The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-02-06

will probably let you name your own
guardian and trustee"
THANK you, cousin. 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. l may visit the east,
but could not stay there"
The news of Kitty's wonderful in
heritance soon spread. Rumor in
creased 1t 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 us Kitty's
views went, but he felt 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. 1t re-
quired no penetration to see that the
latter was in love with Kitty, but
seemed not to quite realize his own
feelings; and that Kitty loved Hugh.
and knew it.
THAT young man is bright enough
in some things, but very stupid in
this" said the lawyer to himself.
"Ill play the good genius, for the fun
OF the thing"
The court, at Kitty's instance, ap-
pointed Hugh McKissen her guardian
and trustee, to the scandal Of the
young folk, who thought she should
have chosen some older man. Hugh
and Burnett had divers conferences,
before affairs were over. At one of
these the lawyer said:
"What pretty girl Cousin Kitty is!
Don't you think so, Mr.. McKissen?"
"Ye-es."
"She'll make a figure when she gets
into society, too. She is one of the
rough gems that take to polish kind
ly."
"M-m!"
1.-THE fact is, l admire her the more
l know her. must try and persuade
her to leave the mountains"
kitty McIEissen isn't one of that
kind" said Hugh. "Nou heard her say
that she would stay here, and she is
the one to keep her word.
IL beg your pardon, Mr.. McKissen,"
said Burnett. Her proper name is
Catherine Markham, and she is not
likely to change it-in this place. No
offense to you; but the name is good
one, and sounds we'll; but it would
sound better if it were changed to
Burnett, in my judgment"
And then Burnett walked off, to take
stroll through the hills, leaving
Hugh confused and indignant.
"Confound his impudence" cried
Hugh. Mrs. Burnett! He's after
Kitty's money. Kitty marry him.
Hugh walked out to cool himself and
met Kitty coming from the spring
house; for Kitty was born to love
cows and chickens, and her money had
not changed her ways She nodded.
Hugh kept at her side, and as she
reached the porch he said:
Il want to have talk with you,
Kitty"
'All right. Sit down on the porch,
then, and III listen"
"Kitty-I-the fact is-'
"Yes?"
"The fact is You don't care for
Burnett, do you?"
Care for him? OF course do. He
brought me good fortune: he's my own
cousin, you know, and he's very nice
man, too"
Are you-going-t marry with
him?"
What question! I suppose you
can ask it, as you're my guardian. l
don't see how / could; he's not "a Nor
mon, and he has wife already"
"Oh, Kitty, you know /
"Well, don't know, till ! know
what it is l know"
kitty, love you"
"Of course you do; we were brought
up together"
Its not that, Kitty; but why can't
we marry?"
You never asked me, Hugh"
Hugh asked then with a vengeance.
He poured out his feelings in a flood of
words. Kitty didn't interrupt him.
She liked it. But when he paused for
sheer want of breath, she quietly put
her hand in his, and said:
You ought to have known that l
loved you, Hugh"
When Burnett came back he OWNED
the state of affairs at once
Mr.. McKissen," he said, dryly, ~
presume that Miss Burnett will have
the approval of her guardian in this
matter"
Kitty did go to the east, but it was
as Kitty McKisscn, and with her hus-
band. After their return there was
house put up on the McKissen place,
which was the wonder of the neigh
borhood, both of itself and furnish.
ings.
such doings!" said Nancy Stallins
to gossip. You know the house
built outer bricks and roclts-a sorter
cross atwiX' cothouse an meetin'-
house; an enough rooms in it for a
tavern. But was inside; six wagon
loads o things was put in; the floors
are kivered all over. Ees!" continued
Nancy, with the bitterest climax,
"Sivered with kiverlids"- Thomas
Dunn English, in N. Y. Ledger.
HE WAS A MYSTERY.