The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-06-29
KATY'S PUNISHMENT.

KATY'S PUNISHMENT.
but, my dear Katy, won't you listen
while l explain how it was that | was
unable TO be with YOU yesterday?
"No, Mr.. Amory, I will listen to no
excuses, nor do I wish to continue your
acquaintance. Did you not promise,
for certain, to be at the picnic and row
me on the lake? And was I 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 I refused to
dance the first set-although Frank
Churchill would scarcely take a refusal.
Then to think vun should have sighted
me before them all! Don't think, sir,
I allowed them to see I was annoyed; l
just danced all the evening, and enjoyed
myself thoroughly"
"Dear Katy, I am so sorry I disap-
pointed you; but"
"Disappointed! Mr.. Amory, not at
all. l found Mr.. Churchill a most
amusing companion, and a much better
Walter 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 Stanhope. l
never enjoyed myself S o much in my
life. He drives admirably-as he does
everything else, l fancy. I expect him
every minute, for he said he should GER
tainly call and inquire how I was after
the exertion of yesterday"
"Then, Miss Langley, l have the
honor to wish you good-afternoon. 1
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 MI. 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
looked upon as lovers, although no
pledge had been made on 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 acQuaint-
ance she was just eighteen, and although
q warm-hearted, affectionate girl, yet
from her position as beauty of the vii
lage, had met with such homage from
the village swains that she could III
brook the apparent neglect of her mosl
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 a hearty cry, he would not have
felt SO bitterly angry at the petulant
beauty's harsh words.
al won't cry any more" said she; che
will be sure to come tomorrow, and
then I will be good and make it up with
him. He must know I did not mean
what I said of that conceited Frank
Churchill! I hate him, and only danced
with him to tease Lizzie Randall, who
makes love to him SO openly. Harry
is worth a thousand such as he! Com
ing, father!" she cried, as she heard his
voice.
Where have you been, pussy? I
have good news for You. Harry Amory
was sent for yesterday by the squire, and
has been promised the stewards place.
I always thought the lad would do well.
I met Humphrey, the head gardener,
and he tells me it is quite settled. Harry
was with the squire all day yesterday,
going over the accounts. I fancy some
one knows who will be mistress of that
pretty cottage near the park gates" he
added, piuching her cheek. "Ah, here
comes Harry. I 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 latch raised, and she rose
to welcome her lover. What was her
disappointment and disgust to see-not
Harry, but Frank Churchill, who, no.
ticing 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, evil
IDENTIFY considered his presence accept
able, and took no notice of her embar-
rassment; if he remarked it at all, he
rather put it down to the overpowering
honor he was comforting in visiting a
mere farmers daughter.
Frank Churchill had come on a visit
to his uncle, the village doctor. He had
studied medicine, but having a small,
independent income, was too incident to
make much progress in his profession
He was to stay with his uncle six
months, and then see if he would like
to be taken as his partner.
AS yet he had done nothing toward
ingratiating himself with his uncle's
patients; but, on the contrary, had
caused great heart burnings in the
younger portion of the Inhabitants. The
men despised him for his conceit and
foppishness, while he looked upon
them as mere clods. The village lasscs
were dazzled by his fashionable clothes
and his many perfumes. Then, again,
he had brought from London a STAN
hope, which had never been seen in
those parts before.
Lizzie Randall, the lawyers daugh-
ter, laid furious siege to this Adonis,
but he treated all with the most super
cilious air. Katy Langley alone had
passed him by as unworthy of notice.;
and this, from the village beauty, had
piqued his vanity. On the day of the
picnic what was his delight to find that
he had made a favorable impression !!
He thought it would be a good way Of
passing his six months probation to
make love to the village belle.
Katy was greatly relieved when her
father entered the room, and so took
her visitors attention from herself.
Farmer Langley was not pleased to see
who his guest was, for he, like most
others, looked upon him as an empty
headed, affected fellow. The young
man soon took his leave, after vainly
asking Katy to allow him the pleasure
of taking her for a drive on the morrow.
Just as he was leaving the house he
came upon Harry Amory, who, between
struggling with his anger and love, was
wandering about the neighborhood Of
the homestead, undecided whether to
call and make it up with Katy or not.
He had loved her for a long time, and