Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-06-02

defy him, and take the tellingin my own
hands"
"I could not do that. Archie might
tease me to death first"
CT know, you dear, foolish little wo
man. But you shall have your letters,
Maggie, so go to bed, and sleep soundly
on my promise"
"When ?"
"Perhaps tomorrow. Archie dimes
with the bishop tomorrow. I shall find
no better opportunity, I think. "
The next morning proved to be one of
those drenching days quite characteristic
of an English November. Still, about 3
o'clock, Miss Leslie insisted on riding to
the village. Her grandfather made some
opposition, but soon gave in to Kate's
set ways" and her decided declaration
"that she would be i'll without her gal
lop."
Arrived at the village, she stopped at
the parsonage door, and, nodding pleas
antly to the housekeeper, who opened
it, she said she was very wet and would
like to see her cousin, and dry her habit
The parson was gone to the bishops,
but if Miss Leslie would come in there
was fire in his parlor, and she could
warm her feet, and have a warm cup of
tea; and Miss Leslie, after little affect
ed hesitation and little more pressing,
consented to do SO,
She permitted Martha to remove her
hat and bring her some tea, and then
she sent her down to give the groom q
glass of mulled ale. 81 shall rest half
az hour, Martha, and if Cousin Archie is
not back by that time, / must go, or else
shall not reach home before dark
As soon as the door was shut, she
glanced round the room. It was a cozy
place, full of bachelor comforts, and
pleasantly Uttered with books and pa
pers. The Indian cabinet stood in lit
tie recess between the two windows.
She quietly selected her grandfather's
key, and tried the lock. It opened ut
once, and with an ease that showed it
was in constant use, and the first thing
that greeted her was the faint scent of
rose leaves.
But the letters were tin the drawers,
and she was on the point of closing the
cabinet in despair, when she remember
ed that her grandfather had a secret
drawer that slipped away, and hid a
closet between the drawers. 1t was like
~ Archies had the same. She sought
the spring, and it responded at once to
her touch, and there lay the letters all
tied together in one little bundle. There
were not more than half a dozen, and
Kate with smile of relief and satisfac-
ton, put them in her pocket, and relock-
ed the cabinet.
She had scarcely done so when she
heard some one open the front door with
a pass key, and come straight up the
stairs. In moment she had decided
that it was not Archie's footstep, and
that it must be one of his intimate friends.
In moment, also, she had decided that
if she did not know him he should not
know her. Whoever it was, he did not
at once come to the parlor; he went into
an adjoining room, removed his wet coat
and boots, and came lornging in, with
slippers on his feet and cigar in his
mouth
Kate had just finished arranging her
hat and gloves, and was going quietly
out of one door when he entered by the
other. For moment they stood and
looked blankly at each other; the next,
Kate advanced few steps and said, "I
am waiting to see the clergyman. Do
you know how soon he will return, sir?"
CT think he will be here Immediate
ly," answered the newcomer, whose first
instinct was to say the most likely to de-
tain so beautiful a girl. ct am sorry to
have intruded, but [ will retire at once
if you desire it.
"By no means, sir. I shall not re-
main longer. I expected my brother
with Mr.. Fleming, but as my groom is
with me there is no need to wait, es-
pecially as it is likely to be dark very
early"
"I left Mr.. Fleming at the Bishops
with three other clergymen. Your
brother"
ooh, my brother is'not clergyman"
and then suddenly remembering a friend
of Arches who lived at least ten miles
away she said: sc am Miss Crowther of
Hill Top-perhaps you know Mr.. Henry
Crowther ?"
The young gentleman looked at Kate
in utter amazement. In fact he was Mr..
Henry Crowther himself, and he was not
aware that he had ever had any sister.
Who was this beautiful girl claiming so
pleasant kinship with him?
But almost with the announcement
Kate disappeared. He watched her
horse brought round, and saw her mount
and ride away, and then sat down to
smoke in whirl of curiosity and excite
ment. "What bright face! What
frank, charming manners What fig
ure! I wish to everything I had sister
or something nice-ike that girl. I
do wonder who she isl" The next mo-
ment he had rung the bell, and pulled
the bell-rope down.
"Lawks, Mr.. Henry, knew that you
was a ringing, which Mr.. Archie never
rings that outrageous way. What be
you wanting, sir?"
81 want to know, Martha, who that
young lady is that left the house twenty
min1tes ago."
"Well may you ask, sir, which to dc
shows your good sense. That is Miss
Kate Leslie, sir-Mr. Archie's cousin-a
very beautiful young lady, sir, and 6
good one, and proud her grandfather is
of her."