Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-08-10

An my brothers keeper?'' was
the text. Clear and distinct were the
words Of the speaker. The first
words had caused my heart to beat
wildly. How ike that voice Of long
agO-that rich, soft voice that
pleaded for my lOvel I listened like
one in a dream, until I raised nv
eyes to see before me-RObert Pres
ton.
Yes, Robert Preston. Changed. to
be sure; not the bright. bOvisb face
Of long ago There were lines of
care and suffering on it now. while
the dark hair was streaked with sill
yer.
Was Kathleen deadl I wondered.
had he given up his practice? Was
he happy? Fifty different queries
crowded upon my memory. Why had
tate thrown US once more together
after my bitter struggle to forget?
One thing l was determined upon. [
must leave the village. [ dared not
trust myself further Reason as I
would, my heart told me that I loved
him still.
1t was all over. / could hear the
whispered comments Of the worship
pers on the elOQuence of the new Gu
rate. The singers were chanting in
that nasal, drawing tone so natural
to village chOirs, and still I sat
dreaming.
Are you cOming?" asked my COM
paniOn; then, as arose mechanically
to obey. ''DOn't you like him,
Miss KenWOOd? Do tell mel You
listened attentively, and once, as I
looked at you, 1 thought you were
going to faint away, you looked so
pale. Are you ill.?"
Eyes, 1 like him, :" I added aloud,
while my heart whispered, "GOdpity
me, 1 love himl''
We were out once more in the
bright sunshine, coming quite unex-
pectedlyupOna little group composed
OF the Weather members of the
congregation gathered around the
new cuTate. They had learned that
he was man wealth ana standing.
choosing his calling as d matter OF
taste. Some One-I think it was the
pastors WIfe-presented me to him.
Our eyes met, our hands touched, as
resting those serious eyes upon me,
he said:
81 have had the pleasure of meet
ing Miss kenWOOd before"
i cannot tell how it happened that
we Were all walking out through the
cEUchyard to the highway. and I
found myself alone with Robert. He
was the first to break the silence. 1t
panied me to think it was acOmm0n-
place romark.
clio is kathleen?' I asked en-
deaVO no to show him how little I
cared the past, and how. without
betral ~ the SLIGHTEST emotion, /
could qure after his wife's health
'ka nleen?" he looked dazed at
the qC stiOn.
81 believe she is well butnOt happy,
poor girl"
He believed she was well. How
strangel Had he grown weary of
her as Of me? Was he utterly de
void Of honor? .,,,....
t'NOt happy" said, as [ ,tOyed
RerVOusly with the roses in my bod
ice. ''She should be very happy as
as-yOur wife, - l faltered.
CAS- my wife, he gazed in blank
amusement. ''Did yOu-Oh Matte.
you have judged me wrongly. I
never married Kathleen %
He looked like a man upon whom
a sudden truth had daWned, or one
accused of great wrong who could
prove his innocence.
1t was in the twilight before service
that he told me it all. The notice
concerning Robert Preston and wife
had referred to his cousin. He had
entered the ministry from choice, as
he had come into a large fortune
through the deaGh'Ofhis uncle. True,
he admired Kathleen as a mamwOuld
admire a beautiful woman, but henev-
er entertained tie slightest feeling of
love for her.
The scene in the orchard was but a
little Tuse gotten up by Robert and
Kathleen to excite my jealousy, little
dreaming Of the serious result.
Kathleen made a most unfortunate
match, like most beautiful women,
making poor selection from her
mang suitOrs. Poor girl, what a
dear, kind letter she sent to Us, telling
how happy she was to hear we were
reunited.
"Just to think Of it" said Mrs.
Briggs. 'FHe came back to her after
the other girl had given him the nit
ten. 1 wouldn't take him. Would
your
We can afford to laugh at her idle
gossip, we are so happy, Robert and
L L smile proudly to think that
without setting my cap" Ihawe cap
5ured the new curate, after all.
Unexpectedly Correct.
We are aIlnaturally and innocently
mi, y7Sy~,4 =, CO.. ~ 800. $500 IL