Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-11-14

in the city society, and awful particular
in her company. Sad dogs like you
and I won't stand ghost of q chance. "
81 don't know that she could do bet
ter" growled Frank, with mans usual
contmriuess, taking the opposite track.
"She might not think 80. I'm going
to the smoking-car, Frank. Come
along"
"No, don't care about smoking now. "
"All right; look after Kate till I
come back-that's good fellow"
Now Frank had not the least inten-
ton Of looking after Kate, but when he
approached her seat, she looked up
with such q frank, pleasant smile and
moved her shawl from the opposite seat
to make room for him with such cor
dial air that he could not resist the
temptation to sit down and enjoy her
society.
Not much of it did he get, however,
for after the first pleasant reception
Mrs. Kate betook herself to her book
again, and never even looked at him.
By the way of revenging himself Frank
looked at her, and the more he looked
the prettier she grew.
"She's widow, he thought. "She
is not day over twenty-one, if she's
that; I wonder if she is Toms sweet
hearth"
And strange to say, this reflection
made Frank feel like grinding his teeth
at the unconscious Tom, who was calmly
enjoying his cigar at the time in the
smoking-car.
AT the station they met Black Bob
awaiting them, and few minutes drive
brought them safely to the door of
Toms home. If Frank had found Kate
Cameron pretty in her hat and travelling
wraps, when she took them off and
showed her slight form, with graceful
curves and arches, he thought her be-
witching. Of course he didn't care
anything about her; but someway it
was relief to find certain pretty Min
ME Brown, who was one of the holiday
party, unmistakably occupying the po-
sition of Toms sweetheart, and putting
Kate out of the question.
Before they had been there three
days Frank had begun to have uncom-
Portable sensations under the left of
his vest whenever Kate was near; and
Sunday morning, when she came down
dressed in a bewitching suit of blue
velvet, ready for church, he quite gave
up that he loved every inch of her,
from the heels of her boots to the tips
of her little blue gloves.
Mrs. Kate vas sharp enough very
speedily to see how the land lay, but
she never gave one sign that she cared
straw for him, and Frank tormented
himself daily with hopes aud fears, after
the usual fashion of lovers.
The holiday visit was to close with q
grand party on New Years night, and
all the young people in the neighbor-
hood were invited to assist in the mer-
ry-making.
Late in the evening silent figure sat
by the library fire, having stolen away
from the revelers below stairs to indulge
moment of reverie. Presently the
door was opened, and the faint light
glittered on Kate Cameron's blue robes,
as she came forward, and addressed the
figure in the chair:
Why, Tom, what's the matter I?
have you got q fit of blues?"
A deep sigh was the only answer.
Why, dear, dear, it's worse than I
thought" laughed Kate. "Have you
been quarreling with Minnie Brown?
Tell me about it?"
And with cousinly freedom sh 10 laid
her hand upon his head.
The little hand was quickly impris-
oned and carried to the lips of the silent
figure; and then Kate stopped and
looked into the face, not of her cousin,
but of Frank Worthington.
She gave vent to low exclamation,
and would have fed, but Frank took
good care to hold to his little white pris.
oner. and detain her.
1T isn't Tom, but don't CO." he
pleaded. "Stay with me, Mrs. Cam
eron-dear Kate! Tom does not love
you half as we'll as I do"
How do you know?" whispered
Kate, shyly.
because Tom only loves you as a
cousin, and I-oh Kate, love you bet
ter than my life!'
"But you have known me such lit
tie whilew
eyes, and might never have known
you at all if Tom, the blessed old boy,
had not deceived me, and made believe
it was an old lady who was to come
down with u.s."
II know-Tom told me all about it,"
laughed Kate.
"Did he? But you will forgive me,
Kety darling. because I love you so,
and learn to love me little, won't you? ?"
pleaded Frank, boldly throwing one
arm around her, and drawing her down
by his side.
I am afraid I have learned that al
ready" she whispered frankly.
And then--but then neither you nor
I, reader dear, have any business listen
ing to the love secrets in the iire-lighted
library, so won't tell you what then.
Ruf will toll vo,, that whap Tho