Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-09-21

pendent very independent much
to the disappointment of GER
tain young man who had other plans
for her future. But Kitty could not be
induced to regard with any gravity the
numerous admirers who surrounded
her. The only thing that could make
her any happier would be to have Ru-
dolph see how much fun she was hav-
ing and how she had forgotten all
about himl
An invitation came from an aunt
who lived in Salem, Mass, and it was
decided she should visit her before set
tling down to work. When Kitty saw
her aunt she burst into tears and
clasped her arms around her ueck-the
first tears she had shed since she left
home.
AUNT Engel you are so much like
my dear mother!" and a great wave Of
homesickness swept over her She
wondered what Rudolph was doing, Il
he ever thought OF her now, and she
sobbed again. Not that she cared! Her
aunt took her for drive through the
little old-fashioned city; in many places
1t reminded her of home. She thought
she should like to stay there. and her
aunt only too glad to have her started
at once to get her situation. and soon
found one in a dry goods store.
The novelty of earning money was
delightful, she did not mind the long
days at first. The weeks passed and
Christmas was near. the work grew
much harder now and the hours longer.
She could not endure the thought OF
being away from her mother at that
time-the first Christmas in her life,
and when one OF the girls beside her
absently hummed Maryland" the tears
came quickly.
THAT is the song we have in Ger
many about the fir tree" she said in
apology, | long for home"
On Christmas eve she found beau
tiful Christmas card awaiting her with
tiny. modest initial r tucked away in
corner. She blushed hotlyI the ideal
it was quite an impertlnenceI anyway
she should not reply, and she went to
sleep happier that night than she had
for some weeks. All the next day she
thought about it. 1t would be rude not
to make any acknowledgment, she had
no objection to being friends with Ru-
dolph, it would have no other meaning,
he must not flatter himself, so the next
week pretty New Years card was
mailed to him. In due season the Ger
man mail brought her two letters in
stead OF one evidently Rudolph had the
same correct views regarding etiquette
OF correspondence that Kitty had.
She carried it to the store with her
and read it every time occasion offered.
Another and another came; Rudolph
was not to be outdone in politeness.
He wrote very guarded letters, full Of
news, and kindly interest, told her how
his business had prospered. that he
thought now Of furnishing a house for
himself soon and wished she might be
at home to guide his taste in the mat
ter
Kitty sent a gay answer wishing him
much happiness and success, told him
of her own good times, OF the delight
full novelties in American social life
and wound up by asking carelessly:
"Who is to be your brideP' The tears
came so fast that they blotted the let
ter and Kitty, in deep disgust, had to
copy the last sheet. She did nor falter
this time, but after the letter was fin
ished there was the print of two little
white teeth in her rosy lower lip for
some time.
Rudolph received the letter in due
season; what could he do? He felt as
if he could not wait another day to de-
eide his fate. Finessing was at the end
for this straightforward son of the ath-
erland.
So it happened that one dreary day
Kitty stood disconsolately in her accus-
toned place behind the counter. Busi-
ness was dull and time dragged, and
Kitty was thinking if she only had
wings how long would it take her to
fly across the Atlantic and straight to
her mothers arms. when a Western
Union messenger entered the store.
Miss Kitty BergmannP" he in
quired.
The floor walker directed him to the
counter
"A cablegram, Miss. Sign here"
The girls all looked on with the APP
prehensive fiutter that telegraphlc
message always causes outside business
circles, and Kitty trembled so she could
scarcely sign her name.
"Oh, my mother, my motherr' was
all she could think or say.
Don be so frightened, Kitty, per-
haps some one has left you a fortune"
said the girl nearest her, "open it,
child.n
She opened it and read through her
tears:
''Will you marry mop RI
She bust into hysterical laughter.
"How could he frighten me so9 No,
l am sure I will not marry him now,
just to punish him for making me feel
SO bad I'm sure just hate himl
Stupid fellowl" How Kitty got through
the rest of that day she never knew,
and of the way Rudolph survived it he
was never able to explain coherently.
The next morning one little word
tr5nbled across the wire under the
dark, lonely waters of the Atlantic, the
operator sent it without
thrill, the man at the other end caught
and calmly transcribed it, but when it
reached Rudolph RosenthaI his f,o. |