The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-05-11

ask: whether she was fond of children2"
81 adore them," said the widow, clasp
ing her hands.
81 nm glad of that" said Mr.. Truxton.
II have, "a little boy of my ownp
How transparent is man! Is it any
wonder that Mrs. Dartburg felt, as she
took off her curls and teeth, at half past
twelve, that she had done q good even
ing's workl
1t happened that the next day Mr..
Truxton took it into his head to go to
St. Sebastian's Hall, a select boarding
house ''for boys under twelve" to see
his little son.
"Have you been to Saratoga, pa2"
loudly demanded Tommy Truxton.
"Jack and Billy Ormsby have got a sister
at Saratoga"
And Jack and Billy, two apple-cheek-
ed urchins Of nine and ten, chimed art
lessly in:
"Did you see our Kate, sir2"
"Who is your Katc2" asked Mr.. Trux-
ton, amused at their boy-ways.
"She's Miss Ormsby," said Bill, "and
she's companion to Old Cat Dartburg."
"To-whom, did you sayT asked the
widower, somewhat puzzled.
CHE means Mrs. Major Dartburg," ex-
planned Jack; s'bdt he calls her Old Cat,
because she's so cross to Kate. Kate
wouldn't stay there, only she needs the
money to keep us at school. But when
me and Bill get big enough to work, we
won't let the Old Cat torment her any
more"
"She boxes Katc's ears sometimes, "
said Bill, rcscntfully, 'and once she pull
ed her hair. Kate cried awfully. We
went there last holiday to spend a day
with Kate, and the Old Cat banged us
round awful-shc said she hated boysw
''That was cause Bill found her false
teeth in a glass of water" said Jack,
'and I painted myself up out of her
dressing box, with rouge and lily-white,
tc look like an Indian on the war-path
And she took her curls off when she lay
down for a nap, and we played they was
a scalp! And Bill asked her why her
hair didn't grow on her head like Katc's
did"
Mr.. Truxton burst out laughing.
"You must have rendered yourself
generally ob%noxious!" he exclaimed.
He went back to Saratoga on the even
ing train-and the first person he saw, as
he assembled the steps of the Clarendon
Hotel, was Mrs. Major Dartburg, in q
fresh toilette of white muslin and blue
ribbons. While Kate Ormsby sat Just
behind her, with a book in her hand, on
which her dark melancholy eyes were
fixed.
'She is beautiful" thought the mill
i%onaire, but it was not the widow that he
was looking at.
The days sped blythe widow believed
that every one was installing her more
firmly in Mr.. Truxton's heart. While
Kate-but Kate had such a quiet way
that nobody could really have told how
she was passing her time.
One evening Mrs. Major Dartburg came
up to her room, rather ''put out" because
Mr.. Truxton had just driven his magnif-
cent four-in-hand away from the door
without asking her to occupy the vacant
seat beside him.
"Katc!" she said, sharply. "Kate
Ormsby, what arc you doing9 Porting
over a book of poetry, again, as I live
and that lace shawl not draped over the
white silk dress for the EVENING""
81 think there is still time enough!'
said Kate, quietly.
"Don't contradict me !" said the widow
in a passion, cor I'll discharge you on
the spot. I've borne with your temper
quite long enough"
''In that case" said Kate, calmly, eve
shall both be suited, for I was just about
to notify you of my intention to leave
your service"
"And starve in the gutters7" cried
Mrs. Major Dartburg, spitefully.
81 think not" said Kate, with a half
smile lowering about her lips.
"What are you going to do, thenW
81 believe I shall be married soon.n
said Kate, flushing scarlet in the friendly
twilight.
"My goodness gracious" said Mrs.
Dartburg. "And what poor fool would
be crazy enough to marry you7"
"Mr. Truxton!" Kate answered, goad-
ed to frankness by the widows insulting
tone. eve have been engaged for a