The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-06-25

Ing from his cottage to the woods: IN,
she seemed TO avoid him, and even ~
shrink 4 ON the cllnging love OF his sister
Forsaken by her young Companions
she grew 10 haunt the woods, aud 10 80.
companionship with inanmate thinos
Sometimes the poor fellow followed H.
uncaslly atar OF, filed with painful con
lectures as TO what drew her into The soii
tude. There was still, dark pool 4,
those woods-a siadowy, secretiye pool
withdrawn IN tideless reverie apart nom
the sunlight. This solitary lakelet an.
peared To have strange attractions Tor Kat.
she fingered In it, vicinity sometimes long
after night had SET in.
Poor Kate. this dusky sheet seemed m
her an alluring place OF rest, lying solemn
and significant at the very gate of TN
other life Visicn-like aud beautiful 10
spectre Of suicide rose from its deuths AMI
beckoned her away. She had done her
best, and failed. Ii would be 80 sweet N
be al rest from IL all 10 have no dread M
going back TO that old life: u have fin
ished the wearisome and futile effort of
this!
so thought poor Kate as She sat one M.
ternoon in the glimmering dusk OF twi-
light looking down into the sinister deptbs
OF the lonely lake Good Mrs. Grinn'
kind Mrs Grippi Il was hard TO tell her
that her experiment had been "A mlur.
But she need not know it-nOt vet. Whom
the experiment was entirely at an enj
down in these watery depths. 10 would N.
time enough. Kate smiled bitterly. crouch
ing there in the loneliness. rs she Thought
Of il. She had written 10 Mrs. Grip. hint.
ing that she was going 10 another place
Another place! Already the shadow Of
that solemn Somewhere seemed TO brood
over her.
Perhaps the girl said brief. wild PRAYER
In that hour of bitterness. Perhaps the
remembrance Of some stray bright mo-
ments checkered its darkness-the quiet
evenings al the old school-house. the IN.
tient, kindly Jasper. Would he miss her
when she was gone, and track her out
first in this lonely spot? Her thoughts
were dim and dazed; all things We're
sweeping away dizzils. as to Traveller
making swift transit to "A station further
on.
But the vague, strange death revere
which had fallen upon her Was suddenly
interrupted by the sound of footsteps.
Footsteps seldom inruded on this solitude.
and shrinking apart, with her dark pur.
pose written legibly in face and attitude.
Kate shiyered guilty, as. locking up. she
beheld-Mrs. Gripp.
.-Kate,n cried the good woman, rush.
ing forward and clasping the girl In her
arms. "Oh. we've been looking ior YOU
tins half hour, Perley and /. Gripp. YOU
see, Is on his way Wcst-he's got the no.
ton to settle there-and just told him
must get of AT this station aud take a look
az yos. But you're looking pale. child.
Y ou've been working yourself 10 death.
Another place. indeed I've notion 10
bnndle you right of West with me-
The Oil lady spoke volubly and excited
ly but IL she uspected the purpose which
had brought her protege 10 this lonely
spot. she did not betray il. Ii was Jasper
Perley who. standing beside her. shook
visibly, and found no words, reading with
the magnetic instinct of love the wan face
OF the rescued girl.
= Now, Jasper. said Mrs. Gripp. turning
sharply upon him, " j. this the way yOu
take care of my Kate. when I've written
you so often 10 look after hers Now Just
stop ia here" she added, as, emerging
from the woods, they approached the little
school-house-''just stop in here and give
an account OF yourself
she seated herself. smiling. on one Of the
bare benches, with Kate beside her. pale
alsd quiet.
- would have taken better care Of her.
aunt said the schoolmaSfer. if"
If whatg Come. speak IL out ike a
man. It's my opinion. Jasper. you q bet
ter 60 West. to learn to speak your mind
when you have one"
: f." said Jasper, patiently.
Every things drifting West, Grip
says" eagerly interrupted Ms. rripp
wiping her face with her handkerchief. as
If the idea had over heated her. Thy
want workmen. they want work-w0men.
they want school-teachers. We r. getting
old and heavy. Grip and L. hut I've often
thought. Jasper. how much better you
might have done out there if--H
Ill, said Jasper, bluntly, his eyes rest
ing on kate's shrinking figure-''f had
ever dared 10 ask her To be- my vile
Dare now. She's good girl. and has
promised TO do a. bid her. Haven't you.
kater'
-.Oh. madam cried Kate, hiding her
blushing face In her hands. he would not
look at me II he knew ALL"
II always have known all, Kate, my
dear, dear friend" said Jasper. And
know. too. how you sacrificed yourself Tor
my sister. She has confessed II all 70 me.
There is nothing more YOU can tel me,
save that we two may walk the rest OF our
lives together, helping each other ana
strengthening each other to the end
Amen said Mrs. Grpp.-Ha- pers
Weekly.