Telegram-herald., 1889-09-14

into the travelling bag under her berth
Wnen she went 70 ner state-room, forgettIns :
that hers and katherlne's were exactls
alike.
Katherine found it, guessed how IL came
there and laughed heartily 10 herself when
she read II, thinking Of the CONSERVATION
with which Il must have been read waeu
Nss Ciafiiln turned her glass upon it.
Then she re-re4d II. Something In il
moved her strangely, and she read il again.
II did not sound Ike Jest a vague IN.
happiness she could not account for took
possession OF her and al the rest Of the day
she was aosent-mlnded and quiet
Now that Eustis was disposed OF, Mrs.
Claniln felt that she could relax her vigi.
lance, and retired 70 her stato-room 20 su
perinteud her packing.
Katherine strolled out 20 the bow and
leaned over the railing 70 watch the fasci-
na.ing rise and fall OF the foam tipped
waves. II was almost dark. They would
be In sight Of the harbor lights before mid
night.
Presently Rob came up beside her. "Can
l be of any service tomorrow, Kittyin he
asked. "lt is tedious business getting
through the custom-house."
"Oh, no, thank you" she answered.
"James viii De there TO do every thing"
Then she laughed.
"Mrs. Clafiin thinks she has nipped fine
romance in the bud. She thinks You have
proposed 70 me, that you believe / received
your note and paid no attention TO II, and
that am ignorant OF the true state Of az
fairs. But she saw through glass dark
ly' when she turned her lens on Us and her
little stratagem was useless"
Rob did not answer. She stood there
moment. feeling a strange restraint ia his
silence Some unaccOuntable barrier seemed
between them, aud she could not go on lok-
ing as she bad done before. Presently he
offered her his arm, and they began TO walk
slowly back and forth.
Darkness drew down over the sea, but
the light streamed out from the cabin doors
and port holes.
NO" be said at length. ''her little strata
gem was not useless. II brought me face To
faco with myself. All that wrote you that
night in Jest have come out here tonight
% repeat TO YOU in earnest, and a thousand
times moro than that. know now that I
loved you then, or I could not have written
as did know that this mGy seem sudden
- you, but IL IS not sudden. IL has been the
slow growth Of years, though have been
80 long Ia recognizing it
The deep earnest voice struck re
sponsive chord in the girls heart, but she
would not lct him know It.
"Well, Rob, she said. gaily, ''you always
could carry out Joke better than any one
ever knew. ! wish Mothe Clafiin could
hear y0u now
"Oh, Katherine. do be serious" he pro
tested. with a desperate earnestness. ssBe-
heve me, sweetheart, it is the happiness Of
a lifetime am asking for. Don't you care
for me in the leasti"
He beat over her in the darkness. Her
hand rested = moment In bis, bat the sweet
willfGi lips 80 near his own spoke no word
aud t1e night bid the answer be might have
read IN her eyes.
Mrs Espey passed with her maid
Mrs. Ciafiin Is looking for YOU she I
said in passing. "She is around on TIE other /
side
Wat" pleaded Rob. you have not
answered me. I Will see you tomorrow .
~ your h0uel No; tel me now, Kitty. I .
can : let you g without some Httle word
n hope
she gave him both her hands an instant
n quick, iDPetuous way, AID then was
gone.
Early next morning Mrs. Claflin stood
With giass IN hand. eagerly scanning the .
hundreds q people a. the docks Tor a sight
= James vel known face, and giauciur at
Katherine low and then 70 wonder how
hey would impress each other She no
iced her bow 20 some one Just starting
lown the zanE-plsnk. and turued in time 70
iee Robert Fustis raise his hat IN what
eemed TO her very cool, Indifferent man
ier
He couldn't have been 80 much IN love
Vith her as his letter seemed 20 indicate -
de thoazht 20 herself 'or he never would
ave gotten over it 30 quickly No telling.
aCuEh. what il might have cone - II II
adn't intsrfsrsd. T5-aux goodness. hers
ones James ...s.A A J F. J.