The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-07-26
A KITCHEN ROMANCE.

bciAh NHN Hillinp in HtE IDthlnk 'Hhir
in n corner of the kitchen, reading
aloud to the other two girls Maggie
was menling n stocking, and Bridget
was making dress ont of piece of
calico which Mrs. Rnndol had given
her. Delin had found "Sir Charles
Grandson" in the course of her clear
ing up, and IL amazed the two older
girls to hear her excited intonations
and marvellous pronuncintions, as il
would have amazed Mr.. Richardson
himself. Della was II nice-looking
girl, and she was intelligent; her
choice of books being, IA We have seen,
faultless The other girls were older
ind stoutcr. but they had not outgrown
their taste for romance, and they
listened braycly to what they could un-
derstanl.
A dark shadow appeared at the win
dow. Delin stopped reading long
enough TO say.
''lt's only Phil Crowley: never
mind him, and then continued. Mr..
Crowley saw that he was discovered
and entering the kitchen, took chair
with nod of recognition to his three
hostesscs, while Della went on. "And
that will do for tonight" abe said. Mt
last, putting the book down with the
cons ciousness that her auditors would
like to henr more, but stopping be-
cause-well, because she pleased.
Della was an autocrrt.
You might have expected the visitor
to begin n conversation, but no. Phil
Crowley looked at Delia in nn admir-
ing way, but never opened his mouth.
Maggie soon went off to bed but
Delin persuaded Bridget to stay.
So Bridget snt at her work. growing
sleepier and sleepier, and there was n
pause for while, Finally Phil spoke
In an earnest whisper, leaning forward
hnt looking nnfd NJ Della
81 come up tonight Della, 'cnuse--
well, cause l couldn't help it, nm I
might as we'll tell yc all about it. Sure
can't sleep o. nights for thinlin' of
ye, an l think more of We than all
the world an'-nn'-d've think We can
ever care bit for me, Delia?"
Della looked quickly round at
Bridget, who was doaing over her
work, and then said:
saw, Phil, man, what's got into We?
don't want to marry any one, an Tn
sure it's not you that I'd take if | was
to choose. Sure We must a been out
o your head when ye said that. Don't
try romanticizin', for you don't under
stand it. You're OFF, Well, good
night to vel"
Phil was already at the door. "Good
night, Delia," said he. 81 wish We a
plcasanter night, an better sleep than
I'll have, bad luck to mel" Then he
turned and went away. Della sat down
again and thought awhile, then she
rose. Come on, Bridget, it's bed
time, said she and the two went up-
stairs together.
The next evening Della and Phil we're
to have gone to dance given by the
Westminster Boat Club. As night came
on, Della wondered whether her escort
would make his appearance. In the 8
o'clock mail she received the following
letter:
MISS McGoNIGLE. i can't take you
to the Ball tonite, as L have sumthin
else on Hand. AS you Wos not very
glad to see mo last night, mayby you
don't care. p. CROWLEY.
Della studied over this good while.
II took her long time to master the
spelling, for though her own was &C.
centric, it was very different from
Phil's. The meaning, too, puzzled
her. One thing was certain, it was
not polite. Miss McGonigle, indeed !
Something else on hand Well, Mr..
Phil should see that she could get on
without him.
She knew girl in the next house,
Who was going to a ball, and some
hours after receiving Pills letter she
called on this friend and they went
together. They were little late, SO
that the ball was already begun; and