The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-21
HITTIE.

| t~~o0~~-~-NIN-~~~0-~~~~-~
| Wheeling Register
1t was away out IN the country where
| dissipation was q word almost without
meaning
Into this quiet tide a sudden, exciting
elohent mad fallen, In the shape of gay
| young girl from a neighbOring city
f1er name was Jennie Mordant. and
she claimed cousinship with Farmer Nor
uaIt S prown-faced and rather bashfuF
| SONS IN daring, coaxing way that was
new and delightful to them, and Jared.
the eldest grew more demonstratiye to-
ward others
| There was a little eirl ti,,,no ~, 81
Low Hill pass" whose name had often
| been spoken In connection with Jared's.
| ana 1t was guessed that they mutually
felt shy fondness for each other. Jared
only called her by her formal Christian
name, Katherine, at rare intervals, and
tnen with sense of familiarity that made
| him half ashamed.
But after Jennie Mordant had tied his
necktie and brushed the threads off his
coat he escaped from her bright eyes and
merry ways and walked to Low Hill with
a light step. AS he neared the house he
saw Katherine returning home "cross-
lots" from Widow Sangsters, where she
had been to take the old lady some but
termilk With one leap he scared the
| wall, and, hurrying to the narrow foot
path, he said softly:
Don't walk SO fast, KitGe."
The girl stood still, trembling and blush
ing, and then she asked, In voice
scarcely audible:
What made you cali me-that2'
MAY call you so again.
YES" she answered simply, and he did
not know how quickly her heart was
beating. And so they went in silence
through the gathering dew and darkness
up to the door.
When 1t was time for Jared to leave ne
sided up to the kitchen window, and.
reaching in. with one arm on the sill. he
dropped a spray of lilac, as If by accident
and said: Good night, Kittie'
So the summer passed away with a new
glory. and when the evenings grew long
and coof In the autumn a dancing school
was talked of in the village So the sea
son opened far more gaily than usual
Then there was to be q husking at Farm
er Mordant's. in the long, new barn. Long
before dark the great piles of corn filled
the barn floor and the f1ddIers walked
about. with their pet violins tucked away
in green bags. while the kitchen was over
flowing with food. and a row Of cider
barrels lay tapped in the yard.
Katherine Hubbell came down early
with her brothers
The candles were lighted in the Sitting
actually romping with Miss Jennie She
was standing on her toes to reach his
head, pulling his hair and bothering him,
when suddenly he turned and, taking
the two little hands In hts big brown
palms, he held her so firmly that she
could not get away, though she strug-
gled and laughed for minute and then
stood still, listening intentiy
When he let her go she patted his face.
smiled brightly and ran away, and Kath-
crime could see that Jared was blushfng
like a girl
She did not go into the sitting room as
though nothing had happened.
She was not actress enough for that
She went slowly round to the kitchen
door and found the girls: and In their
merry chatter they did not notice her
silence. But that Jennie-how could she
ever speak TO her AGAIN.
She could not flirt and laugh, and pre-
tend not to care, as some girls could;
her eyes flashed with anger, as she
thought of Jared leading Jennie Mordant
out before them all; and. creeping away
to Grandma Mordant's room. she hud-
died herself down by the fire in forforn
little heap. The old lady was not there.
but she soon came in, and with her was
that Jennie" talking low and earnestly.
she is always in my way" thought
katherine, bitterly; but she held her
Jared says he never has chance to
see her a minute alone, and the house is
so full Of company that I'm sure there
won't be another quiet spot but this
ROOM I'll manage to smuggle him in
while she is here. and then do you make
an excuse to go out and leave them:
there's a dear. good grandma She is
really g. sweet little girl. and Jared is so
fond of her. Do you know he calls her
Kittie?''
The Old lady chuckled pleasantly to
herself, as she went out after a candle,
and when she returned with it lighted, the
room was empty. But later, the harvest
moon dropped lower from the deep sky.
and all the radiant stars came near to
listen to the new meaning that echoed In
Jared's voice, as he said: Good night
Ktttie." ~
Last night an old man lay dying in
handsome home; his gentle silver-haired
wife stood beside him. holding his hand.
TITS growing dark-come nearer-Geod
night Kittie" And his voice had hushed