The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-01-20

room she found her mol anu nusi,-,., ......
fetched father. The upshot was that
DR.. Carpenter came up from town. and
warned us that it was very likely fever,
and we must keep away. OF course we
couldn't leave home, 80 mother took Bes-
sic Of over " the old nursery, out from
the house, and we made 1t the hospital,
and chalked "No AdnsittGnce" on the
door.
When DR.. Carpenter said it was
smallpox. I thought ! should have
died. And we never told Bessie-nOt
then, I mean. Thanks to our precau-
tons, it somehow passed US, and was
glad Tom was away-he had got q bet
ter situation in Birmingham now-and
he couldn't catch it. Poor fellow!
Meanwhile, naturally, Mr.. Temple
and were a great deal together. We
had such long talks about Bessie that no
wonder her ears burned, in fever partio-
ularly. We would often have long
walks, and agreed to be brother and sis
ter. as was right, under tisc circum-
stances. Not five minutes he spoke
but his love for Bessie somehow always
passed his lips. wrote to Tom regu-
larly, but told him nothing about Mr.
Temple and Bessie; for it was not my
secret, and besides, she didn't know how
Mr.. Temple loved her yet.
So the spring went, and Mr.. Temple
and got quite friendly. I think he
liked me very much. One night VIC
were walking in the cleaning, coming
home.
al am so glad. Katie, that Bessie is
nearly well again. hope soon to see
her, and then we shall all be happy"
"Yes," said; IF Tom would only
come home. He can't just yet, he says,
but he will SOON"
Are You going to be married then
Katie?"
30. dear, no." said. mot for quite
u long time YETI and laughed. But |
should not have laughed had / known
how near the grim. dreadful truth was
that night.
when we are married." said Mr.
Temple, lit will be splendid. We will
go abroad then. and YOU will be my own
sister. Katie. For do love You very
dearly indeed"
He put his face down to mine as he
spoke, and kissed my forehead. | did
not prevent him, and Just made no sign:
but at that instant dark figure came be-
hind us, and caught Mr.. Temple by the
collar. and with one immense heave sent
him right off his feet into the river, a
distance of SIX feet or more below us.
Then, turning towards me, Tom-for o!
1t was Tom, and knew him in that one
second how his poor heart was breaking
came and stood over me, and Kissed
out:
"You faithlcss jade! 1t is true then,
and you all the time writing to me. Yah!
I hate We. Go and find your new lover.
You'll never see me again"
put up my hands, begged him to
listen, I entreated for PHYS sake.
II heard your he exclaimed, II
heard you! Go. leave me! o has it come
to this? May God reward you as you de-
serve. NY heart is brokenr'
He turned away chung to him; but,
dashing me backward, he escaped, and
with loud scream fell back lifeless
on the path by the river.
CHAPTER hour OF THE DEPTHS"
It was nearly as.amt'-ti,nc when I
awoke to see the light again, at least to
remember it. ! was in our bedroom
and Bessie was sitting beside me. l
looked up, and she saw knew her, and
she stopped and kissed me. felt tears
upon my cheeks, but / did not try to
wipe them off. All seemed unreal and
strange; even the twittering of the swal-
lows in the caves sounded far away and
- .,~ IONA hae,Ia tha OF ~,
summer.
What has happened, Bessie?" I
whispered. Tell me, tell me air. Bes-
sic began to cry.
looked at her calmly, with no sense
Of sorrow or sympathy. was stony at
heart.
Cant you tell me how long 1 have
been i'll, and why l am up hereP' l
said.
you have had brain fever" she
whispered; "and o! Katie, my darling,
it is all my fault"
stared at her; I didn't in the least
understand. I attempted to rise, but OF
course fell back at once, weak as
child.
Bessie stopped as I made movement
with my lips: Call mother"
She went down stairs, and mother
came in cheerfuliy and kissed me gladly.
was better. / asked no questions -
they have told me so since-and took
no interest in anything. And this last
ed for fortnight. Then l come down
stairs, and then caught site of MIR.
Temple, and hated him. His appear
ance distressed me. He came up to me,
and 1 remember quite we'll recoiled
from him, and he looked panied and
went away. saw him look at Bes-
sic. and put his finger to his forehead.
He thought l was mad. Perhaps was
then.
I got stronger and better, and recov-
cred my looks, but never felt quite the
same. was not unhappy. I enjoyed
the singing of the birds and the murmur
/ of the stream, and the sunshine and
harvest-time, and went to church. But
| / never did any work, and nobody asked
lie to. Nobody said any thing to hurt
my feelings, and ] never spoke to Mr..
Temple.
He was a great deal with Bessie now.
and supposed they were engaged to
each other. Bessie would often leave
MIN TO come I'D me. onc Was 81 NiHu
and gentle and forbearing. There was
deprecating way with her which l
could not then understand, a wish
also to tell something, and at last it
came.
Katie" she said, one evening, one
of the last evenings when we should sit
out of doors that year, do you remem-
Der that night when youwere foundP'
mo" I replied, calmly enough. 81
remember that Joe of yours being
chucked into the river; suppose Tom
did that"
katie, dear. don't be spiteful," said
Bessie, who was much relieved to hear
me speak of Tom again. But you must
hear what have to tell you."
"Go on."I said Nothing very I'M
pleasant, is it?'
"Will you forgive mep" she begged.
earnestly.
"What for?' ! said, carelessly.
"For my conduct. ! wrote to Tom.
o, Kate! don't look like that l wrote
to him and told him about you and MIR.
Temple-and -"
never heard her finish. got up
without word and walked up stairs.
For three months never came down on
my feet.
Then / was better, and, without q look
at Bessie or her intended, was carried
away to Lancashire for change OF air.
Here really did receive new life. re-
NAMED with nv fathers friends for
i yxr.- ND