Iron County register., 1880-06-24
40, Kate! you burst not do such a

giving rejected lover such power
over you. 1t would be different if il
was me. I would defy him, and take
the telling in my own hands,
81 could not do that. Archie might
tease me to death first"
81 know, you dear, foolish little
woman. But you shall have your let.
ters. Maggie, so go to bed, and sleep
soundly on my promise"
| "When?''
Perhaps tomorrow. Archie dimes
with the Bishop tomorrow. Ishall find
no better opportunity, think
The next morning proved to be one
of those drenching days quite charac-
teristic of an English November. Still,
/ about three o'clock, Miss Leslie insisted
on riding to the village. Her grand
father made some opposition, but soon
gave in to Kate's set WAYS" and her
decided declaration 'sthat she would be
i'll without her gallop.''
Arriving at the village, she stopped
at the parsonage door, and nodded
pleasantly 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 warm cup of
tea; and Miss Leslie, after little af-
fected 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 a
glass of mulled ale. g shall rest half
an 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 cozy
place, full of bachelor comforts and
pleasantly Uttered with books and pa
pers. The Indian cabinet stood in a
little recess between two windows. She
quietly selected her grandfather's key
| and tried the lock. 1t opened at 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 not in the draw
ers and she was on the point of closing
the cabinet in despair, when she re-
membered that her grandfather's had
secret door that slipped away and
hid closet between the drawers. 1t
was likely Archie's had the same. She
sought the spring and it responded at
once to her touch, and there lay the let
tens, all tied together in one little
bundle. There were not more than
dozen and Kate with smile of relief
and satisfaction, put them in her pocket
and relOcked the cabinet
She had scarcely done so when she
heard some one open the front door
with pass key and come straight up
the stairs. In moment she had deci-
ded that it was not Archie's footstep
and that it must be one of his intimate
friends. In moment, also, she had de-
cided that if she die 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, re-
moved his wet coat and boots and came
lounging 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 a few steps and said, II
am waiting to see the clergyman. Do
you know how soon he will return, sir?'
II think he will be here immediate
ly," answered the newcomer, whose
first instinct was to say the thing most
likely to detain so beautiful a girl.
am sorry to have intruded, but will
retire at once, if You desire it."
by no means, sir. l shall not re-
main longer. 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"
II left Mr.. Fleming at the Bishops,
with three other clergymen. Your
brother-''
90, my brother is not a clergyman;"
and then suddenly remembering friend
of Archie's who lived at least ten miles
away, she said. +" / am Miss Crowther,
of Hill Top-perhaps you know Mr..
HAnry 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 |
claimingso pleasant a 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 a whirl of curiosity and ex-
citement. "What a bright face! What |
frank, charming manners! What a
figure! wish to everything had a
sister-or something nice-like that
girl. do wonder who she isr' The
next moment he had rung the bell and
pulled the bell-rope down. .@
Lawks, Mr.. Henry, knew that was
you a-ringing. which Mr.. Archie never
rings that outrageous way. What be
you wanting, sirP''
II want to know, Martha, who that
young lady is that left the house twenty
minutes ago.
.'Well may you ask, sir, which to do
shows your good sense. That is Miss
Kate Leslie,i sir-Mr. Archie's cousin
. very beautiful young lady, sir. and a
good one, and proud her grandfather is
of her."