Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-11

obdura'e lsir ones net to whom he has de-
voss his life; he
But at this Juncture Philips sorely-tried
and esiis to pace the room IN M afSme mo ''"
Madam" hr begins; "madaml" but his
sp e b Is cut shori by the lady, who ap-
breaches him with clasped hands.
"a Be calm, dearest Philip; be calm, en-
treat you'll have no intention OF refusing you.
Far be Il from me to wish TO encompass the de-
has brought two gallant souls TO the brink OF
despair, because would not give my hand
where my heart was not; but this time my
heart, hitherto tnsensibte even to the highest
Merit, is touched. / am yours, Philip: yours
furever!"
SO saying, the agitated fair one threw her
blushibg face there white he. embarrassed TO
The last degree by the burden so conndingly
cast upon HIM, began to stammer an explan.
ton.
Madam, assure you" he began, "that 1
AMI am not insensble to.not ungrateful for-oe-
lteve that do appreciate
81 know you do. Philip, dear Philip" softly
whispered the elderly dimsei in Ms arms
81 do appreciate the honor, but, while l
am overwhelmed by your too great Kindness,
Not too great" whispered the lady.
do lot deserve-indeed do not deserve
such felicity and" stammered the unhappy
medicn.
MAN receives more than his deserts some
times" SAID Miss L2ngton, SWeetly.
=. But r1adsm, I assure you that you are
under 1 complete mlsapprehenston," said the
the honor of your hand"
You lnow You love me, Philip" said the
bltshIng Emmellne, II am yours"
Madam. do not love you! am devoted,
Re8r' and lie, to your second n1eCe!' he found
nerve to say.
The lady withdrew he self from the doctors
en-. brace, and looked aG him with a very SuS-
pictous CLEAN In her faded eyes.
My second niece Is a chlld." she said, gasp
lng.E. You are trying to test my affection,
Philip! Why. If you are 0evotedn-with a con-
tempfnous srnile-"to my second niece. did YOU
write to mec'
u wrote to her. madam" said the doctor,
iamely. IL love her. and have"
But further assertion was impossible for the
deluded lady snatched his letter from her be-
som, tiouished 1t in his face staggered back,
and ieli INTO chair in semi fainting state,
Which alarmed the doctor. He went towards
her, intending to give her any assistance In
his power. but she waved him from her.
"Do not touch me, monster in human form.
wretch! viper" she cried. furiously, aud fmme-
dtatelX went Of into q fir OF Mysteries, which
made Philip rush to the bell. and ring it vio-
lentiy.
But his summons was nnecessary-almost
uHhe8rd, pTobably-fOr Miss Langton's shrek3
sounded all over the house, and presently in
rushed Mr.. Langton. followed by his three
daughters their countenances expressing va
rtoUS stages OF alarm.
What is the natter" calculated the star
tied lawyer. Has my sister lest her senses?'
~,
she ever mad any to 1ose!"
"Oh. poor aunt Keziah." said one OF the
young ladies, compassionately. .
what have you said to herr" exclaimed the
Doctors divinity, looking at him Ieproachfuily
out OF her lustrous eyes.
"What is to be done with herr was the more
practical question OF the third young lady,
While the doctor stood aghast.
Alas! poor Philip. The exclamation which
bad escaped the lips OF the lawyers eldest
daughter had explained the mystery.
had cone the mischief! IL only he had had the
sense to address TO Miss Ki.tie," Or ''Mi5S
Catherine" or Miss anyone but 'Mlss X. Lang
While the doctor was thus ruefully contem-
plating the situation, Miss Kezahs Mysteries
were Increasing TO an alarming extent; she
"ept cupiOusly. she laughed venemently, she
shriehed at the top OF her shrill voice, she
coupled the Doctors name with every oppro-
br1Ous epithet ever used Ia polite society, sine
threw herself about, and the dainty Juvenile
attire she wore was seriously damaged by her
contorlions; While group OF servants, at
tracted by The screams. assembled outside the
haif-open door, and were alternately Swayed
by curiosity and compassion and Indignation
against the innocent cause OF all this comno-
top.
"What's to be done with her, DOCTOR" said
Mr.. Largton grimly, GAS you seem to be the
cause OF this fit, you had better get her out OF
it,
consulate lady-tilnidiy 1t Is true for he did not
feel at all safe at trusting his visage within
reach OF her finger nails; but as soon as he at
tempt ed to touch her. the screams redoubled
10 an extent which sent Mr.. Langton out OF the
room with his fingers stuffed into his ears.
The Doctors patience was at an end; he was
angry at such different result to his visit
from that which he had anticipated: he was fu-
rious at being rendered an object OF ridicule in
the eyes OF Mistress Kittie, who was glalfclng
at him demurely under her long lashes, and
solved to put an end to this most absurd scene.
Bring He pint OF water he said, 5terniy
70 one OF the servants
''What for. doctor:H said Miss Clarissa, who
was supporting her aunt. whose screams had
mOuentarily ceased.
81. ITO throw over her" said Philip: at is the
only remedy In such case as thIS,''
on poor aunt KeZlah!" said Miss Sophia.
While at this terrible threat, the patient-pe.
Thinking herself probably that the rose-tints
on her cheeks might suffer from such des-
perate emtdy-tnought she would recover
without it.. Accordingly her cries and groans
ceased; and she opened her eyes.
..uoiI am 6elteI,. she saio, In a faint voice.
take me out OF that monsters sight,"
SO saying, she staggered to her feet, and,
supported On either side by a sympatnizlng
maids. Miss kez1al LangtOn disappeared from
the gaze OF the man whom she had fondly
d emed victim to her cEarms-while Philip
was lett alone with Mistress Klttie.
For some minutes both were silent; the young
iad3-loe king, Oh! so bewitching. In a dress Of
sprigged white muslin, which left her white
iLg dtmuiely On the carpet: While the Doctor
mentally and matchmaking his cruel fate,
stOf the picture OF confusion, a few feet off,
Miss kittle was the first to speak. STOPPING
down, she lifted from the carpet at her feet the
doctors unlucky ep1stle, and handing it to
Philip, said, quietly:
81 think this Is yours. sir
mo, madam" said Philip, who retained ust
sufficient presence OF mind to seize the oppor-
tuG1ty thus afforded him. "if that letter TO-
longs 70 anyone, 1t belongs to the person to
| whom 1t is addressed, AID that parSon IS
Bis courage failed hin.
My aunt keziah," said Miss kittie, de-
murcly. Il VIII give IT to her
- co not know TO whom Ii is addressed"
said Philip desperately; ''but l as the writer,
may claim 10 Know for Whcm Il was intended,
ana that Is yourself, madam"
Me- said the young iSooy. In surprise.
For you, and DO other" said the young
| surgeon. ooh. madam, can see how by my
unfortunate stupidity, 1t fell into your aunts
hands, and that she was the writer OF that note
which reached NE this morning. But madam
entreat OF your goodness that you will read
| the note YOU hold, and make me the happiest
| OF men by telling me that have not quite, by
my fcily, !oat any regard you may have had
| for me-"
Miss Kitt,e bent her beautiful blue eyes on
! the note ard read II IN silence. while her
bushes rose high on her fair Cheeks Wren
| she finished ner perusal, she turned TO the agi-
/