The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-03-10
BY OLIVER BOWER.
CHAPTER |.

BY OLIVER BOWER.
CHAPTER /.
Her name was MISUNDERSTANDING
Hau,on. But nobody ever dreamed Of
calling her so. She was "katic" to all
the old men and women in the village,
"Ka,ic' to us young folks who had
been her schoolmates from our pima
fores, and katie" to every little urchin
tha, could toddlc about and lisp her
name.
Katie was an orphan, and lived with
a stately old aunt, whose lcas, word was
enough TO frighten any ordinary child
into hysteric fits. But Katie was afraid
OF nothing, and treated Miss Deborah
exactly as she did the rest Of US, that is,
she laughed at her and talked in her
half saucy, half good -na,ured way, till
the lady's grim mouth relaxed and she
looked quite good-natured. | can
scarcely remember having a greater
fright than when Miss Deborah caught
US in the very act Of trying on her
'Sunday-go-to-mceiings' before the par
lor glass. But the mischievious look
Katie cast over her shoulder settled the
business, and | only heard mui;ered
"Good gracious Wha, is this world
coming to - as we scampeFed Of in
dire confusion, and left her treasured
brocade silks and Honiton laces lying
on the floor.
Katie came TO me the morning before
New Year in a very unusual mood for
her. Her eyes looked red and heavy,
as If she had been crying. She sat
down with 4 prodigious sigh.
"wha,, sad on holiday, Katie ?" |
asked.
"Oh, dear :" she said, with very
sober face, ~ have been az my old
tricks again, and Ned Williams declares
he'll never forgive me as long as he
lives"
Katie was an incorrigible fiirt. She
would repent OF her flirting, and-fir;
again
$50 on" said |, quietly.
She s,ammered and blushed.
"Why, YOU see, it was no;hing-jus;
nothing At all. Only George Hearn
has been talking nonsense to me lately,
and have listened TO him. and this
morning he gave me a rosebud, and
Ned saw him kiss my hand when took
it-and-and-oh, dear me feel too
bad TO tell you the rest" and she hid
her face in her apron, and cried and
sobbed.
"Bu, don; see tina; you have done
any thing very wicked yet, Katie, said
|, consolingly.
'Oh. don't you know" she added,
with 4 fresh outbreak. "ihe rosebud
means confession oflove, and took 1t,
and Ned saws I'm 4 cold.hearied iiirt,
and he'll never overlook it in me-and,
oh, dear, what shall do?'
"You little goose" said /. warmly,
for was provoked at her coquetry,
"why don't YOU leave off flirting, then p
~ will, within going to-" she
sobbed.
"Tell me one thing" said; "ar,
you willing 10 marry Ned Williams ?"
"Ain'i l. though" she said, looking
up with face OF honest bewildermeni
tha, made me laugh till choked.
"And is he willing to marry YOU ?"
"Ycs. only he pretcnds no, to be-
But know he loves me-" she added
quickly.
Then YOU ought to be ashamed o
yourself, Katie" said.
al know it. And am-jus, a,
ashamed rs can be-" she answered
ruefully. "But can't help it,
"I'll help YOU out OF the scrape
Katie, | said, aftcra moment : thought
ION condition that you'll llpromse never
TO ilirt again."
"'Pon honor" said Katie, piously
laying her little brown hand in mine
and looking very demure. "That is
as we'll as can."
"Go and make up with Ned-that il
the first thing necessary.
al can't" she answered with dole
full sigh "for il come near him, h
calls me a rattlesnake and goes off. d.
talk TO him for me, that's dear. goo'
girl. Will you. just for my sake3"
"Take. yourself off," answered
"and on your peril do not let me SCI
you any more to-day. Tomorrow, yo,
know, we all go to your uncle's farm t.
celebrate the New Year. See that yol
look your best and are in good season
Now be off,"
She would have thanked me will
countless kisses, but put her out ofth'
room, and locking the door went bacl
to my writing.