Cinder Path Tales

QUEERED THE "MILE" 73 on her soft brown hair, and a parasol inher hand which displayed the academy color. Her cheeks were bright, andgrew a shade brighter as she asked, "Please, Mr. Brown, may I walk along with you?" Receiving my very hearty assent she tripped down the steps and across the street, taking special pains to save the figured muslin from the dust of the street. I think I said that Kitty's ankles wereirreproachable. Although it was very evident Kitty had been to some pains to see me, I found her very silent and preoccupied. She had said not much more than a silly word or two about the weather,when we reached the Lee place, where she said she must leave me, as she had promised to stop for Sally and Kate. As she put her hand on the latch of the gate she gave me the first hint of what was burdening her mind by asking, " Are the boys allfeeling well? " I said, "Yes, as far s I know," and then to try her, " though Black looks abit queer, for some unaccountable reason." "That's too bad," answered Kitty, with considerable affectation of sorrow, as she swung thegate open; but I noticed a little widening of the mouth, and a tell-tale dimple in her cheek almost betrayed her. Not once did she raise her eyes to mine either, some-