Daily Republican., 1888-03-21

daughter Kitty was so sad MI
that cold winter when they lived shut
up In the hills. She half suspected
that young Equire Dylton had some
thing to do with 1t. lie had fallen
from horse near their cabin one day
and for some weeks had been laid up
with only Kitty to nurse him until he
was able to be moved home.
Poor Kitty knew we'll enough that
he was engaged to marry Lady Maude
Silverton. for he told her 30 with his
own lips, but still she could not re-
press the growing love for him in her
heart.
He promised faithfully when he
went away that he would return and
see her In the summer and bring his
vile with him and she had to content
herself with even that poor hope
The summer came and winter drew
near. Mrs. 0'Hara tried in vain TO
rally her daughter from the lethargy
into which she had fallen. Kitty was
like ghost of her former self. One
day she laid down on the sofa near the
open door, weak aud heartsick, and
fell into troubled sleep.
"You said you'd come in the sum-
mer, and the summers gone" she
muttered. "Pd like.to see you once
again before L She will forgive me
-your-your-when I'm-dead." The
sleeper shudderod, and a slight smile
played round her mouth.
Some one had noiselessly entered
the parlOr and was sitting by the
head OF the couch looking at her in
tently.
"And l never guessed that she
cared for me-poor little Kitty" and
the speaker stopped oyer the still
face and kissed the white forehead.
With that kiss the girl awoke and
gazed straight into the dark. beauti-
full eyes she had just been dreaming
OF, and heard in reality and truth tho
dear voice.
II have come back to you, my
Kittyl"
His Kitty7 How dared he call her
so when-when-. In bewilGer
ment she stared around the room.
where Is Lady Maude3" was the
first sentence she uttered.
Lady Maude, now the Countess Of
Altonleigh, is, believe, in Rome at
the present moment"
"What do you mean? l though,
you were going to marry Lady
Msude"
~ did contemplate the idea of such
an alliance beng formed once, Kitty,
but Lady Maude made mistake, like
many other young ladies have done
before. She told me candidly one day
that she would never be happy il she
married me-that l had not been to
see her for so long and that during my
absence she had learned to love some
one else better. There was also
another reason. Kitty, look at mel"
Reginald Dylton stood up; and, az
Kitty looked at him, she saw crutch
under his left arm and his left leg
Manipulated at the knee. Her whole
face flushed vivid scarlet. She tried
TO say something, but her lips seemed
locked. A mist was gathering over
her eyes, and big tears were ready to
fall.
"Don't you seer" said Reginald,
lplayfully. IAN Earls daughter
couldn't possibly marry man with
one leg; but a farmers daughter
lmight--eh, KittyI"
But Kitty did not answer. How pro.
Ivoking he wasl How little he seemed
ito care either for the loss Of his love
or the loss of his limb
| "Yes; Wen have quiet little we'd
ding. and then travel about for whole
lyear, and see some of the finest sights
Of tie world; and after that when
Twelve put the final polish to our edu.
ication, we'll go to England and settle
ldown, a steady old couple at Dylton
Hall. All. the good old place sadly
needs mistress, Kitty Don't you
think Pve planned it all beautifully"
| 'Splendidly," answered Kitty; but
in her heart she detested the lucky
farmers daughter, and felt that life
was unbearable.
"You don't inquire how lost my
leg; you have become wonderfully 81
lent"
"How did it happen? Tell me, In
deed | want TO know"
swell, was terribly hurt in ra II
way accident; but your lmother told
me that you had been i'll, therefore
I'll not excite you now, but give you
the particulars another time. I'd bet
ter be going"
l lie rose, lifted his crutch, and held
tout his hand. Kitty touched it lightly
and looking at him shyly, said;
~ hope the young lady you are CO.
ling to marry will be amiable and good
and not 80 tickle as Lady Maude."
81 rather think that shall not
marry at all, Kitty. | shall probably
settle abroad, and let the old home"
Kitty's eyes were wide with aston
Iishment.
''But what will the farmers daugh-
ter say to your changing your mind3
Her friends will make fuss won't
they2"
"Oh, moi The friends won't do
Anything, and the girl-she was pleas
ant enough once, but lately she's aw-
fully mopish."
did you meet her in England9"
"Oh, no-Irslandl"
"What is her nsme?"
''Katharine O'Hara"
"kitty hung down her head; for
very shame she could not raise it.
Come, Kitty, don't look so woebe
gone. kiss me-kiss me just once be-
fore go away. | know You cared for
me a wee bit-never mind how l
found it out-beiore my leg was
broken. 1t isn't your fault, child, il
lyou can't entertain the same feeling
toward me now. am only a wretch
ed cripple"
itDn mt 90 far frnm Ireland for