Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-10

would be have taught that fellow what q
sound British horse whipping meanti
When Kathleen at length returned from
her walk, the squire had thought out his
future plan of action to his own entire salts
faction, and was prepared to meet his wife
with caEnress, If not with cheerfulness.
On sunny afternoon, some six weeks later
in the year, Mr.. Collingwood was lying on
his back under tree n the chestnut forest
which clothes the lower slopes Of the Dent de
Morcles. Below, on the right, lay the little
town Of Rux, and in the distance beyond
that the cleaning waters of Lake Leman.
To the left stretched the broad valley Of the
Rhone, rich In vineyards and orchards, with
the Glacier du TRENT rising into the sky for
q background The turbid waters of the
Rhone hurried along their channel almost at
his test, and On the other side Of the valley
rose the gfsaming peaks and pinnacles Of the
Dent du MIDI.
All this Mr.. Colingwood might have seen
from ono Of the forest clearings only a
lev hundreds yards from where he lay But
he seemed to caro- for none Of these thingx
He lay Oh the close, soft turf, peculiar to tia
chestnut woods, gazing up into the great tree
overhead with a troubled cloud On his honest
face.
"After ali, what else could have doner
be muttered half alond at last, as though in
hopes that his perplexing thoughts might
grow clearer BY giving them utterance. ITO
woman who had just written another man
such letter as that, any great demonstra-
ton Of affection. even from husband, could
be nothing but annoyance. I could see it
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 of she began TO
feel the chain drag bit So thought I'd
keep more in the background for a time
give her her head bit-and then she'd see I
didn't want to bother her, and get TO feel
more settled in her mind"
The squire fdgeted rest1essly on his soft,
warm couch, in vain efforts after en- easier
posture.
But somehow it doesn't work as well as I
expected. Work well. why can't be honest
with myself, and say plainly that it is 8
miserable failurea We are just drifting far
Their and farther apart every day we live!
Ever since the hour read that COMPOUNDED
letter. wish I'd tumbled over a precipice
first-sverything has gone wrong between
US She gets moro 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. II I could but forget the
thing, and see in her my own true hearted
little Katie againl'
Mr.. Collingwood made another fruitleS
attempt at comfort, then suddenly sprang to
his feet with strong exclamation.
why can't be honest ever 18th myself!"
he said aloud, as he paced inn % 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
latea If only could be sure that scoundrel
had dared to write to her, I'd shoot him, If
knew should hang for it."
As he uttered the words, Mr.. Colhngwood
perceived at 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, great longing to take her into his arms
and kiss the color back to her pale cheek again
awoLe in his heart, and he advanced quickly
towards her But as be did SO he saw IN her
hand an open letter, and with sudden mis-
giving he stopped abruptly. It was too late;
his step had caught her ear, and he saw her
return the letter to her pocket as
she came forward.
Il was looking for you, Jack" she said, ss
they met. "There is something 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.
''Coue and sit down here" he said quietly,
pointing to seat beneath one of the low,
wide spreading chestuuts, and placing him.
self beside her. There were few minutes
Of uncomfortable silence, broken presently
by Kathleen
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 your asked Jack, with sorry attempt at
q smile.
mot formidable, e1actly-but-diferent
very different" Kathleen paused again and
then went on in broken, hurried tones:
II know am not half worthy of all the
love you gave me once, Jack, dear-but OIL
don't take it quite from me, for it is all
have in the world"
There were tears in her quiyering voice,
and the squire felt an answering LUMP in his
own throat as he replied:
"My poor little Katie!" That was all he
T,,- ba,
his throat, and went on:
'tNo 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 your
confidence from mel"
keep back my confdencel What do you
mean, Jacki I have never kept anything
from you-eIcept one thing"
Except one thing" echoed the squire in
bis turn But to keep back one thing,
is more than enough TO work mis-
chief between husband and wife,
Kathleen hung her head, blusbing Ike
scolded schoolgirl
II didn't mean any harm, ssck, always
meant TO tell you al about it some day, only
you have been so distant and coIdn-
She paused again
Her husband took pity on her confusion.
Suppose / were to tell you, Kathleen,
that l know what you have to tel me a.
readyr
you knaw it already But howT SIAM
mered his wife.
II found soEse writing in your room, one
iay, and / read it before l saw that It was
private"
The sQuire's tone grew harder in spite Of
himself as be recalled the misery Of that day.
Kathleen looked Up inquiringly, but her eyes
sank again as she saw the cold set look OF
bis face, and there was q minutes silence be
fore she timidly spoke
Were you 50 angry, JackF
'sNot angry. but bitterly hurt that you