Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-12-16

away the time.
One morning, on gong rather earlier
than usual, as it was to be her last visit,
for Nell had assured her that the ogre
would return the following day, she
was surprised to find her place occupied
by man. Yes, there he was, stretched
out on the rude bench seemingly lost in
slumber.
Kate, whose entrance had evidently
not aroused him, surveyed the intruder
critically, then gazed admiringly. "Can
this be the ogre have talked so much
about?" she askedaloud. "No, it cannot
be, for this face looks so handsome, it
would be happiness to be permitted to
worehip at such shrine. How always
admired chestnut curls. 1 wonder if his
eyes are blue. think they must be.
His mustache is a shade lighter than his
hair. do wonder who he can be. 1
know this, that Kate Ashton would give
ten years of her life to win the love of
such man. His countenance indicates
he is as good as he is handsome. But
must go. Itwould never do for him to
wake and find me here" saying which
she turned to leave.
Her attention was attracted bya slight
noise, and, turning to see if the sleeper
had awakened, she noticed that one of
the large stones had become loosened
and was about to fall directly above his
head. With quick cry he sprang for
ward in time to interpose her arm and
turn it aside. "Saved |" she cried, and
sank fainting to the ground. It was the
work of a moment.
Mr.. Egerton-for may as well state
that it was he-aroused by the cry
and the falling stone, could not at first
comprehend the cause, but, glancing up
ward from whence the stone came, and
seeing the large opening through which
the morning sun was now streaming,
then down at his feet, where lay the
stone and the unconscious form of Kate.
Raising her tenderly in his arms, he
bore her swiftly to the house. Meeting
the old man who had charge of the
grounds, he dispatched him Immediately
for the doctor, while the old woman, ap
pearing from some unknown quarter,
stood near in state of great excitement.
sis she dead? Who killed herr" she
said, wildly, wringing her hands.
"She is not dead. She has only
tainted from pain. think her arm is
broken"
"Who is she2 Where did you find
her ?"
at is Miss Ashton who is visiting
in the next house. and met with an &C
cident while inspecting the grounds, y
placing her gently on the sofa.
"Served her right for trespassing."
"Hush !" he replied, sternly; "you
know not what you are sayingP briefly
relating the occurrence.
"Poor dear I'm sorry spoke SC
harshly."
The old man soon returned with the
doctor, who, on examination, pronounced
it bad fracture, and in o short time il
was skillfully dressed, and Kate, who
had ere this recovered from her swoon,
was able to sit up and converse.
Nellie and her mother, who had been
informed of The accident, now made
their appearance, and were introduced
to Mr.. Egerton by Kate, to whom he
had been obliged to introduce himself.
After conversing short time, during
which Mr.. Egerton had observed that,
although he greatly regretted the acct
dent, it had been the means of drawing
him out of his scclusion, as he should
Gull every day until she was GONZALES.
cent
The next day Mr.. Egerton called, and
the next, and so on, until Kate grew t.
consider his visits indispensable.
"My arm is now entirely well" she
had replied one evening to his inquiry
, az am sorry" he returned, "for
shall now have to invent some other ex
cnse for calling" then suddenly: "Mis,
: Ashton, Kate, do you know that yor
have grown very dear to me-so deal
that without you life would not be worth
livingP You have already heard Of thu
boyish passion 1 conceived long year
ago. I thank Heaven that it was no
reciprocated, for I never loved her as
love you. Can you not whisper one lit
tie word Of hope? One little sentence
if you would only speak it, would max,
: my happiness complete. Will you 50.
it, dearest?"
, az might if I knew that sentence"
/ "Say: Gerald, I love YOU"
, "Gerald. l."
b She paused, blushingly. He locke,
s at her earnestly.
e "Gerald-Gerald, 1 love YOU" an
her blushlng face was pillowed on hi
massive shoulder.
81 believe, Gerald, that loved 20
a before I ever saw you," she had sal
afterward.
b "Really, nowl Did you love thi
), ogre this monster of which your cousi
. Nell told you? This old, weasene
bachelor, with eyes like"
"Don't, please. Who told you
said"-here she broke entirely down.
"Don't be vexed, dearest. will G,
!, plain: 1 came down here few weel
sooner than customary, and, strollin
near the hedge that day, Glanced
a overhear your conversation. I W.
amused, and was impressed with d
o sire to see you. 1 followed width,
your footsteps led, 1.-THE risk Of being o.
:, served, but you never once turned yol