Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-02-21

1hCIC 40 lioetO AHAAoo A/OA'S ASSS' WV
Kate, darting quick. sl1 glance at her
uncle from under her dark lashes
'Bosh / he said nervously, while q
faint flush rose to his forehead.
Well, then, there is the Widow Day
ton, and know that she a1mires you
end would willingly bscome Mrs. Nor
ton.
Mr.. Morton had a Wholesome horror
Of the Widow Dayton, who had on sew
eral OCCASIONS tried to capture the
wealthy bachelor. but had failed sadly;
and of this Kate was we'll aware, and
at times teased her uncle numerically.
Heaven protect me from ever mar
rying her! She has two red headed,
frecklc faced boys, and has badgered
one man to death alfeady,' replied Mr..
Morton hurried y. as he pushed back
his chair from the table.
But, uncle, continued Kate, the
widow has set her cap for you aud you
had better be careful or you will be a
married man before YOU know what you
are abott
Yes but you see. Miss, she carnot
marry me unless l ask her to, and that
don't intend to do,' he returned, rs he
hastily rose from. the table and prepar-
ed to start for his place Of business
Uncle Kate called after him as he
left the room, this is leap year. and If
Won don't propose to her She can to you,
and it would not sarprise ME ono Fit if
size did
oh, Kate, how cln you tease rtc!e
so asked Lille, after ,dr, Morton had
passed OF. of hearing. You know he
will hardly ever speak to a lady if he
can help it.
'Tet, | know, and If he hadn't been
so bashful he could have been r!arrled
long ago to Miss Bell. ret"rt4d Kate.
Mrs. Jones told me all about it uncle
was to tmd to propose and Mi" B.l
is single ye.. | do wish the widow
would propose to him, she added.
Why Kate, you surely wouldn want
uncle to marry such wien as Mrs.
Dayton . laughed Lille.
No, don't want him to marry her,
for she would have him bad5ered to
death in a months time but it would
be such fun if she only would propose
to him, and maybe tha. "oUil scare
him into marrying some one else.
Silence relgnei for few minutes af
ter this speech Of Kates; each was busy
with her own thoughts. All at once
Kate sprang to her tees, with mischief
in her eyes, ana clapping her hands ex
claimed.
I have it, Lill E
Navc WHAT
"A Joke on Uncle B.rt. | am going
to make Mrs. Dayton propose to him.
How asked Lllie.
This is leap year, and uncle will get
a proposal from Mrs. Dayton; il he
doesn't, my name is not Katharine
Dale answered Kate, nodding he"
head sAgeiy, while her dark eyes spoke
volumes OF mischief.
Kate, what do you mean? How can
you make her propose
Just wait and you Will see. | can
manage that part perfectly well, re-
torted Kate, as she danced gayly out Of
the room and raj. up stairs, where she
was soon busrly engaged in some mys-
ferrous scheme.
Meanwhile Mr.. Morton had spent Il
7ery enviable forenoon, for the words
Kate had spoken in the morning Kept
ringing in his ears, sr,t. Of all efforts
to forget.
'Boshl' he exclaimed at last, throw
ing down his pen Tor the twentieth
time, and e'anc,ng at his watch. 'One
o'clock, and have done nothing tc-
dav. Whet a fool I am! OF course
Kate was only joking. Mrs. Dayton
would not dare 70 propose. Well, Tom,
what is t?' he asked, as an errand boy
entered.
"A letter, sir. said the lad, as he
handed Mr.. Morton large yellow
misBive, and then darted quickly cut of
the door with bread grin upon his
face.
Mr.. Morton tSre open the envelope
and drew forth the letter. His hand
shook, and great drops Of perspiration
broke out on his brow while he read
the following lines
Mr. K5rton
DEAR SIR,-1 take the advantage which
this year affords to my sex to inform you of
the tender feeliHg | have long tt,t for you,
and ! believe that my sentiments are re-
turned | understand that your neces are
to he married soon. and | know that YOU