The Opelousas courier., 1901-10-05
Little Kittie Kenyon.
BY LOUISE KENNEDY MABlE.

NAC 6UoRCo oAo eAoA S"A" 'SA~
hove Tom likes it?"
Tom wondered a little himself. He
had longbeen devoted to his cousin
Maude, ever since he could remember,
in fact, and he had always had q vague
idea that at some definite time they
might 'tmake it o go together"
It would have been a 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 pityinglyleaning back
in his chair and stretching his long
legs out toward the fire. sim sur
prised that 7 don't feel worse. AL
ways was fond OF Maudie, and it would
have been q 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 a grudge.
Little Kitty Kenyon, "and Tom sighed
again.
The wedding was to take place at
once, and a church rehearsal, with a
supper at the brides home, had been
planned for the evening before. Tom
arrived at the last moment, just in
time to reach the altar as the process
SIGN came up the church. First the
ushers. then the six bridesmaids, who
walked stifiy, as if with the weight of
nations on their shoulders. Toms
eyes 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 80 ugly. Oh, by
Jove-" Toms eyes were fastened
upon the small figure of a girl walk
ing alone. Such a pretty girl, with
great black eyes, that s%parkled, and
such a graceful girl, swaying slightly,
in time to the stately music. She
glanced up as she neared him, and a
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 9 to strike
her as a 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. I
have attempted it three times, and you
are utterly oblisious.'"
She glanced up at him quickly,
"Oh, no, only sad, MI. Ainslie. T
am 50 sorry for you. You bear up SO
wonderfully well, too. If you want
to cry a 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 il a trife longer?"
"What have I ever done to you, Miss
Kenyon? I'm an innocent individual
who did you anyknowing harm.
Will not your kind and plying 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 o distinct
" melodramatie manner.
She looked at him serenely for an
instant. t'StuH and nonsense" she
said, aud ran of to Maudie, who was
calling her.
He managed 10 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
8 smile.
ooh, so you are feeling kinder to-
ward me now, are you not?" he said,
bending ove her with the devoted air
he had toward women. Because i
want to ask you a question, and I
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 futtered a mo-
ment. Then she answered, looking
straight OF him.
"You have too much of the Con
quering Hero air about you"
II didn't know that" said Tom
meekly. Cant you help me to
change it? Because I like you, you
know, !" in q low voice, Every, very
much"
He was staring at her very hard,
and saw the ross tint deepen in her
cheek, She turned her shoulder to-
ward him.
ttsMr. Sheldon, 2 she called, .syou
are neglecting me shamefully. Won't
you come oyer here beside me? Mr..
Ainslie is just leaving" She glance |
ct Tom out of the corners of her eyes.
Ainslie got up instantly, looked at
her a moment. then with a quick bow
eros el tie room to his cousin.
Sorry, Maadie. but must be leay-
ing. Williams, I'll see about those
tickets" And he was gone.
| Sheldon sat down with q radiant
smile, but after 8 few moments his
face clouded, and the radiant smile
was gone. Miss Kenyon evidently
did not feel like talking.
All the next day. Tom could not get
her ont of his mind. He was angry.
~sThe impudence OF her." he thought
to himself, and resolved TO ignore her
completely. But when he stood with
the bridegroom in the Zig church that
afternoon, and saw her coming toward
hitu III hes LIVELY I'M to freck, his
heart gave & aless little tnsp, and
then seemed TO sbsaa still. In the
quick glance he had of har. he thought