The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-25
TIE DAILY TIMES TUESDAY. DECEMBER 25, 1888.

-........ - nfas. nave IOcntu nEe avery
lissipatci lay figure indeed.
~ hat is the meaning of this, miss
rasped Mrs Rntledge. WHO is this
persout'
"A friend ~ mine" said kitty, imper
turbablv nm Malcolm. let me present
you to Mrs Rutledge Mrs. Rutledge--
Mr.. Malcolm
Happy, I'm sure. MANAGED TO mum.
bic. a. the same time trying 20 rise and
divest myself Of my absurd trappiugs
that might be prepared for the next IL
cident ia the drama. which | verify be
lieve.l would be nothing less than assault
AM battery. At tia. moment, however
diversion was created BY all unmis
taxable aud very loud sneezs from the
screen.
The cuckoo clJcl;l" exclaimed Mrs
Rutlelge. The cuckoo also is frieDc
# yours. suppose she continued. With
TIE irony Marching across the room sn-
dragged the portiere away from the
seven The after tgmbled over al III.
same time disclosing Fred. dsheveled
and dusty. kn.eling on the tiOOr. aud look
ing for all the world like some pious
chimney sweep.
The situation was too much for KITTY
She went OF into peais OF laughter, ih
which. must confess. joined. having
bV this time recovered from nay own dis.
c6mfture Fred got up Oft the ground
and .beapishly busted his clothes with his
handkerchief Miss Window glanced
fmiiiy az The malrou. The latter was a
statue of wrath.
Put Ola your things at once, Laura
and ee,nc with me. she commanded when
she had recovered her speeA.
Laura meekly obeyed The statue Of
wrath marched out Of the room. iooking
neither to the right nor TO the left. with
the air of tragedy queen on her way TO
.xecution. T. L. T.. Miss Window fol
lowed her silently. but az the door she
turned and threw kiss back at us, which
40 Immediately PROCEEDED 10 scramble
, Tor
We all resumed our seats after we Lad
heard Miss Window and her aunt bestow
+ themselves in the elevator.
Kitty and I were disposed 20 be j0cular
,ver the adventure But nothing that we
were able 10 say could cheer mp Fred. lie
vas sure now that he had put an end once
lnd forever TO al his hopes OF Laura. lie
made two or three sickly attempts TO join
l-,ur laughter, but his mirth was TOO evi-
.cntly assumed Finally he muttered
omcthiug about not feeling quite up 10
himself and took his leave stayed
johind 10 have a little chat with Kitty
We sat together for while In silence
liter Fred had gone. watching tho even.
/ ng shadows iengthen across the polished
cor, until they encountered the flicker
| ngs from the pleasant fire that burned in
he hearth. Outside, rs the night drew
IN, the wind rose, and presently few
tray fakes OF snow drifted past the pane
The contrast between the comfort within
and the cheerlcssness without soothed ns
ntO a pleasant reyerie which was sud
denly broken by Kittys parrot crying ont.
Who's q Mugwumpy from his perch H.
he dark corner by the easel.
"Cont0und the bird j exclaimed &c
lad sent a cold shiyer up my spine. bring
nr me out of my comfortable day dream
sith a i0unce | sat bold upright and
softly swore at the bird The imp seemed
io read my thoughts for he burst into
.lrieks of hendish laughter that set my
/ eeth on edge. / threw myself Oack IN
ny chair aud covered my ears with nay
/ hands
Kitty. said {. when the bird had fin
.llg relapsed into silence. what do you
| link ct u alll'
"All what. asked Kitty
"Nhv-yUi know-Fred and the girl
They'll make nice couple, don't you
thinks'
Very. said Kitty shortly. Her face
Vas hidden in the shadow rs she leaned
back ia hcr big arm chair in one corner Of
he fireplace where the pickering CLEAN
rom tie flames could not reach her
# fear there is but little chance Of their
iual,y coaiug together. suggested yu
/ latheticaliy
KITTY mads no answer to this. re-.
umed.
.Yon know be cannot write any more
ban that ancestor Of Pendennis who
signed Magma Charts with his sword hilt
Still ~ response from Kitty dark cor
! Ter.
"But they seem 10 be so fond Of each
/ tlcr. I went on. Il don't see why they
hould keep apart lie has some money
sid she has plenty OF II. It's all foolish
ness. tbs waiting until he has done some.
| hing Ia q literary way. They'll do q
,achelor and a maid ii they wait for that
IT'S great pity. Don't you think so."
Being thus directly appealed TO- Kitty
'4me ont OF her dark corner, and lean
| gg forward 80 that the freight tell upon
| lef pleasant face. said laughing.
You poor old Arcadian, why don't you
lind your brow with roses, get yourself
| III 0Il.meutai shepherds crook and take
O lending hoets in the Happy valley"
Thank you for the suggestion" re-
llied I'll tuinl1 Of Il. WI yoO please
.ell ne what has caused this outburst Of
rony! DsRt youathink Fred is good
| enough for your friend! Well, DO then.
/ really didn't think anything at all
| lbout IT, But know the best way 10
1ring Kitty out is to oppose her views.
| md | thought 70 10 so now by taking up
he cgdgcls for Fred.
Oh, you do, do you.' murmured Kitty,
sarcasticaliy.
Yes, do" said |. little nettled By
| lcr manner IN spite Of myself. III You
| hink she's too good Tor him because she
lappeas to have 81 fortune, don't agree
With you. that's all
"Oh you don't echoed Kitty. Il
thought you set up for a cynie, she went
IN, with an amused smile Let me tell
,o1, my friend, ono thing-no, two
hings These young people like all tho
est ot US, will have to row their own
)oat. Also, people who push their noses
nto other peoples affairs are APT to set
hem sadly pinched
Hum, thanks, said l. You're very
good Then you don't intend TO help
heng'
Kiety looked into tue Goals Tor q mo-
nent meditatively.
What can one dor she asked.
OF course, didn't know, 50 rslapsed
INTO silence. Presently Kitty arose
DO you know it's getting 10 10 nearly
| Inner timer she said.
e. L l. I 4 al. 4