The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-02-08
The Homestead.

yCSLcruay(
''No, Mr.. Amory, will listen to no ex-
cuscs, nor do wish to continue your ac-
quantancc. Did you not promise, for Ger
tain, to be at the picnic and row me on the
lake2 And w"s l 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 l
refused to dance the first sct-although
Frank Churchill would scarcely take re-
fusal. Then to think you would have slight
cd me before them all Don't think, sir,
allowed them to sec l was annoyed; iust
danced all the evening" and enjoyed myself
thoroughly"
As Dear Katy, am sorry I disappointed
you; but"
'Disappointcd! Mr.. Amory, not at all.
found Mr.. Churchill most amusing com.
panion, and much better walzer 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 INC home III his charming Stanhopc;
Inever enjoyed anything so much in my
life. Hc drives admiralty he docs every
thing else, fancy. l expect him every
minute, tor he SAID he shCnld certainly call
and inquire how was after Yesterdays cx-
ertiOn"
''Then, Miss Langley, l have the honor
to wish you good afternoon. should be
sorry to lntrude my unwclc0me presence
when so entertaining companion is ex-
pectcd,"
Each turned from the other; Katy going
toward the homestead, and Harry Amory
walking with quickcncd pace toward the
village.
The above dialogue had taken place at
the gate of an old fashioned farm-housc
The speakers had for some time been look
ed upon as lovers, though no pledge had
been made on either side. Kay's angry
words will explain how Harry Amory had
offended.
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 Il warm"hcarted alice.
tionatc girl, yet from her position as beauty
of the village, had met with such homage
from the village swains that she could ill
brook the apparent neglect of her most
favored lover.
Could Harry have seen her as she hast
encd to her own little room, and there,
throwing herself on the bed, gave way to a
hearty cry, lie would not have felt so bit
terly angry ut the petulant beauty's words.
81 won't cry any more" said she; she
Will be sure to come tomorrow, and then
will bc good and make it up with him.
lie must know l didn't mean what ! said
Of that conccited Frank Churchill! l 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! Coming, fatherl" she cried out, as
she heard his voice calling her.
"Whcre have you been pussy2 | 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 we'll |
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. l fancy some one knows who
will be mistress of that pretty cottage near
the park gatcs," he added, pinching her
check. 'Ahl 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 cat"
Katy's cheek flushed with pleasure as she
heard the latch raised, and she rose to wei
come her lover. What was her dsappolnt-
ment and disgust to scc--noL Harry, but
Frank Churchill, who, noticing Katy's ca
ger joy, came forward with the greatest
alacrlty to take her OuIstrctchcd 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 her embarrassment; if he remarked it ut
all, he rather put it down to the ovcrpower-
ing honor lie was conlcrrlng III visiting Il
mere farmers daughter.
Frank Churchill had come on q visit to
his uncle, the village doctor. lie had stud.
led medicine, but having a small indepcnd-
ent income, was too indolcnt to make much
progress in his profession. lie was TO stay
with his uncle SIX months, and then see if
he would be taken as his partner.
AS yet he had done nothing toward in
gratiating himself with his unclc's patients;
but, on the contrary, had caused great
hcart-b,rnngs in the younger portion of
the inhabitants. The men desplscd him
for his conceit and foppishness, whilst he
lW,,Ilfaa down on them as mere clods. The
village lasses were dazzcd by his fashona-
bic clothes and many perfumes. Then,
again, he had brought from London Stan
hope, which had never been seen in those
parts before.
Lizzie Randall, the lawyers daughter,
made furious siege to the Adonis, but Inc
tlCutCu I'LL Will IllC llltSI StlpCTclilOuS air.
Katy Langley alone had passed him by as
unworthy OF notice; and this from tho vii
lagc beauty, had piqucd his vanity. On
the day of the picnic, what was his delight
, to find he had made favorable imprcssionl
lie thought it would abc good way to pass
his six months probation TO make love tC
the city belle.
Little did Frank Churchill think hc was
making slight impression by his lisping
talk, whilst he strokcd his mustache with
his delicate looking hand. Even his con.
ceit would have received check had he
known how indifferent his companion was
to his most ilal,ering attentions.
Katy was greatly relieved when her
father entered the room, and 50 took hcl
visitors attention from her. Farmer Lang.
Icy was not pleased to sec who his gu, ST
was, for he, like most others, looked upon
him as an empty headed, affected fellow,
The man soon after took his leave, after
vainly asking Katy to allow him to take