Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-04-20
KATHLEEN.

my friends child, Kathleen O'Hay. / sup
pose you have often heard me speak of
Captain OHay, the truest and most noble
hearted of men. l met him in India,
when was quite lad, and he, although
some years my senior, was my comrade
and con6dante. l was a wild, harem-scar-
EN- sort of youth at that time, and con-
stantly into some scrape or another. Many
Is the time Brian O'Hay has come to my
assistance. He returned to Ireland and
married an heiress, who died short time
since, leaving an infant daughter. My
friend himself was very ill at the time. 1
went and found him suffering from the
effects of wound which he had received
in India. When looked in his face, pale
with suffering, knew that death was not
far distant; in fact, it was for that reason
he had sent for me and asked me to take
his child and care for her when he was
gone. Robert he said, 4 will trust
her with you. She is my most precious
treasure. Be father to her. She inherits
all her mothers fortune. Promise me that
when am no more you will take Kath-
leen and guard and cherish her for your
old friends sake And" said Uncle Rob-
ert, with the tears streaming from my
eyes, | promised. This letter states he
died week ago."
We all sat silent after hearing Uncle
Roberts news.
Frank was the first to speak. "Wny
Uncle Robert, what in the world are you
going to do with baby in the house. You
will have to commence and study up some
on Mrs. What's-er-name's soothing syrup"
Yes. What are you going to do with
us all, Uncle Roberto said Dick, the old.
est of the five boys. "Here you are a
bachelor with four sons of almost your own
age-and a daughter, eh Minnie?'
| did not answer. Uncle didn't think
it worth while to address me. His CONVEX
sation was directed to the boys lust as
though | were of no consequence what
ever.
Minnie, little woman" said my uncle
"What do you think?'
81 don't care; suit yourself" | replied.
'But | don't like children they are SC
troublesome and mischieyous."
Nothing further was said upon the sub
ject, and word was dispatched on to Ire
land to bring on the baby.
| 1t is three years since / came. an
orphan, to my uncle's house. He had his
dead brothers sons at the time, to whom
he gave fathers care, and now here is
another to be added to our already large
number.
ooh, DEAR" I sighed. "And baby
What dreadful bother it will be. Why
did uncle Robert promise to bring her
here" | am Is, and consider myself quite
woman of the world, and, besides, nv
cousin Dick and l are engaged. We are to
be married in the spring. Dick, as | said
before, is the oldest OF the four boys: SC
brave and handsome-the very picture OF
Uncle Robert The three others-Ned
Frank and Harry-are wild and bolster.
Gus, full Of fun; willing to lay down their
lives for cousin Minnie.
| Uncle Robert had gone to meet the child
Kathleen. have been extremely busy
all day fitting up a nursery with crib doll
toys, ETC., and | now stand and gaze with
satisfaction at my work.
Il do hope the nurse is quite middle
aged woman, for l so dislike young, giddy
girls about the place."
| Dicks arm steals around my waist, and
| iiAo 70 PASoo Lilly III IL lOllS lOkST KISS.
Never mind the nurse, darling; she
shan't trouble you"
We are startled by uncle's voice in the
hall. spring from Dicks arms, and run
to welcome him, but stop short in confu-
sion, for beside him stands girl of about
my own age, beautiful as a dream.
My uncle smiles. u see you are sur
prised, my little Minnie, but not more SO
than myself when 1 expected to meet a
baby in long clothes, to find young
LADY,
"In long clothes ?" laughs the girl. ~
am sorry you are all SO disappointed" she
says meekly, looking around at our admir-
ing faces. "Indeed, it is not nv fault. |
assure you. 1t won't make much differ
ence, will it-Uncle Bob?"
! ''Uncle Bobp' / look at her in amaze
ment. What strange girl she is.
Well, Kathleen has been with us now
just two days, and already the boys are her
sworn slaves-even Dick pays her little
too much attention. Only this morning |
found them in the nursery, Kathleen in
peals of laughter, while Dick showed her
the doll and crib. and | think noticed a
small bottle as l hurried past the door
with my face burning. Reaching my
room | throw myself across the bed. and
cry as if my heart would break.
at IS too bad of them," | sob, "and /
wish she never came here. The place does
not seem like the same dear old home
since she came into it."
remain in my room for the rest of the
| day, my cousins come one after the other
to inquire what is the matter, but send
them all away with the same excuse. nv
head aches: and | wish to be alone.
The next morning Kathleen came into
the breakfast-room equipped for ride,
and very lovely she looked, in her black
velvet habit, which fitted her tall. grace
full figure to perfection, and iaunty cap
perched upon her light fluffy hair.
Come, Min" she said, "let us take gallon
this fine morning. Do; there's dear"
But l reply coldly, "My orders have not
yet been given to the housekeeper. and
besides, | have dozen other things to
attend to-"
"Oh, bother!" she pouts, and her face
: for moment loses its smile. But sud-
denly Frightening up, "Oh, there is Dick /;
he will go, know"
J And sure enough he does, for / see them
ride off. side by side, laughing and
happy. And what is there which makes
me feel so miserable and forsaken; which
| causes my heart to beat with dull pain for
HIM, and mad jealous hatred toward her.
The wind brings their voices back to me
in mockery.
81 hate berw cry. "And Dick has no
right to ride with her"
1t is hours later when they return.
| flushed and happy
All, mel This is only the beginning
of my trouble. The boys all love her and
jealousy watch every chance to wait upon
her. while |, their cousin and companion
of years, seem neglected And Dick, my
darling, cares for me no longer; he loves
her, and do blame him? No, but my
anger rises up hot and fierce against her.
| was happy until she came and robbed
me of my all. She does not love him, |
know, and is only amusing herself.
| Uncle Robert seems not TO notice how
things are turning, until one morning he
speaks for the first time about my pale
| face.
Minnie, child, what ails you? Where
are your roses little womang'
At the kind words | burst into passion
of tears.
| ITncla Pobart 4 -,u,. 49, 49, L..