The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-04-01

to be sensible, but the fact isl don't.
1t Is ever so much more thrilling TO
take you thus In spite of yourself You
have never even let me kiss your hand.
No matter when we married. this
would have to come some time. You
know you need mastering. but I'm too
generous to ask you to admit It, Come
along. | want you to hear me tell
daddy all about it. Mother Clyde has
already agreed with me that the wed.
ding had better be on your birthday"
Then Kitty forgot herself, her years.
her grownup estate, She screamed
He did not pay any attention. She
became so angry that she tried TO claw
his cheek, but nDne of her efforts or
Bhrieks availed.
He lifted her as II she were only
five years old and carried her into the
sitting room, where her father rose in
alright. Mrs. Clyde, pallid. but more
composed, stood beside him, her hand
laid detainingly upon his shoulder.
Its a hard to bear. mighty hard"
she whispered. We've ought to bear
1t for the child. Spelling her so is our
work. But for heavens sake keep
still! Her whole future depends on 1t.
Douglas is the man Of men for her,
and she will throw him over il she
has the least chance"
Daddy! Oh, dear daddy" Kitty
painted. trying 10 orasd out appealing
arms Douglas pinioned them fast and
went close to Major Clyde, saying,
with a laugh that was not quite easy:
Major, this girl you gave me is be-
having so badly. | think you might
throw in one of old Flossys pups to
even up the trade
At that Kitty screamed afresh. The
majors breath came hard, his face
grew apoplectic, but his wife's hand,
closing and enclosing convulsiyely.
warned him not to interfere.
He tried to assume judicial air
and say, The case admits of argu
ment" but ut the second word the
door opened to admit Miss Alicia AclS
royd. who usurped and abused priv.
ileges of intimate neighborliness.
The Ackroyd house stood just across
the road. The two sisters had been
ON watch in the front windows ever
since they saw Douglas ride through
the Clyde gate.
They had heard the screams and
had made their incursion. Somebody
must be killing somebody over there
I'm going to find out who,' Miss Alicia
said to Miss Patricia, not even stop
ping to snatch at a bonnet as she
sped through the front door and down
the walk.
After one startled "Oh" she stood
still. staring at Douglas, who had
loosed his hold of Kitty, but kept her
hand. Kitty had been in a white rage
Now she flushed brilliantly and
looked at the intruder with her most
infantile smile. Dear Miss Alicia, did
l really brighten the neighbors?' she
asked. I'm so glad. Do say | did
We have Just had an impromptu re-
hearsal. Douglas, wretch that he is.
insists that l can't act, that he Is not
depriving the stage Of great orna-
ment in marrying me. and was bound
to prove him In the wrongo
"Oh" Miss Alicia said again, this
time with mighty different infection.
yet one that still lacked something of
conviction. Miss Patricia. fully bon.
neted, here painted in.
When the stir Of settling her ended
Miss Alicia returned to the charge
'You ought to have called in a bigger
audience, dear Kitty" she said In the
suave voice that always meant mis-
chief But do tell me what the play
was I don't seem to recall"-
"Of course you don't. belong to the
new school," Kitty said brightly. 1.-THE
new school exists, you know, to prove
that until It came nobody ever played
Shakespeare quite right. Maybe it's
because of my name but I've always
felt that could give new rendering
of Katharine, you know. In The Tam
ing of the Shrew' -
"She did do 1t and was most con-
vincing," Douglas interrupted CRATE
fully. He had been going hot and cold
wondering II there were any escape
from the valley Of humiliation open
before them. He knew that only by n
miracle could the Ackroy tongues be
stopped.
$50 convincingw he went on. II see
must marry her right away. Miss
Alicia, Miss Patricia, will you come to
the wedding? It's to be just three
weeks from now"
"You are wretch, an ingrater' Kit
ty said to him half an hour later when
the Ackroyds had reluctantly taken
themselves away. II saved you and in
doing it trapped myself beyond escape.
What punishment do you not deserve,
sir?"
Nothing short Of Imprisonment for
life" Douglas said. kitty, darling.
you showed yourself genius and
heroine. In reward you shall go on
having your own way"
81 don't want it-except sometimes"
Kitty answered, racing away to kiss
the major and Mrs. Major and at last
to pet old Flossy's precious puppies.
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