Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1894-04-27

are engaged and
[ am not?' Kitty laughed MS she spoke.
"But seriously, now, Kitty
Seriously, Naomi, l lavo not as
yet founl one care for!'i AS
Kitty spoke her checks flushed, and
she questioned herself il she we're
telling the truth.
GLOW about Philip Mertou?' asked
Naomi.
Nonsense! Phil hasn't stability
Of character. He would never cliny
to anything or any place. I'll be
AFRAID to trust myself with Phil"
'iou mny be right" nssentel M
omi 81 have heard fnther shy Tint
rhil was 4, rolling stone;' hut there's
Harry Brooks; not muchroll to him. !"
"No-Harry is lnzy. No girl ought
to marry Harry until he gives evil
lencc of some energy .or character.
swell, then, there is Howard
Graves"
HE thinks too much of his money
aud position, and, after all, he isn't
any better than many poorer man.
That IL, don't want any of them. It's
not that think 1 am too good for
them, but | don't want to marry"
Kitty gave her hairbrush mn inpatient
little toss.
well, don't wnit too long, Kitty.
You may max mistake in that" said
Naomi, with n warming shake of her
brown, fluffy hair.
Seems to ME | had better wait for.
than Tn N, |. thn 80, l..
girls make, replied Kitty, soberly.
Naomi ran lightly down stairs and
home, TO glance shyiy Mt the new ring
sparkling upon her finger, while Kitty
strollcd out into the rose-sccntel pnr.
den.
She began to think of what she had
said, when she was interrupted by
Aunt Margaret. She was dear old
Indy, whom Kitty had invited TO make
her home with her. Kitty's father,
DIR. Preston, hnd died four years ago.
and two years Inter her mother fol
lowed him. Kitty meant to take M
the duties OF life bravcly, but she felt
1t SO lonely Then size thought of
Aunt Margaret away up among the
Vermont hills, vino was lonely also.
Why shouldn't they live together? So
Kitty wrote for her to try for one
winter. They grew to love each other
50 dearly they had not separated.
do you want to be alone, Kitty ?"
"No, | only felt little sober.
Naomi has been talking to me about
getting married. Think what dread.
Iul times some OF the girls have had
since they married. I'd rather stay
with you, auntie."
Aunt Margaret knew Kitty might
have added and be like you," forthis
luiet, gentle woman was a maiden lady.
Something III Kitty's face had touched
her heartstrinSs, and she passed quiet
y into the house, leaving Kitty to her
reflections, which oddly enough, were
turned upon Ernest Seabrook lust ms
that gentleman opened the gate and
walked toward her. Mr.. Seabrook
was tall, dark man of irreproachable
reputation and kindly impulses. He
was forty-th-ee years old, but Kitty
always forgot his age. She liked him,
in fact, much better than anv of her
young lovers.
She was startled MS this Thought
thrust itself upon her. Was he her
lover? She had driven with him.
had walked and sailed with him: he
had frequently been her escort on pic
nc occasions. Wherever the Young
lover could go he had been, but
through it all Kitty had never thought
of him MS II lover. He seemed more
her father or an elderly friend. Kit
ty felt there were other thoughts I O be
Analysed, but there was no time Row /;
she must attend to her caller.
GOOD morning, Katherine" He
addressed her familiarly, because he
aad known her from her childhood
out he had never called her 'Kittv''
since he came home from a long ab.
sence abroad.
Good morning, but why don't you
tGll me Kitty Other people do, %
The exclaimed. "You used to call me
Kitty"
II know; that was when You were a
child. When L came home and found
my Kitty had grown"
"lnto a cat !" interrupted Kitty.
muShingly.
Heaven Forbid Not into an ugly,
scratching cat, but demure young
lady, l did not feel at liberty to cali
you Kitty Miss Preston seemed
too formal, so I decided upon 'Kath-
crime Besides, / don't want to call
yoi by the name everybody else calls
yon, and kitty eeems really too
h"byish for one 81 y'onr earnest ma
tare."