Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-12-20

| A>SN
Hunt broke in, Arnold Browne was
the first one to fish him out, although
he ruined his superb skating coat ex
claimed Jones junior, who was max
ing some frames for some Christmas
pictures.
Is that SOP exclaimed Kitty; and
from that moment, after the manner OF
enthusiastic young girls, she CON-
menced to make a hero of Arnold
Browne and eventually he becomes
the hero of our story.
CHAPTER III.
And this is the way it began to hap
pen-in fact, don't see how it ever
could have happened in any other way
unless the 'fates' had long ago decided
that it should happen, and so arranged
the threads that final tangle was in
evitable. Any how, this is the way in
which it actually did happen, that same
wonderful introduction to friendship
that ends with a ring, bridal veil and
a marriage bell; and kind Providence
it was for the Brownies that guided TO
their home at that very opportune mo-
ment Kitty Jones. In many homes,
| where the home-life is selfish, precise
and uncongenial to youths natural
buoyancy and enthusiasm, the sons
have been driven to the gaming table
and saloon, and thence to prison and
suicide.
Bul if such result had occurred in
the Browne family, / could not have
told you of it to-day, for at the merry
Christmas tide e'en the stories should
be CHEEKY and bright
But possibly you are waiting to know
what happened. A very little thing
nothing more than that Kitty Jones
threw q crimson shawl around her
shoulders, tied on lovely hood just
received from friend, and started in
some haste to deliver her mothers
message to Madame Browne. And as
she passed from the room we thought
we had never seen her look so be-
witching-her eyes bright with the
luxury of doing good, and her cheeks
flushed with a rosy glow, incident to
her mornings occupation of popping
corn for the Christmas tree.
She FASTENED across the street and
rang the bell of the Browne mansion.
Now, if the madame, or Miss Amelia,
had been at home, rhe second girP
would have waited upon the door, Miss
Kitty would have been ushered into
the reception-room, whose frigidity of
of influence would speedily have alb
sorbed her enthusiasm, and with time
to reflect, she would have assumed a
dignity equal to the occasion, and we
would have had no story to tell. But
the Madame and Miss Amelia had
gone to the city to do little shopping,
leaving Master Arnold in charge of the
house, as fortunately he was detained
at home by sprained ankle. Now if
rom Jones had been detained at home
disabled Kitty would have considered
any shopping a secondary matter, and
would have made it her special care to
entertain him, and make the most of
such semi-holiday. But with Miss
Browne her home was her idol, hence,
instead Of remaining home to care for
her son, she improved this opportunity
of having her son take care of her home,
just as some persons will give child
the baby to hold in exchange for a dish
which they fear might be broken, or
lock up child's doll or toys through
fear that the child might injurs them,
or put it's books away until the child
has entirely outgrown them, or as older
children do, wait until they have form
ed bad habits, or any unlovely char
acteristic, before commencing to form
good habits or lovable and helpful
disposition. Proc.astnation is not
only the thief of time, it is the thief of
pleasure, usefulness, morals, and pro-
gress
But what time we have getting
Kitty Jones into that home.
With his mother and sister absent,
having sent the second girl to the
library for book, and being unable to
walk, when Kitty Jones rang there was
nothing for Arnold Browne to do but
call out come in an almost unpre-
ccdeDted occurrence in that home. In
answer, Kitty Jones entered the sit
ting-room, and found herself face to face
with Arnold Browne. Not the Arnold
Browne, prim hero of patent feathers,
lavender kids, dress coat, irreproacha-
BILE tie, etc, but Arnold Browne, off
duty, on the semi-invalid list, actually
in dressing-gown and slippers yea,
more-a trifle pale and interesting, and
with crutch behind him.
A single moment of embarrassment,
and then Miss Kitty hastened to explain.
Arnold Browne actually seemed inter-
ested, asked to know all about her plan
in detail. When she referred to song
that had been written for the occasion,
he insisted upon hearing the song. In
fact, during the few moments conversa-
tion that ensued, Arnold Browne was
suddenly seized with intense surprise
surprise that he had never realized
what beauty Kitty's tone was, how
sweetly she sang, and, in fact, how de-
lightful such merry, CHEEKY voice and
such fresh, genuine, unaffected en-
thusiasm would be in this somber home;
and when she rose to go he thanked
her for coming with so much earnest
ness that she actually blushed with
surprise, and forgot to remember how
much afraid she had been that it would
spoil the fun to have him come to the
Christmas frolic, and when he offered
to come over in day or two to assist