Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-09-07
CHAPTER III.

cry for Thanksgiving. for. by her own con-
fession, she was the happiest woman In the
world.
CHAPTER III.
A summers day slowly dying-a tender
gloom stealing down the long alsies OF
forest trees and the low murmur OF softly
FLASHING riplets; mass OF Jagged DlacK
rocks, with the last rays Of sunlight CLINT
ing upon their bald tops. and gnarled
branches overreaching low. fern-tufted
banks, to dip in the peaceful water.
Imagine this. and you have the picture OF
the little lake at The Crag.' Then imagine
a tiny. prettily painted canoe. with young
woman at either end. and gentleman
fairly dividing his attention between his
companions and the sklllful management
OF the slender oars.
Now you have Miss 1llerton, her cousin
and Arthur Cover.
They had been floating lazily on. with
barely a word now and then to break a
stiffness almost painful. until they neared
the dangerous Black Rocks; then the little
wherry became entangled in the stealthy
current and veered with treacherous
lurch-a lurch sharp enough to fling one
of the women backward. aud dangerous
enough to startle Arthur into singularly
awkward betrayal of emotion.
The little form had barely swayed when
the gentleman. with a hoarse cry, sprang
forward.
clara! My God. Clara!"
That was all he said; yet, when he re-
membered himself. he was holding Clara
Volney in his arms.
is she hurt?"
The voice was Miss Illerton's. and now
Arthur Cover remembered. too, that the
woman whom he should marry was beside
him.
Are you hurt. Christine2" he asked.
flushing holly as his arms fell from Clara.
Not at all. thank you.
Nor am t. protested her cousin, laugh
so sudden. you see.
Yes, 1t was sudden. certainly" acquiesced
Miss Illerton; sudden and pleasant"
This extraordinary assertion remained
uncontradicted. for not another word was
spoken until the boat was being made fast
to the low. quantity contrived landing of
roughly hewn logs: then. as Miss lllerton
stepped upon this rustic platform. Arthur
Cover touched her hand. detainingly.
What is the matter, Christine?" he VEN
tured.
Why, what should be the matter2" And
now. affecting to notice for the first time
his awkward hesitation. she continued.
smilingly. MY dear boy. just put that oar
in its proper place. will you? Then follow
US up to the house as quickly as possible.
Those people will be there"
Those people" were city friends who en-
joyed amazingly frequent visits to The
Crag, and to welcome them now fastened
the hospitable mistress of the old manor
house. leaving Mr.. Cover in most painful
state Of anxious doubt and self convicted
treachery.
4
Christine Illerton was not a woman Of
half measures. That night she entered her
cousins chamber. and without ado put
this straightforward question:
"HOW IonO IA fhiC haap poipn -
Going on?"
Tell me. I wish the truth; wish you
to be frank"
why. what do you mean?" asked Clara.
yet never looking up.
You understand me. How long has this
been going on between you apd-and-the
the man whom l intend to marry?"
At this Clara lifted her head and looked
at her cousin with innocent. fearless eyes,
You do not mean to accuse us Of any
thing like Irritation. I hope" she said.
proudly.
oh. no." was Miss Illerton's cool re-
Spouse; I acquit you OF that. There has
been no Irritation; but there has been q
great deal of intensely earnest love-mak-
ing. That knowledge was forced upon me
this afternoon. remember.
All. Christine!"
And here this young woman displayed
woeful ignorance Of the first PRINCIPLES OF
feminine strategy; for. instead Of adroitly
carefully marshaling her re-
plies. and skillfully defending all weak
points OF her false position from the I'M
sparing vigilance of that keen-eyed sharp
shooter. Miss Christine Illerton. tho silly
creature only hid her face in her hands.
and. 'twixt piteous sobbings. proclaimed
her ignominious overthrow.
All. cousin-ah, Christine!"
Instead of calling my name in that utter
lyi ncomprehensible manner. you would do
better SnODQSfQd
Miss Iller.on. How long has Arthur Cover
loved your"
4 never knew that he loved me" protest.
ed the offender.
Yet he told it very plainly this after
noon. and I was present, If you recollect.
Christine. dear Christine!" Clara was
standing now. not weeping. but speaking
with low. impressive eagerness. AS live.
never before has he said as much as that;
never before has he uttered one word that
you might not have heard-never. Chris
tine. cousin!'
DO you tell me this upon your honor?"
Upon my honor.
But you love him. of course. There. you
need not turn away. Keep your secret,
child. Only remember this. that you are
willfully walking to moral destruction. for
shall certainly MARI. the man you love.
Goodnight. dear"
What does it matter to me? Why should
/ care II she breaks her heart for him?
Do care? Not !" protested Miss Illerton.
as she sauntered slowly to her own room.
an hour later. after i'm awkward leave-tak-
ing with Mr.. Cover. They make their own
misery. That which is not worth asking
is not worth having. surely. She fool.
but he is coward; so. after all. save her
from q wretched fate"
CHAPTER III.
Life. like nature. has its unnatur sAa6Ims-
trescherous Gains preceding ruthless dew
astation-or else there come those seasons
OF dead Stiffness. when both life and nature
seem to have paused. half affrighted at the
wreck and ruin numbering their paths.
Such time had come to Christine Her
ton. Throughout that ivelong night had
she been with her past. and that grim Cos
sip had told her many bitter truths. had
shown her the graves deep buried in her
heart. had uncovered the faces OF the dead
there lying. and Of these. one there was