The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-03-11
rustic chairs, and seated her therein
md then sat himself at har faet

anu then sat himself at her feet.
"No one eau hear us or see us" he
said "let us stay here together for a
little-we have so little time to see each
other" and so he stayed.
every soon we shall see each other no
MORE" she said; "will you think OF
these pleasant seasons when / am gone,
Rex ?"
"Think of them % the handsome face
was very earnest--so earnest that Miss
Maverick almost pitied him, "and ofyou
%, Katharine And must you really
gow
"Of course" she smiled again, her
white teeth and dark eyes shining in the
moonlight. "What else can do T' and
the soft voice had a weary intonation
which made Rex forget everything.
"Marry me-" he said, so suddenly that
he was almost startled at himself. 81
love you, and you know it. / shall have
money enough to care for you; am sure
we could be happy, Northumberland I
love you So"
"My poor boyp' she bent over him
with little impulse of tenderness. "YOu
are generous, and thank you; but am
older than you-besides-think of your
family"
Bother my family" said Rex, ener-
getically, although his heart sank n little
as he thought of the "patcrnal and his
uncle, but lie felt brave enough ut that
moment to defy them both. 81 am
twenty-One."
"And / am twenty-five" she said,
quietly; besides, am woman, and
you-you are only boy"
II ana not boy" said Rex; 81 am
old enough to know my own mind and
heart, and love you, Katharine"
She had risen now, and stood leaning
one slender hand on the railing, while
with the other she held her shawl to-
gether at the throat, and Rex-with his
handsome face full of earnest entreaty-
stood beside her.
Katharine" he said, again, "speak
to me-" but she stood silent.
Here was her "chance" come at last.
Here was Rex Lancaster willing, plead
ing, to make her his wife; no more
teaching, no more pinching and worrying,
for Rex, even should his family prove
Obdurate, had money enough to take care
of her; it was great temptation, but
still Katharine Maverick stood silent.
On the slender hand which rested on the
railing golden band glistcned T; it was
ring which Dot had given her, and look
irg at that, she thought of the loving,
innocent little girl who had 50 opened
her heart to her. She thought of the
entire and perfect trust which she had in
her; how she had told her every thought
and wish of her heart; "and she loves
him." thought Katharine; and then she
thought how fragile and delicate the
child was-hOw dreadful the shock would
be to her when she knew the extent of
her teachery-"and she loves him."
thought Katharine.
The warm pressure of Rex's hand hid
the ring from view. Katharine" he
said, and then the handsome face came
nearer-bent closer, and for one short
moment her head rested on his shoulder
for one short moment, an1 then, as his
lips touched hers lightly, she drew
away.
Rex" she said, "let me go;" and
then standing erect before him, she said,
slowly and distinctly, az am going away
to o.morrow-we have had pleasant
season, and have been very happy, but
tonight ends it. You have been very
kind, but you would not be happy with
me for your wife; besides, think of
Dora," and then she faltered one moment
as he pleaded with her, but only for one
brief space. "Tbink of Dora," she said,
again. "She loves you, Rex; she will
make you happy, and this would kill her.
You will forget this soon, and some day
you and she will be happy together"
And SO the next day Katharine
Maverick went away-back to the dreary
school, with Dots loving kiss on her lips,
but with a little lonesome, weary ache in
her heart.
81 shall never forget you," said Rex;
but Katharine knew him better than he
knew himself; for before two years were
over there came little ecstatic note
from Dot-there was to be wedding at
the hall-hers and Rex's, and "dear
Kitty" must come; but "dear Kitty"
did not go.-Peterson's Journal.