Warren sheaf., 1892-02-04

hand. forgetful of his cattle, when he
saw 81 Doss riding up, and then dis
mounting. ST tethered his horse to the
pendant limb of beech tree, and then
strobe forward. He had the reputation
of being the most forward young man
in the county; but he had a very en-
barrassed air now.
"Howdy, Hugh"
'Howdy, ST."
Folks all well?".
"Yes. Your'n?"
illustrate, thank y. Our best brood
sow's sort O limpish. I allow she's
her outen the woods"
"Likely."
And then the two stood like exhaust
ed receivers. At last Doss broke out:
I've been allowin' to git married."
"Yes?"
''I'd like you to put in a good word
for me-"
"Me? Who's the girl?''
kitty McKissen.
"Not-our-Kitty!'
"Yes. I'm not quite sure whether
she favors me or not. I've been aroun'
some, but somehow l amt got the
nerve to speak out. Couldn't you SCUM
her an find out?'
"Our Kitty! Why, 81, she's little
girl. She's too young"
''Shes eighteen year old. I hearn
Miss McKissen say so. You know,
though, I'm tolrable well-to-do, an
don't owe no man a dollar. love the
very ground she walks on.'
"Well," said Hugh, after pause,
"we'll see about it. Anything new?'
"There just is. There's a fellow
down to the town-a furriner from the
east-got up in store clothes an mighty
sassy-lookin', an he's been inquirin'
about John Markham's folks. Sez he's
a kin to 'em an s gwine to come and
hunt up Kitty"
mo! What's his name?'
"Calvin Burnett He's lawyer
where he lives
Burnett? Must be kin to Kitty S
mother. You told him wha.r she is?''
Eyes; and thar he comes nov, on Sol
Dingess's claybank mar. Can't ride
worth shucks, nuther.''
1t was a sprucely-dressed stranger
who rode up, and, leading his mare,
came toward them. 1t was not neces-
sary to tell his kinship, for he ''fav-
ored'' Kitty, as they say in the hills.
The same eyes and forehead, but he
had square chin. He explained his
business.
Come into the house, Mr.. Burnett -
said Hugh. ''Kitty will be back sfro1n
the spring house, presently
Doss was anxious to learn every
thing, but as no one asked him to re-
main, went off reluctantly. Presently
Kitty came in, and the newcomer in
troduced himself as her first cousin,
the son of her mothers brother.
'Of course" said Burnett, ~ am
very glad to know near relative,
especially when she's pretty girl; but
did not come for that. 1 am here on
business Do you know anything of
your fathers history?"
mo, SIR"
'Oh, don't sir me, Kitty; we are
own cousins. Call me Cousin Cal.
Your father ran off with my aunt hav-
ing married her against grandfather's
command. Grandfather disowned her,
and was very bitter. But when he
died, he left one-half of his property to
father absolutely, and the other half in
trust The nature of the trust was ex-
planned in sealed paper, not to be
opened until after fathers death, and
to be carried out by his executor. l
believe father knew its nature. The
trust money increased under my fa-
theirs prudent management, and that
share of the estate amounts to more
than what inherit. 1t is nearly twice
as much. opened the paper, and the
instructions are that am to pay it over
to the heir or heirs of Catherine Mark
ham. I am satisfied, from inquiry,
that you are the heir, Kitty, and I am
ready to transfer to you, under the
proper legal forms, nearly ninety thou
sand dollars. I congratulate you, Kitty.
You will be able to live at the east, as
comfortably as possible, on an income
sufficient, suppose, for single gen
tlewoman."
Ninety thousand dollars! The amount
dazed Kitty, and struck the McKissens
dumb. 1t was fairy tale, and the
young lawyer looked like an enchanter.
Hugh was considered rich there, with
less than fifth of the sum; but ninety
thousand dollars!
At last Kitty asked:
''Mr. Burnett-Cousin Calvin-must
live there to get the money?'
"No. You can live where you like;
but if you want to enjoy life, the east
is the place for you. You are your own
mistress, or, at least, will be at twenty
one. In the meanwhile, the court here
will probably let you name your own
guardian and trustee"
''Thank you, cousin. I am glad to
know you; glad to have this unex.
pected fortune, and would be glad to
see place that I've heard so much of.
But the only kin ever knew, though
not of my blood, are dear to me. This
is my only home. may visit the east,
but could not stay there"
The news of Kitty's wonderful in
heritance soon spread. Rumor in
creased it by an additional cipher. 1t
was heard of with thrill of awe and
envy. 1t was said that the dashing
young ''furriner'' was to marry Kitty,
and take her away Immediately; and
Josiah Doss was in the gulf of despair.
Hugh knew better. so far as Kitty's
views went, but he felt a sinking at the
heart Kitty would stay, but with
such fortune in possession she seemed
out of the common sphere.
Burnett, while the legal forms were
going on, amused himself by studying
this cousin, who was so readily accom-
modating herself to circumstances and
the Nc Kissens, especially Hugh. til
quired no penetration to see that the