Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-06-20


fully sunless pain.
Rupert was twelve and Archie eleven,
when Kathleen Boyne came to live at The
Court. Kathleen was wearing Grape at
the time, in remembrance of grand
mother for whom she had not entertained
any very deep affection while the lament
ed lady lived. But she loved grand
mamma greatly for dying and being the
cause of sudden accession of new black
frocks. Father and mother she had never
known; the one had died, and the other
had better have done SO, poor, lost, TN
happy creature, than have deserted home,
and husband, and child, as she did, for
the sake of man who, in turn, deserted
her.
Kathleen was just eight years old, and
a sweet, little, imperious queen of a
child, when circumstances threw her
upon the guardianship of Mr.. Balyon
He did not think it necessary to explain
to his wife what those circumstances
were, but briefly told her that such a
child existed, and was coming to live
with them. He further added that the
boys were to be taught to regard Kath-
leen as their sister, and cas- for you,
madam, if you coddle her up half as
much as you do your poodle and the
paupers in the village, it is all [ shall
ask of YOU"
"Fll try to do my duty by her." the
sad spirited woman replied, and consci-
entiously she carried out her promise.
No mother could have bestowed more
care and love upon daughter that Mrs.
Balyon gave freely to Kathleen. The
duty became pleasure as soon as she
saw the bright, beautiful girl, and, when
Kathleen nestled i'll her arms and beg
ged her to be "real mamma" the gen
tie hearted lady yearned to the little
one, and she pledged herself solemnly to
be to Kathleen what she prayed some
other good woman would be to her boys
if she were taken away.
Years rolled on, and the handsome
boys grew into fine young men, and the
child-queen into a bewilderingly beauti-
full girl and still the fraternal relations
between them seemed likely to be unim-
paired. Still, when "the boys" as she
called them, came back to the Court,
Kathleen held up her face to be kissed
by them as frankly now that the one
was full blown barrister, and the other
a captain in the army, as in the old days
when they were school boys, and she
their pet and playmate.
Take care that your sons don't fall
in love with Kate by and by" the squire
had been won't to say to his wife, when
the boys were young. ''She has trait
of her mother in her, and will make the
heart of the man who's unlucky enough
to love her ache-take care"
{" If | spent my life in trying to guard
against it, it would come about Just the
same if it is to be So" Mrs. Balyon,
who was something of a fatalist, would
reply; "and [ can wish nothing better
for either of my boys than such a girl as
Kathleen for his wife, but I'll promise
never to put the notion in their heads.
Rupert and Archie will 90 out in the
world and see other girls; if one still
thinks Kathleen the fairest and sweetest,
you won't say him nay, will your"
'She is the daughter of the greatest
coquette in Christendom, the Squire
grumbled; however, we must keep the
girl here, and Pm not sorry for it, for
I'm fond of her myself in a way, and
what is to be will be, as you say. If she
marries either Of them trust it will be
Rupert, for he will be able to stay at
home and look after her-all your train
ing hasn't eradicated the seeds of coquet-
~ from her nature. She's hirt to the
very marrow of her bones"
Poor child, you have never seen her
tested" Mrs. Balyon pleaded. "The
boys are like brothers to her, and she
never sees another man to hirt with.
think she's too true and frank to trife
with and wrong any one who loves her.
I have faith in Kathleen"
"And | have none, for knew her
mother" the Squire laughed. "But [
like the girl for all that, and the boys
must take their chance"
The boys took their chance, and, when
Kathleen was about nineteen, Rupert
came home to spend Christmas week in
the old house, and fell in love with her in
a sudden, unreasoning, sincere, manly
way, telling her that he had done so.
She listened to him with bent head
and joyful eyes, and seemed to be very
much surprised at the turn affairs had
taken. Only three days before she had
Iliu OuG W GHo HILL uOOI W ulotG I'LL,
and had held her cheek up to be kissed
by him as usual. It seemed puzzle her
that he should want her to be his wife,
but the puzzle seemed pleasant one to
her, as he gathered from the expression
Of her face.
"Papa and mamma will be very an
CRY with YOU" was the first thing she
said.
"Kate, you know they love you al
ready as if you were their own child;
besides, if all the world were angry
with me I should not care so long as you
were pleased. Are you pleased that [
love you, and want you for my wife,
Kate?'
"Pleased that you love me? Yes.
Pleased that you want me for your wife?
Doubtful. You see it is an upset, Ru-
pert; we've been told all our lives to
love each other like brothers and sisters,
and we've done as we were told. It
seems unfair On Archie, that you and I
should contemplate making change
without consulting him.
She said it SO seriously that he fell
into her humor.