Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-09-28

from oue of the forest clearings only q
few hundreds yards from where he lay But
he seemed to care for none of these things.
He lay OH the close, soft turf, peculiar to the
chestnut woods, gazing up into the great tree
overhead with troubled cloud on his honest
face.
CATER all, what else could have donea"
he muttered half alond at last, as though in
hopes that his perplexing thoughts might
grow clearer by giving them utterance. ITO
a woman who had just written another man
such a letter as that, any great demonstra-
ton of affection. even from husband, could
be nothing but annoyance. l could see 1t
bored her-why else did she grow so quiet
and odd at Nutrient At first, no doubt, the
very novelty of the thing carried her along
all right, but as that wore off she began to
feel the chain drag a bit. So thought I'd
keep more In the background for time
give her her head bit-and then she'd see
didn't want to bother her, and get to feel
| more settled in her mind"
| The squire fidgeted restlessly on his soft,
warm couch, in vain efforts after an easier
posture. -
sBut somehow it doesn't work as well as
expected. Work wells why can't be honest
with myself and say plainly that it is
miserable failurea We are just drifting far
ther and farther apart every day we ivel
1 Ever since the hour / read that COMPOUNDED
| letter. wish I'd tumbled over a precipice
| first-everything has gone wrong between
u.s. She gets more reserved and depressed
| day by day, and well, do what may, Pm
| forever thinking Of that wretched bit Of pa
! per. and wondering where her thoughts really
/ are just then. If I could but forget tho
! thing and see i'll her my own true hearted
, little Katie again!'
| Mr.. Collingwood made another fruitless
attempt at comfort, then suddenly sprang to
his feet with strong exclamation.
"Why can't be honest even with myselff'
| he said aloud, as he paced impatiently to and
fro between the trees.
"Why can't say right out that am eat
ing my heart out with jealousy because I've
seen her watching for the post so eagerly of
late? If only could be sure that scoundrel
had dared to write to her, I'd shoot him, if
I knew should hang for it."
AS he uttered the words Mr.. Collingwood
perceived at a little distance the tall, slender
figure Of his wife. She wore dress of some
! soft gray stuff, which fell around her with al
most nunlike effect; her head was covered only
| by little lace kerchief, for the forest ran
close up to their little mountain pension"
and they were within few hundred yards
of its door. As the squire, himself unseen,
watched her slow, languid steps and pensive
face, a great longing to take her into his arms
| and kiss the color back to her pale cheek again
awoke in his heart, and he advanced quickly
towards her. But as he did SO he saw in her
hand an open letter, and with a sudden mis-
giving he stopped abruptly. 1t was too late;
his step had caught her ear, and he saw her
Ivy tho 1aftar tn hnr rOcknf ac
she came forward.
~ was looking for you, Jack" she said, as
they met. "There is something I want to
ask you, but-but"-
The pause was more eloquent than words
The squire took his courage in both hands,
and resolved to face his fate bravely.
''Come and sit down here" he said quietly,
pointing to seat beneath one of the low,
wide spreading chestnuts, and placing him
self beside her. There were few minutes
of uncomfortable silence, broken presently
by Kathleen. l
81 have wanted to tell you something for
some days past, Jack, but it never seemed
the right time"
''Have made myself so very formidable
to you2" asked Jack, with a sorry attempt at
smile.
'sNot formidable, exactly-but-di different,
very different" Kathleen paused again and
then went on in broken, hurried tones:
81 know am not half worthy Of all the
love you gave me once, Jack, dear-but oh
don't take it quite from me, for 1t Is all
have in the worldI"
There were tears in her quivering voice
and the squire felt an answering lump in hill
own throat as he replied:
sMy poor little KatieI' That was all ht
could get out for minute; then he clearet
MS throat, and went on:
'No fear of my love being taken from you
Katie, if only you will be open with me
But try to trust NEEDN'T keep back YOU
confidence from mel"
''Keep back my confdence2 What do yol
mean, Jack? I have never kept anythin,
from you-except one thing"
Except one thing" echoed the squire Il
his turn. "But to keep back one thing
} Kathleen, is more than enough to work mis-
chief between husband and wife"
r Kathleen hung her head, blushing like
scolded schoolgirl.
, 81 didn't mean any harm, ~hckl I Away
meant to tell you all about it some day, onl
: you have been so distant and cold"-
She paused again.
Her husband took pity on her confusion.
"Suppose I were to tell you, Kathleen
} that | know what you have to tell me a
"You know it alreadya But howq' STAN
, mered his wife.
81 found some writing in your room, on
day, and read it before I saw that it wa
private"
The squire's tone grew harder in spite o
himself as he recalled the misery of that day
. Kathleen looked up inquiringly, but her eye
| ropH aUaip sha the cold Sat look n
his face, and there was a minutes silence be
), fore she timidly spoke.
i "Were you SO angry, Jackg"
: "Not angry, but bitterly hurt that yo'
should have kept the thing secret from me
Could you not nave trusted me, Kathleen
Could YOU not have trusted me2"
"I-I never dreamt you would mind s
q much"
e "Not minda What do you think I an
o made of, Katie9'
q II really didn't think there was any harm
v in it, Jack, dear"
II The big brown eyes met his so trustfull.
n and appealingly that Mr.. Collingwoods hear
:. melted within him. After all, what was sh
i but child2 Her very words proved hov
lightly she regarded the whole matter Ye
J. even then there rang in his ears the words o
r that letter to her deserted lover to give tn
It lie to the excuse he was framing for her.
g 81 want to tell you all about it, Jack, /" sh
|, said presently. ''And want to show you
a letter, and ask you how 1 ought to an
70 swer it"
Il Don't answer it at all, said her husband
n sharply. .tts.ls .I
d ooh, Jack! I must send some answer
What will he think Of me, if I do mott"
o 81 don't care what he thinks. distincti
It forbid you to answer it."
q The bright eyes filed with tears as sh
10 vainly looked for some token of relenting il
k the squires set and grave countenance
% "He is a gentleman, you must remember
l. dear-and it is such nice letterl'
d Her husband gazed at her, half bewildere
10 by the GOODNESS with which she placed til
Is open letter in his hand.
If cam I to read thisa" he asked coldly.
"Of course you are, Jack"
This was the letter the squire read:
y "DEAR MADAM have much pleasure i
b informing you that your story, "A Bad b
r, ginning has been accepted, and will appea
g in an early number of - shall be gla
y at any time to read any story you may wis
a to submit to me. Would you be disposed
try your hand at serial? am, ETC."