The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-21

waiting for the advent of her lover and chance
step upon the walk sent the blood surging to her
cheek.
The evening came at last Ross had not come,
he would never come again something told her,
and going to her room she gave herself up to an
agony of weeping. If Ross had cared, if there
had been the smallest remnant of the old love
remaining, he would have been with her before
this, anxious for reconciliation, taking the blame
upon himself in his old frank, generous way.
No, it was as the neighbors said another had
supplanted her in his regard, if, indeed, he had
ever cared for her, as she had go fondly imag g
ined
Here's letter for you, Kitty called Aunt
Sabrina up the stairway. 'It's from Chicago.
and must be something pretty important, L
guess for it's got two stamps on it Bead 1t
quick, and let us know who it's from"
The took the letter, thankful for the dim
light which concealed her tear-stained cheeks
and swollen eyes. and read as follows
CHICAGO, Nov. 26, 49,.
my Dear Cousin-I have been trying to think
whom could call upon in the present emerg
ency, and find there is no one but your own
kind, helpful cheerful self Your persistent re-
fusals to visit me will not be accepted now forI
haypea to know that our accent Aunt Sabrina is
at hand to take your place at the household
helm. But to begin at the beginning.
Coming out of the theater few evenings
SINCE had the i'll fortune to spran my ankle
The physician warns me that l shall be close
prisoner for several weeks and the thought ap-
pals me. Fred is at the Office the livelong day,
and the loneliness of my lot is unbearabe. My
only hope is that you will be mindful enough of
your cousinly duty to me, like the benefcent
fairy that you are, and save me from dying of
ennui"
Here followed several pages of family and per-
sonal matters, in which the reader has no inter-
est The letter closed in this wise: Taking
your assent for granted, inclose check to de-
fray travelling expenses Never mind about
your wardrobe; there will be time enough for
that after you are here Don't wait to write
but telegraph me and start at once. Your affec-
tionate cousin, RUTH HEARNE."
Another day had passed, and thinking Kitty
sufficiently punished, Ross adorned himself in
his best, and leisurely proceeded to the farm
house. Aunt Sabrina, meager and belligerent
as ever, answered his knock.
us Kitty at home?" he queried anxiousy
something in the spinster's appearance daunting
him.
''She went to Chicago this morning on the 9
o'clock train," CURLY answered Aunt Sabrina
watching with delighted eyes the effect of her
communication.
kitty gone! and without consulting met"
gasped Ross, forgetting himself in his astonish-
ment.
And why should she consult you?" asked his
tormenter. what claim have you on Kitty
Payne. or what right to control her move
mentsl"@
Ross grew pale; he drew himself up haughtily,
and, without deigning to answer, secured kittys
directly to his room, and seated at his desk in
dited manly and tender epistle to the absent
one, blaming himself severely for the misun-
Outstanding between them and making her the
formal offer of his hand and heart.
Forget and forgive" he pleaded. 81 know
my own heart at last, and it tells me that with
out my little friend and sweetheart life has no
happiness for me-"
He folded the letter and slipped it into the en-
velope. The entrance of younger brother dis
turbed him, and he tossed it unaddressed into
his desk.
Had it but reached its destination, this letter.
with its freightage of love and penitence, what
burden of pain and grief would have been lifted
from the young girls sorrowful heart! How
many years of hopeless waiting robbed of their
dreary desolaton! But it was not to be- When,
in the dim morning light, Ross went to his desk
he took up the envelope containing the heartless
verses, written in his anger, whose existence he
had already forgotten. Addressing it in his bold
free hand, he sent the missive upon its way A few
hours later he had said his good byes" to family
and friends and started for his new home on the
Dakota prairies.
Sheltered in the great bay window Kitty rocked
and sung; the golden curls of the child upon her
lap blending softly with her braids of brown.
Lulled by the tender melody little May had
drifted off to dreamand. Mr.. Hearne, out in
the sittingroom, laid down his paper and list
ened.
DO you know, Ruth, that your cousin has
wonderful voicep he asked presently. ''rhere
is not finer contralto in the city; it is a for
tune in itself and must be cultivated" and good
| Mr.. Hearne, whose life was so completely filled
| with the thought for others that lie forgot to
| think for himself gave himself up to plans and
dreams for developing his young friends mar
velous gift, while Kitty, allIpnconscious, sang
| on in the twilight.
| Practical Cousin Ruth came to the rescue.
| She wrote to Aunt Sabrina and Mr.. Payne let
| tiers which inspired them with her own enthu-
| siasm. Kitty had been good, kind girl, - her
| father said ''She had faithfully filled her dead
| mothers place for many years. 1t only
| right and proper that she should have a chance
| for herself; and now that the mortgage was
| lifted from the farm, debts paid. barns and
| granaries filled with plentiful crop, he could
| easily and gladly give her the help she needed"
| Aunt Sabrina was delighted to take the rule Of
| the household into her own hands, and the boys
were willing to make any sacrifice for the sister
who had been so gentle, patient and sef-sacri
| fcing with them through wearsome years; and
| so it was settled
| Kitty worked hard and faithfully She aimed
| to be an artist-not an artisan Observant de-
| cile, patient diligent in season and out of sea-
son, no failure daunted her, no successes dazzed
| her Ii her heart was aching with bitter pain,
| the secret was her own; if sometimes the mem
| Dry of her lovers singing mocking, sarcastic
words became intolerable, she flung herself into
| her work with passionate abandon which
| reused at once the admiration and sympathy of
| her teachers. Little May and Cyril, the babies
| of the Hearne homestead. became her compan-
ions and comforters There truer, holier
| affection than the love of man. she argued with
| self, and the childrens confidence and love
soothed and inspired her.
| Four year went by; years of severe labor and
ceaseess study. Kitty was now a successful
teacher, singer always in demand in concert
rooms and parlors, and the leading contralto in
one of the principal churches. Lovers sought
| her vainly; her life was given to her art she
| said. In her secret soul she knew that her love
was given beyond recall. Ross might prove
faithless, wound her with cruel words or the
keener pain Of utter forgetfulness but she could
not change.
| There had been many brief visits to the old
home. the sunniest spots in these busy years.
| and now as the Thanksgiving time drew near
she was promising herself a generous vacation,
| fortnight of rest and peace beneath her fathers
/ roof A lattar from Aunt Sal oa.zao