The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-08-26


"There's good many young men in
the same fix, | allow" said Kitty. Isl
Doss appears to me not to be one of that
kind. He knows what he wants l fan
cy."
And then, with her we'll filled pail,
Kitty moved off to the sprng-house.
Hugh stood minute, salt bag in hand
forgetful of the cattle, when he saw 81
Doss riding up and then dismounting
He tethered his horse to the pendant
limb of beech tree and then strobe for
ward. He had the reputation of being
the most forward young man in the
county; but he had very embarrass ed
air now.
"Howdy, Hugh"
"Howdy, ST."
''Folks all well?''
eyes. Your'n?"
"Fus' rate, thank ". Our best brood
sow's sort O. limpish. Iallow she's been
eating something afore we brought 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 good word
for me-"
''MeP Who's the girl?''
''Kitty McKissen!"
"Not-our-Kitty"
eyes. I'm not quite sure whether she
favors me or not. I've been around
some, but somehow l a'int got the nerve
to speak out. Couldn't you sound her
and find out?'
sour Kitty! Why, 81, she's a little
girl. She's too young"
'She eighteen years old. Ihearn Miss
McKissen say so. You know, though,
I'm tolrable we'll to do, and don't owe
no man dollar. l 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 felier down
TO the town-a furriner from the East
got up in store clothes and mighty sassy
looking, and he's been inquirin' about
John Markham folks. Says he's kin
to 'em and IS gwine to hunt up Kitty"
mo! What's his nameY'
"Calvin Burnett, He's lawyer where
he lives"
Burnett? Must be kin to Kitty's
eyes, and thar he comes now, on Sol
Dingus's claybank mar, Can't ride
worth shucks, nuther. "
1t was sprucely dressed stranger who
rode up, and leading his mare came to-
ward them. 1t was not necessary to tell
his kinship, for he favored 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 from
the spring house presently"
Doss was anxious to learn everything,
but as no one asked him to remain he
went off reluctantly. Presently Kitty
came in, and the newcomer introduced
himself as her first cousin the son of her
mothers brother.
"Of course" said Burnett, "I'm very
glad to know a near relative, especially
when she's pretty girl; but l did not
come for that. l am here on businesses.
Do you know anything of your fathers
history"
''NO, sir"
"Oh, don't sir me Kitty; we are own
cousins. Call me Cousin Cal. Your
father ran off with my aunt having mar
ried 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 explained in a sealed
paper, not to be opened until after faith
er's death and to be carrird out by his
executor. 1 believe father knew its ma
ture."
The trust money increased under my
| fathers prudent management, and that
share of the estate amounts to more
than 1 inherit. 1t is nearly twice as
much. opened the paper, and the in
structions are that am to pay it over to
the heir or heirs of Catherine Markha am.
1 am satisfied, from inquiry, that you
are the heir, Kitty, and am ready to
transfer to you, under the proper legal
form, nearly 100000. / congratulate
you, KITTY. You will be able to live at
the East as comfortably as possible on
an income sufficient l suppose, for a
single gentlewoman."
Ninety thousand dollarsl The amount
dazed Kitty and struck the McKissens
dumb. 1t was fairy tale and the young
lawyer looked liked an enchanter. Hugh
was considered rich there with less than
a fifth of the sum, bit 100000!
At last Kitty asked:
"Mr. Burnett-Cousin Calvin-must 1
live there to get the money!"
| mo, you can live where you like, but
if you want to enjoy life the East is the
place for you. You are your own mis-
tress, or, at least, you will be at twenty
one. In the meantime the court here
will probably let you name your own
guardian and trustee"
"Thank you, cousin. 1 am glad to
| know you; glad to have this unexpected
fortune, and would be glad to see a
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 l
could not stay there"
The news of Kitty's wonderful inheri-
lance soon spread. Rumor increased 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; but Josiah Doss was in the
| gulf of despair. Hugh knew better so
far as Kitty's views went. but he had a
| sinking at the heart. Kitty would stay,
| but such a fortune in possession she
seemed out of the common sphere.
Burnett, while the legal forms were 60
ing on, amused himself by studying his
cousin, who was so readily accOmmoda-
ing herself to circumstances, and the
McKissens, especially Hugh. 1t required
no penetration to see that the latter was
in love with Kitty, but seemed not quite
to realize his own feelings, and that Kit
ty loved Hugh, and knew it.
t"That vOnnO man 10 h,ipht anopob ~