The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-11-17

CnhiFt, buu tuo uOmo-uhuo boios bho
the book case, and the little cottage
piano in tho corner, all Locked &c
lightfully cosy and homelike in its ruby
glow. But delightfulest sight of all,
table covered with tho whitest of da,
mask stood in the centre Of the room,
laden with that profusion that only
| eountrX folks know how to revel in
How fragrsntly the hot tea and warm
biscuits smelt how tempting looked
the fruit. ham, golden butter, tho but.
tered toast, tho apple tarts, the cold
chicken and cheese and cake and tho
amber iellies, sparkling like huge jew
els in tho cnt glas dishes
What n merry meal il was and how
Kitty and Hattie's tongues did run
and how politely and languidly fns-
c:na.iHS Mr.. Duvai tried TO bel aud
how John, coming out OF his bashful-
ness, began talking to Miss Grant and
was, after while, quite astonished mt
his own flucncy! And when supper
was over. and she sat down at the pi-
spo, what was his surprise anst delight
so SEQ her dear little white fingers go
rattling over the keys to- the merry
tune of "Speed tho Plow," instead OF
the dismal and dreadfully long fan.
tasias Sister Kitty affected, and OF
which he never could make head nor
tail. Miss Grant was perfect little
darling, and 80 Kitty had rapturously
said when she kissed that lady for the
thousandth time and showed her to
her chamber and, returning to the
sitting room, found Brother John
there alone, looking thoughtfully into
tho roaring, red fire.
"And l wish," cried Kitty, ecstati-
cally, ooh, how do wish she was my
>istcr!"
"'And 40 do 7, Kitty" aaid RrntLc-
John, starting up. "Good night"
When Mr.. Duval took himself of
next morning, Miss Grants last mes.
snge had been
"rcll mamma and NIL tho folks I
will bn home in II fortnight, Mt tho
fnrthcst." But tho fortnight passed
and she wns not nt homo. christmas
camc and went, and still Miss Hattie
rrsticntcd. 1t was the oldest thing in
th" world, Miss IInttic's mamma said;
what could keep tho child in the coun.
try? or whnt charm wns there to keep
the gay city girl so long? IT is was
August, now; but Dccembcr.--.only
fancy! And all her numerous admir-
crs began to echo tho exclamation and
turn thcir thoughts To nh Investigating
trip to Ashticld themselves. All had
they only known whit good times Hat
tic wns having slcighinE all over the
country with Kitty and Brother John,
and out skating every evening un the
lake, and going to quilting frolic| and
surprise parties, ind doing cvcrythiug
else she liked free md independent
for once in her life; quite forGctful of
| the cxistnncr of the terrible Indy, Mrs.
Grundy; and finding out, too, what II
poet brother John was and how bcnu-
tifully he could r"al aloud stormy
evenings, while she md Kitty embroid-
| cred. and how he know lmtin md lots
| of things noboly wunld ever suspect !!
M Al i WIS I'll I&Ilsh!t"I & IaS %nd th tRs only
was the evening bcfnr" her dt;,ar;urc
Stf;S&!y December evening. with
ruin md slrrt lashng tho windows and
the gale s"hhinE nnd surging wildly
around the old fnrm house But in the
slttin%-ruom, where the hcmlock logs
ronrcd and hlnzrd, flooding every cor
nor with rosy light where the crimson
curtains were drawn, everything wns
delightfully."- warm and cozy and Hattie
s"t alone ut the piano, the open letter
lying on it, her fingers strnying over
the keys and one bright drop after
another falling unhccdcd on the pol
ishrdivory. Presently the door opened,
some one came in and stood beside her,
hut Hattie never looked up.
'Whcro's kItty?" asked brother
John.
Hattie had to cough to clear her
throat before she could answer.
cup stairs helping Betty to strnr
my trunk j.
'iou are going away tomorrow,
them
'Nes, very family.
"Wont you play for me once more
before You go?'
The restless fingers were still for an
instant. then ''Spccd the Plow' rama
gnyly through the room
Brother John looked down at the lit.
tie white hands, a!il! once more with.
ont vcnturinr mlnnce at the ;!vwnonri
face.
"'Spccd the Plow' is very pretty
tune; but plows arc extremely. vulgn:
thing" iii reality don't you think so."
"No!"
care you not glad you arc going
bnck I" the city and your gay life,
there
No answer.
"fou must have found it very dull.
l nm afraid, in this quiet country place
for the past month";"
Still mute.
"Mr. Duval is coming for you, ]
think Kitty said
eyes !"
"You will he very glad to see him
again, will you not?"
"Not particularly ~
81 suppose You will forget all about
us old-fashioned country folks before
you are home n week.
"You know better than that"