The Monticellonian., 1902-10-02

There is a certain Kitty. isn't there? l think I have heard you mention her Tell me about Kitty"
 kitty" said the deputy claimant, looking into the bright face above him and speaking in the tone of one who repeats a lesson, kitty is the farm CTS daughter on the farm next to mine. Her name is Miss Katherine Elizabet Brown. She is Farmer Browns only daughter"
 Well, go on."
 "I don't know any more"
 "Oh, yes you do" said the girl, laugh ing. What does she do?"
 "She helps her mother"
 "Oh," in a pitying tone. Are they poor?"
 No, they are well to do."
 "Gan they not afford a servant2"
 Half dozen of them"
 Then why don't they have some 9" Kitty and her mother do just as we'll They would think it an unheard of extravaganza.
 "Is she pretty?"
 "She is very pretty"
 ''Is she nice?"
 "She is very nice"
 "Is she accomplished?" ?"
 Her accomplishments are the envy of the countryside"
 The girl on the bank rose suddenly. "We had better be getting back" she said "The sun will soon be here"
 Not for another hour," he said. easily. And l want to tell you more about Kitty As l said, she is very ac= eomplished. She can play the organ The girl sat down again.
 "Hymn tunes she plays, on Sundays, No. 1 Songs and Solos Her friend, Miss Robina Merrigold sings. Miss Merrigeld also dances, but Kitty does not approve. She has religious scru- pies. Miss Merrigold plays cards. in a select company, hut Kitty considers this very wrong. Besides her father won't let her. Kitty is also a beanti- ful hand in the dairy. Her bntter-' "Thanll you," said the girl, smiling, that will do. As you say, she is very accomplished. Now, tell me about Canada Do you like it?'
 .It is the first country in the world" Would Hike it?'
 'sNo. you wouldn't '
 .Why not 3" she asked sharply. ssReeause you are in place here, this is your proper setting, this is your home"
 The girls eyes filed with tears.
 ''Afv home!" she said. "It will soon belong to that farmer-that stranger and my home will be with Aunt Maria in q little two-by-four villa on he out skirts of London. Oh, if you only knew that villa, with it's tiny. tiny rooms and it's tiny, tiny garden where everything bigger than rose tree looks out of place. Oh. I shall sutfoeate there. shall dry up and be a mummy-like Aunt Mara!"
 The deputy claimant threw the re mains of his grass blade into the stream with sudden reeklessness. His bright, pood-natured face became hard and determined He did not give himself time to be afraid. Turning to her, he took her hand in his and held il firmly She also had no time to be afraid.
 Alice" he said, would you like Can ada better than that villa would YOU like me better than Aunt Maria 2" The clasp upon her hand was strong and firm. She had no chance to be eyasiye. So. with downcast eyes, she answered "Yes." confusedly.
 Do you love me. Alice? ?"
 Yes she said.
 The clasp upon her hand grew firmer, but he did not kiss her. Surprised. she glanced up only to see in his face that which caused her eyes to drop again and dyed her cheek with bushes.
 "Alce." he said again, and his voice was stern, "are you sure you 1ove-a farmer?"
 "Yes." she said.
 Gould you,' his voice faltered little. "could you love-a thief?"
 ..I could love you"
 And think. Alice. a coward"
 II love you"
 My name" he said. "is Thomas!" "It is a dear name" she whispered. You don't understand" he said. desperately: "and I can't take you until you do. l am all those things. I am not the deputy claimant. I au
 
 home from you. I am the thief you spoke of am the coward. insulted you-now. Alice?"
 The girl withdrew her hand gently Her lips were pressed together very tightly. She turned her head away. He could see her slender shoulders shaking with suppressed emotion.
 How long" she said, in ehoked voice. "how long have you been afraid to tell me this, Thomas?"
 "A whole month"; he said, despair ingly, -four long, cruel weeks
 .'oh, dear" she said. "I shall die: know l shall. can't stop laughing" :"
 She sprang to her feet and faced him. her eyes bubbling over with merriment, her lips ripping with smiles.
 -Four weeksl" she cried, "to think that we have lost four lovely weeks. For, of course, knew it all the time!" | Canadian Maoazine