Little Falls transcript., 1886-11-26

help to Il young lawyer starting out
on his career. The ''Hannah Jane"
element was greatly overrated. Madge
. Sullivan, his sisters Chicago friend,
was more to bis taste. Kitty must
be reminded of her little failings; yet
she was q dear, good girl after all, and
Ross face softened as he glanced to-
ward her. j. r
She would not meet his eyes; she
was trying to steel her heart against
him. 1t was so cruel, SO unmanly,
urged pride, for him to place her in so
perplexing and humlliating position.
He had been her devoted lover, her
constant attendant since they were
children. There was not a plan for
his future, hope Of his life which he
had not confided to her. He had been
faithful, tender and kind, but he had
never asked her in SO many words to
be his wife.
Until the past year she had never
doubted him; but now the village was
full OF rumors concerning his atten-
tions to Madge Sullivan, g. Chicago
beauty and helress, his sisters school
friend. Plying glauces were cast up
on Kitty as she passed her girl friends
at places Of amusement where her
rival received the lions share of her
lovers attentions. She felt that she
was neglected, and Aunt Sabrina's
rude touch had torn open O. raw and
quivering wound.
Ross walked homeward moody and
indignant. He had been treated with
gross disrespect, he nleditated as he
went along. Kitty was assuming a
new and uncomfortable role, aud to
punish her for her impertinence, much
Dis he enjoyed her cookery, he
should absent himself from her
Thanksgiving dinner unless she made
him o. suitable apology. That even
ing he relieved his feelings by dashing
of some sarcastic verses, for which
he had g. special talent, and, inclosing
them in a blank envelope, tossed them
into his desk, fully persuaded that the
next morning would bring him peni-
tent little note in Kitty's clear CHR
ography.
But the note did not como; Kitty
was too deeply hurt to proffer any
flag OF truce. She went from room to
room, putting the curtains into more
graceful folds, rearranglng the books
and trif1es on the mantel and tables,
and filing the great blue vases with
masses OF snowy chrysanthemums.
All the while she was listening and
waiting for the advent Of her lover,
and chance step upon the walk sent
the blood surglng 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 neigh hbors said; an
other had supplanted her in his egard
if indeed he had ever cared for her as
she had so fondly imagined.
Here's q letter for you, Kitty"
called out Aunt Sabrina up the stair
way. "It's from Chicago, and must be
something pretty important, guess,
for it's got two stamps ON It. Read
it quick, and let us know who it's
from"
She took the letter, thankful for the
dim light which concealed her tear
stained cheeks and swollen eyes, and
read as follows
"CHIcAGo November 26, lS-,
my Dear Cousin I have been trying ITO
think whom | could call upon in the pres
ent emergency, and find there is no one but
your own kind, helpful, cheerful self. Your
persistent refusals to visit me will not be
accepted now, for happen to know that
our ancient Aunt Sabrina is at hand to
take your place at the household helm.
But to begin at the beginning
Coming out OF the rheater few even
ings since had the i'll fortune to osI,rain my
ankle The physician warns me that +
shall he close prisoner for several weeks,
and the thought appals me. Fred ia at the
office the livelong day, and the loneliness
OF my lot is unbearable. Ny only hope is
that you will be unmindful enough Of your
cousinly duty to come, like the benefcent
fairy that you are, and save me from dying
OF ennu.'
Here followed several pages of family
anu personal matters, III which the reader
has no interest. The letter closed in this
wise: Taking your assent for granted I
inclose ~ check to deiray travelling experls.
es. Never mind about your wardrobe
there will be time enough for that after you
are here. Don't wait to write, but tele-
graph me and start at once. Your affec-
tionaSe cousin, "RU7H HEARNE.''
Another day had passed, and think.
ing Kitty sufficiently punished Ross
adorned himself in his best, and leisur-
ly proceeded to the farmhouse. Aunt
Sabrina, meager and belligerent as
ever snswared his knrck
''Is Kitty at homer" he queried anx-
iously, something in the spinster's
appearance daunting him.
"She went to Chicago this morning
on the 8 o'clock train," curtly an
swered Aunt Sabrina, watching with
delighted eyes the effect OF her com
munication.
kitty gone! and without consult.
ing me?" gasped Ross, forgetting him
self in his astonishment. a2 =. .~s.
e''And why should she consult your"
asked his tormentor. "What claim
have you on Kitty Payne, or what
right to control her movements?"
Ross grew pale; he drew himself up
haughtily, and, without deisning to
answer, secured Kitty's address and
beat a precipitate retreat. He went
directly to his room, and seated at
his desk indited q manly and tender
epistle to the absent one, blaming
himself severely for the misunder-
standing between them and making
her the formal offer OF his hand and
heart. ssss 5fEs*@ 5 @ f4s X II, f,,~s,. zrs
Forget and forgive he pleaded.
II know my own heart at last, and it
tells me that without my little friend
and sweetheart life has no happiness