The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-21
A Story by Sarah d. Hobart.

A Story by Sarah ID. Hobart.
Five and four are nine and eight are eight
Gen." counted Kitty abstractedly, as she set the
hot pies on the broad pantry shelf.
A low, sarcastic laugh came from the depths
of the great armchair, where Ross Chamberlain
was lounging with newspaper in his hand
Wont you send me copy of your new arith-
metic when you publish it, KiittyY' he asked in
bantering tone. THAT will do to go with the
spectroscopc views you told about last even
ing"
well, wasn't the one who spoke of DIR.
Holmes as the author of the Biglow Papers,
anyway" retorted Kitty, tainted beyond en-
durance. Ross Chamberlain, for one shall be
heartily glad when your vacation is over"
Ross threw down his paper, Strengthened him
self up, and bent a pair of keen, black eyes
scarchingly upon her.
You don't mean that. KittyT -
f'But do" answered the girl passionately. II
have never known so unhappy time as these
last six weeks. If my ignorance is so annoying
to you why do you seek my society," You can
find plenty of girls who have had better advant-
tages Am to blame that my life must be
spent in the kitchen instead of the school-room
where l would like to be2 I am doing my duty;
please father and the boys, and that is suffci-
emit You presume too much on our friendship,
Mr.. Chamberlain, when you take it upon your
self to tutor ard criticise me in that contemptu-
Gus fashion. You are at liberty to go where
your fine sensibilities will not receive such
shocks" and kitty took up her egg beaten and
attacked the innocent yolks with energy
which threatened to demolish them
you'll be sorry for this before the week is
out, Kitty Payne, and when you want me back
just remember that you sent me away The
young man rose to his feet, put on his hat and
ovsrcoat. and stalked down the path, the per
sonifcation of offended dignity.
Kitty's lip quivered as she saw the tall form
moving steadily along between the rows of leaf
less lilacs without one repentant backward
glance Already her heart was longing for
reconciliation, but pride forbade her to recall
him.
HE will come to morrow" she said with a
sigh. He will not fail to eat his Thanksgiving
dinner with us; it wouldn't be Thanksgiving with
out Ross" She wiped away her tears and turned
-agan hopefully to her work.
1t had been wearisome, trying day; outside a
gray mass Of clouds hung gloomily over the
bluffs and the keen winds sweeping across the
prairie now and then whtened the hollows with
sudden fiurres of snow There had been an eX
ira amount of work to do in preparation for
Thanksgiving. which was always celebrated by
the Payne family in royal style, an innumerable
army of uncles aunts and cousins responding
gladly to the annual summons to the capacious
homestead. Kitty had risen unrefreshed from
disturbed and troubled sleep, and was poorly
prepared TO encounter the toll and vexation
which lay before her.
1t began directly after breakfast while she
was rolling out the aaky crust for her pumpkin
pies. Aunt Sabrina who had lately become
member of the family, was washing dishes at
the sink opposite giving voice now and then to
. an ejaculation which Kitty had learned to inter
pref as the signal of coming storm. In the
few months during which her aunt had been her
companion the girl had learned to dread her rea
tive's sharp tongue, and shrank from imparting
her condolences to her.
whats that Chamberlain fellow hanging
round here for all the time2" she demanded
sharply, setting down the milk pals with saw
age crash. Il hope you haven't got the
-idee into your head that he means to marry you,
Kitty2"
The girls face turned from crimson to deadly
pallor. Was it not enough to battle constantly
against her own doubts and misgivings without
having to endure her aunts cruel thrusts2 She
made no reply. but bent her head a little lower
over her work, as with quick, deft fingers she
filed the tins for the oven.
Aunt Sabrina's keen eyes were fixed pitilessly
upon her. and she saw that the shot had told
Now it's easy enough to see, she went on
fourishing her dish cloth by way of emphasis,
''that he feels himself heap above you. He's
always INVITING you with your countrifed ways
and with mis- being educated, which, the land
knows, you amt. l attended select school my
self when l girl and can tell scholar
as well as the next one. But that don't
make it that you amt too good for
him the best day he ever saw. and here he is
morning, and night. all over the house
from garrett to cellar, helping himself to fried
cakes and cookies in the pantry, like one of the
family, and sitting right down here in the kitchen
to bother, no matter how busy we are And the
neighbors tell me it's been going on so for the
last five years! How do you suppose it's going
to endl You can't look me in the face, Kitty
Payne and say he's ever asked you to have him. "
No. Kitty could not; and the faint sick feel
ing her aunt's words produced paled her lips and
drew dark circles around her eyes Fortunately
the entrance of the young gentleman in question
spared her the humiliation of replying. but she
knew the evil day was only postponed. Aunt
Sabrina was not to be baff1ed when once started
on q scent.
For the first time in her life her heart was
' throbbing with indignation against Ross, while
he. lazily lying back in the easy chair, was in
wardly wondering why it that of late he
could never have Kitty a moment to himself
de was very certain that he should not be
satisfied with wife whose highest ambition was
TO excel In household duties, even though she
were sweet and lovable as Kitty Payne. He
hoped if he ever made up his mind to marry her.
which, indeed. extremely uncertain, he
could teach her to dress little more like other
people. She was always neatly and tastefully
attired, but his critical eye detected the absence
of certain effects which denoted that the fashion
magazines infreQuent visitants at the
, Payne homestead. An elegant stylish wife
would be an invaluable help to young lawyer
starting out on his career. The Hannah Jane"
txvac Creatlv 0yarrataA Madoa Sul1ivap
his sisters Chicago fricnd was more to his taste.
Kitty must be reminded of her little failings
yet she was dear good girl after all, and Ross's
face softened as he glanced toward her.
She would not meet his eyes, she was trying
to steel her heart against him. 1t was so cruel
so unmsny, urged pride, for him to place her in
so perplexing and humiliating a position. He
had been her devoted lover. her constant attend
ant since they were children. There was not a
plan for his future, hope of his life which he