River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-06-24

As soon as the door was shut she
glanced round the room. It was a coy
place, full of bachelor comforts, and
pleasantly Uttered with boxes and
papers, The Indian cabinet stood in a
little recess between the two windows.
She quietly selected her grandfatler'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
drawers, and she was on the point of
closing the cabinet in despair, when she
remembered that her grandfather had
a secret door that slipped away, and
hid a closet between the drawers. 1t
was likely Archie had the sumo. She
sought the spring, and it responded at
once to her touch, and there lay tha let
tiers all tied together in ono little bundle
There were not more than half dozen,
and Kate with smile of relief and sat
isf,ction, put them in her pocket and
relocked the cabinet
She had scarcely done 30 when she
heard some one open the front door
with pass key, and come straight up
the stairs In moment she had de
cided that it was not Archie's foottsep,
and that it must be one of his intimate
friends. In Il moment, also, she had
decided that if she had not known him,
he should not know her. Whoever it
was, he did not at once come to the par
Tor; 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 few steps and said, Il
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 girl II
am sorry to have intruded, but ] will
retire at once you desire it."
by no means, sir. | shall not re-
main longer. / expected my brother
with Mr.. Fleming, but as my groom is
with me there is no need to wait, espec-
tally as it is likely to be dark very
early"
Il 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: II 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 a whirl of curiosity and ex.
element What a bright face What
frank, charming mannersl What a
figure! wish to everything had sis
ter-or something nicc-like that girl.
/ do wonder who she is The next
moment he had rung the bell, and pull
ed the bell-rope down.
'Lawks, Mr.. Henry, knew that you
was a ringing for Mr.. Archie never
rings that outrageous way. What be
you wanting sir?'
Il want to know, Martha, who that
young lady is who left the house twenty
minutes ago"
"Well may you ask, sir, which to do
shows your good sense. That is Miss
Kate Leslie, sir-Mr Archie's cousin
very beautiful young lady, sir, and
good one, and proud her grandfather is
Of her"
THAT is all, Martha"
very well, SIT"
When Archie returned he found Har-
ryCrowther pacing the room in the great
est impatience How long you have
becnp' he exclaimed; land here has
been the most beautiful girl waiting for
you; and, by everything, she says she
is my sister; and, still funnier, she did
not know that | was her brother"
What do you mean, Harry"
Just what | say"
ooh, this is too badl 1 must ask
Martha about it. She ought not to per-
NIT strangers to come into my rooms"
stop, Archie; | have asked Martha.
Her name was Miss Kate Leslie"
"My cousin Kate? Now, what could
have brought her here this wet day"
He thought Immediately of his inter
view with Maggie, and of her anxiety
about her letters Poor little girl, he
said, mentally, Il must not punish her
any longer. will take her her letters
tomorrow
So the next afternoon he put on his
hat and coat, and went to the cabinet
for them. OF course they were not
there For one moment he was con
founded, the next his mind had instinct
lively OWNED the hand that had robbed
him. He was very angry with his cous-
in Kate. He knew at once it was alto
gether her doing If Maggie had even
dared to try, she would have screamed
in the attempt, and betrayed herself
1t was with a very stern face that he
entered the parlor where Kate was sit
ting, and he would not see the hand she
held out to him. When they were alone
size aSkcu at ONCE, WIN NOn YOU
shake hands, Archie?'
How can you expect me, Kate, to
take the hand"
. That robbed me- Say it if you
wish"
Il was going to say it Why did you
do it?'
Because you We're tOrturing little
Maggie and | will not have her worried
about few letters. They We're hers,
not yours
Il think they were mine
THAT shows a mans honesty i'll love
matters. The letters were sent to you
under supposition that you were to
till certain relationship to Maggie.
You were found incompetent for that
position. and the favors relating to it
ought 10 have been returned. A dis
missed ambassador might just as well
keep his insignia of office"
Sit down Kate, and don't put your
selfin Il passion. Have | ever done an
unkind thing to either Maggie or you
since were children together
No, Archie. YOU have not.
'Do you really think | WOULD"
You said you would tell Sir John
things about Maggie, and that would
he unkind Maggie loves Sir John very
much"
Il would never hurt Maggie. As your
pastor and your cousin, let me say |
think YOU have behaved in II very inn
n,.' -