The sea coast echo., 1900-02-17
Little Kittie Kenyon.
LOUISE KENNEDY mAeiE.

announced her engagement 10 VIII
liams, the rich leatherman's son, every
one gasped and then said: "Wonder
how Tom likes it?"
Tom wondered little himself He
had long been devoted to his cousin
Maude, ever since he could remember,
in fact, and he had always had vague
idea that at some definite time they
might make it o go together.
1t would have been convenient thing
for them both, for she would have
brought Clifton back into the family,
and Tom had the money she lacked.
"But I wasn't worth while, sighed
Tom to himself pityiIgly leaning back
in his chair and stretching his long
legs out toward the fire. I'm sur
prised that | don't feel worse. AL
ways was fond Of Maudie, and it would
have been a nice thing all around.
Hope Williams is all right for her.
Always tancied the beggar myself.
And it seems I'm the best man. Beast
ly nuisance; all girls and frocks and
wedding cake. I'll have to go through
with it, though for MaudIe's sake.
And little Kitty Kenyon is to be maid
of honor. She has never been decent
to me; seems to bear me grudge.
Little kitty Kenyon, ''and Tom sighed
again.
The wedding was t. take place at
once, and church rehearsal, with a
supper at the brile's home, had been
planned for the evening before. Tom
arrived a the last moment, just IN
time to reach the altar as the process
sion came up the church. First the
ushers, then the six bridesmaids, who
walked stiltiy, as if with the weight OF
nations on their shoulders. Tom S
ewes twinkled as he watched them.
On they came, these pretty girls,
sobered beyond their usual wont.
"First time in her life Elsie Yates
hasn't danced along, Tom thought.
THAT Ashton girl is so ugly. Oh, by
Jove-" Toms eyes were fastened
upon the small figure of girl walk
ing alone. Such q pretty girl, with
great black eyes, that sparkled, and
such a graceful girl, swaying slightly,
in time to the statel Y music. She
glanced up as she neared him, and Il
demure look of exaggerated pity came
into her eyes. Then she had passed
him, and taken her place near the
bride.
Little wretch, " thought Tom, bit
ing his lips, 81 always seem to strike
her as joke.
The short rehearsal was over, and
Tom was walking down from the altar
with the tiny maid of honor at his
side.
you're so far away I can hardly
make you hear me, Miss Kenyon. [
have attempted it three times, and you
are utterly oblivious. "
She glanced up at him quickly,
"Oh, no, only sad, Mr.. Ainslie. I
am so sorry for you. You bear up so
wonderfully well, too. If you want
TO cry little, walk behind that pillar
and I'll excuse you to the rest. Just
for three minutes. No? Don't need
it? You can stand it trifle longer?"
'What have lever done to you, Miss
KENYON? I'm an innocent individual
who never did you any knowing harm.
Will not your kind and pitying heart
speak for one who is only anxious to
let you walk on him? And who only
succeeds in rousing your nasty, evil
little temper?". said Tom, in distinct
ly melodramatic manner.
She looked at him serenely for an
instant. stuff and nonsense, she
said. and ran off to Maudie, who was
calling her.
He managed to secure the chair
next hers at supper, though Sheldon
had his hand upon the back of it, and
scrowled darkly at Tom when he sat
down. Miss Kenyon looked up with
smile.
"Ob, so you are feeling kinder to-
ward me now, are you not?" he said,
bending over her with the devoted air
be had toward women. Because [
want to ask you a question, and [
want you to answer it seriously. You
will? Well, why do you not like me?"
The girl gave him a curious little
glance, and her lashes huttered mo-
ment Then she answered, looking
straight at him.
You have too much of the Con
9uering Hero air about you.
II didn't know that" said Tom
meekly. Cant you help me to
change it? Because | like you, you
KNOW" in a low voice, Every, very
much.
He was staring at her very hard,
and saw the rose tint deepen in her
cheek, She turned her shoulder to-
ward him.
"Mr. Sheldon, she called, "you
are neglecting me sham mefully. Won't
you come over here Eeside me? Mr.
Ainslie is just leaving" She glance
at Tom out of the corners of her eyes.
Ainslie got up Instantly, looked at
her q moment, then with quick bow
eros ed the room to his cousin.
tSorry, Maudie, but | must be leav-
ing. Williams, I'll see about those
tickets" And he was gone.
Sheldon sat down with radiant
smile, but after few moments his
face clouded, and the radiant smile
was gone. Miss Kenyon evidently
did not feel like talki 6.
Ali the next day. Tom could not get
her out of his mind. Il was angry.
s'The impudence of her." he thought
to himself, and resolved to ignore her
completely. But whel he stood with
the bridegroom in the * church that
afternoon, and saw her coming toward
him in her lovely white frock, his
heart gave a queer little turn. and
then seemed to stand still. In the
quick glance he had of ner, he thought
she looked little pale. ut go retty.
20 wonderfully pretty. As she passed
by him, she looked up al a:m a Eo.
ment, Toms eyes were 1xe1 abGre
her head, and he never SLAM e; a.
her.
All during the reception end ssprcr
it was the sane. His eyes never
seemed to rest upon her, although he
was wildly aware OF Sheldon's dero-
ton.
Rut nftar !Ge c-,it-oD; a of ~,