Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-05-30

rain-clouds, and the stars were shining
brightly. Miss AMMAN was in the draw
ing-roon with her mother, the maid told
him, and there were other callers. Mac
/ kenzie walked into the room with the
package under his arm. The guests, al
/ elderly counle had risen to % II
must see you alone, ut once" he
whispered to Katharine, and, leaving her
with her friends, he walked back INFO
the library. In few moments she
joined him
Have YOU examined the manuscript |
brought you this morning." he asked,
eagerly.
No" she replied, shadow crossing
her face.
What was the name of your story"
Mr. Mackenzie, beg that you will
not speak to me on that subject now or
at any time.
But tell me-the name,'
You have read it; why should you
ask me?" she said, coldly; then, seeing
the suppressed excitement in his eyes,
the twitching of his mouth, without
knowing why she caught the infection
of his emotion and her heart beat
rapidly.
Mackenzie quickly opened the box and
held it up to her.
Have you ever seen this before?" he
asked
why. it is mine. How did you-"
"Yours Do you mean you wrote it,"
"Certainly. 1t is the story l gave
you yesterday, which 1 thought you
brought back to me this morning. And
now
''Then you are not Rose Desire, and
you didn't write story called a Bohe-
milan in Silk?' "
"No," replied the wondering girl.
THANK heavcn?" he burst out.
'Katharine, if you would like the head
of the most stupid dolt that ever lived,
on charger, will cheerfully give it to
YOU Listen while I tell you what l
conjecture has happened before you
spurn me from your sight and send me
to the sacrifice. l ought never to have
let my precious charge out of my sight
for an instant; but [ went direct to Bur-
gess's after you gave me your story, and
laid it on my desk there while l busted
myself about some outside matters.
Burgess came in, and, seeing it, took it
into his room to examine it, supposing it
to have come in the regular way,
and, finding it to be a wonderful book,
as he afterward told me, carried it off.
Then an unfortunate woman, who calls
herself Rose Desire, must have brought in
a story which was laid on my desk just
where yours had been; it was in box
just as yours was, and so the great BOBBY,
who sometimes reads manuscripts for
Burgess & Co., when he ought to be
mending shoes or shoveling coal, took it
home, and read this feeble production for
the work Of a charming and brilliant
woman, whom he deserves never to see
again after tonight. | began your story,
never dreaming it was yours, and was
fascinated by its beauty and power in
spite of my miserable state of mind. I
had not read half Of 1t when discovered
Yourself in it, and the hideous mistake |
had made dawned upon me. Now you
know the cause of my stupid, priggish
words of this morning. | will not ask
you to forgive me; | can never forgive
myself the needless suffering | have
caused you"
But Katharine did not look very
angry. What load was lifted from her
heart by his words? 1t was almost
worth while to have endured the pain to
experience this sweet and blessed relief.
She looked up at him and smiled as he
stood before Eer with hand outstretched
us in farewell.
''Before you vanish into outer dark
ness" she said, dreamily, 81 should like
you to fulfill your promise to read my
manuscript
katharine, do you really mean you
would allow me to read it after this?"
"Certainly. l asked your opinion and
still want it, I think may count safely
on getting your true one, she said, mis-
As she gave him the manuscript he took
her hands and held them.
'Katharine," he said, ''who could
have foreseen this ending to such day.
Three hours ago thought the sun could
never shine for me again; but the clouds
have lifted and the blessed light streams
and gives new life to a
hope"
The portieres opened and little Mrs.
Amman hustled into the library.
''Ah, Mr.. Mackenzie, good-evening.
Did you ever know anything SO sudden
as the change in the weather tonight"
Never" said Mackenzie, fervently,
and looking into Katharine's radiant eyes,
NOR so delightful. "--LippincOtt.