The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-04-19
Mrs. RAYMONO's Kl1TY !;
Or, q Bohemian Girl
BY MAY FORD LAUREL.

BY MAY FORD LAUREL.
"Mrs. Raymond's Kitty, sir" says
James.
A hot, burning morning in June
that month of roses, and dust, and
burning heat. Scene-a street where
the sun glistens fiercely upon sharp
area ratings, basks on shining leaden
roofs and willis the gay flowers in the
gardens poor faded beauties, they
hang down their heatls on their frail
stalks, or lean languidly against the
dry, rocky pyramidal "mounds' that
occupy prominent place in every we'll
kept garden! :
Jack Everett looks out from one Of
the side windows of his boarding-housc
parlor, and surveys the street without,
the garden below and the residence
pertaining to the garden; or, to speak
more correctly, the residence to which
the garden pertains. Heat-haking,
burning, melting heat-reigns over all.
The lace curtains in the neighboring
parlor windows hang limp and notion
less, unstirred by the faintest breeze:
LII VIC uuSVN StIett WV NuShstei WoifcHS
whose toilets are gotten up with de-
lightful disregard for conventionalities,
stroll lazily on, forbearing to extol
their wares; dog, with limp tail
and sweeping ears, passes dis
consolately by, evidently in search
of shady spot; portly old gentle
man tolls down the sidewalk, brushing
the drops from his bald forehead, with
damp cambric handkerchief. Heat
fierce, oppressive heat-eyerywhere.
But, in the midst of it all, there rises
voice--sweet, swelling, clear and cool !;
cool as the flow of rivulet, that slips,
and slides, and bubbles, and ripples
somewhere, under a dark roof of hang
ing boughs, where no burning sunshine
can enter in; fearless, free voice,
bursting out from somebody's heart,
there by the open street, singing frag.
ment from Balfe, with exquisitely mu-
steal defiance.
Jack Everett, in mingled astonish-
ment and pleasure-he is lover of
melody-leans further out of the win
dow, listening intently. And then the
door opens and James enters lthe gen.
teel, irreproachable, debonnaire James
always found in the orthodox boarding
house,, and, seeing Jacks bewilder-
ment, smiles in n superior way.
"Mrs. Raymond's Kitty, sir" he OBJ
serves
"NIrs. Raymond's whats" inquiries
Jack.
"Kitty, sir" James explains, amiably.
"A housemaid she is, and a VERY nice
young woman to look at, and quite
well-behavcd; which she is VERY lively,
however, SIR" and, with parting
smile, James yanishes. The song had
ceased, and Jack turns from the win
dow with q feeling of disappointment.
"a housemaid; "A Very nice young
woman the possessor Of that voice
It is against the laws Of nature" thinks
Jack.
Jack Everett is law student and the
possessor of an independent, though
not extensive.- fortune. He goes into
the best society of his native town and
is gladly received there. He is an or
phan and his own master. For the
rest, he has seen but two-and-twenty
years, is tall and straight aud blue
eyed, with a fair and frank face and
winning smile. He cannot be styled a
brilliant, far less an Industrious stu
dent; but he is true and manly, light
hearted and happy, and, unconsciously
| and without the least effort, wins the
good will and admiration of those about
him. Instead of burying himself like
q bookworm among his calfskin vol
umes, he faunts like butterfly at balls,
garden-parties and tennis clubs. where
| gushing misses adore him, firt with
him, fall in love with him, pet him and
make much of him, and where the
young men call him capital fellow and
jolly boy. Jack is still in full posses,
sion of his heart, but common fame has
seen fit to bestow it upon Miss Lilias
Raymond, 0 young lady eligible in every
way and as dark and dignified as Jack.
is fair and merry, and therefore suit.
able match for Him. Jack, who is a
chivalrous young man, and utterly cal
lous and hardened to the persistent
banterings of his friends, never contra
dicted this report, while Miss Lilias re-
ceives the insinuations and innuendoes
of her companions with an amiable 81
lence, supposed to give consent. IL
point of fact, the lady has tried val.
iantly enough to take by storm ol
| by stratagem the heart of the handsome
young barrister that is to be; but Jack
being rather an obstinate youth, has re
fused to yield it up, and still remains
fancy free. Lilias is about Jacks age
the only child of banker lately de
ceased, and resides with her mother
the Mrs. Raymond above mentioned a,
the proprietress of Kitty.
When Jack took up his abode in the
boarding house adjacent to Mrs. Ray
ponds domains, Mrs. Grundy Wa:
heard to observe that the young ma,
was not without intentions.
On the afternoon of the same da,
upon which Jack heard the housemaid''
song, having become aweary OF lega
researches, and arriving at the con
clusion that he needs relaxation an,
rest, the hopeful young law-studen
goes to call upon the Raymonas. Thei
residence is very near, and Jack. wh'
is of rather an indolent temperament
objects to long walks. At the door h
is met by Charles. who tells him tina
the ladies are hout, but that they vii
soon be hin, and remarks that perhap
Mr.. Heverett will walk hup. Mr.
Everett walks up, and into Mrs. Ray
mond's drawing-roo The apartment
opens upon little balcony by
French window, and, being well AZ
quainted with the pictures, serap-book
and albums scattered about, Jack goe
to the window and looks out. An
seated OH the balcony steps he sees
young lady-the youngest of youn
ladies-the sweetest embodiment c
sweet sixteen. her form of sylph-lik