The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-12-30
KATIE's ENGAGEMENT.

KATJE'S ENGAGEm ENTs
"You might have knocked me down
with feather, Charley" said, when
Miss Kate asked me to accompany her
abroad"
sit would require a pretty strong
feather" he replied. And what did you
'"E2 %, ...,... , ,.,.,.., ,..,,. ,,..,,,,.. on
She quite understood that; and it is ar
ranged that tomorrow | am to call at the
house and let her know"
"If you want to go, Lucy, 90 by all
MEANS" said he, taking up the newspa-
per.
''Its not so much that, but you see we
should gain something for the winter.
The child wants clothes; / want few
things myself, and your shirts, Charley,
are frayed out dreadfully."
CHATS right! Bring me in and get
your own way. You're fine diplomat
ist, Lucy-a trifle transparent, but quite
the right thing"
"Then l may go, Charley ~ I asked.
"Certainly,H he replied. 81 will try to
manage without you for month"
kissed him over the paper, and he
laughed. Indeed, am not quite sure
that he didn't rather enjoy the prospect,
but held my tongue, and next day
made my arrangement with Miss Katie,
who had asked me to accompany her in
to Switzerland, where she was to stay
awhile with her aunt and cousins.
"Thank yuu so much, Mrs. Farmer, !"
she said. FEATHER would not have been
so satisfied if you had not consented to
go with me. hope Mr.. Farmer does not
mind much"
"Not much, miss. When do we startp'
"Next Monday" she replied; and that
day we quilted home, coming through
London TO Dover, where we slept that
night.
IL was in the spring, l should have
told you, and the passage was little
rough; the day was chilly, too. 1t wasn't
natural that Miss Kate should travel I'M
noticed, and before we reached Calais a
gentleman and his sister, a pleasant
spoken couple, were talking to her. They
were also going into our part of the
Oountry-some place ending in "berk"-
but whether Iceberg or Nnowberg, or
some other name, l can't distinctly say
think it was Zweiberg, or Two Noun
tain Valley.
The young gentlemen and his sister
were going in the same direction. Their
name was Neville. They had no servant,
so it was well | was there, and waited on
Miss Neville, who was, must say, liber-
al in her notions; SO Charley's shirts
were soon paid for.
We travelled quickly enough, but one
dav. as we were waiting for steamer to
carry us on from some place which for
get 20 another that can't exactly now
remember, got a shock which nearly
turned me into the image of Lots wife.
Close to Miss Katie, unseen by her,
stood desperate man | knew we'll
Gideon Grasper! Yes, the man she had
refused-the man who had sworn to be
revenged-the unscrupolous Grasper him
Selfl
He had disappeared from our village
after that wreck business, which no one
could rightly fathom, when Miss Katie
repulsed him. There was some talk
for our folk are rare gossips-but no one
of lis, so far, had even seen him until
now. | was alone, bag in hand, watch
ing her as she stood on the little landing
stage, deep in thought, while Miss Ne
vile watched the steamer, and Mr.. Ne
vile was hurrying dOwn with the big bag
after me.
was in terrible fright for fear Miss
Katie should SEQ Grasper. He kept aside
and watched; he meant mischief; yet in
some respects he was changed; his hair
and beard were long, his dress was al
most Germanlike, and he was smoking q
china pipe. But his eyes were as cruel
and vindictive as ever, and l shuddered
as l saw him fasten them on Miss Katie.
Fourteen months had made deal of
difference in his appearance; l doubt if
he had altered in himself.
Up came the little steamer, and we all
went on board. Mr.. Neville attached
himself to Miss Katie, and | could see
him whispering to her; and she laughed,
but blushcd all the same, and said, just
fancy such thing!' favorite saying Of
hers. Gideon Grasper was forward, and
made no sign until | went near the en-
Gine, when he came behind me and
whispered:
"Are they engaged, ehP Tell me
quickl"
GLOW dare you address me like that?"
demanded, turning on him in English
plain as his face.
you're not the Queen of England nor
yet the E Epress of Russia, SO / suppose
can talk to countrywoman. My dear
Mrs. Farmer, you are looking younger
than ever-ten years, at least"
"Mr. Gideon Grasper," said, 81 can't
return the compliment, and l require
none of yours. We are strangers ever
q. since you wrecked that bark"
"HOld your tonguel" he Missed, cor it
will be bad for you and your baby-faced
girl yonder. suppose you know she is
engaged to me?''
"TO you'll" exclaimed. "Oh, Heaven
forgive you such storyl Why, she
hates you'll"
+1DOes she? Then she'll have to change
her mind. have her promise, in writ
ing, more than eighteen months old, and
it was never Tetracted. can claim her
or
''Or what?' l asked. trembling at his
eyes as they searched me through. COR
wbat?'
''Or she'll not live to marry any one
clsel Do You suppose didn't know she
has come away to avoid me? Yes, she
has, but Gideon Grasper is not the man
to give up his sweetheart. I've suffered
enough for her already. Now 90 and tell
her, if you like. But, mind, | am at
your elbow, and can have you arrested
at any moment, if please, as Russian
Nihilists."
you're demon, Gideon Grasper-a
malignant demon; that's what you are |"
"Then I'll act the character, you may
depend, Mrs. Farmer. SO be warned,
you and Miss Babyfacel'
He turned away, and | waited until he
had disappeared amongst the other pas
bongers. Then | came aft again, and at
once perceived that something had hap.