The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-10
do you know Kate Howard, Laurai'


beautiful house we Just passed.
What do you think Of her?"
Il think she is one the most beauti.
full ladies' i have ever seen, and i'm,
agine, one Of the proudest. Why do yon
askp You seem TO be interested In her"
! "I am. The truth is,' he said, look
ing straight ahead Of him, and speaking
fast, "the medical convention is mot
the only business that brought me TO
Kingston. have thought seriousIy Of
asking Kate Howard % be my wife,
/ met her last summer at Long Branch,
and again in the winter, and ! do not
think she will say no"
There was moments silence as
the girl struggled with the sudden
feeling OF pain and desoiation thnt
that came over her, and strove 70 say
the kindly commonplace words that
were expected of her.
And then he went on:
1T may seem odd that / should cell
you this, Laura, even before i have
spoken to her, but we have been almost
brother and sister, and would like 10
have God-speed from you before I make
the plunge
you hare ii, Frank. she said brave
ly. May you win the woman you love
and every good gift that life can givcis
But the delicate beautiful face was
very white, when he lifted her down at
the door of the station, and her eyes
did not meet his when she bade him
goodbye. And in DIR. yarney's heart,
as he drove away, there was . curious
dissatisfied feeling that he could neither
analyze nor account for.
IL was not quite dissipated when he
sat that evening on the pleasant piazza
OF Mr., Howard's house, with the scent
ed breath Of acacia and rose coming up
from the garden, and Kate, looking very
beautiful in her cool white muslin by
his side. And his thoughts would wan.
der 10 little figure in simple gingham
dress, and o delicate pale face set In q
frame of soft brown hair.
'Kate," he said at length, have you
ever noticed the little girl in the tele.
graph Office down at the station 2"
"What question I" said Miss How
ard, arching her brows in some SUR
prise. "Of course I know thero ID q
young person employed there in that
capacity, equally Of course, that is all
know about her"
But DR.. varney, honest fellow, never
knew when he was snubbed, and blum.
dered on: .,st..
II discovered In her yesterday ths
oldest friend have. They lived close
TO us until few years ago, and Laura
and were almost brother and sister.
I had quite lost sight Of her until / met
her yesterday.
THAT is very nice, but don't see
how il concerns me, said Miss Howard
coldly.
'She Is quite alone in tho world,
Kate, and I thought II You would call
upon her and be friendly with her il
would make her life 30 much more
pleasant"
II call upon that girli Youmuss bs
dreaming, doctor?'
why not2 She Is o true lady, and
IL would be an act of charity, Kate"
Perhaps your standard Of what con-
stitutes lady differ" was the haughtyN
response. Eat all events have no dc.
sire to add to the list Of my acquain-
tances at present, and so must decline
the honor you propose 20 do me
After cold good-night DIR. Vsrney
took his leave, feeling hurt and angry,
and resolved that he would take more !
time to consider it before he spoke the
wordshe had come 70 Kingston express
ly 70 speak. On
Nor did the nSsR he received from
Miss Howard the following morning
half playfully, half apologetic- alter his
decision. He would go home and think
il out among his patients. HuXas not
question TO be decided lightly.
And then he strolled down TO the sta
tion, and over to Laura's little den.
She was busy, and did not look up
for o moment, and be had time 10 fiots
how white she was, sad there were dark
circles under the pretty blue eyes, that
told OF q sleepless night.
She looked up with q smile Of well
come, but did not invite him In.
He waited for no invitation, how
ever, but went inside the railing. and
with the. light Of new resolntith ~
his face ent over her Ntss&
What have you been doing u yea
self. little girlp" he said very eAdefiy.
II am afraid my prescriptions was not a !.
good one. Shall i give you a new one
or have you lost faith in my ytrestmenti q
pu had better get Misa H<waed'S
cons pt 10 your plan of &eatj.sehk AZ
Ia Just possible she might object To 10,
replied Laura, with aforced laugh.
Miss Howard has nothing 10 do with
II, Laura. Shall I tell yon whatthe
new prescription is? II 10 M Assh
TO the old home with me--te " |I N fAr
old mother who always love- v III /, .ilhd
will give you o gladder welcome taHs,
she could give to. any one else--to 70 as
my wife. MMll you come, dear?"
She looked up with startled ex-
preston, which changed to ons a.
naughty as Miss Howard's own.
Kate Howard has rejected yon, and
you, come to me in pique" she seid
with q choke In her voice.
Laura, have ever given yoff catiee
10 think 80 badly Of me2 Miss Howard
did not reject me for she has not had
the opportunity. T never really
cared for anyone but you, though you
may find IL hard to believe after my fol-
y yesterday. i was aAtracte8 by Kate
Howard's beauty, but nevef loved her
and finding you here, has saved me
from great mistake"
He would have said more, hut her
cali was sounding on the instrument
and a customer was pounding frantically
10 attract her attention.
You shall take one day 70 think
about il, and / viii oe waiting for my
answer when you close the office this
evening" he said at parting,
But the glance from the long-Iashed
eyes, as she bade him 60, was all the
answer he needed.
And now They are married and happy
with children arouni them And somar
times Frank meets Miss Howard, and
the hard scornful lines he reads IN her
oountenance convince him that hs acted
wisely in his choice.
n
Va a Texas HuvricNne.