Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-01-24

consisted OF cold ham and bread and
butter, and Kathie, who was Unfortunately
fond of chicken, executed pirouette
about the table, whereupon the fouls lay,
as the market-man disappeared.
/ found myself again wondering over
my sisters good spirits, and as evening
drew near, and We began to prepare our
selves for our visit | said, watching her
closely:
DIR. Loring will make some woman a
noble husband, Kathie.
My pretty sister smothered laugh as
she returned DO you think so?
But my artful attempts to draw her
into some sort of an admission were vain;
and when at last the carriage came for
us, | was no nearer the secret of her
gayety than on the previous evening.
DR.. Loring and his mother met us in
the doorway of his home, a substantial
old-fashioned wooden house, standing in
wide garden on one of the most quiet
of the city streets.
Mrs. Loring was motherly looking
old lady with silvery hair, and large,
kindly dark eyes like her sons.
wondered little at her keen yet
pleasantly searching look into my face
as she took my hands in hers, but my
heart went out TO her at once when she
kissed me, and said, cordially;
You are welcome, my dear
After we had removed our wraps DR.
Loring took possession of me, and led
me into the wide pleasant parlor where
an open fire burned cheerily in the
crate.
/ thought it singular that Mrs. Lor-
ing should detain Kathie in the chamber
which had been turned into dressing
room, but every passing emotion was
swept into nothingness when DIR. Lor-
ing brought me face to face, in the cen
ter of the parlor, with-Charlie Ly-
ford
The young fellow was absolutely rad
liant as he caught my hand in his and
l could do nothing but cling to him and
grasp rapturously,as | thought of Ksthie:
'Ol, OHdTlle, is IL really you!
And presently | heard the story of his
rescue, After floating thirty-six hours
on an empty cask which went overheard
with him, he was picked up half dead
with hunger and fatigue by a Russian
ship.
This vessel was bound for her own
country, and Charlie, being violently ill
and delirious from the effects of his ex-
posture, when they reached port was left
in Russian hospital, where he nearly
died.
When he grew better his nurse wrote
some letters home for him, among which
was one for Kathie; but whether the
woman misdirected them, or neglected
to post them, he did not know, but had
since discovered that no news of his res
cue had reached America.
On his arrival here, day or two be-
fore he had come straight to his cousin,
who, to his delight, he found was a
friend of ours, and who persuaded him
! to meet Kathie here.
AT this point the parlor door was hast
lily opened, and my sister came in, fol-
lowed by Mrs. Loring.
L saw, at glance, that Kathie knew
all, for she was white as any ghost, and
trembling all over; but there was light
in her sweet young face that made her
divine to look at, and her voice was
freighted with Joy, that laughed out
right, with tears rushing into my eyes,
when she cried, with outstretched hands:
Charlie, Charlier
The young man had her in his arms,
kissing her at great rate, as the doctor
led me into the next room; and | have a
suspicion that Mrs. Loring disappeared,
conveniently, in order that the lovers
might be alone together.
| soon found myself seated in great
easy-chair before the library fire, while
DIR. Loring smiled down at me, with his
own eyes very wet. Then, with sud
den pang | remembered what this must
cost him.
4 am so sorry l faltered; but Kathie
loved Charlie Lyford before we knew
you, and do not think she realizes
broke down miserably here; but the
doctors eyes were dry by this time, and
he was smiling quizzically at me.
MY dear little friend, he said, draw
ing footstool very close to my chair,
and seating himself thereon, so that his
noble head, so fifty crowned with its sill
ver-threaded brown locks, was close TO my
shoulder, what are you driving at?'
His proximity, together with this alb
rubt question, rather disturbed my
equanimity; but | managed to stammer
flushing holly before his laughing eyes
i thought you-liked Kathie.
so | do assented the doctor, calmy
like Kathie for sister-in-law; but if ]
have not made you comprehend whom ]
want for wife, then | must begin all
over again.
For one moment | met the gaze of his
dear, kind eyes, and then | covered my
face with both hands.
He put his arms about me, and said
gently.
Esther, dear little woman, do you
not know that | love you? / made a
confident of Kathie yesterday and she
advised me to try my fate to-day. Els
Their, are you going to be my wife?'
This, then, was the secret of my sis
ters wonderful spiritsl Dear Kathie
she little knew three hours ago what
Happiness awaited herl
And what was |, to be blessed so among
women? The remembrance of my in
trinity smote me as Dr. Loring spoke
again.
4 am waiting for my answer, Esther.
oh how can you care for me, / cried
apale-faced cripple?
Dear, he said, tenderly wiping away
my starting tears with his handkerchief
you must never speak of my wife like
that The poor little knee shall be cured
| have friend in New York, who makes
a speciality of all such cases. He shall
be consulted if you think YOU could care
for grey-haired old fellow like me, he
added, mimicking my voice SO absurdly
that | laughed outright, and did not re-
fuse the kiss with which he claimed
me-
We are happily married now. Moth
er Loring lives with us, and Charlie and
Kathie are in the next street. My lame