Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-10-11

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did, from the mere thirst for victims.
would not believe it. She was
but trying him. Beneath all she
loved him. And why not? Nothing
so wonderful if she did. He was we'll
worthy the love Of any woman, or had
been when she took him in hand. If
she had made him less so let her
blame her own work, and repair the
mischief she had wrought.
Thus thinking, 1 was well pleased
when Katie arrived the next day and
after scolding me for not keeping my
''solemn promise" announced that
she had come to pay ME long
visit.
| 1argued from this that she repent
ed of her treatment of Albert, and
took this means of showing it. Poor
boy! He thought so too. And
with good reason. What dance she
led him. How divinely she smiled,
and how sweetly she lured him on.
All! she was a rare coquette, was
Katie Linden!
Her visit had lasted about week.
1t was evident to my watchful eyes
that Albert would soon ask her what
she meant to do with him.
One night they were together, walk
ing out in the garden. l could see
her in the white moonlight, smiling
up into his face, and leaning ON his
arm. The window opening upon the
garden was raised, and | was sitting
in the shadow Of the curtains. 50
occasionally, as they passed and re-
passed, | could hear low, whispered
words. By and by they stopped right
under the window. | didn't move,
though | knew | could hear every
word thatpassed. considered | had
right to hear.
''Kate, there must be an end to
this" heard him say.
can end to what ?" she returned.
"Don't affect innocence, Katie.
You are maddening enough now.
Don't pretend not to understand me.
You know l love you. Are you still
Indifferent to me? Will you still tell
me, with that divinesmile--with those
low, sweet tones, albert, my friend,
can never, never love YOU"
"My dear boy, don't be a goose.
Of course l can never love you ~
"Good !" He laughed bitterly.
''Anything for change. l think |
like your impatience better than your
pitying tenderness"
He looked at her for q second with
an expression | wouldn't like to call
out on any mans face. Then he said
to HIMSELF: CATER all, it's scarcely
worth while, but it is too late to
think Of that now. Good night, Miss
Linden"
He turned away and left her stand
ing there looking wonderingly after
him.
She was puzzled. She knew he
loved her to madness. Such dread
despair-she wasn't used to that sort
of thing. People usually upbraided,
tore their hair, called her coquette,
aud so forth. All that she rather
liked. But this love was evidently
beyond her depth.
81 don't know how long she stood
there, for rose and went to my room.
When she came to say good night
pretended to be asleep aid took nc
notice Of her. And yet had loved
that woman like a sister!
After a while, when | was sure
she'was quietly sleeping and dream
ing | went ON tip-toe to Albert's
room. His door was unlocked so
went straight to him and put my
arms about his neck. He looked at
me quietly enough. but l couldn't
bear to see his face--so white, so stony,
calm, so terribly despairing. | hate
women-I hate beauty hate-Oh!
my brain is on fire when l think of
the ruin she made of that dear SIM
pie boy. | tried to comfort him, but
my words seemed mockery.
"Dear Albert" | said, 81 know it
all. was witness Of the scene in the
garden"
"Were you ?"
Quiet, passionless tones.
"And dear, dear Albert-precious
brother-I have come to try-to ask
oh !my brother my brother love
me again, and let that heartless
creature gow
| He kissed nv check and cmoothad