Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-08-02
AFTER MANY DAYS.

IL was lovely TUral nome, ana was
called "rhc Llncs.' but it might as
well have had any other name sug-
gestive of bloom and fragrance.
1t could rs appropriately have been
designated "llawthorn Bower for in
June the house was almost buried un-
der the scented snow Of the great thorn
trees which stood around il, their tow
ering heads ami spreading arms laden
with that summer glory.
But the place had always been
known rs "rhe Lilacs' since Aunt
Barbara's father had brought his young
wife home to it on n day when the lilac
trees were gorgeous with pyramids of
flowers and all the pcrfumed air redo
lent of their greeting
In due time the first occupants of the
homestead slept in the churchvard,
and their son Roger Lincoln ruled in
their stead. His wife died early and
he did not long survive her.
Then his sister Barbara settled per-
manently at "Thc Lilacs" with her
little Katharine. the orphan child of
her dead brother.
a pleasant home the two. so dissimi-
lar, made for each other, and farm and
orchard and kitchen garden and grape
wall prospcrcd under the administra-
ton of the judicious woman. who
might otherwise have been lonely and
unoccupicd.
Ten years after the death of Roger
Lincoln his only child had grown to
lovely madcnhood. Tall and graceful,
with whitc-rosc complexion and
thoughtful eyes, deeply blue rs an En-
glish violet, she was as unlike the ordi-
Diary type of girlhood AS the sllvcry
fer de us, which gIimmcred. lustrous
and pale, amongst the gaudier flowers
OF the quaint old garden WAS different
from common blooms.
There was another Katharine,
daughter of another Roger Lincoln,
who was cousin to the late owner of
"The Lilacs;' pretty little brunette,
brisk and vivacious as canary bird,
petted and fondlcd by every body. in
cluding kind Aunt Barbara and her
beautiful cousin. But sho was only
Katie, while the young mistress OF
1.-The Lilacs' was always Katharine.
Neither of these girls lacked lovers.
but Katharine of "The Lilacs" took the
homage that came in her way with
careless, unrcsponsive grace and sweet
ness which, in spite of their ardor.
chilled the hopes of her most eager ad-
mirers.
She had not always been SO indiifer-
ent. A certain Walter Goodcrich, who
had loved her well enough to be blind
and unreasonable, had, u year previous.
in n fit of jealous piqne, hastily joined
party of young men equipped for
Australia, and had taken with him,
though he was ignorant of the fact, tho
Joy and interest of her life.
Not SO the piquant little Katie. She
liked to have the commonplace of daily
life seasoned with the pleasant condi-
ment of admiration, and was tor
menting witch at all times, with love
of mischief that rendered her a little
dangerous.
Very dangerous she was to the peace
and cOmposure of one of her ncighbors,
rather gigantic young man, whose
deliberate plans and ideas harmonized
with his unusual stature and unhur-
ried actions.
1t was not possible to see greater
contrast between two beings of tho
same race than was to found in Charles
Bertram and Katie Lincoln, and people
wondered that, lcisurely ly as he was, he
was always at hand and scrviceablc
when any freak of hers was in pro
gress. She teased and transported him
alternately with her magical wilcs, and
had no more compassion for his woes
when she made him miserable than
might have been expected from such
sprite.
But tho wise marvcled in vain, for
he loved her caprice and naughtiness
better than the good behavior of any
body else, and it was the habit Of seek
ing comfort and sympathy from the
other Katharine and his custom of taxi
ing refuge with her in those periods OF
doubt and dependency common to
lovers which had awakened the jeal-
ousy of Walter Gooderich, who misin-
terpreted these condolences, and led
to his sudden departure for the anti
podes.
But a shock which had more than
one mission was preparing for the
sprightly little damsel, who rs yet had
never known n sorrow.
Her father, Roger Lincoln, owned an
extensive piece Of woodland upon
which was somo fine timber From
this property he made an annual sale
which was very important to him.
He rode out one morning to this for
est lot, where his men were at work.
Some were trimming and shaping the
huge fallen logs for transportation. and
the rhythmical strokes of the distant
choppers resounded amongst the grand
old trees selected for Il like destina-
ton.
Leaving the first group Of men, he
went over to the other, when, from
some inadvertence on his own part or
that of the laborcrs. he was crushed
beneath falling pine and instantly
killed.
This was terrible blow to Katie,
who had been her fathers spoilt dar-
ling, and in her great grief she turned
instinctiyely to the generous heart
and protecting arms ready to shield
and comfort her.
Aud Charles Bcrtram's faithfulness
had its reward, for when Roger Lin
coin had been six months dead he
pleaded SO earnestly for tho right TO
shelter for all her days tho sobered