The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-07-18
'' u BLOOMsBURG, PA, FRIDAY. JULY 49, 1884.

gret on the part of his impulsive little
sweetheart, at the prospect of 50 long a
separation, but instead she enthusias-
tically replied, after moment of silent
surprise:
"How fortunate, mamma has decided
TO send me to the seashore with Aunt
Lydia Creuleigb--you have met her, |
believe-and amid the change of scene
we shall neither OF us find an opportu
nifty to miss the other. Auntie and /
shall remain at Crescent Beach until
the lst of September, and mamma has
decided that may accept her invita-
tion to return with her to New York
for the winter. / think you mentioned
that your family return to the city in
October, and as you will arrive a
month later, you can call upon me at
Mr.. IS, Fifth avenue"
$50 you are to pass the winter In
that city !" This was said rather So
berly, for Ernest was well aware that
Kitty's fresh, blonde beauty, so differ
ent from that of our faded city bellies
who had been "out" four or FIVE sea
sons would at once create furor in
the select society in which Miss Cren-
leigh moved. "However," brighten
ing suddenly at the thought of how all
the gentlemen in his set would envy
him the possession of his new beauty.
II don't think / object to that arrange
ment, since it will afford me an oppor-
tunity of seeing you much more fire.
quently than | could have done had
you remained at Elton Farm"
A merry twinkle came into his lis
tener's mischevious blue eyes, as, with
pretty assumption, she replied:
"Yes, your highness, the fates will
ing, the simple country lass is to make
her entree in the creme de la creme OF
New York society in precisely four
months from date. And, Ernest, l am
going to try awfully hard to acquire
that dignity and ease of manner which
you 80 much admire, if this diminutive
6gure"-with glance at her very
slender and girlish proportion-"will
admit of my being dignifed."
"Thauk you, darling" Ernest re.
piled in pleased surprise. "The knowl-
edge of that fact will almost reconcile
me to the long separation from you,
and, Kitty, a slight reserve of manner
and some Difference to the requirements
of society are all that are necessary to
make my little sweetheart simply per-
feet" .... '.'
The days and weeks rolled by until
four months had passed and the bust
ness which took Ernest to England
was about done.
Only two months more and then for
home and Kitty. He pictured to him
self her rapturous surprise when they
should meet-for he had decided not
to write to ber the precise date upon
which he should arrive, it would be so
pleasant to see her rush eagerly for
ward to greet him as she used to do
when he appeared Unexpectedly at El-
ton Farm, and exclaim, with her pref
ty features all alight with glad sur
prise: "Oh, Ernest l am so glad you
are come !" and then would follow a
sly little confession of how awfully
lonely she had been without him. He
had been wont to receive these impul-
sive little advances rather coldly then,
but absence had taught him to prize
his little sweetheart as she deserved,
and the thought Of the warm welcome
which awaited him upon his return to
her was very sweet indeed. His bust
ness was completed week earlier than
he anticipated, and one morning late
in October he took passage for New
York. The voyage seemed intermina,
BILE, but it was ended at last, and En-.
nest could have shouted for Joy as he
sprang upon the pier and glanced
about him. AS his arrival was unex
pected no one was there to meet him
so calling cab, he was driven at once
to his fathers city residence. After he
had been warmly welcomed by his
father, tenderly kissed and caressed by
his mother and sister, and the thou
sand and one questions asked and an
swered, he was informed that the fam
lily were "billed for ball at Mrs
Cranleigh's few hours later
"And you must surely come, Ernest,
his sister broke in imperatively. "Kit
ty is quite the rage. Her latest con
quest is the Count De Norganville
and it is rumored that she has alread,
refused German Baron"
Ernest was very tired, but tn
thought of meeting Kitty was suhicien
incentive to urge him to much create
exertion than dressing for ball, an,
at a rather late hour he entered tn
Crenliegh!drawing room with his statel
sister upon his arm, and made thei
way slowly toward his hostess. Sh
stood in the centre of the long apart
ment, and directly beside her, grace
fully helping receive, was a wondrous
ly beautiful girl.
FLORENCE" he gasped, pressing hi
sisters hand eonvulsively. "Surely
that is never Kitty? p ..
sand why not, pray2' ..
Kitty raised her eyes at that me
ment, and an expression of delighte
surprise flashed into them as they res,
ed upon the slowly advancing pail
Only for an instant, however. the
they were quietly withdrawn and thei
beautiful owner turned composedly t
greet the Count De Norganville, VIII
paused at that instant beside her. 81
months had greatly changed Kit,
Her once slender form was more beat
tifully rounded and full of exquisit,
graceful curves, and the rich trailin
robe of shimmering white satin whic
she wore fitted her charming form I
perfection and gave her the appea
ance of being quite tall and queenl.
Great billows of creamy old lace fe
gracefully over the folds of glistenin
satin, caught here and there with tin
clusters of white violets ropes
pearls encircled her velvet throat au
dimpled arms her shining golden ha
was arranged in simple coil low u
on her neck, and utterly devoid of O
naments, save a bunch of the san
simple flowers with which her exquisi
robe was adorned. No wonder tn
Ernest drew his breath hard with I
pressed admiration when he had
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