The Owosso times., 1881-07-15
THE HOMESTEAD.

'Duos my uooA AAooy, WVh yOu uo0-
en- while / explain how it was that /
was unable to be with you Yesterday. ?"
u mo, Mr.. Amory, ! will listen to no
excuses, nor do I wish to continue
your acquaintance. Did you notprom-
ise. for certain, to be at the picnic and
row me on the lake? And was 1 not
asked to keep the first dance for you ?
A nice laughing stock you made Of me
before Lizzie Randall and Clara Ward.
.0f course they knew why I refused to
dance the first set-although frank
Churchill would scarcely take a refus-
al. Then to think you should have
slighted me before them all! Don't
think, sir, / allowed them to see i was
annoyed; l just danced all the evening.
and enjoyed myself thoroughly"
"Dear Katy. ! am SO sorry 1 Idisap-
pointed you; but"
HDisappointedl Mr.. Amory, not at
all. / found Mr.. Churchill a most
amusing companion, and much better
waltzer than you are. Lizzie Randall
was cross 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 STAN
hope; never enjoyed myself so much
in my life. He drives admirably-as
he does everything else fancy. L ex-
pect him every minute, for he said
he : should certainly call and in
quire how was after the exertion of
yesterday"
"Then, Miss Langley, / have the hon
or to wish you good-afternoon. ]
should be sorry to intrude my unwel-
come presence when so entertaining a
companion is expected"
Each turned from the other, Katy
going toward the house, and Mr.. Amo-
ry walking with quickened 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 upon as lovers, al
though no pledge had been made or
either side. Katy's angry words will
explain in what manner Harry Amory
had offended.
She was an only child of Farmer
Langley's, who, having lost his wife
when she was five years old, had since
done his best to spoil his pretty daugh
ter. At the time we make her &C
quaintance, she was just eighteen. and
although warm-hearted, affectionate
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 hel
most favored lover.
Could Harry have seen her as sh'
fastened to her own little room, ant
there, throwing herself on the bed, gav'
way to'a hearty cry. he would not hav,
felt so bitterly angry at the petulan
beauty's harsh words.
i won't cry any more, said she; n,
will be sure to come tomorrow, ant
then / will be good and make it VI
with him. He must know did no
mean what / said of that conceitet
Frank Churchill! hate him, and on
ly danced with him to tease Lizzie Ran
dali, who makes love to him so openly
Harry is worth thousand such as he
Coming, fatherr she cried, as she hear,
his voice.
Where have yon been, pussy?
have good news for you. Harry Amo
ry was sent for yesterday by the squire
and has been promised the steward
place. 1 always thought the la
would do well. met Humphrey, tn
head gardener. and he tells me it
fquite settled. Harry was with tn
squire all day yesterday, going over tn
accounts. I fancy some one know
who will be mistress of that pretty col
tage near the park gates, he addet
| pinching her check. sAh! here come
Harry. suppose he'd rather tell th
good news to you alone; 80 I'll be o.
to the kitchen and get something I
eat.
| Katy's cheek flushed with pleasur
as she heard the latch raised, and sh
| rose to.welcOme her lover. What wa
her disappointment and disgust to see
| not Harry, but Frank Churchill, VIII,
noticing Katy's eager Joy. came fo
ward with the greatest alacrity to TAX
| her outstretched hand.
Poor Katy could scarcely comman
herself to give the intruder civ
greeting. Her guest, however. ev
Il IDENTIFY considered his presence accep
able, and took no notice of her emba
rassment; If he remarked it at all, f
rather put it down to the overpowe
: ing honor he was conferring In visitin
: q mere farmers daughter.
Frank Churchill had come on
visit to his uncle, the village docto
He had studied medicine, but havin
/ a small independent income. was Il
indolent tolmale much propress in b