Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-12-04

"0h Lutte, you're . darling. II II had
not been for you we might nsper have
come TO an understanding. He's the
noblest fellow ever born. See how hard
he's at work hunting Maggie, because he
says he owes her restoration to pap and
mamms for taking me away from them.
really think he ia one Of the best men in
the world"
"Yet you Thought me capable Of rsfus-
ing this psra0oni" laughed Lutte.
"Why not |" retorted Katie, "you per
sist in refusing nearly as good man."
"KAtie LAndstreet," replied Lutte,
"you do not kaow what you are talking
about. Frank Broughton never asked
me to marry him In his life 2"
"Tbat's because you wouldn't let him,
then," persisted Katie. 81 wish he loved
you little less and then he would make
you say yes.' 1t would be better for
both Of you"
"Hoity, toity 70 exclaimed Lutte,
"How awfully wise q few months' en-.
gagement makes one to be sure. Do you
mean to say that 1 am in love with
F. ank Brougbton ="
Snow you Deedn't fare up, Lutte" re.
piled the other. 81 have not said any
thing Of the kind, but do think II he
would 20 about II right he might make
you love him. know you get too much
pleasure eut Of his society to bs willing
to do without Il and doubt II you would
be pleased TO see him In love with some
one else.n 5.5...
"Thare's lust where you're Mistaken"
snswersd Lutte, sq'ys often thought
about It and I'm sure nothing would
make me happier, II she were woman
worthy Of him"
"suOh as Kitty Blanchard" asked
Katie.
'Do you imagine that Frank would
marry that brainiess little bundle OF
affeotations and false pretenses Z" indig-
nantly demanded Lutte.
"Very likely" answered Katie, 'iif
you send him off and give her = chance
to console him. She Lives very near him
you know"
"Humph I" was Lutie's only answer
but though she was perfectly sincere In
declaring that she believed Il would give
her pleasure to see her oousin in love
with some one else she mentally declared
that no suoh woman as Kitty Blanchard
should have him II she oould help 1t.
Katie also reflected and concluded that
she would not like to be charged with the
task OF picking out wife for Frank who
would come up to Lutie's requirements
In woman for that position.
The two girls descended to the library
and Tom and Katie soon drove of, re,
fusing pressing invitation (Which
Broughton gladly scoepted) to stay 10
supper. Country people do not houa.
themselves up after funeral, bus ~
supper was In that region always more OF
ie festive occasion KAtis would 10
sup out even at Curtls' SO soon after her
brothers. dehtb. ....a. .
After supper Lntis and Brou yhson hg0
the porch pretty much TO thems .lvas snd
BrOughton announced to her his intention
Of spending a considerable part Of the
comm winter In Washington in order a.
he said that he might watch the House"
and familisrizs himself with its proceed
ings. His own term would not legally
begin Ct course till the following March
I'D practically not till the following
December, owing to one Of the most stupid
Of many stupid things in our political
custems. Lutte had . shrswd suspicion
that Broughton would see as much Of her
Aunps house as he did Of the House OF
Representatives, but she said nothing Of
this and gladly promised to do her best
to mske the winter pleasant onef for him
socially, and, guided by her, their talk
followed along In safe channels and
finally returned to neighborhood matters.
LrLia announced that Miss Ncroross
had accepted an invitation to visit her In
October and declared she would give her
a party. "She's absolutely lovely"
Lutte declared, Sand its q good thing you
young fellows know In advance that
she's engaged, or she'd drive you all
crazy"
81 do not account myself amongst the
young fellows nor amongst those subject
to 'love's ftfui fever az Kitty Blanchard
cslls it," he answered.
This mention OF Kitty's name Just
after what Katie had said up stairs rather
startled Lutte. "Why was Kitty BlAnch.
ard not at Mr.. Csrswell's party 7" abe
asked.
"Because she was mot we'll enough to
come" he answered laughing.
"She seemed we'll enough few days
afterwards" said Lutte, "What was the
matter with her 2" she Seked
81 do not know that it's fair to tell"
BrouRhton replied evidently amused at
the recollection. -."
"oh pray do not let me pry into yours
and Kity's Affairs, cousin" said Lutte.
"Hsr secrets are her own," he replied,
"and II she does no. keep them I'm NOT
bound to. The trouble was she had q
boil on the end OF her nose -
Chow do you know 2" esked Lutte
smiling. Why will everybody laugh at
misfortunes Of this kind 2
"0h, called there" Frank replied,
"to offer TO take her to tue party after
got your note saying Barlow was to take
you, and she received me In the darkest
corner Of the porch and told me her
trouble. 1t nult have been pretty bad,
As shs would not let me see her face dur
lug the whole evening""
at must, indeed, have been pretty
had" declared Lutte EN-, hatIcally, "ior
Kitty Ia decidedly vain oi her faoe."
'Not more than most pretty girls
guess" auswered Frank osreleesly.
"Do you think she is really pretty 2"
asked Lutte.
"certsinly, never heard any one
question it, even," he replied.
"6hs Alwsys struck me as 3 perfect
little lsdy-fscsd DOLL" Lutte replied.
"oh you scarcely know her." re-
spOoded Broughtou. '6he's reRlly nice
lItlle thing. Something Of . kitten, hut
by no means foil"
Frank Bfcu9hton was too completely
impressed by the snubbing Lutte bad
administered TO him earlier In the day
to even Imagine that she cared enough
about him TO bs Jealous OF his sttento tons
to anyone else, and his defense OF Kitty
Blanchard, therefore. from the somewhat
uuwonted severity OF bis ocusin's criti
oisms, WAS simply the outcome OF his
habit Of loyalty to hls friends, but his
declarations that she was "a Lice little
thing" "pIetty," "kitteuish bnt By no
means fool" echoed in Lutie's ears
long after Broughton who had accepted
Mr.. Curtis invitation to remain all nighs
had gone to bed, AID Lutte lay awake
for some time thinking over the matter.
| What had caused Katie to alluds to
Kitty in that fashion she wondered. how
singular 1t was that almost Immediately
afterwards Frank should bring the came
name into their conversation. The two
would very naturally become quite init
mate she reflected, since Kitty was slmost
the only young lady Of their own set who
lived near Broughton's place aud q was
therefore to be ex pscted that he would
bring her mp to Lincoln and Tonsueo
league. Lutte had never thought any
thing Of this, but Katie must have heard
something she concluded or she would
not have spoken as she did OF the prob.
ability that he would turn toward Kitty
for consolation In certain event. Very
sensible men did Just such things Lutte
| reflected ca she finally d-oppsd eff 10