Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-08-16

1lG 4NONGLl GILL WAS III IIlG G1T. ~
cold rain was falling quietly, except
when irritated by a restless wind which
listed to blow occasionally on Southwick
and anon at North End with perfect i'm
Partially.
DR.. Van Duyn, wrapped in his heavy
raink coat as in midwinter, came hur-
riedly down his Office steps for ten
Iaile drive. 4 man Of powerful ply
slque, sturdy health and correspondingly
sturdy spirits, he yet contemplated this
long wet journey with positive dread.
Life had become drear and uninterest-
Tag to this r.an-himsef so gloriously
endowed with all that makes life in
teresting to others. His ambition
seemed paralyzad, hope benulnbed, He
looked forward to the future as some
thing perhaps endurable because per-
force incurable.
As he stood at his horses head on this
wet night drawing on his gloves John
Pidgin appeared suddenly around the
corner, driving in haste. He crossed
over to the doctor.
Juicy evening, sir, said John, touch
ing his hat, and without another word
lie laid little white note into the doc
tors ungloyed hand and was gone.
Van Duyn did not go into the
country that night Twas only
a case Of chronic rheumatism ag-
gravated by the weather. The wealth
e. and the rheumatism would be better
tomorrow. He weut bacS into tho Office,
Katherine's little missive next his heart.
He lighted the room deliberately, re-
moved his heavy coat and sat down by
the fire.
'This is all happy delusion, he said,
''let it last awhile" But after little
he took out Katherine's note. Could it
be true, actually word from her who
had been SO long dead to him. He read
it at last:
Dr. VAN DUN: believe am ILL., know am
very lonely and desolare. Is there no panacea for
such disorder, or is it perhaps fatal? VIII you
come to Fernwood2 KATHERINE WEATHERLY.
Later, as he came in out of the black,
unfrlendly night, out OF the chill and sleet
into the glow and warmth and bright
ness of the little library at Fernwood, he
seemed to leave behind him all the old
cherries life, with its burden of longing
and hope deferred" Katherine in her
soft gray gown, with mass of deep red
chrysanthemums in her belt, was more
beautiful than ever. AS John Van Duyn
looked into that lovely face, SO pure and
pale, there was an expression there that
he had never marked before In the
droop OF the eyelids and the sweep of the
lashes there was suggestion Of aelan-
choly Which moved him deeply. Had he
been unkind? had he added aught to her
burden OF life? He tried to review the
past year. Had he been unforgiving
where he should have been friendly? al
most vindictiye at times when he should
always have trusted her? Occupied thus
IN retrospection and self accusation he
had no word to say. Long he stood gaz-
ing into the open fire, self reproachful to
be sure, but, ah, so happy and content to
be with her again.
"Ah!" thought Katherine, "whv can
he not speak to me? Why can he not
say something beyond mere Good
evening? There is the weather at least.
Is he SO estranged that he cannot even
inquire for my health, as any acquaint-
ance would dor
Her pride rose within her. Why had
she sent for him? Why did he not see
TIE deiicacy of her position and come to
her rescue by word or look even? All at
once 1t became extremely difficult, even
absurd, ffoT her to tell him that he had
grown very dear to her; to tell him that
she had mistaken her own heart: that
there was nothing there but deepest re-
gard for hlm-aye, love, strong and un-
changing. It was impossible to tell hin,
as he stood there so absorbed in thought
SO unresponsive, that she could never
live without him. And then the cold
thought came over her, 'sWhat if he
cares for another that 1 know not of
and | have written him to come to me:
that am lonely and desoIate?'
Pride and self respect became ra1nDsnt
He shall not glory in my humiliation:
he shall never know that l care for him y
and then, feeling as though she were
dancing on the ruins of her own heart
she said lightly, with a pretty toss of her
silver head, ''Oh, doctor, that is a grand
pose! Nestor, or one of the Greek gods
Hercules. perhaps--or an Amazon. Let
me get my charcoals and do YOU in black
and white Head slightly more to the
left, chin little up. Oh, doctor. vou'ye
spoiled i'll Now you are Mephisto with
the red light on your face. What is new
at North End? she hurried on. John
flQg1n heard from his home in the south
today that it was middlin' measly ard
mummy down there, with considerable
Gmcken pops. 1t is not SO bad at Nortl,
End, hope"
Aot-a-word from the great dark man