The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-06
OUR FILTRATION.
A Girl Cured of the Habit.

II H.
OF Cupids arrows straight into that region of
the body where young mems hearts are sup
posed TO be located. And I told her so, and
that those persons who eensured and annoyed
her with such disagreeable lectures were old
maids, too old to remember when they were
yonng themselves.
Kitty seemed to have her doubts about all of
them being old maids. for she said one was her
brother who had been talking TO her that very
day / told her it was too bad; that didn't
blame her and that she might firt with me all
she liked.
blame me, and won't you carer"
Never" / answered. I" have always been
yOur friend, Kitty, and / always shall be as
long as J live"
Oh, won't that be splendid2" she cried;
and she locked as if she would like to bug me
on the spot; and I, If ] remember correctly,
did not offer the least obiection-but she
didn't.
After this perfect understanding Kitty and
were the best OF friends. We rode, we sang,
we danced. we sailed on the lalIe-in short, we
were so much together that people began TO
talk worse than before, and said that Kitty was
flirting more desperately than ever, and warned
me ] looked with undisguised contempt upon
these busyb0dies as / termed them, and told
Kitty not to mind what anyone said.
She readily promised she wouldn't, and con-
tinued TO he her constant escort What harm
4
times. when I saw the lovely face watching for
me through the bars where we often met, and
she gave me her little hand, and such smile
Of welcome that felt my heart give a sudden
thump against my ribs; or If the little curl of
soft brown hair she had given me, and told me
70 keep always for her sake was resting in
the left breast pocket of my coat over my heart
and that the picture Of the beautiful face was
shut MP in the lOGket that hung on my watch
chain, and that somehow / had acquired the
habit Of opening quite often Of late?
1t was nothing; 1t was al understood. Kitty
was only flirting.
PERHAPS things would have gone on in this
friendly manner to this day but for young
man in the town who was my particular aver
sion. Augustus Lapham had finished his col
lege course, and after years travel had re-
turned home
! shall never forget the feeling with which
] surveyed him when / met him for the first
time after his return.
"A dude of the first water" was my mental
comment as ] took him in at glance.
a path starting from the course Of the low
forehead aud running up back among the
bumps" Of self conceit, which showed re-
markedly healthy state OF development, sepa-
rated the yellow hair into two exactly equal
parts; an eye-glass and chain, waxcd mus
tache diamond ring upon one finger of
hand that held apology for a cane and
trousers 50 tight they required his anxious at
constituted what appeared to me to be merely
a walking fashion-plate.
Perhaps another reason for my dislike may
have been that he boldly displayed his prefer
ence for Kitty, the only young lady in the place
be Would notice.
I was surprised that she did not repel his adj
Ssnces. Indeed, sometimes thought she en-
outraged his attentions.
/ mentally declared he would receive little
sympathy from me If someone did make him
the victim Of a serious Irritation. It would be
Wholesome lesson, and take down his cOnceit
little. hut ] did not exactly relish the idea
that Kitty should be the one to visit punish
nent upon him.
Judge Of nv astonishment when one day,
about sunset while on my way for evening
visit 10 her house, / met him driving his
handsome phaeton, with Kitty tucked in by
his side.
She greeted me with hersweetest smile. He
did not see me. IN fact he hadn't seen me Of
late when he met me-not since I had devoted
myself so exclusively TO Kitty.
/ watched the carriage till il disappeared
down the road. then began 10 81 hOmeward PlOd
my weary way" 1t is strange how suddenly
tired one can become Of life, of everybody and
everything.
sat down that night and tried to use what
common sense nature had bestowed upon me,
and looked the matter calmly and squarely in
the fare.
I had no claim upon Kitty. She possessed
the right 70 ride with whom she pleased; but
this conclusion did not tend to soothe my ruff
Ted feelings. and ] made up my mind the time
had come for some definite understanding.
The next day when / called upon her no.
ticed no difference in her manner. She greet
ed me as cordially ever, making no allusion
10 what traHspired the night before; but she
seemed to notice difference in me- and anx-
ioUsiy inquired II were III.
Aes, lm Iii-sick Of everything I replied,
more decided perhaps than the occasion re-
CURED.
Why don't you call physician I? . she sug-
gested. Does your head trouble you or have
you a heart dif6cnlty2"
/ did not look at her, for knew she was
laughing at me, and when at last did turn to-
ward her the brown eyes were brimful of mis-
chief
Kitty" ] cried, impaticntly, " win yOu ever
stop iirtingP"
"Why, Ned, Pm sarprised!p with an in.
5ured air Gou said there was no harm in it.
and that yOu wouldn't blame me and wouldn't
care. and that those who did blame me were
Old maids she reiterated emphaticaliy re-
pesting what seemed 10 me then very foolish
speeches OF mine, with a wonderful memory
:. You said, she continued, I might hirt all ]
liked"
"Oaly with me-" replied.
:" You didn't say that"
Well, meant that"
AS1 hAAoA WHAT EGgl1E you nave 70 dc
tate TO me" and she raised the little head
hanghtily.
Will you give me the right Kitty?n
burst cut, driven 70 desperation by her manner
The question was sudden. and she was hardl,
prepared for il, think, for she seemed to catci
her breath, and the blood rushed to check anC
brow. 1 had never seen her so agitated before
She turned and walked to the door of the Sum
mer-house. In a moment she came toward me
her old smiling self again, and said, indider
emily:
DIR. Lapham said he should call for me {,
ride this morning.
And 50 you were Just looking for him
Kitty" cried, irritsted beyond ali endurance
You must choose between US. If Won prefe
that brainless Top"
The girls all think he's handsome" she in
ferrupted.
Handsomel" sneered.
And great catch" she went on.
Il admire their taste"
And he's rich -
This was the last straw. I could endure n
more.
"Good-by, Kitty. never Thought it woul
all end ike this 1 shall 20 from this place to
EnorrOw. and leave the field clear for you TO Wi
your Treasures fool and his gold - and
dashed ont Of the SummeT-house
There is an old saying " 1t makes a grea
difference whose OK is gored" / never so fuJl
realized ;ill then what difference il did make
] had told her / did not blame her when sb
firfad With o+9.a-r. bnt ro,4- 4t,o+ a.