Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-01-25
STORY Of A STOLEN KISS.

NJ uedI l1eSIlS. SdlI 11chlS
mour TO his ward, I do wish you would
try TO be little less fast; everyone is
talking about you, and it is very painful
to me-
My dear guardy," said the young lady
he addressed, a very pretty girl, about
is, what have | done? Just men
tion some of my sins and l will try to re-
form
Well said Sir Henry, ''to begin with
YOU are much too fond OF using slang eX-
pressions; | am sure you do not mean
any harm, dear. but it does not sound
well. | wish you would adopt 4 more
lady-like manner, like those nice, quiet
girls, Col. Bonds daughters. | assure
you. Leslie, men do not care for fast
girls, however much they may tiirt with
them, and | confess | should ike to see
you well married"
Now. my dear Sir Henry" said Les
lie coaxingly, tell me, cid you ever hear
ne say anything the least Weeny bit I'M
proper|
Certainly not, my dear child"
Then let me tell you those nice, quiet,
lady-like girls you admire so much say
things that would make your hair stand
on end. If you could only hear how they
so on when we are by ourselves. |
should be quite ashamed" she added,
with energy, Ito even think Of the things
they discuss freely; indeed, | cut them
whenever [ can. As for marrying-real-
ly, all the young men | know are such
muffs or prigs [ detest the whole lot.
What is my next crime!
You smoke cigarettes. Leslie said
her guardian sternly. l was told you
were actually seen with one between
your lips out of doors the other night"
Leslie hung down her head q little and
then said, with slight blush
I cannot deny | tried one once. and
indeed 1t was so nasty and made me feel
50 Ill that | assure you am not likely
to do it again"
7 am glad to hear it. SO you think
all young men muffs and prigs? | hope
to introduce to you one who answers
neither descriptions; you have OF course
heard of Capt. Murray"
DO you mean the Capt. Murray who
gained the Victoria Cross for defending
that fort so calamity in the last cam
palgn? Of course | remember all about
him. Why"
He is coming home, and being the
son OF an old friend, he has promised to
pay me a visit, and | expect him shortly.
How delightful! | shall like to meet
a real hero. | hope he is handsome"
douglas Murray was a very good
looking lad, but you will not suit him,
young lady; he abhors fast girls, and
is very fastidious-"
ton. [ dare say. Amy will suit him to
at T. She is such a demure little mouse"
And Miss Lindsay took herself Off.
IN due time Capt. Murray arrived.
Leslie Lindsay was disappointed; she
could hardly believe that quiet, unassum-
ing young man could be the hero who had
startled the whole civilized world into
admiration. To her guardians great an
noyance she seemed to make a point of
showing herself in her worst colors, and
when Sir Henry asked her whether she
thought Capt Murray a prig or a muf
she declared he was both.
One very hot day in July Leslie and
Sir Henry's daughter, Amy Seymour,
were returning from making a call. The
drawing-room windows opened on the
Veranda, which was covered with luXuri-
ant creepers. It looked very cool and
pleasant inside on such a sultry day.
The two girls We're about to enter the
room when Leslie, who was in advance,
suddenly drew back and pointed inside.
Amy peeped III. There was Capt. Muir
ray fast asleep in an armchair near the
window.
pair of gloves"
For shame, Leslie. You surely would
not think Of such thing"
who's afraid?" said Leslie Besides
he is really fast asleep and will never
know, and the temptation is too much
world raves about" and with mischiev-
Gus look at Amy, she stepped lightly in
and dropped kiss as light as a puff of
thlstledoWn upon the sleeper's forehead.
As the sound Of the girls retreating
footsteps died away, Douglas Murray
opened his eyes, and, smiling to himself
said:
I suppose that is considered a fast
girl. | must confess | like her, and be-
lIeye she IS really true and womanIy.
That fast manner is all humbug | must
not forget to pay my debt, however," and
he laughed She thinks me a muff, |
know. Never mind, that kiss was very
nice-I forgive her
day or two afterward, as they were
all at breakfast, Sir Henry said:
I forgot, Leslie, here is something for
YOU" handing her a small packet,
marked Parcel POST
What can it be, | wonder?' she said,
as she cut the string, the handwriting
is quite strange to me- and she was
about to open it quite unconcernedly
when Amy remarked:
1t is just the shape Of a glove box
Leslie started and Cooked guilty.
across the table at Capt Murray. who
was, however, going on with his break
fast.
She took off the paper wrapper and dis
covered 4 white box-it did look horri-
bly, like q glove box, Leslie thought, as
she lifted the cover-and, yes, inside lay
several pairs Of dainty kid gloves of diff
ferent shades.
Hoping nobody noticed her confusion
md not daring to look across the table
she was replacing the cover of the box
when Capt. Murray said very coolly:
Il always pay my debts, Miss Lindsay:
| do not like to feel under any obliga-
ton
Hastily Selling her parcel Leslie rose.
and, murmuring something to Sir Henry
about not feeling very well, she flew up
stai1s and locked herself into her room,
where she had a good cry.
After a little time she took a look at
the gloves.
Just my size. | wonder how he knew;
and six buttons-and how pretty they
are. He is not quite such 'prig' after
all, but it makes no difference to me
now. He disli1es me, / know, and |
wish he was gone And then she had
another good cry
Sir Henry Seymour had no reason to
complain Of his wards conduct for the
next few days-hut she avoided Capt.
Murray, who tried in vain to get a
chance to speak to her.