The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-02-04


hand, forgetful of his cattle, when he
saw 81 Doss riding up, and then dis
mounting. 81 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 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. 1 allow she's
been eatin' somethin' afore we brought
her outen the woods
''Likely."
And then the two stood like exhaust
ed receivers. At last boss broke out:
1--WE been allowin' to git married"
"Yes?"
I'D like you to put in 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 arouh
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"
''She's eighteen year old. I hearn
Miss McKissen say so. You know,
though, I'm tol'rable well-to-do, an
don't owe no man dollar. love the
very ground she walks on
''Well,' said Hugh, after a pause,
well sec 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 See he's
a kin to 'em an S gwine to come and
hunt up Kitty"
mo! What's his name?''
"Calvin Burnett. He's a lawye,
where he lives.''
Burnett? Must be kin to Kitty's
mother. You told him whar she is?''
Eyes; and thar he comes now, on Sol
Dingess's claybank mar. Can't ride
worth shucxs, 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 a square chin. He explained his
business.
Come into the house, Mr.. Burnett,
said Hugh. kitty will be back from
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, II am
very glad to know a near relative,
especially when she's a pretty girl; but
did not come for that. I am here on
business. Do you know anything Of
your fathers history?"
mo, SIR
ooh, don't sir me, Kitty; we are
own cousins. Gail me Cousin Cal.
Your father ran off with my aunt, hav-
ing married her against grandfather
command. Grandfather disowned her
and was very bitter. But when he
died, he left onehalf of his property tc
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, an,
to be carried out by his executor.
believe father knew its nature. The
trust money increased under my ia
theirs prudent management, and thai
share of the estate amounts to more
than what inherit It is nearly twice
as much. opened the paper, and the
instructions are that am to pay it ove1
to the heir or heirs of Catherine Mark
ham. 1 am satisfied. from inquiry
that you are the heir, Kitty, and l an
ready to transfer to you, under the
proper legal forms, nearly ninety thou
sand dollars. / congratulate you, Kitty
You will be able to live at the east, a.
comfortably as possible, on an income
sufficient, suppose, for a single gen
tlewoman.
Ninety thousand dollars! The amour
dazed Kitty, and struck the McKissen
dumb. 1t was fairy tale, and tn
young lawyer looked like an enchanter
Hugh was considered rich there, will
less than a fifth of the sum; but ninet,
thousand dollars!
At last Kitty asked:
MIR. 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 cas-
is the place for you. You are your owl
mistress, or, at least, will be at twenty
one. In the meanwhile, the court her
will probably let you name your owl
guardian and trustee.
"Thank you, cousin. am glad t.
know you; glad to have this unex
pected fortune, and would be glad t,
| see place that I've heard so much of
But the only kin I ever knew, though
not of my blood, are dear to me. Thi
is my only home. I 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, I
was heard of with thrill of awe an
envy. It was said that the dashin,
young 'furriner'' was to marry Kitty
and take her away Immediately; AM
Josiah Doss was in the gulf of despair
Hugh knew better. SO far as Kitty
views went, but he felt sinking at tn
heart. Kitty would stay, but witt
such q fortune in possession she seemed
out of the common sphere.
Burnett, while the legal forms wer
going on, amused himself by studyin,
this cousin. who was so readily accom-
modating herself to circumstances AM
the Nc Kissens, especially Hugh. 1t re
quired no penetration to see that tn
latter was in: love with Kitty, bu