Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-06-06
MISS RAYMOND'S TRIAL.

Old Mr.. Raymond was dead and
buried; and the world had got tired Of
canyassing the sad circumstances Of his
failure and death. SO we all pass away
and are forgotten!
And Kate Raymond was forgotten,
too, as she sat by herself i'll the lonely
room with her black dress and her pale
cheeks, and the unshed tears making
her poor eyes heavy!
People had pitied her at first, but they
took it for granted she would do 'some-
thing" at all events, it was none of their
business.
swell, my dear, have you made up
your mind?"
Kate was securing the black rosettes
on her simple Grape bonnet, with sigh
for every stitch, as old Doctor Smith
came creaking into the room, and sat
down hes de her.
Kate looked up through the gathering
tears.
doctor l want your advice. Tell me
what l had better do?"
"Advice, eh? Well it isn't easy to adj
wise under some circumstances, child.
The only two places that seem at all
eligible to me are Madame Bellair's and
the situation as companion to old Miss
Beverly"
81 should be more independent as
showwoman for Madam Bellair," said
Kate, quickly.
More independent, possibly; but
you would have to work twice as hard
tor just about half the"
"The wages. Don't be afraid of of
Tending my ears with plain truths doc
tor" said Kate.
dwell, wages then, ] should advise
you to go to Miss Beverly, my dear, if
you can be sure of patience and self
control"
AZ am not the wild, impetuous girl |
once was; can be patient, nor, doc
tor"
ats a lesson we all have 10 learn,
my DEAR" said the old man. "Wel,
shall tell Miss Beverly to expect your
"When?'
"Say tomorrow
Eyes; but doctor"
"Well?'
"How many members are there in
Miss Beverlys family 2"
"Only herself and fussy old bach
elor brother-ten times as old-maidish
as she is herself"
Kate smiled little aLsently.
There used to be a-nephew-"
Yes, / know-Charles Beverly; but
he went to Australia a year ago, At
ten tomorrow, then, my dear, | will
call for YOU"
Doctor Smith Cracked away in those
noisy boots of his; and Kate Raymond
went up stairs to pack up her trunk,
and think.
So Charles Beverly was in Australia
She had known that before; yet some
how she wanted the doctors testimony
to make assurance doubly sure. She
was glad; yes, upon the whole, she
was very glad. She knew she had
treated the honest, loving young fellow
like selfish, heartless, coquette; she
knew she had half-broken his fond,
faithful heart with her airs, and graces
and false smiles, once upon time.
II should have been ashamed to look
him in the face" she pondered. 81 am
glad his aunt knows nothing about it.
And she sighed softly, to think how
entirely and radically her whole nature
had been changed in the bitter school
of adversely.
Il am meeker and quieter now"
she thought. 81 should not throw the
Jewel of his love from me second time;
but he does not know it-no, nor ever
will. A woman can only sit and think.
WHAT blessing that we have but one
life to live Perhaps in the next world,
we may correct the errors of this.
Heighho!'
At ten o'clock precisely, the next day,
Doctor Smiths carriage came 10 the
door, for Miss Raymond and her trunk.
"keep up good courage, my DEAR"
said the kind-hearted old man. "Miss
Beverley is rather trying, they say; but
she has heart in spite of her sixty
years and her old maidenhood, and
you'll work your way down to il after a
while"
Kate hoped so; but she could not
help feeling little discouraged when
Doctor Smith had left her alone in the
darkened room, with a pair of green
spectacles glaring at her from one cor
ner, and a pair OF blue spectacles from
the other.
"Shat the door, if you please, young
Miss" croaked the blue spectaces
drafts are very bad for my sisters
asthma"
"And put few Goals on the fire Miss
Raymond, ifthat's your name, squeak
ed the green speetacles; "the tempera-
ture is altogether too low for my broth
er's rheumatism
Kate obeyed. 1t was well for her
that they had given her something to
do, else she must certainly have burst
out crying.
The first day as companion" was
ineffably wearisome. Patiently she
trudged up and downstairs, with the
macaw's cage, and the squirrels house,
and the spaniel's basket, and Miss
Beyerley's cruel, and tine old bachelors
slippers; meekly she listened to direc-
tons, and receipts, and harangues with
out end, until her head ached and her
feet smarted, and her little hands tin
HFA