The morning call., 1891-11-11
THE BAKERS DOZENIH.


der a feet of boats with pretty gay awnings,
and the wooded shores sloped in exquisite
curves to the waters edge. The cool breeze
from the water fluttered the dainty morn
ing costumes of the maidens, making them
lock like a flock of white birds just about 10
take wing In the center OF the group stood
young girl of small but elegant figure, with
a pair Of roguish blue eyes, a mischievous
face. dimpled all over, and head that the
san seemed 10 have kissed to a golden
radiance
How many adorers have You now. Kit
?" one of the giilS asked this little per-
eonage, who seemed TO be the queen Of the
coterie.
Hush
"Have you enslavei any fresh ones since
day before yesterday"
"Of course she has" said Louise Stuart
a tall, daTk-eyed girl. "Do you suppose
twenty-four hours ever pass without bring
ING new worshipers 10 the shrine? All
ranks ard conditions Of men are represented
among her adorers. She regards neither
age nor previous condition of servtude.'
Il have counted them upon my myers,
said little Rose Maybe, " There are Just
twelve, adding in Fred Hatton, who STAN
mered dreadlully, poor fellow. 1t would
take him at least half day TO propose.
al have discovered" said Louise, 18th at
she has her pockets stuffed with notes in all
languages The professor from c. College
has written TO her in Sanskrlt, with literal
translation appended.
who had been half choked with laughter
while the !scusslUu of her admirers proceed
ed "Hon't speak 80 loud, Rose; uncle will
hear you. He would be Mortified II be sus-
pected me Of flirting"
tsDh Vtu dear innocent" cried the others
In chorus OF laughter.
You have twelve On the hooks already"
said Rose. you must find the thirteenth. a
b ker's dozen would be q real triumph.
might ask my cousin Arthur down Tor few
days. He i quiet, but he would do TO make
'Yu u reed not trouble" said Louise,
humber thirteen VIII make his appearance
soon enough"
taneuu>il, as the tall figure of a stranger
appeared at the end Of the shady walk that
led uD to the hotel Behold the man of
de-iiuy"
DO keep quiet" murmured Kitty, as the
newcomer, with quick, military strides, ap-
preached trem o. mounting the steps he
shot one keen glance toward The group. In
RmOmeut servant had appeared and taken
his card
"Wonder who it is?" said Rose.
He has asked for uncle" SAID Kitty, I'M
DER her BREATH II must Uc lHdl HOITlu
CAPTAIN Heath"
Never mind; he will soon be at your
feet, and he viii make the bakers dozen, y
said Rose. They say there's luck III odd
numbers. l shouldn't wonder If You mar
Ilei him."
Married himr repeated Kitty with
kcorn. Il deteSt him."
DO you know him.
''No, not personally; but l have had his
virtues dinned into my ears. He was my
uncle's aide in the war, and narsed him
through q fever. He WAS q very young
man then, and uncle looks upon him as
son. For years he has been stationed out
among the Indians, and | have been dosed
with lis letters. Bah! he is a piece of per-
- fectiOn-the moral law in trousers and boots.
! deteSt thst kind Of a man.
just then there was sound OF knocking
with staff or crutch from the direction Of
the little parlor where the old General usu-
ally Smoked and read his papers.
There a summons for me-" said Kitty,
with pretty grimace. as she skipped away.
Don't you all pity me?'
II wonder we don't hate her" said Louise
Stulrt; but she is lOvable il she is a firt.
There Is nothing bad in her nature; and of
course it is not her fault If every man she
sees falls directly at her feet. She eau |
marry them all
"And 1t is natural she should like to play
with them As a very young kitten plays with
mouse" sad one of the others.
II am sure | should" broke in Rose. "if I
han the power. But Kitty is shTewd: she
knows tat most OF them are alter her
money"
Meantime Kitty, with a sulky face and
backward air, was entering her uncle
room. The old General sat IN his favorite
armchair. He had a face that flushed
easily up to the roots of his white hair. He
wore an artificial LIMB that gave him good
deal OF trouble, and had taken il eff to rest.
Now his face was beaming with joy, like a
full-blOwn DeOny.
'Puss," he said, exultingly, and rubbing
bis hands softly together, Captain Heath
has come. The dear boys arrival makes
NE feel twenty Years younger"
Il supposed he had come" said Kitty,
standing behind tile chair" for | saw him
and GUESSED Who lie was; but l don't Ike
him"
"Don't Ike bimw
No, don't. He is one OF those insuffer.
ably good and proper persons l have always
dets sted.'
"By heavens = cried the General. getting
more fiery In The face, and humping with
his stick. YOU shall like him, or | will
know the reason why"
unfortunately, uncle" said Kitty, in ar
exasperating tone, you cannot Command
my feelings as you would platoon o!
soldiers"
you obstinate, willful little baggage"-
bis face was rich purple now-'if the boy.
bHOuiu give me Out-HdlI tII6 trouble YOU 90
would order them out and have then
shot p
"But ycu can't shoot me, uncle, because
don't IKE your paragon. And why, pray
should | like him."
Like him % shouted the old man, 81 tell
you he saved my life-that he is one of the
best officers and noblest men that ever troJ
earth. Only brainless and empty headed
girl can afford to desplse brave man. You
are not worth to kiss lis shoes, you silly
chtP"
81 hope you don't expect me TO perform
that ceremony, uncie?"
Il know how it will be-" continued the
old man, boiling over with wrath. "You
will throw yourself away On one of thos,
whippersnappers, those ape fa-td dandies
who don't know the butt end Of nuske
from the mUZZle. They are after Won
money-the money il is supposed you ar,
going to inherit from me. But if you mar,
one of those brainless fools you will not in
herlt penny of mine; l will cut you of
with shilling"
rushed around the chair, sobbing, anC
threw herself into the old mans arms
"Oh, uncle" she cried, in choked voice
leave all your money away from me if vol
IKE, but don't be so savagel Love me
little as you did when | was child"
The old man sat rigid as iron, still blow
ing of steam. His temper soon coolest, let
ting his warm heart assert itself. He wa
half inclined to take the girl in his arms, 4
forgive and pet her into smiles but she wa
sun Dedewing his shirt-front with tear
when knock resOunded upon the door
Kitty at once Sprang to her feet, wiped he
wet face and adjusted her ruffled plumage
She was as exqulsitely pretty as dew
rose. In moment Captain Heath wa
standing in the room in his undress uni
form. If not strikingly handsome, he ha
nj least tall, manly figure. bis keen gra
eyes saw in moment that there had been
tempest during his abseuce, and that til
thnnder-cloudS were not entirely dispersed
When her uncle managed to present him
Kitty bowed in a stiff and constraine
fashion, which the Captain returned wit
formal politeness, and, in moment after
she had made her escape from the room.
That evening Captain Heath stood in
corner Of the ball. room-it was the occasio
OF the weekly "hop"-a mere Iooker-on i
Venice. He knew no one; he vas not
dancing man and Kitty did not seem to b
g nc xsfeF.