Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-02-21

lasnes there was suggestion OF meian-
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 vindictive 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.
s.Ahw thought Katherine, "why can
he not speak to me? Why can he not
say something beyond q mere Good
EVENING" There is the weather at least.
Is he SO esiranged 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
the delicacy of her position and come to
her rescue by word or look even? All at
once it became extremely difficult, even
absurd, for 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 him-aye, love, strong and un-
changing. 1t was impossible to tell him,
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, "What if he
cares for another that know not of,
and l have written him to come to me;
that am lonely and desolate?"
Pride and self respect became rampant.
"He shall not glory in my humiliation;
he shall never know that care for him, y
and then, feeling as though she were
dancing on the ruins Of her own heart,
she said lightly, with pretty toss of her
silver head, "Oh, doctor, that is 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, you've
spoiled it! Now you are Mephisto with
the red light on your face. What is new
at North EndY she hurried on. "John
Pidgin heard from his home in the south
today that it was middlin' measly and
mumpy down there, with considerable
chicken pops. 1t is not SO bad at North
End, hope"
Not word from the great dark man
| standing now with his back to the fire
and looking down at her with an express
! sion in those deep eyes hard to fathom,
an expression Of surprise, Of disapproval.
she fancied; Of pity, perchance.
/ not 30 fI,a ft,ot t,nc ifoJo
she hastened on, land weren't they sorry
to lose the pretty Angela, and does she
still sing i alone am desolate, or words
to that effectY'
Now he reused himself
"No, child, she does not, because ii
would not be true. She would not be
the only one who is lonely and DESC
late.'"
The disapproving eyes burned and
stung her. Bounding to her feet she
stood like some wild thing at bay.
"Dr. Van Duyn, she painted, "Dr. Van
Duyn, you are cruel, you are mercilesa
to throw my own words at me so! You,
whom people call humanel How could
| l ever think you were kind or tenderi
You are well qualified to be q surgeon;
you could cut ones heart out without a
| tremor of pity or remorse. You-you"-
and bursting into torrent of tears she
sank down on the low divan in the far
thest corner of the room.
He did not 60 to her at once.
John Van Duyn was deliberate
man, man Of few mistakes, act.
ing only upon forethought and con.
viction, and then carrying that convic-
ton in his very tread. When Katherine's
hottest tears were shed, when the pain
and resentment had all died out, Van
Duyn went over to her. He sat down by
her side, and taking first one land and
then the other in his own he gradually
drew her to himself.
"Child," he said, SO tenderly, yet so
earnestly, 'child, let me say this--do not
resent it, l beg Of you; but you are lonely,
you are desolate, perhaps you are i'll.
You said so. have come to Fernwood,
as you bade me. have come to you.
No, do not draw away. / have said
should never ask for you again, but oh,
child, want you'll want you"
AS he drew her closer he looked into
her dark eyes for the answer to his
unasked question.
"Oh, DR.. Van Duyn," she cried; 81
have been SO cruel-so unjust. have
asked help and counsel from others
when wanted you. Not in pride OF
resentment, but because did not under
stand. IL misconstrued some things.
If can ever atone
"Child," he said so tenderly, drawing
that fair head very close to his heart,
"give me yourself to be my very own.
Then shall you be your own atonement.
THE END.