to be trust
ed," she SAID.
Kitty's eyes met hers with smile that
was nothing but truth.
81 see you are" said Letitia. "The
gentleman who sent it, is he at your
houseW .
Yes" said Kitty. ale came two
days ago, and asked my father to take
him in. He wished to be in this neigh
borhood without any one Knowing He
has not told us his name. We call him
tie Cap aim" 'N
Tell him to wait till tomorrow" said
Letltia. "He shall have IN answer to-
morrow, do you understand? Tell him
there is one chlnce to be triAd; but it
may flil. Will you remember that?"
Kitty nodded. s-s&'..
"Have not you bu ter or eggs, or some
thing to bring here to-morrow%
81 could bring two pound of butter, if
Mrs. Bushe liked to order it."
81 order it. Bring it to the house
about this time tomorrow, and, as you
60 back, I,ok for me outside the gates,
beyond lh- trees yonder; you can carry
my answer. Thank you. Now take your
eggs to the hou,e." -.-..
Kitty curtsied and went, without an
other word.
% All that day Letitia was a great trial
to her aft ctionate cousin. When she
answered or spoke to her, there was a
studied carelessness in her manner, an
abruptness that was almost rude, and
quite silenced gentle Mrs. Bu>he. She
also felt that the girl avoided her as
much as possible.
Towards evening Letitia seemed lit
tie excited; her cheeks were very pink,
and her eyes brighter than usual. She
did not put on one of her prettiest gowns
to receive young Barrett; but in spite of
that, Mrs. Bushe thought she had seldom
looked prettier. 1t was a painful pretti-
ness, though, to any one who knew Lett
tia we'll. AS to Humphrey, his position
seemed rather to puzzle him. He was
rather grave and silent all through din
ner, though Sir George did his best to
draw him out. Certainly no stranger,
looking in upon them, would have
guessed that the two young people were
to be married to each other within.a
week. They sat on opposite sides of the
table and hardly exchan0ed a wnrd