Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-02-10
The Homestead.

auaintance Did you not promise, for GER
tain, TO be at the picnic and row me on the
lakeH And was / not asked TO keep the
first dance for you2 A nice laughing stock
YOU made of me before Lizzie Randall and
Clara Ward. OF course they knew why |
refused TO dance the first set-ulthough
Frank Churchill would scarcely take re-
fusal. Then to think you would have slight
ed me before them ALL Don't think, sir, /
allowed them to see l was annoyed; just
danced all the evening, and enjoyed myself
thoroughly" &.
On "Dear Katy, l am sorry / disappointed
you; but"
disappointed! Mr.. Amory, not at all.
| | found Mr.. Churchill most amusing COM
panion, and much better waltZer than you
are. Lizzie Randall was cross enough when
she saw he did not leave my side all the
day. But the most delightful part was his
driving me home III his charming Stanhope;
never enjoyed anything SO much iu my
life. He drives admirably-ash he does every
thing else, fancy. | expect him every
minute, for he SAID he should certainly call
and inquire how l was after yesterdays ex-
ertion."
''Then, Miss Langley, / have the honor
to wish you good afternoon. l should be
sorry to lntrude my unwelc0me presence
when so entertaining companion is ex-
pected,'
Each turned from the other; Katy going
toward the homestead, and Harry Amory
walking with quickened pace toward the
village.
The above dialogue had taken place at
the gate of an old fashioned farmhouse
The speakers had for some time been look
ed VI en- as lovers, though no pledge had
been made on either side. Kay's angry
words Will explain how Harry Amery had
offeL ded
She was an only child of Farmer Lang
ley, who having lost his wife when Katy
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 though 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 hast
ened to her own little room, aid there,
throwing herself on the bed, gave way to a
hearty cry, he would not have felt SO Bit
terly angry at the petulant beauty's words.
"I won't cry any more" said she; she
will be sure to come tomorrow, and tnen
| will be good and make it up with him.
He must know didn't mean what | said
of that conceited Frank Churchill! l hate
him and only danced with him to tease
Lizzie Randall, who makes love to him SC
openly. Harry is worth thousand such
az hel Coming, fatherl' she cried out, as
she heard his voice calling her.
"Where have you been pussy? / have
good news for you. Harry Amory was
sent for yesterday by the squire, and he
has been promised the stewards place. !
always thought the lad would do well.
met Humphrey, the head gardener, and he
tells me it is quite settled. Harry was with
he squire all day yesterday, going over the
accounts. / fancy some one knows who
will be mistress of that pretty cottage near
the park gates" he added. pinching hel
cheek. ''Ah! here comes Harry. l sup
pose he'd rather tell the good news to you
alone; so I'll be off to the kitchen to get
something to eat
Katy's cheek flushed with pleasure as she
heard the latch raised, and she rose to wei.
come her lover. What was her disappolnt-
ment and disgust to see-not Harry, but
Frank Churchill, who, noticing Katy's ca
ger Joy, came forward with the greatesI
alacrlty to take her outstretched hand.
Poor Katy could scarcely command her
self to give the intruder civil greeting
Her guest, however, evidently considered
his presence acceptable, and took no notice
of ber embarrassment; if he remarked it at
all, he rather put it down to the overpower
ing honor he was conferrng in visiting {
mere farmers daughter.
Frank Churchill had come on a visit II
his uncle, the village doctor. He had stud
led medicine, but having small independ
ent income, was too indolent to make mucl
progress in his profession. He was to stay
with his uncle SIX months, and then see i
he would be taken as his partner.
AS yet he had done nothing toward in
gratiating himself with his uncle's patients
but, on the contrary, had caused grea
heart -burnings in the younger portion o
the inhabitants. The men desplsed hin
for his conceit and foppishness, whilst h
looked down on them as mere clods. Th
village lasses were dazzled by his fashiona
BILE clothes and many perfumes. Then
again, he had brought from London Stan
hope, which had never been seen in thos
parts before.
Lizzie Randall, the lawyers daughter
made furious siege to the Adonls, but h
treated all with the most supercilious air
Katy Langley alone had passed him by a
unworthy of notice; and this from the vii
Iage beauty, had piqued his vanity. Oh
the day of the picnic, what was his dellgh
to find he had made favorable impression
He thought it wouldtbe good way to pas
his six months probation to make love. t.
the city belle.
Little did Frank Churchill think he wa
making slight impression by his ispinl
talk, whilst he stroked his mustache wit
his delicate looking hand. Even his con
ceit would have received a check had b
known how Indifferent his companion wa
to his most fatteripg attentions.
Katy was greatly relieved when be-
father entered the room, and so took he
visitors attention from her. Farmer Lang
lev was not pleased to see who his gues
was, for he, like most others, looked upol
him as an empty headed, affected fellow
The man soon after took his leave, afte
vainlv asking KATY to allow him to tax