The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-05-17

JONI, COluluS OUT Oh his DdSllI unless,
began talking to Miss Grant and was,
after while, quite astonished at his
own fluency! And when supper was
over, and she sat down at the piano,
what was his surprise and delight to
see her dear little white fingers go rat
thing over the keys to the merry tune
of Speed the Plow," instead of the
dismal and dreadfully long fantasies
Sister Kitty affected, and of which he
could never make head or tail. Miss
Grant was perfect little darling, and
so Kitty hal rapturously said when
she kissed that lady for the thous-
andth time and showed her to her
chamber and, returning to the sitting
room, found Brother John there alone,
looking thoughtfully into the roaring,
red fire.
And wish," cried Kitty, ecstati-
cally, ''oh, how | do wish she was my
sister ~
And SO do l, Kitty" said Brother
John, starting up. Good night"
When Mr.. Duval took himself off
next morning, Miss Grants last mes
sage had been:
Tell mamma and all the folks l
farthestn But the fortnight passed
and she was not at home. Christmas
came and went, and still Miss Hattie
rusticated. 1t was the oldest thing
in the world, Miss Hattie mamma
said what could keep the child in the
country? or what charm was there to
keep the gay city girl SO long? If it
was August, now; but December
nj al
admirers began toecho the exclamation
and turn their thoughts to an investi-
eating trip to Ashfield themselves.
All had they only known what good
times Hattie was having sleighing all
over the country with Kitty and
Brother John and out skating every
evening on the lake, and going to
quilting frolics and surprise parties,
doing everything else she liked-free
and independent for once in her life !:
quite forgetful of the existance of the
terrible lady, Mrs. Grundy and find
ing out, too, what poet brother John
was and how beautifully he could read
aloud stormy evenings, while she and
Kitty embroidered, and how he knew
Latin and lots of thing nobody would
ever suspect All !! it was all delight
full and the only pity was it could not
last forever. But New Year was at
hand and there was peremptory let
ter from mamma commanding an i'll
slant return home for the grand re-
ception of that day. 1t was the evening
before her departure stormy De-
cember evening, with rain and sleet
lashing the windows and the gale Sob
bling and surging wildly around the
old farm house. But in the sitting
room, where the hemlock logs roared
and blaZed, flooding every corner with
rosy light; where the crimson curtains
were drawn, everything was delight
fully warm and coy and Hattie sat
alone at the pi;4no, the open letter ly-
ing on it, her fingers straying over the
keys and one bright drop after anoth-
err falling unheeded ON the polished
ivory. Presently the door opened,
some one came in and stood beside
her, but Hattie never looked up.
where's Kitty - asked Brother
John.
Hattie had to cough to clear her
throat before she could answer.
up stairs helping Betty to strap
my trunk -
You are going away tomorrow,
Them
Yes" very family.
Wont you play for me once more
before you go?h
The restless fingers were still for an
instant, then Speed the Plow'' rang
gayly through the room.
Brother John looked down at the
little white hands, still once more
without venturing IL glance at the
downcast face.
speed the Plow' is n very pretty
tune but plows are extremely vulgar
things in reality-don't you think so. :"
Mo-
Are you not glad you are going
back to the city and your gay life
there p
No answer.
You must have found it very dull,
| an afraid, in this quiet country
place for the past month -
Still mute.
Mr.. Duval is coming for you, l
think Kitty said"
Yes -
You will be very glad to see him
again, will you not -
Not particularly -
Il suppose you will forget all about
us old-fashioned country folks before
you are home week"
You know better than that ~
How Johns heart went humping
against his side and what torrent of
words were on his tongue if he could
only get them off. 1t might be pre-
sumption, it might be folly, but he
felt he must say it or die in the at
tempt. To say he was blushing would
be a mild way of describing the fl cry
tide he felt ebbing and flowing in his
face. Even that was a drawback.
Could the self-possed young lady of
the world ever love IL man who blush
ed? Kitty's dress was rustling down
the stairs she would he in in two
minutes, and then goodbye to all
chance of uttering the magic words /!
Miss Grant-Hattie - said brother
John, in desperation. You have liv-
ed month in the country do you
think-do you think you could ever
live in it all your life -
1t is astonishing how cool women
can be at these trying crises. John,
blushing and stammering and trem
bling, great giant that he was, stood
in strong contrast to the extreme com
posture oft he young lady, who enuncia-
ted with unmistakable distinctness
"Ie, | think | could"
kitty's step was in the hall; Brother
John stopped and grasped one little
white hand.
"Hattie-oh, Hattie. do you think
you could stay with me?'
"Y -e-s, | think | couldr'
"Oh, Hattie, | know | am Il great
rough fellow, but l love you with all
my heart. Do you-can you love me
in return?'
"Ies!" said Hattie.
And just then, as Kitty came in she
snatched her hand away and took to
playing speed the Plow'' as if for a
wager.
Dear mer' cried Kitty, innocently,
chow red and hot you look, John!
Your trunks packed. Hattie; but, my
goodness, l don't know what I'll do
when you 60"
Don't cry, Kitty; I'll come back
again.'' said Miss Hattie, demurely.
And so she did when the June roses
were in bloom, to the great amaze
ment and disgust of her friends, and
has staid ever since and will stay for
life by Johns side-willing to play at
all times and seasons, speed the
Plow. "-Ne1O York Mercury.
WORTH THINKING 4BOUT