Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-11-25
CHAPTER v.

Next morning / called on Mrs. Brady.
was resolved, at least, to tell as straightfor-
ward story as l could, and if she deter.
mined to keep me to my word, why at the
worst, | should have to do so. She looked
very grave when met her. She heard
me out with cold politeness, and then ask.
ed me how soon | could complete my ar
rangements for leaving Castletown. There
was hard, cold, inexorable tone in her
voice, and contempt in it that stung me
to the quick. l was ready to leave at once,
but
You have broken your promise, Mr..
Staunton; permitted your visits, trusting
to it. The sooner we part the better. /
think / can manage to reconcile my daugh-
ter to the loss she will sustain by your de-
parture."
Can | see her before leave?'
Certainly not" And the old lady open
ed the library door with a gesture that,
taken with her white, set face, was not en-
couraging to me.
went down to the office of the EdgJe,
and without hesitation related the circum-
stances to Mr. O'Brien.
"Bedad, it's an ugly business said that
gentleman. Does Kate like your"
She does" | answered, and was almost
SOl4y lol spcdhluS 81 dDIuplly, Ine gOOu
fellows face showed so much genuine sad
ness.
We'll, she's sweet girl" he remarked,
after pause. "Look here! When are
you to leave?"
Tomorrow, if you will resume your
old post"
"Pll do anything for you, my boy" said
this thoroughly loyal l-hearted Irishman,
anything for you-and Miss Kate" he
added, with slight effort; "but | see
nothing for it except for you to run away
with her"
THAT won't do have deceived her
mother already, I'll not take her daughter
from her in a sneaking fashion now"
Then let me think it over. l can al
ways consider best with my gun under my
arm and am going out for crack at the
plover now. In the evening l will tell
you my plans"
spent the day packing up and when
that task was over, walked through the
little room, and down to my favorite lounge
on the bridge, from which could catch a
glimpse of Mrs. Brady's house How sick
and miserable felt!
returned and wrote letter to Kate. |
did not know whether it would be deliv-
cred to her or not; but it was a relief to
me to write it, Just as Mr.. O'Bnen made
his appearance with well-filled bag, had
in reply a short note from Kate. She was
as miserable as | was. l would not forget
her. would |? And she would so like to
see me once more, if possible, before |
went If Mr.. O'Brien spoke to mamma,
something might be done. | handed the
note to O'Brien. He read it without a
word.
at is rather cruel of Miss Kate to make
me an ambassador in this cause" he said
"but I'll stand to you"
And off he started for Mrs. Bradys
house at once.
walked down to the bridge again. 1t
was the time of November sunset but |
was in no mood to sentimentalize over
landscapes. l watched the river with a
half-vacant, half-stupid stare. / suddenly
felt some one neXtto me- 1t was Kate.
" l would see you-before you-before
you-you-"
Dearest, | will write to you constantly,
and | hope to have home to offer YOU
shortly If your mother persists"
"Why did you make such silly prom
ise to herr"
This was said with an air of melancholy
coquettishness.
DSClusS ulun KNOW VINO you were.
We almost forgot for while that we
were to part. | walked with her to the
gate of the house. Kate turned pale when
we came in view of the modest mansion
and was trembling all over. We halted
on the steps of the entrance porch. We
could not, believe, to save our lives, have
spoken word at the moment. Both Kate's S
hands were in mine, and they seemed to
cling and linger there, as if they would
never leave their resting place.
"Mrs. Brady's compliments, and will We
both come inY" calls aloud Mr.. O'Brien
from the garden.
The sentence was like the reading of a
reprieve to condemned criminal. We un-
derstood at once that Mr.. O'Bnen had
been successful in his mission, and Kate
turned round and gave him hearty kiss.
81 pitched into your mother, Miss Kate, y
said the noble creature. 81 told her the
Atgle might go to the divil If she acted
harshly to you"
And so we went into tea; and Mrs.
Brady saluted me ON the cheek, and silent
ly ratified the negotiation that had been SO
fortunately conducted by Mr., O'Brien.