Mohave County miner., 1888-08-04

49, ~'"r~ = -
| cannon tell yen what tempted me 70
follow them. II must have been some evil
genius Slowly followed down The psth.
way, taking every precautior. howeves.
not 70 b. observed Seated upon q little
rustic bench. could sec every movement
OF my lover and Kathleen.
How lovely she looked standing IN the
orchard. the sunlight falling athwart the
lovely upturned face. on which smile
restedi Never was seen 8 faireT vision
Her sleeve OF soft texture falling hack
showed the shspely. outstrctched arm
Sometime q peal OF merry laughter
would fall upon my ear. They AID not
miss mc--not even Robert: be was con
tent with Kathleen
Tho basket was full TO cwerEowing. and
still they fingered One bunch oil las
cious grapes. tho last gathered. was IN
Roberts hand. He stopped 70 plses Il
with the others. when their eyes met.
Alas. no. | saw him stoop and kiss her
fondly waited no longer. with 4 cry
Of pain turned and tied t6 the ssclrsion
trouble Of my young heart. with only
God to hear me.
went away quite unexpectedly. ] wa.
homesick. told Aunt Martha left a
letter for Robert. giving no explanation
Of my conduct: simply telling him II was
better we should part. was proud
girl and would not stoop 10 acknowledge
q rival.
remember taking the ring he bad given
me from my hand and what . struggle II
cost me TO place 1t with that letter.-ths
last should ever write to Robert.
came home TO mother. who was quite
an invalid and needed all my care never
beard from Robert save once. through
Aunt Martha. who wrote
"Of course. Matte. you've not forgot
ten Robert, whom, 70 speak candidly. you
treated rather unkindly. He has gone TO
New York to practice 'redicins He IL
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 II for granted
that Aunt Martha's kindness Of heart pre-
vented her from again referring 10 the
past. | closed my heart forever. The
world Will never know me a. disap
pointed woman, l thought, fsttsrine
myself that had quite succeeded in do
ceiving humanity In general, until the
gossip had come upon Tze with hor Idle
words. bringing 70 life the bitter psat that
l thought Ihad buried years ago.
Going 10 service, Mise Ksnwoodr
II was my neighbor who asked noe the
question Marcia Hall---A dear little giri
with the utmost faith in mankind in
general. smiled family a. ! caught
sight Of the new bonnse with its dainty
ribbons. svidsntly got mp for thu new
cnrate.
Young and foolish, /" Thought 1 "wat
until she II 2e. and Ill wager she VIII not
buy new bonnet for MI the nav euratss
In town"
Slowly No wsiked 10 church q, that
bright Sunday mosning. Marcia chatting
gayiy and I. dressed III the plsinest OF
dresses. walking silently beside hss.
had not fully recovered from AfB
Briggs unkind remarks. and was deter
mined to show her my disinclinat,on 10
''aet my cap" % she termed II. By appcar
Ing In an exceedingiy unbsooming gown
| was really disappointed. on catching .
Notwithstanding my plain toilet and my
% years, was still pretty woman,
and TO hear my mother say a. stopped
70 kiss her. How we'll you're hooking.
Mattier'
How crowded the little village church
was--6lled TO oyerfowing. Every one
was there. even that hateful Mrr. Briggs
| caught a glimpse Of the great poke
bonnet a. walked quickly 10 my seat
Thsy were singing ~ We entered, yet I
scarcely heard them. feeling rather en-
bsrrassed at coming lass TO be gassd at By
the entire congregation.
] sank wearily among tho soft cushions.
gladly taking refuge behind large palm
leaf fan kindly pronered by pol-tly old
gentleman beside ma.
Now hush. . slight hutter amcng the
congregation. rustic Of garments, With
now and then subdued whisper GO the
pulpit was rolled close to the chsncel and
tho new curats ascended
Hes just lovely" Whispered Marcia.
pulling softly at my slsevs DO look at
l kept my eyes downcast. n every
woman In tho congregation cast glances
II admiratton ] was determined to do
otherwise.
Am I my brothers keeperf" was the
text Clear and distinct were the words
Of the speaker The frHt words had caused
my heart TO beat wildly How like that
voice Of long ago. that rich, soft voice
that pleaded for my lovel listened like
one In dream. until raised my eyes to
ses before me--Robsrt Preston.
Yes, Robert Preston. Changed, to b
sure; not the bright, boyish face OF long
ago. There were lines OF care and suffer
ing on II now, while the dark hair was
streaksd With silver.
Was Kathleen dsadf I wondered. Haa
he given mp his practicef Was he happyf
Fifty different queries crowded upou nv
memory Why had fate thrown AZ once
moro together after my bitter struggle TO
forget, One thing was determineX upon;
must leavs tho village ] dared not
trust myself further. Reason a. would,
my heart told me that loved him still
II was all over could hear the whis
pered comments OF tho worshipers on
the sioqucncs Of the new curste. The
singers were chanting In that nasal.
drawing tone 20 natural TO village choirs.
and still sat dreaming.
"Ars you comingt~ asked MY com,
psnion; then, - ! arose mechanically to
obey, Don't you like him. Miss Ken.
woodf Do tell mel You listened atten
lively, and once. - ] looked at you,
thought you were going 10 faint away.
you looked 20 pale. Are you illf"
"Yes, like him, added aloud, while
my heart whispered. ''God pity ne. love
hfmi"
We wsfs out ence more In the brighs
sunshine. coming quite unexpectedly
upon . little group composed Of tho
wealthier members OF the congregation.
gathered around the new curate. They
bad learned he Was man Of wealth and