River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-11-05

silently and secretly. After that one
confession to Grace she never referred
to her trouble. Whatever spoken sym
patty might do for Other girls, Grace
knew it would not De the right thing
for Kitty, whose one desire was to crush
her hurt down cut OF sight. 1t was
in defending her from compassion that
Grace served her best, and during those
four weary months she cleared many a
briar out of Ter path. AT last brighter
DAYS came for the poor child
Late one evening she and Grace re-
turned from walk together, and, as
was very usual, she went to her friend T.
house to spend the evening. She was
always much more there than Grace
was at Delanes' for Grace, being an
only daughter, was accorded the lux
ury of a private sitting room, in which
there was more chance of remaining
undisturbed than in a house full of
children.
"Wnl you play to me, G ace?" asked
Kitty, when they had entered the ia
miliar sanctum.
Grace sat down at the piano and
struck into Schumann 5 Carnival.
Surely there are few human emotions
that are not appealed to in one or other
of these changeful melodies.
"Nobody'S playing ever affects me
as yours does, Grace. You make the
piano speak to me, said Kitty.
That is what | wish to do, dear. /
can say things to you that way that
wouldn't do in words. Shall 60 onp"
please do.
Grace paused to think what she
should play next, when the visitor
bell rang.
Visitors at this hour! she exclaim-
ed. Who can it be?'
She opened the door and listened to
the voices in the hall Kitty could not
hear, nor did she see the flush on her
friend 5 face as she shut the door.
1T is your father she said in an
odd voice.
My fatherP Why do look so
strange then, dear Grace?''
because he is not alone, Kitty.
Mr.. James is with him.
Kitty said nothing, but her lips
trembled, and the color deserted her
cheeks. She tried to rise, but Grace
gently forced her back into the chair
wait here, dear, You trust me,
don you?"
Kitty still could not speak but her
ewes gave assent, and Grace left her
She found Mr.. Delane aud Oliver
James in the drawing-room. As she
entered, they both stepped rapidly
toward her.
Kitty is with you9" asked Mr.. De-
lane.
Yes.
"Mr. James wishes to see her.
Grace looked from one TO the other.
lit is all right. my child. He has
my permission said Mr.. Delane,
smiling.
"She is in my sitting-room, Mr..
james," Grace said, looking gravely
at the young man.
He was much changed. She could
see that at glance. There were
lines in the brow that once was smooth;
his face was thinner, and harassed
expression about the mouth told of an
guish unwillingly borne.
With a quick Forgive me, he
hurried past Grace. She heard his
hasty footsteps ring upon the tassellated
hall; then he evidently paused before
venturing into Kitty's presence.
HE is an excitable fellow, said Mr..
Delane. Il hope he will sober down
soon. About half an hour ago he
turned up at our house. and we had a
long talk in my study before we came
here. You want to know what he has
to say for himself? Kitty will tell you
that.
Where has he been?" asked Grace.
Taking a friends place as under
master at some school. The friend
was out of health and Oliver took his
duties, handing him over the salary
and keeping the place open for him. 1t
did not occur to him that his absence
might be miSinterpreted. =
Blu: what has all that to do with his
behavior to Ktty?"
Nothing. If you want that ex-
planned YOU must ask him. | regard
what he said to me as strictly private.
Kitty and Oliver did not emerge from
the sitting-roOm till the words of love
and betrothal had been spoken and all
past tribulation blotted out by present
happiness.
In the end Grace did hear what had
passed between Mrs. Field and Oliver,
but Kitty would not admit that her
lover had been all to blame; and | will
do him the justice to say that he never
wearied of trying to deserve the for
giveness she had granted so gladly.