The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-09-30
CHAPTER U-CoxrrNuEp.

during dinner, and throughout the re-
mainder of the evening, she had much
to saw concerning the Chichester suicide,
and her words were blended with hints
of worriment that came and fed along
the current of her speech like lights and
shades along lapse of meadow.
I'VE might have gone to the Ogstons,
after all she said to Kathleen at des-
sert. Its only a small affair, and the
patriarch's ball may quite spoil it; but
then the Ogstons are so select. They
have no real right to their extremely
lofty position, it's true, but"
Don't you recollect, mamma" Kath-
leen broke in, we thought it best not
to go everywhere nowadays, on account
of rumpling good gowns for larger en-
tertainments. Now don't change your
mind at the last moment, please don't.
I've an interesting book, and I'd in
tended to pass quiet evening with it"
Then Alonzo isn't coming at all to-
night?r
Il think he viii not come" replied
Kathleen, who at the same time hoped
that he would come, yet did not presume
to prophcsy.
Alonzo, as it turned out, remained
absent. Kathleen forgave him, know
ing what an excuse he had for staying
away. Yet She passed an evening Of
suspense that was ended by disappoint-
mcut.
She slept Ill that night. and rose so
late that when she appeared at break
fast her mother had completed the meal
and met her with 4 half-crumpled MORN
ing paper il one hand, while the other
employed itself Ia title agitatcd waves.
There are dreadful things printed
about the suicide Of Nlr. Chichester"
Mrs. Kcnnaird announced. "Oh, per-
fectly dreadful things. It can't be truc,
though, that he has ruined the firm be
fore blowing his brains out"
No, no." faltcrcd Kathleen. IS she
seated herself at the breakfast table.
''Alonzo viii DC here this morning, I'm
sure, and tell US the real facts
He came. but not till late that after
noon. He had been with his uncle IN
til quite late on the previous evening,
and he had spent all the earlier part of
his day at the bank.
''Ruin. ruin, or something almost as
horrible . rang through his brain as he
stood at Katkleen's doorstep. He was
silently quoting the words of his unc1e,
uttered just before they parted.
Kathleen received him alone I'm
so glad your mother isn't here he be-
gan, as they sank beside each other
on a sofa. I've a great deal to tell
you"
And he made clear what he had to
tell. Il YVES terrible tidinrs. The Lisp
Cuard wealth had been wildly sguan-
dered. I'm poor man," Alonzo at
length finished. As he thus spoke he
caught Eathleen's hand. but instead of
pressing it waited for her to do SO. The
clasp came. hut more family than he
had expected.
Kathleen he exclaimed. and with
drew his hand entirely from hers
''Lonz-Lon.,' she said, and looked ut
him with wistfai eyes that threat of
fearful storm seemed darkcning.
Just then Mrs. Kennaird entered.
She had been listening, but by no means
had caught all that Alonzo had spoken
Ills voice had been too low. in the first
place, and in the secSnd she had used
an overplus of caution.
Alonzo gave her q somewhat Hurried
greeting and slipped from the apart
ment within the next few minutes,
promising Kathleen that he would come
back that evening.
But it was five good days before he
came back. During this time he
wrote his sweetheart several eager and
soulful letters, in more than one of
which he offered to release her from ell
bonds of betrothal. Repeatedly Kath-
leen replied that she would not consent |
to be released. During those days the |
very worst became patent to Alonzo. |
a mere wreck was left to his sister and |
himself OF their former splendid patri- |
mony. The young man was surprised /
by his own c2lmnecs. He arranged in |
the most quiet way for sale of all his |
possessions; he held more than one very :
painful interview with his sister at his /
own residence; he discharged his serv- /
ants and engaged small suite of |
rooms, placing d bill upon his house in
Gramercy park. His costly art treasures
he offered to an auctioneer on condition |
of their immediate sale. He amazed |
everybody who observed him by his /
GOODNESS and serenity. And all the /
while his heart was strained by a
wretched suspicion of kathleen. Not |
that he thoroughly doubted her, but /
there had been = nameless dread born
of that last meeting-a dread which her /
letters did not dissipate, for he seemed
to read between their lines, and. as he |
thus read. voice vaguely cried to him:
1T is not she. 1t Is not the woman you
so trusted. Something that you be-
Eeved would leap from her and breathe
itself to you. burning, living, unmis-
takably, has not shown itself"
And yet he might be wronging her so
sternly! What if bis dear and faithful
friend Philip Lexington would go to
her and hold little talk with her, and
tell him afterward whether he was a
madly self-conscious fool or whether
there had really been good cause for his
doubts?
Alonzo felt his heart warm toward
Philip Lexington IS ne thought these
thoughts Dear Philip" ran his
musings. ''He will come to me on the
Instant and seek to aid me all he can"
Lexington obeyed the summons. He
looked as handsome as ever and listened
with his usual gracious calm to all that
Alonzo said.
When his turn came to reply, how
ever, Lexington shifted his legs I'M
easily and posed little sideways his
dark, shapely head.
Il don't a bit want to sound Miss
Kennaird on this question: he softly