The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-19

singing at the Alexandra College. She is
my half brothers daughter; he has posi-
ton out tnere-sometnirg connected with
the customs. l promised would ask her
down for her months holiday in august.
was very glad to do it. am sure; bat the
little girl turns out to be quite charge.
Owing Washington spoke with par
tlcular slowneSS and earnestnesS-' owing to
her having grown up without a mothers
care, she is not at all what one would wish.
she has sadly reckless ways, young as she
is. She has seen a good deal of company
in Ceylon--mens company especially-and
her behavior don't want to be hard, but
1T has been real trial to me. 1t is so diff
cult to know at what point to interfere. This
afternoon things came to a climax. A
young man who has been in the habit of
visiting here a good deal in quiet. friendly
was taken by Kitty into the summer house,
and there---I am shocked and grieved to
have to say Tiny poor little niece let him
Croby put up ais left hand and appeared
anxious to smudge out the lower part of his
face with it. The gesture, being a favorite
one with him. afforded no clew as to the
state of his feelings.
isn't it distressing?" Mrs. Lushington in
CURED
How old is she?" said Croby.
rarely seventeen.
How did you come to know of it?"
Mrs. Washington explained. adding that
her girls could not help seeing the occur
renee, and only spoke of it for the sake of
their cousin
The young ladies may have been mis-
taken.'
IT don't think so. The thought Of such a
thing being possible as an incident would be
SO far from my girls minds.
The fellow may have serious intentions"
"Fighly unlikely"
Highly idiotic, considering your niece's
extreme youth: but
am convinced it is nothing IF the kind.
Silly Irritation on both sides and a deplor-
able want of self-respect on Kitty's-that Is
the whole explanation, feel sure. Now,
pray advise me- Shall | send Kitty straight
back to her college?
Il wouldn't do that said Croby, with
some Indulgence in his tone
What would you do? Having always had
to deal with girls of such a very different
a loss"
II would give the girl a scolding and the
young man the cold shoulder l would see
they didn't have any more tete-a-tete meet
ings And look here--let Miss Kitty take
the youngest Glass in the girls Sunday
and know Miss Constantia was puzzled to
find substitute.
While Professionally enveloping her oracle
In sweet gaze of rapt acquiescence, Mrs.
Lushington pondered this last proposition
Wen, it could do no harm. The boys school
was FOX's realm. In the other one Croby
on. what kind. wise thought she
cried in a few moments. Il trust it may
nave beneficial effect"
Something to think about besides these
follies," said Croby relapsing into tact
turnity.
Kitty came in. Mr.. Croby considered her
with some interest. He saw a short girl
with mignon figure in q badly made white
muslin frock: He saw a little face which
contriVed to be both gay and pathetic. He
saw large sparkling dark eyes, rose tinted
and dlmpled cheeks, great quantity of
chestnut hair an insignificant nose. He saw
a red, fresh saucy, cherub cherry-and-b
mouth, only too likely to put into the head
of any man who got the chance the idea of
-yes-kissing Kitty
Mr.. Croby, this is my niece, Kitty Mer-
ton," said Mrs Washington, gloomiIy.
Croby put out his hand. Kittys mite of a
hand dropped into it comfortably Croby s
handsome face and staid airs did not alarm
her.
Isn't it hot?" she said, smiling, just as if
he had been any other man.
acquainted with the fact that her services
were needed in the girls Sunday school
Kitty who adored children, was charmed.
But what shall l say to them?'' she in
quired, anXiously.
Miss Constantia will enlighten you as to
your duties" said Croby, stiff but not stern.
Follow her directions and you will be all
right The same remark would apply all
along the line-through life" he added, with
vague idea of paternally SermOniZing this
dark-eyed young lady. ~.
Mrs. Lushington's feelings were almost too
much for her. A compliment from Mr..
Croby stood against the like from other men
as hundred to one. The mother, with an
unintelligible excuse, swept from the room.
She thought Constantia and Mabel must
have come in.
I'VE use Andrew Steers books" said
Croby. solemnly surveying Kitty, land this
quarter we are in Chronicles"
Kitty did not quite know how to reply.
On such occasions she had a trick-she
could not help it; believe it was atavism
"a trick of dropping her head back the
least bit in the world and getting her long
upper and under eyelashes mixed up to-
gether, and somehow when she did it her
face became adorable. She did it now.
What Mr.. Croby did was to drop his hat
"a WideaWake.
Kitty stopped with the prettiest eagerness
imaginable to pick it. up. Mr.. Croby
stopped, too: The result was a collision,
from which Kitty .surged up. swallowing a
laugh, but Croby looked queer and red.
Mrs. Washington returned. COnstantia
and Mabel were still out, and the vicar now
hurriedly and decidedly made his fare
wells; but this little disappointment could
not affect Mrs. Lushington's spirits. Such
was their exaltation that she only turned
to attack Kitty from a sense of duty. Fox
kitty. A dangling curate-a silly, vulgar
little girl. Pooh! 1t seemed hardly worth
being angry about. Still, she was response
BILE to her brother for Kitty's behavior
while the child continued under her roof
50, successfully resuming the frowns which
Mr. Croby had dispersed, she said:
kitty, 1 find myself obliged to ask you
on what terms you are with Mr.. Fox
Kitty stared
Terms? What do you mean, Aunt Ma
jolly
Enough Of skirmishing. Mrs. Washington
charged with all her cavalry.
You and Mr.. Fox were seen in the sum-
merhouse," she said abruptly.
Kitty's lines did not waver.
why not?" she said
REALLY, Kitty, 1 have blush for you if
you have none.'' This was figurative. for
Mrs. Lushingtons ample cheeks retained
unaltered their usual healthy brickdust
color. You were seen to encourage-to
-permit-to let Mr.. Fox kiss you" AS she
pronounced the last words Mrs. Lushing-
tons voice sank to a steely whisper.
II didnt-he didn't exclaimed Kitty
quite loudly. She could not have denied
the fact more vehemently; but there were
signs about her of a tendency in the drec-
ton of thinking the whole thing rather
funny, which ruff1ed Mrs. Washington.
ut was seen, Kitty-it was witnessed. You
We're leaning against the rustic table, and
he
"Oh! Aunt Marion. yes, I'll tell you. We
We're talking about things and all at once
Mr.. Fox said: Miss Merton, there's green
fly on your cheek near the corner of your
mouth I hate green flies. / have simple
horror of them couldn't touch one with
my own hand on any account; so 1 said
Mercy! blow it off And he blew it off-a
little green fly. Aunt Marion
Am ] to believe you, Kitty?"
ASK Mr.. Fox