Year: 1875




him, she passed the day in eager
expectant watching, and, disap'
pointed, she went to her bed each
night weeping the bitter tears OF
hope deferred. This continuous
suspense, together with the effort
she was compelled to exert to hide
her distress from her cousin and
the rest of the family, wore upon
her health and spirits.


The little village of Brookville
was situated near the banks Of a
deep narrow river which flowed
into the Hudson. The following
week there was to be a grand pic
nic in one Of the many groves
that skirted it's shores.


The picnic had been in contem-
plation some weeks, and all the
young people far and near, were
merrily anticipating the day.
Roger and Kitty had agreed to
join the party, and Kitty now
! hoped that thus they might be-
come reconciled.


The eventful day dawned bright
and cloudless,and early iu the after.
noon the road leading to the
grove was filed with merry laugh.
ing girls and their lovers gayly
Fastening to the grounds.


Poor Kitty dressed herself in
her holiday attire with mingled
feelings of hope and dread misgiv-
ings. She had made o confede-
rate of her cousin Bella, so far as
to tell her that Roger had parted
from her in anger. Aud Bella
" ho saw her cousins distress OF
mind, forebore to joke or annoy
her and delayed her own depart
ure to the picnic. But as the half
hours slipped quickly by and be
did not appear, she sought her
cousin and said:


"Come, dear Kitty, you'll not
see him to-day, fear; at least. he
evidently does not intend to come
for you. Do not sorrow any more
for him, he is not worthy of it,
but put on your hat and come
with me, and have merry day,
in spite Of Roger Lincoln's neg
lect."


mo, Bella" said Kitty, in q de-
sponden: tonc, ~ cannot 60. l
am too heavy-hearted."


"l, nonsense Kitty! Don't let
him destroy all your happiness
with his folly and madness and
besides, perhaps he will be there
and seek you and take opportuni-
ty to beg your forgiveness"


This last consideration decided
her. Yes, perhaps he would be
there, and happily there might be
some chance given ber to demand
of him an explanation of his con-
duct. So, donning her hat and
light mantle, she soon formed one
in the gay company assembled be-
meath the noble old trees. But 0:
what a day of agony she spent
Roger did not come, and to hide
her grief she had to affect a mirth
and gayety that she dared not
abate. The day few past on
heavy wings to Kitty, but swiftly,
too swiftly for the rest Of the
party. Al last some one proposed
to return home, saying that a
heavy shower was fast coming up,
pointing out a dark, ominous cloud
in the west; but all rejected the
proposal and egaged IN boisterous
merry-msking. They prolonged
their stay until a hoarse, rumbling
sound and the patter Of a few rain
drops apprised them Of the fool
ishness of their delay.


| All was now hustle and exite-
ment, everybody striving to gather
up his effects in haste; stumbling
over one another, and adding to
each others confusion. Kitty had
sought a slight eminence which
overlooked the river. The clouds
already hung dark and threaten
ing and-the rising wind was lash
ing the river into foam. KITTY,
as she gazed over the troubled
waters, discerned about midway
between the shores asmall sail-boat
with one occupant. Her heart
gave a bound of wild apprehension
and a sickening dread Of coming
dangersnote her. Rogersheknew
was in the habit OF frequently
crossing the river, for his father
owned land upon the opposite
shore; and she felt, although she
could not yet distinguish his figure,