The Red Cloud chief., 1882-01-12

She tried not TO hear the voices, that
sounded As though some n were en-
treating, p~ersuading, arguing. and rs
though kathlecn's nswcrs were agitat-
ed and brief. Still more 10 prevent
that quick and sensitive listening
which was her habit from gathering
aught that Kathleen would rather not
have overheard. the blind girl gave
herself up 10 thoughts which all day
had been expressing her, and all dav
had been withstood. This was Dicks
birthday; n week before Christmas.
All! the old holiday frolics; the old
Christmas cheer, the merry-makings
that, in the dear. square house." used
10 mark this date. And cow and then
oh. dear Dick where can YOU be?
And if yOu only knew whispered the
blind girl TO herself, crying softly. as
she thought and thought.
Meanwhile Kathleen was sore besct.
Was Mr.. Lawrence righto Once she
had believed her W judgment infalli-
bic; her faith in it was shaken now.
Was he right, after all? Even though
he were not her first love, could she not
be all he asked a faithful wife? Did it
stNNN .hhl fllpi' sNboftN Y NttN. III
the love she had so rcckle>sly re- cctci
could never complete her own life?
Here would be peace, protection, even
luxury, for the wasting mother and the
delicate sister; she would not longer
hesitate thus se'fishIy, for her own
strength had had to own itself over
taxed of late, and could not long be
adequate TO the burden she ha,! so
proudly assumed. Almost the assent
which would end all had been forced
to her lips, when the door opened and
the blind girl stood there. qu.vcr.ny
with excitement, an unwonted flush GA
her cheek.
"Ilark. bark, don't YOU hcarthcm?"
she cried. in 4 quick, ringing voice.
"Dariing, what is it?' and Kathleen
ran to her, frightened and mysti!ied.
Nearer. nearer. Kathleen, don't
YOU hear them? How fast they are
coming. How they chime and clash
Kathleen did hear ut lat The old sill
yer music Of the string of s'cigli-bclls.
1T is no wonder, Snowflake she
tried to say calmly. Il presume the
CoIlamoreS have them still. and | know
the family is back from Europe. Prob
ably some of them are driving past"
But louder in more frantic glce rang
the familiar bells. and stopped; stopped
at their gate.
"Dick-oh. it is Dick?' gasped
Snowflake.
Which was Dick, which was Frank
Collamore poor, daZed Kathleen could
not clearly be sure at first. she was
only sure of one thing; she had not
said Yes to Mr.. Lawrence; indeed,
he had quietly disappeared.
How did they tell everything? How
dill everything get found out? At last
there were no secrets. Between smiles,
tears, silence and speech all was cx-
planned. On kaihleen's part, why she
had deceived Dick so, and why, after
~disgracing herself by 4 fainting-iit Ike
any common, w~eak-nerved girl. desti-
tute of will and energy, she had To lie
still, utterly weak and ncrveless from
the relaxation of the long over-strain.
On Dicks part. how certain rumOrs had
reached him which made him both in
dignant and alarmed.
81 could not believe At first that you
could have misled me so. Kathleen"
said Dick, "bdt finally | could endure
il no longer. When Uncle Lane found
that return | would, ven though my
fortune was as vet only Il small fortune,
he declared that he would come. too.
| will own, Kathleen. that | was too
angry with you TO write home then. |
sad | would surprise you, and, if you
suffered any suspense meanwhile, it
would serve YOU richt. was brute"
Dick interrupted himself TO interpolate
gratuitously. Then he resumed: Poor
Uncle Lane, At his age the hardShips it
was our ill-luck To encounter were too
much for him. He grew very i'll. and
at the very first European port we were
put ashore and turned nurse. 1t was
Il peculiar malady; we both hoped
every week that the next would see him
rallving. SO that we might 90 on.
Don't write; well surprise them yet
he would say. But death, alas! sur
priscd him first. Then for a long viii 0
| remember nothing. suppose | was
very ILL; | know | was months gettin.
well, months in caring whether eve
came home or not. So YOU see nv
surprise is n very belated surprise. in
deed" said Dick. drawing Snowflake
closer.
but 4 genuine m in the end. For
instance. only imagine my sensations"
lauohel Frank COllamore, lat having
this bearded stranger grip my horses
bit in the middle of the street. and cX-
anime those slcigh-bells as if he were a
mailman"
lit was a mad proceeding" an
| swercd Dick. but | had only Just land
" - liz -, a.. sl,,
street and number when | suddenly
heard the dear old bells. | knew them
in an instant; l never dreamed that any
but some of you could be driving be.
hind them, and | suppose did lose my
wits. Certainly, | never felt SO trans
fixed with amaZcment rs In see Frank,
whom | knew on n second glance, glow
ering at me over the bells where | had
found Snowf'ake's initials engraved,
Just rs they ALWAYS were"
They shall 90 back to their right
full owner" said Mr.. CollamOrc, gently.
Snowflake won't refuse that gift from
me on Christmas Day | know, particu-
larry if | take kathleeI's'-
"Oh. hush. hush"' said \ warning
voice from kathleen's sofa, and Just
then no one minded the interruption,
for Dick vas speaking.
Il believe, little Snowflake. that my
boyish boast has come true; | have
brought you behind the Sleigh-bells a
fortune. or almost Il fortune, at last, for
Uncle Lane has left his all 10 me.
But" and Dicks voice shook. lit has
cost me dear, for l have lost in him a
second father. And TO you all three il
almost came. l fear, too late"
Not quite. They kept their Christ
mas of a week later with chastened
gladnesS, indeed, but good care and
freedom from anxiety in time brought
health. assured though never robust. to
the invalid mother. peace unrulfed 10
the blind girl, and the old warm glow
10 kathleen's face. the old sparkle TO
her dark eyes.
But now ] know" she said TO
Snowflake on her wedding-day. as they
stood once more in the parlors of "the
Square House." THAT Your prophecy
out of the sleigh-bells was reality. not
all dream. as l thought then; | know
that even The harsh and discordant
clashing, which seemed such = drcary