Daily Kennebec journal., 1881-06-30

thatthese threads, snapped short Sheres-
point. could have altered in any way the
pattern Of Kate Blodgett's life at Fern
CIife. 1t was Kitty's first season. The
world was all before her to be tried a
world in which, as she knew by dint of
much reading, were numberless good
looking young men. ready to fall in love,
and to pursue. through no mattor what
difficulties, damsels like well-say Kitty
Blodgett. Happy Kitty only seventeen,
her trunks full of fresh toilets. and no
doubts or fears assailing her. She came
50 airiiy through the halls, she was so
fresh and sparkling. she looked at every
thing with such pleased eyes, she was so
self-conscious, vet so unconscious. that
even Tom, lounging on the piazza, looked
after her with something ike interest, and
asked Woodiord to introduce him.
Woodford caught eagerly at the request.
In his present hurnor Tom was a nnl-
sance For the first day or so he had been
in rather extravagant spirits. buoyed by
the consciousness that he had asserted his
rights like a man; but reaction had set
in, and Tom was so surly that Woodford
felt he should moi be $ rry to make Miss
Blodgett bear leader, aud took Tom up at
once.
Kitty. dear little thing saw them COM
ing, aud knew they were coming to her.
She did her best 10 look unconscious, like
the other girls but that requires practice
to be well done. Kitty failed utterly. She
bIushed before they reached ner, and was
very nervous Oh being introduced; and
because Of her nervousness her tongue
ran all the faster. Ibid he like Fern Cliffee
She did. And the hotel? 1t was Spte1a-
ddi She liked travelling; that is, she
liked travelling nOU. Last summer she
Travelled with her governess; and Miss
Frowse was always saying, You must
not do this. it is not proper!n
Kitty pursed up her mouth at the ''pro-
per- and gave herself little jerk. a la
Frowse, and Tom. to his astonishment,
found himself laughing. This fresh little
girl amused him. Everything else had
fretted him. The next morning found
him waiting to take her in to breakfast,
and she allowed him to see that she had
expected him. He monopolized her on
the same principle that he would have
tried for the monopoly of anything else
that pleaJed him, and without thinking
very much about it; and she was quite
satisfied There WAS every reason why
he >UDHfU Ditt-t Htl- llt was tlfc JUS
looking man at Fern Cliffe. His natural
easy composure, weighed by his constant
regret, became an Indifference that excit-
ed her respect. She thought he was SUI
peror to herself because he only smiled
at what stirred her. Above all, the dear
little soul had discovered that Tom had
his religious doubts. Need | say more?
Is it not already known the ardor with
which Young ladies take up missionary
work when he convert to be made is a
good looking young man? When she
first touched on this subject Tom was in
clned to be bored and irreverent.
ITO tell the truth, he said, carelessly,
Il doubt if know very much about such
things Why should ?'
..Why. OH" Words failed the little
preacher before such enormous contes-
sions. why. because it is wicked, YOU
know. not Ia care" and catching just
then the shadow of smile on Toms face
rs he lay on the ground looking up at
her her brown ewes brimmed with tears.
Il don't know how to argue she sad,
simply. ''hut | am so sorry. Lwould give
Il great deal Ia make you good; and here
the little mouth began to quver in sympa-
thy with the eyes. making Tom vow, in
secret, that he was Il brute And it this
pretty. innoccn. little creature chose to in
terest herself in hm-well, why not?
Was there anything better Tor him now?
"And-if were always near vou," he
said. softly. II might he better man
And then the foolish little heart thrilled
with sudden hope. What if she could
convert him? Aud the two were at once
on a more familiar and friendly footing
than they could have reached in a month
of Irritation.
(Contnueal tO-morrOw.l