Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-07-14
Mechancsown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday Jolly A. 1892
THD DACCD1'T HOME
STEAD.

my life !! sand Kate Blessingt0n. Win
tergreen and slender stemmed wiIe
flowers, and gray. old fallen logs hiddel
in ferns and merry little tricklin!
brooks ! And Charley has showed M
where there is Il nice cold spring under
the rock and cave where the Indians
used to hide IN Revolutionary times |
'Humph ! said Mrs Daggett, knitting
away as if each separate needle were
frightened with electricity.
And we're going to have picnic to
morrow. all by ourselves, went or
Kate, careless'y swinging her broad
brimmed hat by the ribbon, Charley
and I. I'm to pick basket of wild
strawberries, and he's to bring rolls and
lettuce and hard boiled eggs, and
shall show him Madranello's receipt fol
Salad dressing out there under the
trees. And we'll read Shakespeare un.
der the green vines, with the biuebirds
whlstlng In our ears and, altogether.
it will be just like dream in Arcadia.
'Humph !! sald Mrs. Daggett.
That's twice you We uttered that stiff
monosvllable, said Kate little piqued.
I,wonder what it means p
Mrs. Daggett looked up at the lovely
young thing, in he, cool, rustllng mus
Iins, and the slender gold chain around
her white throat, she took stock' so
to speak, OF the dazzling blue eyes and
the hair that was like IL cloud of crink.
ly gold, and the pure red and white
complexion. And she thought of hon
est, sun burned Charlie at work in the
upland grass lots, and the conviction
pressed more deeply than ever upon
her mind that 1t was not a fairly
matched contest between her grandson
and her city boarder.
Did you ever read the fable Of the
boy and the frogs, Miss Bessngton p
she asked.
Haven't II? retorted Kate with
laugh. Half dozen times at least.
But why do you ask ?
Because, said Mrs. Daggett, what
was fun to the boys was death to the
frogs
You mean-'
I mean, sand old Mrs. Daggett,
sbrewLly eyelng Miss Blessington over
the rims of her silver spectacles, that
what yon are enjoying so much may be
a sorry business for my grandson Char
ley
What nonsense, cried Kate. AS if
meant anything.
That's just it,, said Mrs. Daggett.
You don't mean anything, but Charley
loes. Charley is in earnest about ev-
srything.
Does he really dare to imagine that
would
Stop minute, my dear, stop min.
lte,' lnterposed the old lady, whose
inltting needles had never for single
moment abated their clicking. What
y he to imagine, when you seek ms so
iety, take pleasure in his companion
hip and put forth all your attractions
o charm him 2
because | do like him. said Kate.
And he loves you!'
Kate's lips quivered the deep car
nine rushed into her cheek.
I'm sorry, said she, 4 am indeed
never thought that-oh, If could on
Y put of this business
The old lady eyed her still more
harply. SO he's nothing more than
n ordinary acquaintance 10 you !? said
be.
Il like him, said Kate. oh, ever so
,uch But meyer can be farmers
,ife.
There are people IN the world worse
fl than farmers wives, said Mrs. Dag.
EFT.
Perhaps so said Miss Blessington,. a
tile haughtlly, But Uncle Orlando
as brought HE up with far different
leWs.' am to 90 with him to Europe
nd he presented at Court by the
lmerican minister's wife. | am to BE-
is heiress, and
Mrs. Dasgett rose quietly up and laid (
side her knitting.
4 must 90 and see after my roast {
uckling and green peas, said she.
And your beautiful bunch of ferns,
liss Besslngton, is all willing for lack s
il little water 10 put them in {
Kate Bessington went slowly across ;
le wide hall, where the two. hundred t
ear old Antwerp clock ticxed like the ,
III of ghostly foot steps. At the same ,
me Charley Daggett came in; a tall,
In burned Apollo with dark, spark
ng eyes and Il rich, brown complexion
C.a.,..,l,.