The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-20

' Miss Kitty smiled blandly. perhaps
1t isn't, but l thought maybe II was. Is
1t wrong to break an engagement Well,
anyway, he wanted me to promise, and
didn't see the use Just then, so told him
that I'd not really be exactly engaged I'M
| I'll the next time we met, thought I'd
have time TO think about IL by then Well,
then, when the order came for us all to
move, he wrote down that he and lot Of
| the others from Grant would be waiting
| for their transportation at Wilcox when
our train would 60 by-at least he hoped
90. He said he'd see me Shere at the sta
ton when we stopped, even II 1t were only
for minute, and that then must keep
my word and be engaged to him." An
other great sigh escaped her.
but surely, Miss Kitty, If you don't
care for him you won't promise to marry
him."
~ don't know"
"Do you love him2"
II guess So"
"Don't you know"
II suppose not I suppose I don't
know"
Kearney waxed wroth at man who
would bully trusting child into an en-
gagement. "Why are you permitting your
self to be browbeaten into thisp" he asked
angrily.
"oh, please don't be cross-pleasel' She
was on the verge Of tears.
He took her hand again. She was ~.
engaged yet ANSWER me, Kitty"
1t wouldn't be right not to, would itp"
Then Kearney went boldly to work to
prove that 1t certainly would be right not
to-
but he loves me-" protested Miss Fos-
ter.
$50 do-what If he doesa You don't
love him."
"But ought to. Maybe SHALL" And
that was all that could be done with Kitty.
Her mother came to the door of the car.
kitty, you must come in right away. II
your head aches, you can go to bed"
My heads better now" she said, ris-
ing Cant l just stay up until we get
to WilcoxP think maybe Carrie, or per-
haps Mr.. Lowell, will be down there"
They went back into the sleeper, where
the officers and their wives sat talking and
trying to keep awake one-half hour longer
until Wilcox should be reached The COM
panies from Grant were expected to be
waiting there for the next train east, and
many pleasant meetings might be crowded
into the short delay at the station.
Miss Foster got pillow and curled up
on seat. "If l fall asleep, Mr.. Appleton,
will you waken me at Wilcox" she re-
quested
Certainly, Miss Foster" he answered.
Kitty closed her big, dark blue eyes and
thought She thought how funny 1t Is
when man who has called you kitty"
and has been awfully In love with you
says miss Foster" and pretends he Is
mere acquaintance. She thought Apple
ton was nicer than Ferris or SAKE or Low
ell. But he wasn't as nice as Mr.. Kearney
NOT quite. She thought she had done
very well with Mr. Kearney. She disitin-
guished In the matter Of condolences, did
Kitty. She knew that nothing reduces
promising situation to mere friendship SO
quickly and successfully as an open, frank,
whole souled confession. Such a thing
was clumsy, and Kitty loathed clumsiness
In these matters She had withheld enough
OF her plant to turn it cleverly to account
She had made Kearney sorry for her and
had refused his advice with Frustrated
grace.
Then Miss Foster fell asleep and dream
ed rosy dreams until Appleton touched her
arm with a book he had been reading.
1--WE are at Wilcox, Miss Foster"
"Oh, dear! What did you hit me with
that hard thing forp" she cried, jumping
up. at hurtr' Her lips trembled, and
her eyes filled.
kitty, child, I didn't mean to hurt you
that is-really, beg your pardon, Miss
Foster"
Certainly, Fr-Mr. Appleton, she re-
piled, rubbing her arm, with a chuckle
which passed for a sob suppressed.
They drew up at the station, where
lights twinkled from the blackness all
about them. There was no one on the plat
form; there were none of the shouts of well
come expected
Kearney rushed into the car. "Say,
what do you think? They left-every
last one Of them-on the train ahead.
They've got big start of u.s.
Miss Foster cried "Ohp' and beamed
with delight. She began to believe that
heaven cares for Its own.
"Wo've only three minutes here" Kear-
ney called back over his shoulder as he
rushed out again.
Kearncy reappeared. He brought with
him can of oysters whereof the top had
been hacked open. They're all 1 had
time to get, Miss Kitty" he explained as
he set them before her on the window sill.
Kitty was daughter of tho plains and
knew the worth Of an oyster. She clapped
her little hands in high glee.
Suddenly Kearney's face fell. "By Jove,
I've no fork or spoonP'
1--WE might use pencil if you'd sharpen
it," suggested Miss Foster.
"Or hatpin."
''No. like the pencil idea better"
Then Miss Foster took the pencil and
the can and went to spearing the biyalves.
"They were nice, but they've made my
head ache again." murmured Miss Foster
Its 80 close in herel'
Perhaps another breath of fresh air
would do it good" Kearney suggested.
"Mayhe, assented she, and they slipped |
unnoticed out on the back platform once |
more
Kitty drew in the night air with delight
She trilled bar of a song. ooh, I'm
500 happy" said she.
$50 am l." said Kearney as he held her
steady with his arm half about her.
"Whyf" queried Miss Foster, fitting back
her head to look innocently into his eyes.
The little fluffy head was so near the parted
lips were SO childish, the round eyes were
SO tender, Kearney bent over her.
why, do you think, Kitty"
ooh, Mr.. Kearney, you mustn't" she
,ried, pulling away.
But you're not engaged, he suggested.
"Thats So" answered Kitty thought
'ully.
"Unless you will be to me'" Ho caught
10Th her hands and tried to force her to
ook ut him. "Will you boz" he insisted.
"If you think I'd better" sold Miss Eos
er. Gwendolin Overton in San Francisco
Argonaut.