Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-04-18
MY SISTER KATE.
Hy the author Of 4DoRA rHoaNE.s
CHAPTER III.

IN love With beautiful Kate Hamber
Whether his suit would prosper OF
not few venture,i to say; that fastidi
Gus young lady had refused Allan
Charlton, who was a richer man and u
more attractive one. But Sir Victos
was very much in earnest. Whatever
might be his deficiency in other mat
ters. he certainly understood how to
make love. His attentions were very
different from Allan's gentle chivalrous
devotion. Never a morning passed
without my sisters receiving a beauti-
full bouquet OF flowers with the dew
drops glistening On them. He gather
ed them himself. not trusting anything
SO precious to other hands.
Every morning brought him to the
Grange. Sometimes he had new book
that he thought would suit Kate, some
times sketch or song; he spared
neither time no. trouble in gratifying
the lightest wish she expressed.
He had way of taking possession
of her, as it we're. If he stood behind
her chair or sat by her side, no one
ventured to disturb or to join them.
All the homage that could be express
ed in look, words or manner was al
ways forthcoming from him.
1t was easy to see that my sisters
heart was touched at last. The zones
of his voice, the sound OF his foot
steps, the mention of his name, even
by Indifferent lips, brought the rich
color intoh her face What A llan had been
trying to win, and trying in vain, the
stranger had made his own. Kate
loved him.
Ishould think few men have suffer-
ed more than Allan Charlton suffered
then. He could not help seeing that
the hope he had cherished for SO long
was blighted now. The girl whose
love was the prize upon which every
energy of his heart was bent was won
by another. His eyes followed her
with look OF mingled sorrow and
iealously that was sad to see. Yet he
was so noble and brave in sorrow!
Sir Victor had gradually gained adj
mittance into all the best houses in
the neighborhood. He was not SO
much sought after since he had SO
publicly shown that he was zone OF
Miss Hamber's lovers" Mothers with
large family OF marriageable daugh-
ters did not press him now to "drOp in
during the evening and hear dear
Laura's" or "dear Evelina's," or "dear
Amy's new song;' but he was MEM
Der of the Hunt, he visited Morven
Castle, and he issued invitations for
grand archery te4e in the beautiful
grounds of the hall. Hewa rather a
favorite than otherwise; still no one
seemed to know much OF hinl-he had
no intimate friends, and his servants
were not so ready to gossip as servants
generally are. One or two people said
he had Il furious temper, and was sub
icct to fits of savage rage, during
which he spared no living creature
that was in his power But no trace
of this was ever seen on the dark
smiling face, or in the urbane polished
manner which distinguished him.
Sir Victor had beautiful black
retriever called Lion; and splendid
specimen of his kind Lion was. His
master was both fond and proud OF
him; he never went out without his
dog: this faithful animnl followed him
everywhere. Kate, who was fond OF
dogs, liked Lion better than her own
little favorite Floss: the beautiful
creature would sit with its bright large
eyes fixed upon her face, ready to do
her slightest bidding. Perhaps she
liked him so well because he always
heralded the approach OF his master.
When the loud Joyous barking was
heard, one knew that Sir Victor was
not far behind.
One morning, when Sir Victor made
his usual visit, Lion was not with him.
Kate looked up quite anxiously.
"Where is your dog IionY she
asked, when she had hidden him
fGood-morning"
An uneasy look, which / saw plainly
crossed his face.
Il came out alone he answered,
with feeble kind of a smile; and no
more was said about the animal.
The day after, for the first time, he
omitted his usual visit to the Grange.
When he next appeared, Kate was TOO
anxious conf erning him to note that
poor Lion WI still absent.
So time passed on; bright summer
gave way to gOlden-tinted autumn;
and then Sir Victor Erlesmere laid
his title and fortune at my sisters feet.
| remember the day quite well. l.
had been out playing with the dead
leaves under the trees, and felt tired
and cold I went into the drawing
room, where | knew | should find a
good fire. My sister raised her head
from SIR Victor's shoulder as | went
in; her beautiful face was wet with
tears. Regardless of my presence, he
kissed them away. When they saw
me, Kate took me in her arms, and
Sir Victor held out his, wishing me to
go to him.
"Claribel," he said, "will you try to
love me? / am going to be your
brother"
"Allan Charlton is my brother" /
said rudely; al do not want another"
Sir Victor smiled, and Kate looked
angry at my want Of good manners.
She spoke Grossly to me; but her lover
interposed.
"Nav." he sand: al like to see how
true Clary is to her old friends; when
she knows me better, perhaps she will
love me more"
/ felt certain that between them
thev would make Allan miserable.
While stood at the window watching
the whirling leaves, my sister and her
lover standing in earnest conversation
ut the other end of the room, | saw
Allan coming up to the house. | ran
out to meet him.
sWhere is your papa, Clary 2" he
asked.
fHe has gone to Reading" | an
swered, all anxiety to tell my news;
"but that tiresome Sir Victor is here
in the drawing-room with Kate. She
cried, and he kissed her tears away-I
saw him y
Allan made no reply to this piece of
childish indlscretion; but | saw his
face grow white even to the lips. He
turned abruptly away, and went into
the garden. l followed him, and
found him standing leaning against
tree.
gsir Victor | began; but Allan
held up his hand, while sharp spasm
of pain crossed his face.
:aHush, child Y he said. Il can bear
no more"
He remained there at least an hour;
and stood silently by his side, ever
and anon kissing his cold hand, and
wondering at his wild white face.
Presently musical voice called
"Clary, where are you2' | am all
alone now
e There was something new in that
dear voice, fresh ring as OF deep hap
piness and unutterable joy. In another