Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-12
men oont o1ten 1ancy nrrle, Shrinking,

braids about her head in the most becoming
fashion. The reflection which met her eyes
seemed very pleasing to Juliet, for when her
couture was completed she posed before it
some time, regarding the tout ensemble with
evident admiration.
II tell you what it is, Kitty, when am
Mrs. Lester Grahame you shall live with me
and be my dressing-maid. You have per-
feet genius for it."
Kitty flushed little. Praise from Juliet
was an unusual thing, and her communica-
tive mood emboldened herto ask aquestion,
while she trembled almost at her temerity.
And are you really going to marry him
this Lester Grahame-Juliet?''
Am |? Of course I am, you little stupid.
In the first place it was some kind of
family arrangement, and since he has seen
newell, he has paid me great deal of at
tentiOn; the other girls in our set are wild
with envy, and / think Imay safely consider
(here Juliet paused to look over a pile of
handsome dresses) the game bagged."
Kitty's brown eyes widened. Could she
ever speak of her lover, if she had one, in
that way?
When the carriage had rolled away from
the door, and Kitty was free to do as she
pleased, she wandered into the quiet, dark
ened parlors and seated herself before the
piano.
One accomplishment Kitty certainly had !;
she could sing, and, like all natural vocal
lists, loved to use her voice. She had sung
nearly everything she knew from memory,
and finished with "Annie Laurie"
An apologize cough behind her was the
cause of bringing her to her feet Immediate
ly.
The intruder, tall, fine-looking young
man, regarded her with a pair of eyes the
amusement in which he was vainly trying
to subdue. The embarrassment of the situa-
ton tied the tongues Of both for minute
or two.
(Can he be burglar? thought Kitty sup
pressing scream as she observed the CLEAN
of a diamond collar-button and noted a
bunch of red and white roses he carried.)
Extremely pretty girl. What can l say
to assure her everything's all right? She is
ready to fly, thinks the young man,
Her evident inclination to vanish furnish
ed key to unlock the silence between them.
Don't go. l beg ten thousand pardons
for interrupting you, but there is some mis-
take. [ expected to find Miss Cole here"
(What demure little piece it is to be sure y
"a mistake qnite likely to happen. l am
Mr.. Coles daughter. 1t was Juliet you wish;
ed to see. She is my half-sister, but she is
known by my fathers name. She is out.
She will be very sorry not to have seen yOu.''
(Now suppose he will tell me his name
and go)
Kitty's cheeks were rosy when she had
concluded her little speech. She was not
used to receiving strange young gentlemen
in the parlor. He had probably mistaken
| her for a musical and ambitious housemaid
| improving the time in the absence of the
! ladies of the family She felt little natural
resentment, and the gentleman, being pos
| Sessed of quick and refined intuitiOns, both
realized and appreciated her feelings.
Il assure you, Miss Cole, twas a positive
| treat to me to hear you sing. Annie Laurie
! is one of my fayOrites, too. l am Lester
| Grahame, and now we are acquainted l
| hope you will ask me to sit down."
Kitty was in q quandary. Should she?
! Ought she? Would it be quite polite to tell
| him perhaps Juliet would rather he did not?
In the meanwhile the object of her doubts
| had put temporary end to them by drop
| ping his flowers carelessly on the table and
| himself into the eaSy-chair next the piano.
He did not stare, he did not even seem to
| look at her closely, yet Lester Grahame had
not been in the room with her quarter of
an hour before he knew her little shoes were
| patched, her cotton gown nearly OutgrOwn,
| and the lace frill at her throat carefully
mended. The needle marks on the tips OF
| the brown fingers which touched the ivory
! keys so deity did not escape his eye, and he
| drew his own conclusion.
| He began to talk about music, and Kitty
| became so absorbed that she forgot to trOu-
BILE her curly pate about the prOprietles, and
only realized that she was talking with some
one older than Johnny more sympathetic
| than Charlotte, and less critical than Juliet.
That he was a handsome young man,
! exerting himself beyond his wont to please
her, had, perhaps, the influence ordinarily
| accompanying such state of affairs, but OF
that Kitty was only dimly conscious.
GLOW is it that have never seen you out
With your stepmother and sister," inquired
NJ Grahame. Il am sure had once met
you should have remembered your face"
"G Inever think of going with them,''
cried Kitty, quickly.
And why not?'
| 81 haven't suitable gowns for one thing.
WHY, nv very best is a white muslin that
| has been done up three times. Fancy my
going to a grand ball in that! Juliet would
| be scandalized at the thought. Besides, |
BmownOne of those gay people, and L am
not familiar with their ways. | should not
enjoy myself half as much as | do at home
with Charlotte and johnny?
And then she had to tell all about Char
| lotte and Johnny. Her listener was so SYM
pathizing and interested that Kitty found
! herself giving a full account of JOhnnys
pranEIs and Charlotte's queer sayings before
| she knew it.
"You must have jolly times,' said he.
"But do you not often feel lOnely?''
= ~;
| absurd notion was as fresh and merry as a
| childS.
Lonely? Surely not. How can I, when
have Juliet's wardrobe to care for, Johnny's
| clothes to keep in order, the marketing to
do, dessert to prepare for dinner, the 'eX
pense book, to balance, the notes and letters
| to write-''
She stopped, GREATNESS; Lester Grahame
was regarding her intently.
but when do you make visits, or walk
or practice? 1 thought ladies usually divid
ed up their time between embroidery anC
| calling on one another"
Juliet does lovely fancy work. Shall
show you some"' Kitty rose with alacrity
and moved toward a cabinet across the room
Not for the worldr' exclaimed Mr.. Ora
hame with great energy.
| You must not take me any farther in the
catechism, then" returned Kitty, who now
began to feel a few misgivings. She resolv
ed to be very careful what she said to Juliet's
| lover She looked a little prim, a little OIL
guard, as she resumed her seat.
Its only fair to tell you something of my
self now" and with this opening remark
Mr.. Grahame began walking leisurely back
and forth-a habit of his, he explained
when he made a speech.
Kitty was all ears now, and the recital Of
his last year or two's experiences in travel
| Inc about the world in the comnarv of his