Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-06-26
{ New Series, Vol. 6. No. Ii.
Old Series, Vol. IS, No. I3.
much-up, to permit her to sit down weakly
and accept from others what she knew she
could earn for herself.

much-up, to permit her to sit down weakly
and accept from others what she knew she
could earn for herself
A friend in Washington had procured
her a clerkship in the Treasury Depart
ment, and she had come there to live,
bringing her mother, who was but little
more than an invalid a greater share of the
time. What she earned ut her desk was
sufficient to keep them comfortably, and
she felt that that was good deal to DE
thankful for. Catharine was very different
now from the Kittle Rayne that John
Fenwick had known. She had grown to
be grave and thoughtful woman. The
years bad come and gone, and now she
was thirty-five, with a few silver threads
beginning to show in her beautiful brown
hair, and lines of care about the mouth.
This summer afternoon there were lines of
weariness there too. After all the change
had been of some good to her, for it had
taught her to be self-reliant and earnest,
and to look at life in sober way.
In all these years pot one word had ever
come to her from John Fenwick, nor of
him. For all she knew of him he might be
dead. Dead She thought of that in
strange wandering way, as we puzzle our
selves over the dreams we cannot compre-
hend. Dead-John dead ? 1t might be,
and yet she couldn't really believe it. 1t
had always seemed as if he would come
back some time. She had never forgotten
the bitter lesson that she had learned her
self. Loving him as she had done, with
ali the strength of her nature, she had felt
what it is to love; and to lose in the
the way she had lost is the saddest way in
which loss can come 10 any of US. Ever
since they had known her in the Treasury
Department she had carried the patient
look of sorrow in her face. But it was not
the look of morbid sorrow. She had
CHEEKY smile for everybody and kind and
bracing word for those who needed it.
Il am sure there must be some romance
clinging to Miss Rayne,' declared Susie
Vernon. She looks as if there might.
wish l knew
But Cathar;ne never took any one into
her confidence enough to tell them about
the romance which had frightened up her
life in the years gone by, and which she
had crushed out of it with her own ruthless
hands.
How tired and worn out she is looking
to-day whispered Susie to her neighbor.
She has been too busy lately. She'll be
down completely if she doesn't take little |
rest
There was q sound Of voices at the door, |
and one of the Treasury officers came in
with gentleman. Visitors were nothing |
unusual, and no one gave them more than |
glance or two, as they entered. The
work went on again in its systematic way. |
Catharine did not look up; no one ever |
came to see her, and she did not care who |
it was-sOme one on tour of inspection |
through the different departments, most |
likely. But she became aware, all at once,
by some subtle influence, that some one
was looking at her intently, and looking
up, she gave a little cry that was almost |
sob. A sudden light made her eyes brighter |
than they had been for a long time, and |
th>- S:iod Out, ie~ripo ior ri-ite, 1sId Uvau |
and faint.
'Kittie + 1t was John Fenwick's voice |
that spoke, in a glad, wondering way. 1t
was John Fenwick's hand outstretched in |
welcome. She took it, silently, and gave a |
swift glance into his face, as # hoping and |
yet doubling. Everything that she saw
there made her heart beat strangely fast.
Kitty, is it really you, and here p be
asked, as if hardly comprehending it all.
Haven't you kind word for fellow who |
has been gone so long?'
Il am glad to see you, John,' she said |
simply, and then broke down in a sudden
fit of weeping, and sobbed as child might
have done.
John Fenwick's face was grave and ten |
der as he bent down ana lifted her head |
from her desk. Il have thought of you all
these years as one who was dead to me- |
he said softly. But L have never forgot |
ten you, never ceased to love you. All,
Kittie, can it be that you care for me lit
tie yet p
Il never cared for any one else, she said, |
brokenly. Il was wicked; saw it all az |
terward, when it was too late.'
See here,' he said, very gently, and she
looked up and saw the ring he had given
her so long ago. Snail l give it back to
you p he asked. Il have had lonely life. |
If you ,COuld only wear It, Kittie y
She held out her hand, and there was a
look of utter happiness in her face now. Its
WEAKNESS was all gone. He slipped the
yellow circlet ON her finger, and then and
there, before the wondering eyes of the
many lockers on, bent down and kissed |
her.
And Susie Vernon knew then that there
had been a romance in Miss Rayne's life,
and felt that this was the best and happiest