Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-10-24
Kitty Green's
Elopement ~
By WILLIAM J. LAmPToN
Copyright, 1901. BY Author. Syndicate,

| from the cradle to the grave She
was pretty and petted, and even the
promise she had given TO her lover
was not always a reminder to her
that her first duty was to him. John
Meldon was one of the men who be-
lieve with the poet:
Her very frowns are fairer far,
Than smiles Of other maidens are"
And when she frowned upon him for
the good advice he, as ten years her
| senior, felt he had the right to give
her, he loved her the more and was
the more jealous, feeling that when
at last he had won her completely
she would be more precious to him
for the effort required in the winning.
But Kitty Green's temper and tenn
permanent were not of the John Mel.
don sort yet, and although she had
promised TO be his wife and said she
loved him better than any other man
in all the world, il must be confessed
that Kitty could not persuade herself
TO withdraw her beauty and her win
some ways entirely from the admira-
ton OF other men. as IL is provided
in all cases of affairs OF the heart
the woman should do. No. Kitty loved
admiration, and she loved TO tease
the excellent young man who had
been the only one who had won .
final and definite promise from her.
They had been engaged for three
months. and. while portion Of that
time was Paradise to John, there
were other portions OF II when, II he
had been asked for his opinion, il is
feared that II would scarcely have
been appropriate for publication. Yet
with il all. the idea Of not loving her
never once entered his mind. He
knew the story. from his infancy. Of
the children Of Israel in the wilder
ness, and their final deliverance and
JOY In the Promised Land was his
pillar Of fire 20 lead him through the
darkest night OF Kitty's willfulness
and coquetry.
Her latest disregard of his wishes,
not 10 say his rights, was her permit
ting the attention OF one Maj. Hunter,
who had appeared in Winston social
circles as a hero from the Philippine
islands. Nobody had inquired of the
war department at Washington for
the majors credentials, and he was
such an attractive gentleman that no
one thought OF doing such thing.
In fact. all Winston society simply
fell at the majors feet and worshiped
because he had such elegant manners
and such an extensive and intimate
acquaintance with fuIh avenue and
Newport and the diplomatic circles
of the capital that 20 have questioned
his position or any statement he
made OF himself would have been
high treason. John Meldon. not being
society man. was not included
among the worshipers of the major,
and he was in a proper frame Of mind
20 consider him calmly and TO con- |
clude that there was mouse in the
meal bag. though just where and how
he had not then the means Of know
ing. What Mr. Meldon knew definite
IL OF the major was that he had
proved conclusively 20 himself that .
Kitty Green would come into posses
sion Of fortune plenty large enough
for two when she was 81 years OF
age and that no other girl in Winston
had anything like such prospects. For
further particulars the major did not
seem 70 care.
Kitty's lover maintained a discreet
silence on the subject OF the major
until forbearance ceased 70 be vir-
tue, and then he very mildly suggest
ed one evening that she might at
least divide her time between her
promised husband and the ubiquitous
major
.Maj. Hunter is a gentleman" she
said. with a toss Of her pretty head.
'.and IL / want to see him every day
In the week shall do so"
~ on have the right 10 do as you
please. sweetheart" said Meldon.
~but you have no right TO
Iay who or what Maj Hunter is until
Tou know"
Il know Mai Hunter is a gentle
man" she continued Haven't / seen
him nearly every day since he has
been in town. and If he were not a
gentleman. wouldn't / know"
Sweetheart. sweetheart" pleaded
Ter lover. ''you are a dear little thing /,
hat man Of the world. such as
Hunter is. could fool to death. and
,e is fooling you now. He has even
zone so far as to investigate the rec /.
lrds 10 learn how much money you
AVE"
Kitty became wildly indignant on
he instant. |,
do you mean to insinuate. Mr.. Mel /,
on" she exclaimed. with a flushed a
ace and in an angry tone, that Maj \
Iunter has no regard for me except II
OF my money!" "
"surely. Kitty asserted Meldon.
/ say il positively as my belief" i
sThen III ask him." she said. "And. j
Ir. Meldon." she went on. "for this d
- 80, have uttered AGAINST q .,