The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-09-05
Parted by a Hairs Breadth.

hre, which IS tnere not because 1t is cold but BIZ
cause the placein Blankshire is dreary; damp
ness hangs about it and chill-a very ouee
sort of feeling, as though the dead Sir Olive
still lay in state on the hearse-like bed of Grim
son velvet, III the western chamber
My ladys own companion sits behind her, oc
cupieu III a my sterious fancy work called tatting
but IT IS net upon her that those Eandc fins
0y7S ''' ~ tNeV cave the 6rei it is upon two fig
lures at the other end of the room-so far ava,
that they can rather be imagined than saen,ant
their vopes are inaudible. These are the daugh
ter and nephew ofmy lady Patterdale.
BY and by their conversation is finished ,anl
they come up and stand together opposite m,
lady's great chair on the hearth.
George Haughton,' Gaid her lsdyship 'why
are you looking ike a Gagged lion B.
Twelve months ago, replied the young man.
my cousin bade me wait patiently a year-s
whole, long year 1t expires to-day, and l am
here to know my fate
Speak lower, George Haughton.'
she tells me- he went on with gesture of
Impotence; that she cannot fettar herself yet;
that ala still 9 hoy and must serve yet anoth,
er year for her.
10 which you have agreed, interposed a
softer voice, while little white hand touched
his arm. 81 -, 80
To which I have agreed. 1t is no BOYS love
have given you. Catherine, but my whole life.
You must net think do not know YOU it is
because you love Observation-Disclosures you
would be free to exercise your fascination over
others-that you hold bac'i from keeping your
promise can wait but do rot try me too
long. You are mine and / am yours for hapnl-
ness or misery, and one shall not suffer without
tie other
| My lady Patterdaile bent her false eyebrows
into frown as he finished.
These are strange words for a lover young
Haughton.
Then the naughty face softened with a sud
den CLEAN of tenderness, and he took both the
hanuS Oh MS oetrothed IN his own strong, ear
nest grasp; =
Catherine knows, he said that love her
as my own SOUL
lie was gone. My la1y's book slipped slowly
down to the stool at her feet, for she was watch
ing her daughter. A strange look came into
ne eyes OF the younp girl as she pressed her
tHlasped hands together and felt the touch of
George Haughton's ring,
I on aro wise, Catherine, said her ladyship:
when we go back to town. you will have many
a better part at your feet
That IS not it, exclaimed Catharine scorn.
fully and the man does not live whom
should think worthy to compare with him.
into her daughters face.
You Gro endowed with a singular power of
fascination she said; you would airt,m daugh-
ter, in your shroud.'
shudder passed over the beautiful crouch.
ing hgure,and the poor companion made false
move In her tatting.
But do not trust to it, Kate with youth
and beauty it passes away-ah, so quickly
Then my lady rang for lights and then be.
gan to reckon up the days and weeks which
must eiapse before she would dare to go back
70 y, Town ana gayety, from the dreary place in
50 that year also went by, and then another,
and another, leaving the promise untulRlled !;
and stu George Haughton repeated as firmly as
ever, can wait ! while the hope that h ad ri
pened youth was whitening away his manhood.
-Four years more had he served for her this
was the fifth. And my lady was back at her
place in Blankshire, but no longer alone with
her unread novel,
She had filled the house with fashion and
youth and beauty. There were daughters and
sons to DO merry, and matrons to gather round
the card table of Lady Patterdaile and to souah-
BILE over the cards which she touched lovingly
with her trembling old fingers
On such an evening it was that George
Haughton again entered the large drawing room
IN Blankshire. He stood in the doorway watch
ing the gaudy clouds of blue, pink and white,
with the black coats that relieved them George
Haughton's head was higher than any there; he
leaned, in his lazy strength, against the wall,
watching, with smile to which years of disap-
pointed hopes had given a sort of despairing
bitterness, while his cousin drew near, land stop
ped with gesture Of surprise, George made
her low bow, and then offered her his urglov-
ed hand.
Have you forgotten the day of the month p
Let me speak to you moment, he SAID ia
king her apart from the rest.
When they came back she was looking IN
at him laughingly.
When will you give mo up, George Haugh-
lioa?'
when that beautiful black head is streaked
with silver retorted George.
She heard a new sound in his voice, and
shrank from it, but the next moment all her
gaycty came back, for she said to herselfimpe-
riously, He knows not my power; he cannot
forsake NO.
One word more said George; you call that
young lady who left you just now your friend,
do you not =
Oh, yes--my dearest friend
Well, and the fair haired young fellow lean
ing over the pri dieu is a stranger to you?'
He WAS till this evening"
But not to me. When | came in, you were
flirting with him. When tell you that he is
engaged to your dearest friend will you spare
him :?
With laugh, she broke from the light re-
straint Of bis hand. He locked after her, and
smiled at the folly of asking such question:
He drew himself up, and pressed his knuckleI
together, and he muttered to himself iercely,
| l will l swear it,
So this year George Haughton did not take
himself and his answer away as usual, but he
stayed on, day alter day, patient and watch.
full amongst the other guests of his aunt
One evening the poor companion knocked,
with her tatting in her hand, at the door Of
Catharine's dressing room and entered, trem.
bling at her own boldness.
My dear said the poor lady, and all the
rows of curls on her forehead quivered with ag-
itation; forgive me, but could not help it.
Help what 2 asked Catharine gently
Ny dear, my dear, an old maids life is not
always happy one. do not say that mine is
unhappy, but there are others differently con-
stituted-yourself, for instance, if such thing
were to happen
laugh interrupted her but clasping her
hands with one point of the tattng needle run
ming into them, she went on most earnestly
Alas Alas you would be so miserable !!
Smile at me ifyou will, for taking such theme
on mg old lips but know what it is to triAe
lose it.
| The last words were but faint murmur, and
then the old lady was gone
An old maid;' Catherine laughed again; she
sprang up lightly, and stood before the glass,
radiant and beautiful, repeating the words
scornfully.
Look once more. The laugh of the fair cous-
in has ended in cry of amazement look Of
horror has chased away the radiant smile. What
is it Only that she has seen reflected there
white hair-only one, but startlingly white,
cleaning like silver trail down the black
] locks.
She turned away, but still she saw it every
where she saw it--down the wall. on the gilt
frames of the pictures, on the door, everywh ere
It lay lay along the dark green of the Venetian
bind, and when she raised that impatiently, it
cut IN two the prospect from the window.
Then she threw herself on couch and cover
ed her face There seemed to be before her,
then, herself val ahad