Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-12

wanted.
he went on aud on, forgetting the OBJ
ject Of his walk altogether; all his
thoughts were taken up with this new
idea which had GENE to him. Finally
he thought he would try to find out,
perhaps that evening. if Kitty were
really able TO do all this for him.
1t was late when he got in. Madge
was in the drswing-room and gave him
tea before he went up 10 dress. When
he came down again an hour later it had
grown nearly dark, and coming out OF
the dim passage he could not see when
he first pushed aside the curtain over the
doorway who was in the drawing room,
only one end Of which was IS vet light
/ ed. In another moment ne saw under
the lamp Kitty, dressed, with q garnet
necklace around her pretty neck, which
I caught the light in flashes as she moved.
Mr.. Marsham Brown was standing be
side her, an empty box IN his hand. Her
/ pretty head was bent over the white
flowers she was fastening carefully into
/ the front of her dress. Neitherof them
saw DIR. Walter, and the strong, sweet
scent of the violets came TO him at the
same moment as be heard Kitty say:
"Niolets, too, which no one else will
have-I don't know how TO thank you
you know how | like them-irom you
She lowered her voice to say the last
few words and looked up into the face OF
/ the man who pazed so admiringly at her
with look that evidently meant much
to him. Dr. Walter turned abruptly
| from where he stood Just inside the door
way and went straight out Through the
/ open hall door into the darkest OF the gar
den paths.
He no longer saw Kitty or the drawing
room the scent OF the flowers had
brought back 10 him another room and
another woman with white violets in her
dress-a woman whom he suddenly
longed to see with an oyerpowering long
Ing. How had he been so foolish, such
an idiot ? Love Kitty marry Kitty
Why had he not known all these months
what he knew with sudden certsinty
now-that Mary Chaston's love was the
only thing that could fill up the want IN
his life a.? He felt all at once as if it was
impossible to get through the hours
which must pass before he could tell her
so-for tell her he must, whatever she
said in answer.
Up and down the grass he walked, and
when hs went in to meet Franks inqui-
rics as to whist in the world he had
been doing 70 make him 30 late Z" he
had to put some force on himself to
make his answer coherent and his con
versation to the girls he danced with
either sensible or amusing.
lie made one of the letters which be
found when he came down the next day
an excuse for leaving his cousins that
afternoon in spite of their remon-
strances.
Yet when be reached home feeling
that he could net define made him wait
till nearly the evening OF the day after
before he went to her. He walked
slowly toward her house, though he
would not let himself think of what be
would say he wanted what she had to
give too much to think how he would
ask for it. He went up into the sans
room in which he mad seen her before,
and waited a moment or two before Mary
ChastOn came to him. She had Only
lust come In, and was wearing her hat
still. Rather surprised he fanc.ed she
looked, but abe only apologlzed Tor keep
ing him waiting and said smlllngly
Ibid you like that book lent you
You never told me when you sent il
back. Are you come TO prove you did
~ letting me lend you another OF his ?
"No." he answered, "that isn't what
I want" Something in his voice apps-
rently prevented her from speaking
lightly again for saying quickly that II
was very chilly and that she should IN
dulee in fire she threw Oh her hat and,
taking = matoh-bo from the mantel
shelf, knelt down and lit 1t herself.
DR.. Walter watched her firm hands
for *. moment sho did 1t, and longed tC
take them into bis own but he waited
till she rose and stood facing him, witt
one hand resting on the nantelpiece, tC
say:
"No. have come to ask you ques
ton which ! hardly know how to put
into any words. You have shown me
what life ought to be ; will You come
into mine and help me TO live 1t VIII
you love ms?"
She had turned toward the fire at bis
FIRST word-her fingers frightened over
the tiny ornament shO held with a grasp
which grew every instant more intense,
and DR.. Walter could see how she was
trembling. Still her face was turned
away, and she said nothing until-at
ast-ho very gently touched the hand
nearest him with his own, when she sud.
denly turned, held out both hands and
lifted her face to his, only TO hide II
again the next instant, but this time on
his shoulder, as she said "WllI?-
do love you.