Nevada County picayune., 1886-12-22
ton's farm to claim his little treas

 months since, that 1 learned by some accident that T clue still might be gained to the where abouts of my orphan neice. had little hope of ever seeing her again when 1 inserted that advertise ment, and you can fancy my delight when your letter reached me. l am alone Tn the world, and people call me rich, now, indeed, l feel that l am so in very truth.'
 At first Kitty Byiugton-''Kit- ten" as she was called by her farmhouse friends -steadfastly re- fused to acuUmpany her uncle to his home.
 "I love my father and mother better than do you," she persist ed, "and I have promised to be Robins little wife"
 But the persuasions of her friends at length succeeded in overcoming her objections, and Kitten was taken away.
 "You'll forget ns all when you are a fine lady, Kitten," said Robert, as he kissed her goodbye.
 "I never-never will forget you, Robin,' sobbed the girl. "I'll be your wife just the same. See if Pm not
 And these were Kittens last words.
 "You must forget lem, my boy,' said the farmer afterwards, when Robert Bolton referred to them. She'll be richer, grander than ever we can hope to be, and it isn't it. ting that stone ware and fine porce- lain should mate together.o
 Robert Bolton was only boy, but he never forgot Kittens last words.
 ~ wish you could make up your mind to like him, Katherine. He is one of the finest young men l know.'
 "I do like him, unele," said Kitty Byington.
 Then. my dear, why dc you treat him with such marked cool ness and reserve? It is plain to see that he loves you most truly and tenderly, and-why, my love, what's the matter9 You are cry ing"
 "lt's because l am so very. very miserable, uncle," sobbed Kitten, hiding her face on her uncle's -houlder. I do love Mir. Bever. ly, but l can't marry him because-- because--I am already engaged"
 "My dear girl, surely you attach no importance to the childish com pact entered into with the farmers son years ago.
 II promised him, uncle, and l must not break my word."
 Bat that was mere child's play
 "Robin does not consider it so, uncle; his last letter speaks of the time when he shall come to claim me. Oh, uncle, if l might only die firstw
 Katherine, you surely will not sacrifice yourself with all the beauty, talents and accomplish ments that you possess, to be the wife of a country bumpkln.'
 II have promised him, nncle."
 You have not even seen him since you were both children"
 "But we hae corresponded, un- clc."
 "Katherine, this is idle folly, an exaggerated idea of duty, to refuse Beverley because of this child's compact"
 II have promised, uncle, and un- less he himself releases me, l shall adhere to my word"
 May l write 10 him, my love, and put the case?"
 "If you like, uncle; but l know his Dature better than you do. He will never give me up."
 At all events, the experiment is worth trying
 So MT. Byington wrote forcible letter to Robert Bolton, presenting his views, and patiently awaited the answer. It came at last, brief and decis. i've. Mir. Bolton declined to re- lease Miss Byiugton from her eh. oaoement and would come to town to claim her finally the next We'd nesday.
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 You confess, yourself, that you