Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-12-30
IN THE MOUNTAINS.


q am sorry, Mr.. Norton, if word OIL
deed of mine has ever led you to make
this declaration. | assure you | never
had the least suspicion that your affec
ton for me wat other than that of a
friend. | am so accustomed to think OF
you as such, that | never expected that
you cared for me-"
The speaker was young lady OF
seventeen summers, the daughter of a
wealthy merchant of the city. But the
scene of this dialogue was a charming
villa at Kensington. Very lovely she
was as she stood leaning against the
window, looking up half-frightened into
the face of the gentleman whom she was
addressing Her dress of delicate blue,
with fall of snowy lace at neck and
as the opening rosebud and her golden
ringlets surrounded with kind of halo
the face upturned to his.
"You are yet young. Katie" he said
would not ask you to give up your
freedom only give me hope, and | will
wait for you as long as you desire. May
l wait and hope on, Katie ~
81 know | am young, Mr.. Norton
but not too young to decide. ] owe you
the TRUTH" she said, the rich blood
crimsoning her. white forehead; "and
as a tried friend, l can trust you to keep
my secret am already engaged"
"Then | am too late" And the
frame of the handsome young man
trembled as he buried his face in his
hands.
Looking up some moments after, his
face white and haggard, as if from long
illness, he said, gently caressing the
golden head bowed so penitently, 'May
you be very happy, my Katie. once
hoped to call you my own now, all that
is past. ] cannot say | give you up will
ingly, for it takes the sunshine from my
life; but if he is worthy of you / will
give up, and may the good Father bring
you all the happiness | covet for you,
little friend;" and turning quickly he
left the room.
"Just my luck exactlyr sobbed
Katie, after he had left her alone "To
think that he loved me, and when |
would give almost anything in the world
to please him since he has been so kind,
the very thing he wants l must refuse
him p
And Katie sobbed as if her heart
would break.
"Crying Why, Katie, what ails you ?
This is new freak of yours What is
the matter, Katie?
And the gentleman seated himself
beside her, and turned to find the rea-
son of her tears but she would not an
swer him.
Il met Norton on the stairs" he con-
tinued, "and he looked as if he had
lost his last and only friend. Has he
any connection with those swollen eye
lids, Katie?
"Oh, Henry, that is just it," And
Katie told him all her trouble, adding,
" | am SO sorry, for he has been so good
to papa"
"And so you refused him, Ell? You
need not trouble yourself in the least /;
hell live through@it. | never did like
the fellow" he continued, his brow
growing dark as some unpleasant mem
ory crossed his mind; and | am glad
some one upon whom | have some claim
can make him feel like an ordinary
mortal"
"You shan't talk so of Mr.. Norton,
Henry Gray !" and the blue eyes flashed
threatningly. "He has been one of our
best friends during dear papa's illness
and shan't listen to such language
"Phew Who are we now p And
the young stockbroker for such he was)
opened his eyes in astonished wonder at
this unexpected outburst from the
usually good-natured Katie.
"I am friend of Mr.. Norton and
after all his proofs of friendship to me
and mine, | am not going to hear of any
ones talking of him in that style, much
less you of all others, Mr.. Grey"
:" Ha, ha, ha p laughed the stock
broker, seemingly much amused. Real
ly, Katie, you are actually growing
handsome. What treasure was lost to
the stage when you promised to be Mrs.
Grey But we won't quarrel about him.
have no doubt he is fine fellow, only
every one doesn't know it and he
Henry Greyv' threatened Katie.
Beg pardon, but had forgotten. By
the way, Kit, the Wandering Minstrels
sing at Lady Chatterton's this evening,
and | want to hear them"
"Thank you, Henry, but do not care
to go.'
6 / care to hear the Wandering Min
strels; of course you do. | will call for
you at seven," he said, rising to 60.
"Thank you, no; do not wish to go
out at all this evening"
And Katie leaned her cheek against
her hand, and looked down steadily
upon the carpet, seeming to forget his
presence
But | have set my heart upon 60
ing,' he answered impatiently, "and l
cannot go alone, just for whim. Come,
Kit, don't 60 into mourning over that
luckless wight of yours, and deprive me
and yourself of an evenings fine enter
tainment.'
!" You forget that is forbidden SUBJ
ject," she said "and as | am not well,
must decline finally to accompany you.
And now please, don't say any more"
she added, wearily.
Very WE'LL" said Grey, haughtily /;
'as you wish; and perhaps you would
like to cancel all my claims upon your
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