The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-03-10
HOW HE CAUGHT HER.
ny OLIVER BOWER.

ny OLIVER BOWER.
CHAPTERI.
Her name was Katharine
Iiauton. But nobody ever dreamed OF
calling her so. She was "katic" to all
the old men and women in the village,
katie to US young folks who had
been her schoolmaies from our pima
fores, and Katie" to every little urchin
that could toddle about and lisp her
name.
Katie was an orphan, and lived with
stately old aunt, whose least word was
enough 10 brighten any ordinary child
into hys;eric 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 -natured way, till
the lady's grim mouth relaxed and she
looked quite good -natured. can
scarcely remember having 4 greater
fright than when Miss Deborah caught
US in the very oct of trying on her
'Sunday-go-to-mcetings' before the par
lor glass. But the mischievious look
Katie cast over her shoulder settled the
business, and only heard a mu,tered :
GOOD gracious VIVA, is this world
coming to ?" as we scampered Of in
dire confusion, and left her treasured
brocadc silks and Honiion laces lying
on the floor.
Katie came 10 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 sa,
down with 4 prodigious sigh.
"What, sad on 4 holiday, Katie ?" !
asked.
"Oh, dear :" she said, with 4 very
sober face, al have been al my old
tricks again, and Ned Williams declares
he'll never forgive me as long as he
lives"
Katie was an incorrigible firt She
would repent Of her flirting, and-fiirt
again
$50 on" said l, quietly.
She siammered and blushed.
"Why, YOU see, it was no;hing-just
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.
"Bui don't see that you have done
any thing very wicked yet, Katie, said
/, consolingly.
ooh. don't you know" she added,
with fresh outbreak. "ihe rosebud
means confession of love, and took it,
and Ned says I'm 4 cold. hearted fir,.
and he'll never overlook it in me-and,
oh, dear, what shall do?"
"lou little goose" said |. warmly,
for | was provoked 4, her coquetry,
"why don, youlcave off flirting, then :"
al will, within going to-" she
sobbcd.
"rell me one thing" | said; care
you willing 10 marry Ned Williams -
"Ain't |, though ?" she said, looking
up with face OF honest bcwilderment
that made me laugh till | choked.
"And is he willing TO marry you -
eyes. only he pretcnds not 10 be-
But know he loves me-" she added
quickly.
"rhen YOU ought to be ashamed OF
yourself, Katie" | said.
al know it. And | am-iust as
ashamed as can be-" she answered,
ruefully. "Bu, can't help it,
an help You out of the scrape,
Katie. 4" said, after moment thought,
ION condition that you'll promise never
to firt again"
"'Pon honor" said Katie, piously,
laying her little brown hand in mine,
and looking very demure. "That is
as well as can.
Go and make up with Ned-ihat is
the first thing necessary.
al can't" she answered with dole
full sigh "for il come near him, he
calls me a rattlesnake and goes off. Do
talk to him for me, that's dear. good
girl. Will you. just for my sake ?"
"Take. yourself off," answered,
sand on your peril do not let me see
you any more to-day. Tomorrow, you
know, we all go to your uncle's farm to
celebrate the New Year. See that you
look your best and are in good season.
Now be off,"
She would have thanked me with
countless kisses, but pu, her out ofthe
room, and locking the door went back
to my writing.