Daily Republican., 1880-01-16
KATIE FOSTER.

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"HerA is the wish-bone, girls VIII
wants III" Aunt Kitty said, holdin
up the well-dried and brightly polishe'
bone.
Three merry voices and three brigh
young faces looked eagerly into hers
pleading to bs the favored one.
"I'll have to give it to the nearest Il
me, my little Katie and she is tn,
nearest to marrying too, guess. Her,
now pull with Mabel or Jeane, and se'
IL am right, Aunt Kitty said. as sh'
patted her fayorits niece's blushins
face.
Katie took The bone, htsitated for q
moment, aud then holding 1t toward
Mabel said (:
"Jeane you can afford to wait until
next time, being the youngest. Pull,
Mabel. 0h don't take such a hold
Just by the very end. Now!
The bone snapped, aud Aunt Kitty
cried out, "That'S all dgh'--I knew it,
Now, pet, put it over the hall door and
wish"
"The first unmarried man that comes
under the wish bone is to be hei hus.
band" answered Aunt Kitty gravely.
"What nonsense you are putting
into these girls heads, Catharine !"
said their mother, who had stood un-
noticed in the door for few moments.
"Come Katie, make your wish, and
up with the bone," said Mabel.
Katie followed her sisters into the
hall. Mounting the chair placed for
her, she put the wish-bone over the
door, jumped down laughing, and said,
"There are three we may confidently
expect-'squire Ellwood, DR.. Farleigh
and Willie. There, listen He's COM
ing now, think. No, there is some
one coming from the village" Katie
answered.
twas too dark to see the look OF
disappointment as she arose, saying:
81 must light the lamp: it may be
some one coming here"
She had scarcely done it before the
gate latch was heard, and familiar
step after.
Mabel said, at is Squire Ellwood. I"
run quick pull down the bone
don't let him come under it," cried
Katie.
Mable flew to do her bidding. Too
late The door opened, and without
any ceremony the Squire walked in,
sxclaimipg in loud, genial voice:
"Why, bless me ! liked to have
knocked down my little lady-love with
my rough entry"
"Tis not Kate; it's me-Mabel" she
answered, in her confusion.
How Mabel ever came to single Katie
1ut as one so expressed by the Squire
she coul1 not tell herself, except their
son nection with the wish-bone, then in
ner mind.
"Ha, hs, ha what wise little girl
you are !" laughed the Squire, patting
.he bluShing cheeks, and following
Mabel to the sitting room.
The Squire did not stay long that
evening. Scarcely had he got out of
tight when Katie heard another step,
and we'll loved. Willie
lad come at last. Surely Kate would
% like herself then, her sister thought.
She did her very best to be merry, and
occasionally, during the time of Will
les stay, she would break into a mu-
ical little laugh, but as Willie noticed,
t was quickly followed by a sigh.-
Drawing her away to himself, he~his-
,sred
"What is it, darling ?"
In an instant her eyes were swim
ming in tears, and she shook her head,
aging, "You will laugh at me If tell
,ou."
81 may laugh away your tears,
rust, Katie darling; but I'll promise
Iot to laugh at you. Now tell me what
roubles my own girl"
He drew it out Of her the story Of
he bone, her wish, Squire Elwood be-
ng the first to come under it, and con-
luded by saying: ooh, Willie, why
id you not come by as you went to
'wni Then you would have been the
rst."
"Why, Katie, went early this morn
,g. But never fear; II you will come
II take you away from dozen 'squires,
ou dear frightened little Bird" Willie
i'd.
He went away soon after. Kate ac-
him, with her sisters, as
r as the garden gate, where the Incl,
snts Of the afternoon and evening
ere talked and laughed over-Mabel
wing humorous account Of her per-
rmance in the hall-until Kate was at
st won from her gloom. II
Willie Holden was the only son Of an
d and esteemed friend of Katies's
other, and their nearest neighbor. q
10 young folks had grown up together, I
I'd the union Of Katie and Willie WIS !
Dked forward to by both mothers I
Ith confidence and great pleasure. q
Ill, there was no engagement; only '
rt OF quiet understanding between all Q
rites.
Squire Ellwood was Captain Fosters K
pest FRIEND" as the Captain always
i'd when referring to the Squire. "
Often this friend had come to the a
ptain's relief in financial difficulties. r.
Many times Mrs. Foster had said to b
n daughters: Ii
"There is no better man living than o
luirs Ellwood. But for him we Y
ght have been homeless. Pray Gods d
Bssing for him every day my children, 3
ID love him as dearly as though he p
re your fathers brother, for he has g
on as one to him." ct
The Squire was man of abundant h
,aDs, with no Gne nearer of kindred y
him than distant cousin to share ID
VI ith In