Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1878-02-02

end, Kitty persisted in helping Miss
Martha wash the dishes.
you'll only hinder me-" expostu-
lated the elder maiden, land, besides.
you've got on sour b,st dress. Go
into the sit,ing-room and entertain
Jack"
Bu, the Young maiden wa fixed in
her burmese. So she went TO her
room 70 don her apron. and Jack was
left to entertain himself.
Tbrreupon the heir of the house OF
Burroughs picked up bulky volume
and sa, down bv the open fire in tie
si,tipp-room. The lukv volume
proy.d 10 be Web>ter's Dictionary,
which Kitty had thrown on the table
on her first hasty retreat from the
kitchen. Jack turned over the leaves
listles>ly until be cane to sheet OF
paper written upon in chirography
pleasantly familiar. OF course it was
highly improper for him to read that
paper. vet as chrODicler OF simple
facts. | am forced 10 record that he
did read it. And this is what it con-
tanned:
! IT" dear Uncle Randolph, and all
who love ne:
Il have determined to drown my
self, because | am tired If life My
heart is broken, and can see no re.
lief except in death Forgive me for
what ] am about to do. and | shall
pray God to forgive me also. | 90
not wart to live and suffer rs | have
suffered"
! Here the words "since jack We're
scratched out aud in their stead was
written. during Tie pasta blank to
he filled out when The Ice should thaw.
81 forgive everybody. hope yo"
will net cry for me. nor rrmembrr my
melancholy end. because | do MT de-
strive il. With love TO yon and dear
Aunt Martha and Aunt Charity and
Tom, 1 remain, your hearl-hr"krn
NATE"
How many times Jack read aud
rer.ad this singular document will
never be known; hut when Kitty en-
tered The room quarter Of an hour
later. he was still sitting with The die
tionary upon his knee anu the paper
in his hand.
II thought Uncle Randolph was
here" said Kitty. hr-i'atiug whether
to remain or not. aud failing to oh
serve what it was that so absorbed
Jacks attention. He turUed with, u
start. as though first conscious Of her
presence. aud thrust the sheet of pa
per hack into tie volume. Then he
said. very grave!y:
Your uncle is not here, Kitty.
Won't you he seated 4! want TO talk
with you"
Kitty sat down upon The high
hacked sofa, and fell TO studying The
figures in the carpet. jock went over
and took seat bv her side. She did
not po,ice that be held The dictionary
under bis right am.
Kitty" said Jack. with becoming
solemniiy. IL do not believe you
have been very happy during The pas,
month. have vou?"
Kitty's lips began to iremb!e, and
she answered desperately:
why shouldn't have been hap
py."
because" replied the candid Jack.
"you have not had me TO torment
YOU"
"You mean to say that / can not
be happy without you, Mr.. Bur-
rough,?"
Kitty was gazing inten'ly at the
carpet, SD that she did not see the
smile that played about Jacks mouth
as he answered:
YES, | have reason to believe that
without me you would be very miser-
able"
Indeed" exclaimed Kitty. Il
should like to know what right you
have to believe tbat?"
well. Kitty 1 judge by myself.
| have been wreichrd ever since the
night of that unfortunate party. |
made up my mind Yesterday to swal.
lew my pride aud come here and ask
you to forgive and forget. We were
both to blame, although the fault. no
doubt, was mine to begin With"
"lf you have been wretched. as
you say" rejoined Kitty, her eyes
still fixed on the n Dor. "why didn't
you go to Helen Clspp? You would
surely have found comfort ,here?"
Nonsense, Kitty. | care nothing
for Helen Clnpp-no more than you
do for Cyrus Phelps. haven't seen
her. nor have ! wanted to see her,
since the night Of the party"
"You take it for granted, l pre-.
sumo. that | would overlook all tina.
has happeneh without word"
IL did not take it for granted. Kitty
uniil''-
..Iy.:l ...l.2M H. ~