Hutchinson gazette., 1899-10-19

PuinVul phu DuJ hut Nlotly Htllo Huul
beneath my chin, locked at mo with
mock reproach, then, laughing again
bent forward and kissed me.
"one might fancy, Kitty, II one dc
not know tho circumstances Of th,
case, one might fancy DO yor
know what ono might fancy?"
mo"
THAT you were in love with John
"And am" declared, my cagel
tone sounding unconvlnclng somehow
as | caught tho amused, incredulous
little twInltlcs In Meg's clear blue eyes,
II am, Meg You don't believe mo
but It's truo."
poor Kitty" said Meg In II tragic
tone, still unconvlnced, when did II
happen, dear2"
| turned away, Meg trlpped after
mo down tho dusty garret stairs; and
as We reached the floor below, twined
her arm caresslngly about my waist
again,
"What does II feel like to fall In
love, dear? Is the fall n shock? And
what docs It feel like when you're
there2"
"Whero?"
"In tho land OF love, the land Of
llme-llght, In the lime-llght | sup
pose evon John would look romantic?
But romantic figure with a short
beard! Oh, bear with mo, Kitty! lTt
aglnatlon fails me, / can't picture II
Now, long beard-a long, big, yellow.
Teutonlc beard, or a long, thin, taper
Ing, pathetic beard--I could put up
with under protest. But a short beard,
speckled brown and gray, with serv-
lceable suit Of clothes Kitty, I'm
so sorry; I'm afraid can't fall In love
with John"
II don't think he will mind" ] said,
with touch of malice In my tone.
Meg sighed profoundly her eyes stIll
dancing with merry laughter,
"Is his heart all yours? Poor me.
poor WoTlu, poor rest OF Ub'
"0h, Meg, don't be such q goosc!"
I'm trying 10 be serious, like you.
An engagement, Kitty, is a most serl-
GUS thing, And the first serious con-
slderatlon Is the ring diamonds, OF
course-refuse, dear, to have anything
to say to anything but diamonds.
Now, Kitty, let me offer you n piece
of advice, Be exacting; lover Is
nothing unless he brings daily gifts
Of flowers and fruit and chocolate
creams. Keep that we'll before his
mind, Heliotrope and malden-hair fern
and chocolate creams daily! My spirits
are rising. Now and then You can sug-
gest that chocolate almonds will be
welcome to me for change"
"Brt he isn't engaged to YOU" said,
laughing.
mo. Preserve mel But lots be
fair - let's divide things equally
you're welcome to John, but let mo
have the flowers and sweets, And
Dora-well, Dora shall wear the flow-
ers when have done with them.
Flowers that / wear always live for n
second day, Do you know that that's
unlucky? II you're to be lucky In life,
and in love, the flowers you wear
should wlthor quickly. Did you ever
hear Of that superstitlon?"
Never"
"Be more sympathetic, Kitty. Don't
say never In that fat tone, Please
to realize my tragedy. No one ls COM
Ing to woo me-no one is coming to
wed, No Join will ever say he loves
me. BY the by Kitty, did John say
he loved you?"
| flashed ono quick glance at her,
and caught she thought In her mind.
EYES," | said In a voice that would
not be steady In spite of all my efforts;
"and l wanted to tell you--you were
all wrong, yol and Dora and Aunt
Jane, Ho docs care for me, He cares
for me for my own sake--for his own
sake-not for duty in the least"
Meg looked at me doubtfully for n
moment, little braver than her wont.
That's very nlta," she said, gently;
but there was Il note of unreality in
her tone; and / knew / had not con-
vinced her,
(To hp nnntinuodl