Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-04-11
MY SISTER KATE.
By the author of "DoaA THoRNE."
CHAPTER /.

who looked as though she were borl
TO command-mine was fair gentle
English girl who died when I wa
born.
Our father Squire Hamber, as h,
was always called, was well known anC
much esteemed by all the country
round about us. The Hambers wert
not very wealthy family; but they
were very old one. No one remem
bered the village of Clifton without {
Hamber living in it. None but Ham
bers had ever occupied the old Grange
There had never been a title in the
family, and there had never been any
great amount of money; still in the
whole country no one was more look
ed up to, both by gentle and simple
than my father His income was
sufficient to keep the Grange as com
Portable home where genial, true hos
pitality reigned and to find for his
daughters every luxury that young
lady could desire. My sister Kate had
maid and groom; had a governess
whom loved very dearly. Altogether
our home was very comfortable one
and we moved in the best society.
/
"grandees." The Earl of Morven was
the chief magnate OF the county, and
Morven castle was not far from the
Grange. Then there was the Hall,
where the Erlesmeres used to dwell,
though it was closed and desolate now.
There was, beside, Charlton Towers.
the residence of young Allan Charl-
ton, one of the richest men in the
county. Clifton. taking it altogether,
was a very aristocratic little village.
Morven Castle was the center of hos
pitality. The @noble earl" as the coun-
try papers delighted to call him, was
never so happy as when his grand old
place was full of visitors. Charlton
Woods surrounded the village of
Clifton. There was many beautiful
view and picturesque glade in them !;
but the Village itself was chiefly re-
markable for its cleanliness and quiet.
The Grange, our home was situated at
one end. 1t was a low Struggling
house full OF pretty hooks and corn
ers; broad green lawn sloped from
the house to the high-road.
We were always proud OF the lawn,
it was so level, and the grass was so
green and soft; it was frightened by
beds OF brilliant fowers-scarlet YER
benas, the scented purple heliotrope,
fragrant mignonette, and glorious
tinted carnations. Two large iron
gates opened ON to the road. We fre-
quently saw passers-by stop to admire
our beautiful flowers. On each side of
the lawn was a row of lime trees, be-
meath the shady branches OF which
WAS our favorite promenade. At the
back OF the Grange, there still remain
ed what had once helped to form the
moat, a lake OF clear deep water.
Dropping willow trees grew round 1T
and their sweeping branches touched
the surface. Two stately swans sailed
maiestically on it, and | was never
tired OF watching them. At the end
of the pleasure grounds was a gate
which led direct to the broad path of
Charlton Woods. do not think Il
pleasanter or prettier home could have
been found.
NY father, Paul Hamber, was. a
thorough student, he seemed to live
only in and for his books. | cannot
tell whether he had always been the
same; but, jndgng from his thought
ful face, his broad intellectual brow, !
should say he had always been a stu
dent and scholar. He married his
first wife, Kate's mother, when he was
very young. / suppose he must have
loved her, althouaa in disposition they
were very different She WAS mag
nificent woman, with figure and
face that would have suited an en-
press. They lived very happily. Kate
inherited much of her mothers
beauty, although in her it had sof-
tened aspect. When she was six
years old, her mother died. She lies
in the vault of the Hambers, and my
dear mother sleeps near her.
Kate was very high-spirited girl,
original, wild, and daring, utterly be-
yond the comprehension of the pale
refined scholar. For long time he
was perplexed to know what course to
pursue with her. He continued won
defing until she had reached her ninth
year; and then it struck him that his
only resource was to marry again, and
to provide his beautiful little torment
with IA more fitting guide than himself.
This time his choice fell upon gentle,
fragile, delicate girl, the only child OF
a widow lady residing near Clifton.
Ckribel Wynne was my mothers
name. | have her potrait now. She
was never perhaps what people call
beautiful; but she had sweet patient
face, with deep violet eyes and brown
hair My father thinks am like her;
he tells me however that | do not
look so good. In her eyes there was
the mysterious shadow always seen in
the ewes of those who die young.
Ny fair young mother died when
was born; she rests by the side of the
stately lady who first reigned at the
Grange. Her death cast Il deep shadow
over my fathers life. He was now
worse off than ever; instead of one
child, he had two, and the younger
was delicate babe. He procured a
nurse for me and another governess
for Kate Miss Hilton has been with
us ever since; she will never leave us
again. Kate was just ten years older
than |. Our birthdays were both in the
bright month of June.
At the time of which | write | was
just eight and she was eighteen-eigh-
teen and one of the most beautiful
girls in the whole country round
Clever, daring, wild, and original, Kate
had not lost one of her early charaC-
teristics. She WAS exceedingly fascina-
ting, with a piquant charming manner
that no one could resist. She had
wonderful natural gifts too, although
she was not intellectual; she did ne.
read much, but she sung in a sweet
rich contralto voice-a magnificent
voice, full OF passion and tenderness.
She could not, or rather would not,
play piece of music correctly; but
She could improvise for hours together
and sing songs of her own composing
until she drew tears from every eye.
She was daring horsewOman, also one
of the most graceful dancers | ever
saw. One of Kate's great charms was
her wonderful wit; she had a remark
able talent for repartee. No matter
where she went, Kate was always the
chief center of attraction; her bOns
m0ts, quizzical but never i'll natured,
were often quoted. Kate was beloved
by every one | believe the secret of
this lay in the fact that she had Il gen.
erous nature and kind heart She was,
some people thought ridiciously NOR
bid on the subject of pain, either men
tai or physical; she could not endure
to see any one suffer. do not think
in her whole life she ever willingly in
Aicted main either bv word or deed