The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-03-10

little gypsy hat tipped jauntily on one
side Of her head.
"Do you like my dress ?" she said,
glancing archly at me.
"You'll do" answered. "But re.
member the bargain, no feud, no firt-
ing"
EXACT ly," she answered, dropping
me mock courtesy.
II was great affair-Uncle Johns
New Year Celebration All the country.
folks had been invited, and the excite
ment and enthusiasm was at an unusual
height. II had been the talk Of the
village for months.
To further my little scheme concern
ing Ned Williams and Katie, ! went
quite early to Uncle Johns everybody
~ai!ed him Uncle John, although he was
uncle only to SA,ie, and had quite an
animated conversation with MIN, in
which he must have said: "Well, do il
As the guests entered his immense
mansion. he whispered something in a
very mysterious way to them. Every
body nodded.
Al last Katie came, accompanied by
her stately aunt.
"You are laie," | whispered, as I
kissed her. "Almost every one is here" ="
"Am ?" she replied. "Ishe here1"
al haven. seen him yet, my dear,"I /
returned. A fib-I wanted Katie to
look tor him herself. Excuse me for
moment; | must go and speak to the
Johnstons."
of went another piece Of byplay.
hated the Johnstons. As was about
TO go out OF the parlor heard voices
in the hall, and, stopping unconscious
ly, listened.
"She'll never marry him." said one;
"she's too much of flirt."
"You're right" said another, shes
fool to be so easily deceived.
"Bu, she's promised" said third.
"Tha, don't matter. Aflirt promises
wha, she knows she don't intend to
perform.
"Have you heard the joke we're to
play on ,hem?"
"No, said the three voices in unison.
"Well, lis,en," said the speaker
He lowered his voice.
"It's all right - said to myself.
was suddenly startled by a terrific
beating on gong, and jostled along
by the crowd TO the dining-room.
Such a dinner Oh my!
And how everybody went into it
Tha, is-kow it went into them! Jack
Slemmer, the bigges, hog in the village,
actually had whole turkey on MS
plate, and can, estimate how many
potatoes
And such merriment.
Really ! though; the whole table
would suddenly 60 up like a powder
magazine
The momen; the dinner was finished,
Uncle John shouted:
"Off TO the parlor-,o have dance"
and away everybody went, helter skel-
ter. To my great satisfaction, saw
Katie hanging lovingly on Ned's arm.
"He's forgiven me, dear Julia !" said
Katie. as edged TO them.
"And she's forgiven me !" said Ned.
like dear little creature as she IS
Pressing her closer TO him.
"Oh, don't, Ned !" said Katie.
"Off with you 10 the Dance" said,
and a momen; after | saw them whirling
around in the crowd. "He hasn't got
her vet, )" murmured TO myself. "She's
an awful little witch, bu; she shall"
"She shall :" said Uncle John at my
elbow.
Games followed dancing.
In the midst of the merriment, some
one cried, Lets play the marriage
game?"
AYES, yes !" shouted every one.
\ young man jumped upon a chair
and exclaimed:
"Silence in the court. pronounce
the bans OF marriage between Edward
Williams and Katharine Hauton, both
of,his town."
Every one laughed immoderately,
Ned and Katie with the rest.
That's right" said Uncle John,
"Keep the fun up, boysl Keep il up
Join hands," he said TO Katie and Ned.
"Here, Squire Fathom, you play the
priest"
"Hai hal" laughed Ned +; "Go on,
sir; it shall not be said that / inter.
rupted the fun !"
bravo bravo I" shouted everybody.
"Nor /, ei,heri' exclaimed Kate,
boldly.
"Stand upl stand up!" cried the
laughing crowd, as they gathered round
the couple.
The lovers stood up.
"Join hands," he said, solemnly,
and the little palm Of Katie lay confd'
ingly in Ned's.
"Go on" cried the laughing girl.
who stood beside her, as she seemed to
pause.
He drew himself up and went quietly
through the marriage service. Katie
listened with dreamy smile upon hel
lips /; perhaps she was thinking of the
time when it should all be in earnest.
Suddenly she started. as the words fell
upon her ears:
al pronounce you man and wife,
And whom God hath joined together
let no man put asunder."
"Marriedl" exclaimed every one.
"AIarried1" gasped Katie, turning
pale and looking appealingly at Ned.
He gave her gleeful, triumphan,
kiss.
"You were so slippery, Katie, ! had
to take you unawares. Now, will. yot
forgive me, Mrs. Williams I"
"No, / won'tl" said Katie.
ayes, you will, Katie" said Uncl'
John. "Throw yourself in his arm
this instant. Now-one-two-thr T.
Katie turned, and, to the surprise o
everybody, threw herself into her lover