Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-03-06

next tuesday" 7"
What fellow ?" said Kitty saucily.
''You know who l mean" Joe was pale
with jealousy and wrath. "And you
knew there was an understanding that |
was to escort yOu,"
Il presume that can 60 with whom
please" answered Kitty haughtily.
$50 you can, and | want you now to
make your choice but tell you once for
all that if you throw me over for that
Bowers, you'll be de done for me forever"
Kitty was almost frightened at his
vehemence. She drew back a little, and
said:
"My goodness, Joe, what temper you
have got"
You have driven me to it you've made
me desperate" he retorted. This thing
must come to an end between us one way
or the other, for l will bear it no longer"
She looked at him, and her cheeks
flushed scarlet.
What right have you to speak to me in
that tone? l am not your slave. and
/ shall 60 with DR.. Bowers to the picnic"
Joe looked steadily in her eyes for an
instant.
Very WE'LL" he said shortly. and turn
ting on his heel walked off in the direction
of the barn.
"Joe," called his mother from the
kitchen window, come in Joe; supper's
ready. Come Kitty child, before the rolls
get cold"
Il don't want any supper, mother. And,
mOther"-JOe paused a moment, and his
voice seemed to falter and lower-"dOn't
expect me home tonight. l am going
over to Uncle Thomas"
And he walked on very fast as if not
wishing to be questioned.
AS Kitty entered the cool dining-room
where the family took their meals, Miss
Jemima was standing at the window with
her arms akimbo, gazing after Joe.
THAT boy" she said solemnly-"that
boy amt himself shouldn't be surprised
if he's driven to do something desperate"
and she looked resentfully at Kitty.
You don't eat anything, Kitty" kindly
| said Uncle Jerry, who never saw much of
what wasn't going on right before his eyes.
Maybe you think the weather is too warm
for hot rolls and cakes? Well, take some
iced milk and berries Why, bless me!
what is the matter with the child ?"
Kitty had burst into tears.
She did not 60 upstairs, but out of doors,
where she could relieve her heart unseen
and unheard.
Passing through the garden and the
orchard she followed the little footpath
which led to pretty strip of woodland
where, in cool ravine, ran rather mar
row but deep stream betw cen messy banks
This was a favOrite haunt of hers. There
had been a little rustic bridge leading to
the hillside beyond, but this had lately
been washed away after heavy rain.
She could SEE she approached The spot,
one of the posts still standing and
wasn't that Joe leaning against it like
statute his arms folded, and his eyes bent
upon the deep little pool which the rocks
had just here pent in.
A sudden fear seized Kitty. Surely,
surely Joe could not be thinking of drown
ing himself.
She stood still and breathless watching
him. Presently he started as from a
reyerie, and with lips compressed into a
look of firm resolve, picked up coil of
rope which lay at his feet.
Then he walked round and round tad
and straight tulip tree growing close to the
edge of the stream, looking up into its
thick foliage as if for q convenient place to
which to attach it.
Kittys heart frOze with horror For a
moment she felt paralyzed but as she
saw Joe carefully make moose at one of
the rope, and prepare to climb the tree,
the spell was broken.
She rushed forward with wild shrek
and threw her arms around him.
"Oh, Joe-dear Joe-don't do such
dreadful thing Don't hang yourself, Joe
for my sake, don't! Oh, forgive me,
forgive me, dear Joe, ,and l will never, never
grieve you again" !"
A strange expression came over JOe's
face. He looked down into the white
face of the sObbing girl, and his stern eye
softened. But then he said gloomily:
'How can believe you, Kitty? You
have as good as told me that you don't
love me and without you l don't care to
live"
Don't talk so dreadfully Joe; II do
love you"
Answer me truly, Kitty! Do you really
love me?"
"Yes," sobbed the girl; Indeed 1 do,
Joe! Please throw away that dreadful
ropem
Not yet, Kitty. Do you love me above
everybody else in the wOrld?"
"Yes-Oh, yesw
"And will you marry me, Kitty?"
'Yes, will, Joe indeed I will y
"When? ?"
"Any time-to-mOrrow- said |
Kitty, in desperation, ''if you will only
throw away that dreadful thing and come
home with mew
There, then"
And Joe flung the coil of rope in the |
thicket Of laurel on the other side of the |
stream, and drawing Kitty to him, kissed q
her solemnly.
Remember you have promised to be my
wife, Kitty"
eyes," she answered meekly.
And so hand in hand they returned |
through the orchard and the garden to the
house
"Of all the onaccountable critters on the |
face of the EARTH" said Miss Jemima, sur
veying them from the pantry window, |
recommend me to young courtin couple;
l don't believe they know their own minds
five minutes at time, anyways
Uncle Jerry was sitting on the top step |
of the porch, contentedly smoking his pipe. |
well, JOe," said he cheerfnlly, "hev you
fixed that gum-tree with a rope all ready |
to pull it down in the right direction ?n
mo, sir" answered Joe, quietly, "I'll at |
tend to it tomorrow"
We'll, don't forget, for the sooner that |
bridge is finished the better, if we want to |
get the hay over in good time"
Kitty stopped and looked straight up
into JOes face
you've deceived me-" she said indig-
nantly.
mo, Kitty, / haven't You deceived
yourself, dear, and am very glad of it, 1
assure you"