The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-07-16
THE HOMESTEAD.

"But, my dear Katy, won't you
listen while 1 explain how it was
that l was unable to be with you yes
terday?"
mo, Mr.. Amory, l will listen
to no excuses, nor do l wish to con-
tinue your acquaintance. Did you
not promise. for certain, to be at the
picnic and row me on the lake? And
was not asked to keep the first
dance for you? A nice laughing
stock you made of me before Lizzie
Randall and Clara Ward. OF course
they knew why l refused to dance
the first set-although Frank Church
ill would scarcely take a refusal
Then to think you should have
sighted me before them all Don't
think. sir, / allowed them to see
was annoyed I Just danced all the
evening. and enjoyed myself thor
oughly."
"Dear Katy. / am so sorry l dis
appointed you but"
disappointed! Mr.. Amory, not
at all. | found Mr.. Churchill a most
amusing companion, and a much
better waltzer than you are. Lizzie
Randall was cress enough when she
saw that he did not leave my side
all the day. But the most delightful
part was his driving me home in his
charming Stanhope never enjoyed
myself SO much in my life. He
drives admirably-as he does every
thing else, L fancy. l expect him
every minute, for he said he should
certainly call and inquire how [ was
after the exertion of yesterday"
"Then, Miss Langley, L have the
honor to wish you good afternoon.
/ should be sorry to intrude my un-
welcome presence when so entertain
ing a companion is expected"
Each turned from the other, Katy
going toward the house, and Mr..
Amory walking with quickencd pace
toward the village.
The above dialogue had taken place
at the gate OF an old fashioned farm
house. The speakers had for some
time been looked uDen as lovers. al
though no pledge had been made on
either side. Katy's angry words will
explain in what manner Harry Am
ory had offended.
She was an only child of Farmer
LangIey's, who, having lost his wife
when she was five years old, had
since done his best to spoil his pretty
daughter. At the time we make her
acquaintance, she was just eighteen,
and although warm-hearted. affec.
tionate girl, yet, from her position as
beauty of the village, had met with
such homage from the village swains
that she could i'll brook the apparent
neglect of her most favored lover.
Could Harry have seen her as she
FASTENED to her own little room, and
there, throwing herself on the bed,
gave way to hearty cry, he would
not have felt so bitterly angry at the
petuIant beauty's harsh words.
81 won't cry any more" said she ;
"he will he sure to come t0-mOrrOw,
and then | will be good and make up
with him. He must know did not
mean what said of that conceitcd
Frank Churchill! l hate him, and
only danced with him to tease Lizzie
Randall, who makes loye to him so
openly. Harry is worth thousand
such rs he! Coming, father!" she
cried. as she heard his voice.
"Where have you been. pussy? |
have good news for you. Harry
Amory was sent for yesterday hy the
squire, and has been promised the
stewards place. / always thought
the lad would do well. / met Hum
phrey, the head gardener, and he
tells me it is quite settled. Harry
was with the squire all day yesterday,
going over the accounts. l fancy
some one knows who will be mistress
OF that pretty cottage near the park
gates" he added, pinching ner cheek
"Ah ! here comes Harry. l suppose
he'd rather tell the good news to you
alone; so I'll be off to the kitchen
and get something to eat."
Katy's cheek flushed with pleasure
as she heard the latched raised, and
she rose to welcome her lover. What
was her disappointment and disgust
to see-not Harry, but Frank Church
i'll, who, noticing Katy's eager joy
came forward with the greatest
alacrity to take her outstretched
hand.
Poor Katy could scarcely command
herself to give the intruder a civil
greeting. Her guest, however, evi.
IDENTIFY considered his presence accept
able, and took no notice of her EN-.
baIrassment if he remarked it at all
he rather put it down to the over