The examiner., 1886-01-23

the garden but had taken her at her word, commenced not to look alone, but to mourn him at lost to her, indeed.
 And Maud Anthony, to whom all this was due, rejoiced that Wilkes seemed to have suddenly ceased to visit the Lanes, and strove with renewed efforts to en- tangle the handsome young fellow-for Wilkes Lee was considered the best catch the village afforded. But with all the pleasing ways she could affect, Wilkes seemed impregnable to her attempts. Indeed, no one knew that he even noticed her, save Katie, who looked on jealously, thinking she could no longer hold place by her side. In Katies presence alone did Wilkes seem to care in the least for the flirt. After while he cast even her off, and disappeared entirely. An, Katie! the battle was more than half fought when you cast the love of man, pure and un- divided, from you. This -as only a little struggle before the actual defeat
 There was grand hall at the Anthonys; l; positively the affair of the season, those said who ought to know. Of course all the fashionable people would be there; no one would miss such 8 chance to show themselves as this bal masque afforded. The Lane carriage was in attendance, and Katie was there looking prettier than ever; a tri1e paler than usual, no donbt, though for the world she would not have had the sharp-sighted gossips surmise the real cause. - .ae -s
 Tue ball was in full blast when the close carriage of the Lees was whirled up to the door, and the occupants, en costume, an- nounced. No one doubted, even for 8 moment, that that tall, distinguished-look- ing fellow, with lady leaning heavily on his arm was Wilkie Lee; but who was his companion-who was she? This was with all the theme of wonder, none the less with Katie than with the coquette, Maud Anthony. Some said twas his wife; perhaps he had married in foreign land. Some said no; Mrs. Lee had said only to-day that Wilkes was coming home unmarried.
 And so while all wondered, no one knew. Katie's wandering little heart sank still lower as she saw what care and at tention the young man bestowed upon his companion. Twas well her face was con- cealed beneath the simple milk-maid's dress; otherwise some might have said she still cared for him.
 And, think you, this verdict would have been wrong? I very much surmise it would not.
 The mask seemed not to have any eyes or ears for anything save the lady beside him. And lower and lower sank Katie's poor little heart as the evening wore on,
 
 tinguish her from among the crowd. At last when she could constrain herself no longer, she quietly slipped away from the thrOng and went out into the moonlit gar den and wept alone, in a seat under the trees.
 A long time she sat thus, when with the thought that she would be missed, she started up.
 A hand was laid gently on her arm.
 "Stay a moment, Katie. I want to speak with you moment"
 Twas Wilkes Lees voice, and Katie struggled to get from the grasp that de- tained her.
 "Katie, I heard what you said that day under the elms did you mean it?''
 His warm breath touched her face.
 "No, Wilkes, I did not. was pro voked," came falteringly, hesitatingly. from Katie's rosy lips. What if, after all, he had been true to her? She could not help thinking of it.
 And you love me stil1?"
 "I have always loved you, Wilkes.S
 " Then you own up that you are de- feated, Kat1e?"
 "But what of that lady who is with you? She is your-'
 " Mother my darling; and you are to be my wife.''
 Reader, I never was good at DOT traying scenes like the one which follow ed. Perhaps some of you can imagine what it was. AS for me, l know only by imagination, never having been there. Suffice to say, few days after there was wedding somewhere, and some one, which means Katie, was married to some one, which means Wilkes Lee, the one who so unwillingly became once participator in Katie's defeat