The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-08-29
hpr InIhpr onIpr Ihn hnII.


her father enter the hall.
"All right, my DEAR" answered Farm
or Irving. making his appearance Mt
the threshold of the cosy little dining
room. his eyes lighting with pleasure
as they fell upon his daughter making
herself busy about the temptlngly
spread table.
Now Farmer Irving was sometimes
Mt a loss to know whether 1t was his
daughter, with her chCery voice and
smiling face, or the bountifully spread
table, which he was called upon TO pre-
side over three times day, afforded
him most pleasure.
Perhaps II was both. for Farmer Irv-
Ing was often heard to say that his
youngest daughter could cook vlctuals
and serve them up In n manner that
would please the greatest epicure.
III fact, TO use his own expression,
"there wasn't girl in all New Eng
land that could hold candle in the
line of housekeeping to my Kitty"
Rather strong assertion to make
in the land of good housekeepers.
"Where Is BeatrlxT asked the farm
er, taking his place at the table.
II think l hear her coming" and as
KITTY finished her sentence her hand
some. stately sister entered.
"Beatrix. my dear. have something
for you,' and feeling In his coat pocket
Fariper Irving drew forth letter and
handed 1t to his eldest daughter.
"Is he coming, BeatrixT asked
Kitty, her bright eyes growing bright
er as she watched her sister reading
the letter.
''Yes; he will be here some time this
week; so you may begin your grand
preparations as soon rs you like"
$50, Mr. Sumner Is going to pay us
another visit, eh? Well daughter
mine, 1 wonder what attraction Is
there for that young gentleman down
here, this bleak weather"
"0h, how simple you are, papaw
laughed Kitty.
'Why, he Is coming according TO
promise, papa. You know. when he
was here In the summer, he said he
would come again in the fall" an
swered Beatrix.
"Beatrix, 1 see the wagon coming
mp the road and there is a strange gen
tlemqn with Mr.. Sumner and papa"
said Kitty, few days after, running
into the bright little parlor, where her
sister sat reading a novel.
"a strange gentleman" said Beatrix,
rising and crossing over to the win
dow. "Oh, he is an old gentleman
"Oh, isn't Tracy Sumner looking
handsome! exclaimed Kitty, standing
on tiptoe and looking over her sisters
shoulder. 81 think you ought to De SO
happy. Beatrlx, for I'm sure he loves
you"
A faint color swept over Bentrix's
beautiful face. In her secret heart
she thought that Tracy Sumner loved
her, and to tell her so was the sole OBJ
Ject OF his visit this bleak November
day she hadn't the least doubt, but
with shrug Of her shoulders she said:
Don't talk such nonsense, Kitty.
Run away and see that everything is
very nice FOR tea"
"As If l ever had anything that
wasn't very nice" said kitty. with a
smile and toss of her head, MS she
trlpped away to the kitchen, leaving
the lady of the house, as she called
Beatrix. In the parlor to receive the
gentlemen.
"Why. MlsJ Kitty. was about CIV
Ing you up In despair" exclaimed
handsome, free-and-easy Tracy Sum-
ner, rising to meet Kitty as she entered
the parlor, some time after, to say that
tea was ready.
II am happy to see you here once
more, Mr.. Sumner" said Kitty, cor
daily extending her hand, the crimson
In her cheeks spreading over her face.
"Now. 1t looks as II you were happy.
Here have been waiting to see you
for two hours"
"Oh, Mr. Sumner! you know"
"Yes, / know you are busy little
fairy. and haven't time to call your
soul your own; so l suppose 1 must
forgive you," laughed Tracy. and TAX
Ing Kitty by the hand he led her over
to the window. where her father and
the strange gentleman were in deep
conversation.
"Miss Irving. my uncle, Mr.. Sands"
So the strange gentleman was Tracy
Summers uncle!
What fine, affable old gentleman
he is" thought Kitty, as Mr.. Sands
complimented her more than once at
the supper-table.
"Now, Tracy" said Uncle Sands,
when the two retired to their own
room, "why didr't you fall IN love with
Kitty instead OF Beatrixf tell you,
my boy. that girl Is worth her weight