The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-16


wildered. He himself was a careless, good
natured fellow, evcrybody's friend, and
couldn't understand natures like Kitty's.
Consequently be took philosophical view
OF the matter aud gave it up.
"Well, KIT he said, "you seem to be in
one of your tantrums this evening, and
there is no use in trying to do anything
with you. I'll drop in tomorrow, to see if
you feel any better Good nightp
Goodnight said Kitty.
On the following day Percy Smith APP
penred and was duly installed as a mem
Der .'f the Hoyt household. Even Kitty
could not help admitting to herself that ho
was very handsome and noble-looking
His brow was broad, open and white,
and his deep blue eyes were as tender as
woman's. In his sensitive lips, shaded
by dropping golden mustache, there was
no lack of frmness.
As Percy had said he was liked by every
body, and he soon came to be regarded as
true friend of every one in the family-ex-
cept Kitty, of course. She was at all times
cold and distant toward him, merely Ten
dering him the barest civilties,
The young man wondered much at her
strange conduct; the more so as he became
much interested in the piquant, pretty lit
Tie lady from the very first
At tho table she never looked at him,
and when spoken to responded in monosyl-
tables only, and these were uttered very re-
luctantly.
Percy Smith noticed it all, and look of
wounded dignity and pride would often
cross his grave face.
"She evidently does not like me-" he
thought with a nameless pain at his heart.
He realized that this girl, who was so
cold ard distant to him, and so merry and
saucy toward others, was very dear to him.
"she can never be anything to me-" he
said to himself, "and will not let her see
my weakness"
Several monotonous months passed away.
Beautiful August had drirted into Sep
tember, and September had ripened into
October. Autumn was assuming her gay
robes OF scarlet and crimson and gold.
One lovely evening Percy Smith was
pacing the garden walk with thoughtful,
abstfacted countenance. He was reused
from his rcverie by the sound of
voices. Percy was just turning away when
he heard his own name, and involuutarily
stopped.
He recognized Craig's voice.
"Well, Kit, haven't you and Percy be-
come friends YETI"
Percy strained his ca, 10 catch the an
swer.
How mocking and cruel it was, he
thought.
"What n question, Craig. You know
youfseif that seldom become friends with
those for whom l take a dislike. l can't
bear Percy Smith, and don't think I ever
shall.
Percy felt faint and dizzy. 1t was all as
he had expected, then She despised him,
while he--he loyed her better than all the
world besides. He clutched at the railing
of the garden walk for support, and reached
his room with weak and tottering steps.
oh, what a weary, weary night it was
Percy's constitution was not naturally n
strong one. He had lost father, mother
and fortune the year before. These mis-
fortunes had left him so weak that he was
ready to succumb to any additional ones.
He felt faint and i'll all the next day, and
it was with difficulty that be accomplished
his duties. Brain fever set in, and for
weeks Percy hovered over the valley of the
shadow of death.
Kitty, our willful, thoughtless Kitty,
nursed him through it ali. Somehow, a
wonderful change had como over Kitty.
She was merry aud gay at times, but a wo-
manly seriousness could be noticed which
was as charming as it was new.
She began to feel that she did not hate
Percy Smith, after all. Indeed, she rather
liked HIM, she confessed TO herself.
The crisis Of Percy's illness passed, one
day, while lying half asleep, he felt warm
tears fall on his face, and pair of tremu-
lous lips touched the pale forehead
The white lids few open and he beheld
kitty she cast a frightened, shamed
look at him, and flew from the room.
"oh, what have done7" she thought.
"Hcll think me immodest and bold, and
| can't stand that from him %
And Percy?
"Then she does think little Of me after
ALL" he thought, while his pulses thrilled
with happiness.
From that day he improved rapidly and
in the golden Indian summer time he was
able to go out into the fresh invigoraling air
"And you are going away-so soon 2"
there was a constrained, pained ring in KIT
TVS voice, which sho tried in vain to make
steady, and her face turned pale.
They were standing on the verarda-
Percy and Kitty.
"Yes," said Percy, slowly "shall you
miss me just little bit KittyP"
Kitty's lips quivered, but she made no
reply. The next minute Percy had drawn
the blushing face upon his breast.
ooh, my darliag," he breathed, tenderly,
~ was afraid you never could learn to love
mel You disliked me once, you know
You do love me a little bit nowP
"Not little bit, but verv, very much,
Percy" Kitty said, in low tone.
The next evening, when Craig came
around as usual, be said
swell. Kit, have you any news for me ?"
Kitty laughed and blushed as she said