Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-06-30


Roberts hand He stopped 10 place II
with tho others, when their eyes met,
their hands touched Was I dreaAing,
Alasl no. saw him stoop and kiss her
fondly. waited no longer. With . CRY
of pain turned and fed to the seclusion
of my own room, where l sobbed out the
trouble of my young heart. with only
/ God to hear me-
] went away quite unexpectedly. was
homesick. told Aunt Martha ! left 9
letter for Robert. giving no explanation
of my conduct simply telling him 1t was
better We should part was a proud
girl and would not stoop to acknowledge
| a rival
remember taking the ring he had given
me from my hand, and what struggle 1t
cost me to place it with that letter-the
last should ever write TO Robert
came home to mother. who was quite
an invalid and needed all my care. never
heard from Robert save once, through
Aunt Mart ha. who wrote;
.sof course. Matte you've not forgot
| ten Rolsart, whom. to speak candidly, You
treated ri: her unkindly. He has gone TO
New York to practice medicine. lie Is
doing well. :"
An old newspaper had fallen into my
hands, where an account was given OF q
brilliant reception. Among the guests
were the names of DR.. Robert Preston and
wife, knew It was Robert and Kathleen.
made no inquiries. and. receiving no
further Information, took it for granted
that Aunt Martha's kindness of heart pre-
vented her from again referring to the
past. | closed my heart forever The
world will never know me as q disap-
pointed woman, thought. fattering
myself that / had quite succeeded in de-
ceiving humanity in general, until the
gossip had come upon me with her Idle
words. bringing to life the bitter past that
thought | had buried years ago.
s'Going to service, Miss Kenwoodf"
! It was my neighbor who asked me the
question Marcia Hall-a dear little girl
with the utmost faith In mankind In
general smiled family as caught
sight Of the new bonnet with its dainty
ribbons, evidently got up for the new
curate
Young and foolish. thought I. wait
lntil she Is 26, and I'll wager she will not
buy new bonnet for all the new curates
in town
Slowly we walked to church on that
bright Sunday morning. Marcia chatting
gayly and I, dressed in the plainest Of
dresses. walking silently beside her.
had not fully recovered from Mrs.
Briggs unkind remarks. and was deter
mined to show her my disinclination to
''set my cap. as she termed 1t. by appear
ing In al exceedingly unbecoming gown.
| was really disappointed. on catching a
last glimpse in the mirror. to find that,
notwithstanding my plain toilet and my
-8 years. | was still q pretty woman.
and to hear my mother say as stopped
to kiss ler. How well you're looking.
Mattie!'
How crowded the little village church
was-filled to overfowing Every one
was there even that hateful Mrs Briggs.
caught glimpse of the great poke
bonnet as ! walked quickly to my seat
They were singing rs we entered. yet
scarcely heard them. feeling rather en-
barrassed at coming late to be gazed at by
the entire congregation
sank wearily among the soft cushions.
gladly taking refuge behind large palm
leaf fan kindly proffered by portly old
gentleman beside me.
Now a hush. slight flutter among the
congregation. rustic of garments, with
now and then subdued whisper as the
pulpit was rolled close to the chancel and
the new curate assembled
lies just lovely" whispered Marcia.
pulling softly at my sleeve DO look at
him, Miss kenwood.
| kept my eyes downcast. II every
woman in the congregation cast glances
of admiration | was determined to do
otherwise.
Am ] my brothers keeperf" was the
text Clear and distinct were the words
of the speaker The first words had caused
my heart to beat wildly How like that
voice of long ago. that rich. soft voice
that pleaded for my Lowell / listened like
one in dream. until l raised my eyes to
see before me-Robert Preston.
Yes, Robert Preston Changed, to be
sure; not the bright. ooyish face Of long
ago. There We're lines of care and suffer-
ing on it now. while the dark hair was
streaked with silver.
Was Kathleen dead2 wondered. Had
he given up his Practicef Was he happyf
Fifty different queries crowded upon my
memory Why had fate thrown us once
more together after my bitter struggle to
forget? One thing / was determined upon;
must leave the village. | dared not
trust myself further Reason as / would.
my heart told me that loved him still.
1t was all over. could hear the whis-
pered comments of the worshipers OH
the eloquence of the new curate. The
singers were chanting in that nasal.
drawing tone so natural to village choirs,
and still I sat dreaming
Arc you comingY' asked my COM
saor inn hny Il al,,v,s a.
obey. "Doat you like him, Miss Ken
wood1 Do tell mel You listened atten.
lively. and once. as | looked at you,
though; you were going to faint away.
you locked so pale Are you illY'
'.Yes. | like him. !" added aloud, while
my heart whispered. God pity me, love
himi'
We were ont once more in the bright
sunshine. coming quite unexpectedly
upon a little group composed of the
Weather members of the congregation.
gathered around the new curate They
had learned he was man of wealth and
standing. choosing his calling simply as a
matter Of taste. Some one-i think 1.
was the pastors wife-presented me to
him Our eyes met; our hands touched.
as, resting those serious eyes upon me, he
said:
Il have had the pleasure Of meeting
Miss Kenwood before"
| cannot tell how 1t happened that we
were all walking out through the church
yard toward the highway. and found
myself alone with Robert He was the
first to break the silence It pained me
to think II was commonplace remark.
"How Is kathleenf" asked. endeavor
ing to show hin how little cared for the
past. and how. without betrayine the
slightest emotion. could inquire afte-
his wifes health.
Kathleen" BE looked dazed at the
question Il believe she Is well. but not
bopnv moor rirJ /"