The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-07-26


'"They dOnot want me-" Ireasoned
within myself.
watched them as they walked
away together, he carrying the little
wicker basket and she tossing her
bright curls with that coquettish air
that came SO natural to her.
cannot tell you what tempted me
to follow them. 1t must have been
some evil genius. Slowly l followed
down the pathway, taking every pre-
caution, however, not to be observed.
Seated upon a little rustic bench, l
could see 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 a smile rested! Never was
seen a fairer vision. Her sleeve of
soft texture falling back showed the
shapely outstretched arm.
Sometimes peal of merry laugh
ter would fall upon my ear. They
did not miss me-nOt even Robert,
he was content with Kathleen.
The basket was full to overfowing,
and still they fingered. One bunch of
luscious grapes, the last gathered,
was in Roberts hand. He stopped
to place it with the others, when
their eyes met, their hands touched.
Was l dreaming? Alas! no. | saw
him stoop and kiss her fondly. l
waited no longer. With a cry OF
pain l turned and fed to the seclu-
sion of my of my own room, where |
sobbed out the trouble of my young
heart, with only God to help me.
Iwent away quite unexpected. l
was homesick, l told Aunt Martha.
l left letter for Robert, giving no
explanation of my conduct, simply
telling him it was better we should
part. l was proud girl and would
not stoop to acknowledge a rival.
l remember taking the ring he had
given me from my hand, and what a
struggle it cost me to place it with
that letter-the last l should ever
write to Robert.
came home to mother, who was
quite an invalid and needed all my
care. l never heard from Robert
save once, through Aunt Martha,
who wrote:
"Of course, Matte, you've not for
gotten Robert, whom, to speak cam
didly, you treated rather unkindly
He has gone to New York to practice
medicine. He is doing we'll"
An old newspaper had fallen into
my hands, where an account was
given of brilliant reception. Among
the guests were the names of DR..
Robert Preston and wife. l 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
prevented her from referring to the
past. l closed my heart forever. The
world will never know me as a dis
appointed woman. thought, fatter-
ing myself that l had quite succeeded
in deceiving humanity in general, un-
til the gossip had come upon me with
her idle words, bringing to life the
bitter past that l thought l 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 gen
eral. l smiled family as 1 caught
sight of the new bonnet with it's dainty
ribbons, evidently got up for the new
curate.
"Young and foolish" thought I.
Swat 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,
chatting gayly and l, dressed in the
plainest of dresses, walking silently
beside her.
l had not fully recovered from Mrs.
Briggs's unkind remarks, and was
determined to show her my disincli-
nation to 'set my cap," as sshe termed
it, by appearing in an exceedingly
unbecOming gown. was really dis
appointed, on catching last glimpse
in the mirror, to find that notwith-
standing my plain toilet and my
twenty-six years l was still q pretty
woman, and to hear my mother say
as stopped to kiss her, "How well
you're looking, Mattie!''
How crowded the littls village
church was-filled to overfowing.
Every one was there, even that hate
full Mrs. Briggs. caught glimpse
of the great poke bonnet as [ walked
quickly to my seat.
They were singing as we entered,
yet l scarcely heard them, feeling
rather embarrassed at coming late to
be gazed at by the entire cengrega-
ton.
l 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, a slight flutter among
the congregation. q rustic of gar
ments, with now and then a subdued
whisper as the pulpit was rolled
close to the chancel and the new Gu
rate ascended.
hO . Juoo 1ONciy3 WHioPCAOu
Marcia, pulling softly at my sleeve:
"Do look at him, Miss Kenwood."
kept my eyes downcast. If every
woman in the congregation cast
glances of admiration l was de-
termined to do otherwise.
can l 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 like that voice of long
ago-that rich, soft voice that
pleaded for my love! listened like
one in dream, until I raised my
eyes to see before me-Robert Pres
ton.
Yes, Robert Preston. Changed, to
be sure; not the bright, boyish face
of long ago. There were lines of
care and suffering on it now, while
the dark hair was streaked with sill
yer.
Wac X oth1oov, 1oo1I xyo,IoroJ