St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-08-18

! quite an invalid and needed all my care
| never heard from Robert save once
through Aunt Martha, who wrote:
''Of course, Matte, you've not for
gotten Robert, whom, to speak can
didly, you treated rather unkindly. HI
has gone to New York to practice med
icine. He is doing we'll"
An old newspaper had fallen into m!
hands, where an account was given o
brilliant reception. Among the guest:
| were the names of DR.. Robert Preston
| and wife. l knew it was Robert ant
Kathleen. made no inquiries, and re
ceiving no further information took i
for granted that Aunt Martha's kind
| ness of heart prevented her from re-
ferring to the past. | closed my heart
forever. The world will never know
me as a disappointed woman, thought
fattering myself that had quite sue.
ceeded in deceiving humanity in gen
eral, until the gossip had come upon
ne with her idle words, bringing to life
the bitter past that I thought I had
buried years ago.
"Going to service, Miss Kenwood!"
1t was my neighbor who asked me
the question, Marcia Hall-'a dear little
girl with the utmost faith in mankind
in general. I 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 until she is twenty-six, and
I'll wager she will not buy a new
bonnet for all the new curates in
town."
Slowly we walked to church on that
bright Sunday morning, Marcia chat
ting gayly, and l, dressed in the plain
est of dresses, walking silently beside
her
| had not fully recovered from Mrs
Briggs unkind remarks, and was de-
termined to show her my Discrimination
to ''set my cap" as she termed it, by
appearing in an exceedingly unbecom-
ing gown. I was really disappointed,
on catching last glimpse in the mir
ror, to find that Notwithstanding my
plain toilet and my twenty-six years
was still pretty woman, and to hear
my mother say as I stopped to kiss
her: How well you're looking, Mat
tie!''
How crowded the little village
church was-flled to overlooking.
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 as we entered, yet
scarcely heard them, feeling rather
at coming late to be gazed
at by the entire congregation.
| sank YEARLY among the soft cush-
ons. gladly taking refuge behind a large
oalm-leaf fan kindly proffered by a
oortly old gentleman beside me.
Now hush, slight flutter among
The congregation, rustic of garments,
With now and then a subdued whisper
Is the pulpit was rolled close to the |
,hancel and the new curate assembled. |
"He's just lovely whispered Mar
ia, pulling softly at my sleeve. ''Do |
ook at him, Miss Kenwood.
kept my eyes downcast. If every
woman in the congregation cast glances
# admiration L was determined to do
otherwise.
cam | my brothers keeper" was the
ext. Clear and distinct were the |
words of the speaker. The first words
lad caused my heat to beat wildly.
low like that voice of long ago-that
ich. soft voice that pleaded for my
owe! I listened like one in dream,
ntil l raised my eyes to see before me
Robert Preston.
Yes, Robert Preston. Changed, to
% sure; not the bright, boyish face of
ong ago. There were lines of care and
offering on it now, while the dark hair
Ias streaked with silver
Was Kathleen dead! [ wondered.
Lad he given up his practice? Was he
appy9 Fifty different queries crowded
pom my memory. Why had fate
brown us once more together after my
liter struggle to forget? One thing I
as determined upon. I must leave
le village. I dared not trust myself
lrther. Reason as would, my heart
I'D me that [ loved him still.
1t was all over. I could hear the
hispered comments of the worshipers
q the eloquence of the new curate.
he singers were chanting in that nasal,
rawling tone so natural to village
loirs, and still | sat dreaming.
''Are you coming?" asked my COM
anion; then, as | rose mechanically to
oey: Don't you like him, Miss Ken
oed? Do tell me! You listened at
ntively, and once, as [ looked at you,
thought you were going to faint away,
III looked SO pale. Are you ill?''
Eyes, / like him." / added aloud, .
lille my heart whispered: 'sGod pity ,
Q, / love him!"
We were out once more in the bright :
coming quite unexpectedly )
Don a little group composed of the !
ealthier members of the congregation !
lthered around the new curate. They ,
ID learned he was a man of wealth
ID standing, choosing his calling !;