The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-03-22
KATE'S ESCAPADE.

IT was a cool, beautiful September
morning, and Kate Howard sang blithely
as she fitted through the wide hall which
ran the length of the grand old house,
which was her home. She was passing
the library door, when her father called
her to come ir. On entering, she found
him with an open letter in his hand.
Il have just received word from my
friend SEYMOUR that he will visit us next
week." said he.
Kate shrugged her shoulders; "papa' s
friends" are not generally very entertain
ing to young people.
''Ie will be accompanied by his
nephew, for whom he has been guardian,
who has just returned from an extended
foreign tour. He is young man of ex-
cellent family, and heir to an immense
fortune. 1t has long been Seymour's
wish-as, also, mine-that you and his
nephew should marry when you had
reached suitable ages. You are now
twenty, and that is quite old enough.
sire that you look your best, and be as
a-reeable''-
He was interrupted by Kate, who, be-
ing possessed of considerable spirit, did
not relish being thus summarily disposed
of. "Do you think am going to marry
man don't know, and never saw ?" she
asked, Indignantly, do you wish to sell
me, as if were share in railroad stock,
or had no more heart or soul than lump
of coal:n
Kate" said her father, sternly, Ito
whom are you speakingf"
Il don't care!' she cried, excitedly.
&C hate Seymour and all his relations,
and. if his nephew were rich as Cresus,
wouldn't marry him! Thereu'
1t had been favorite project of her
fathers, and Kate had heard it limited at
ever since she had been out Of school. She
had only laughed. The idea of things as
suming such tangible shape had not &C.
Cured to her.
In vain her father coaxed, scolded,
threatened. Kate was obstinate and de.
clared she'd never even speak" to the
obnoxious sutton. Thus the tempestuous
interview ended, and Kate went to her
room in high state of indignation.
Throwing herself on low couch, she
gave vent to her feelings in flood of an
cry tears. She soon dried her eyes, how.
ever, and began to think about the means
by which she could vanquish the enemy
ing to stay home to be bored by a con.
ceited swell who parted his hair in the
middle, and drawled his words-possibly
lisped. No; anything was better than
that. Why not go to Grandfather How
ards. They were always wanting her to
visit them. Why not go now: So she
Immediately wrote to them, saying she
was coming, and telling when to be at
Stanley (the nearest statiOn) to meet her
Grandfather Howard lived in the country,
about one hundred miles from the city.
He was a warm hearted, pleasant old gen.
tlcmen, and he and his wife lived alone
in great stone farm house. The peace
full quiet of their lives was occasionally
enlivened by visit from grandchildren
These, however, were not frequent. so
when Hates letter arrived announcing her
coming, it was quite an event to them.
The spare chamber was aired and rear
ranged, and an endless variety of good
things prepared to tempt her appetite
For" said Grandma Howard, "the dear
child is fed on confectionery and French
cookery, and good wholesome food will
do her good.'
Monday was the day appointed for her
arrival, and at five O'Clock that afternoon
Mr.. Howard got out the falling top and
drove to the depot at Stanley.
Kate was accustomed to doing as she
the depot awaiting the arrival of the train.
Her brother Charlie was with her, and
when the train came in he deposited her
safely in the car, with the brotberly adj
vice mot to step from the frying-pan
into the fire. and fall in love while she
was gone" gave her a parting kiss, and
she was left alone, without friend in
the crowded car. She opened the new
book she had brought, but finding it un-
interesting, began to look about her to
see who were her fellow-passengers, for
nothing so amused her as the study of
character.
The car was crowded. Near the front
was a nervous old lady who held her tick
ct tightly grasped in one hand and her
portamOnnaie in the other-all the while
looking fearfully about her. Evidently
she was not much used to steam trans
portatiOn. Near her Yankee peddler
was trying to convince etout old gentle
man at his side that his " backing" was
g the best that's made, SIR" Glancing
down the Car the usual number of gentle
men engrossed in their newspapers, ard of
ladies in novels, met her eye. These,
with a few tired, dirty children, and an
invalid who upset her camphor bottle,
made up the occupants of the car. "There
are none," thought she, who look as if
there was a history connected with
them.''
She was gazing out of the window as
they stopped ut the first station, and did
not notice any one enter, till voice at her
Size murmured:
- Pardon me, madame. but this is the
only vacant seat"
She moved slightly to make room, and
young gentleman sat beside her. TAX.
ing out a newspaper, he was soon appar.
emily buried in its contents. and Kate had
an opportunity to study her new compan-
ion. He was gentleman, and quite dis.
tin0ue, the first glance decided. Hand
some! Yes, undoubtedly handsome,
though rather peculiar style, for hair
ana mustache were jetty black, and the
eyes shaded by heavy brOws, were blue
as the sky.
he must be twenty-five thought
she, unaware how closely she was scruti.
niz,ng him, till the blue ewes were sud.
denly raised from the paper and met hers
with frank and rather curious look.
Flushing deeply at being caught in
such rude act, Kate drew down her vail
and gazed studiously on the passing land.
scape. Station after station was passed
Half an hour more and she would be in
Stanley. free from Seymour and His
nephew. The very thought was refresh.
ing. She almost laughed as she thought
of the discontinue her departure would
cause both the contracting parties.n as
brother Charlie called her father and Mr..
Seymour.
Her reverie was broken by the stranger.
who courteously offered her book he had
just taken from his sachel. Kate &C.
cepted his proffered kindness, and, more
Tor politeness' sake than any other rea.
son, began to read.
A quick jerk, crash q If the heavens
were telling, sudden stop, and Kate waa
precipttated into The srms Of the gentle.
man ct her side.