The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-06-10

Don Z talk OF MIN! S10 Nu1SpSAS0-
Her emotion had SO astonished me that
could only stare in silence. Here was
another mystery-or stay! could 1t be
that Sunk was at the bottom of all those
strange signs and enigmas that l had
been puzzling myself over from the tirst9
was prepared to believe whatever
amount of evil concerning the fellow
might be required. But what could he
have done, or have in his power to do,
that could so affect Miss Birchmore?
Had he held her life or fortune at the
mercy of a word, she could hardly have
BETRAYED more dismay at my testing
satire.
aIt's nothing" she said, recovering
herself after a moment, "Only l don't
like him much, and you-and wasn't
expecting to hear his name just then"
"Heaven knows it is very different
name l should have spokenp
'No, no, no! You have amused your
self with me today, and tomorrow you
must find some one else to amuse you,
that's air.
; Amused myself, Miss Birchmore"
''Well, Mr.. Gainsborough, I'm sorry
if failed to entertain you. I'm sure
tried hard. But it's so difficult to enter
tain an EnglishmanT'
Upon my word, l believe you've been
laughing at me from the beginningl
But however ridiculous may be, Miss
Birchmore, 1 can have thoughts and
feelings that are not ridiculous"-
ooh, please-please don't be angry.
And I'm sure 1 never thought you rid1c-
ulous-I-oh, anything but that"
The tone, the look which accompanied
these last words made me forget caution
and self possession for moment. Miss
Birchmore-oh, KateI i cannot lose
sight of you'll cannot lose you! Do you
care-is it nothing to you if we never
meet after today? Kate, love your
Had the confession come too soon?
Was she offended? She shrank away
from me with a glance searching. yet
pathetically appealing.
'EDo not forget yourself. sir. You are
an honorable English gentleman. What
have you said?'
81 love you-yes, love your
HE loves me-" she repeated slowly
and caught her breath with kind OF
sob. Her eyes fixed themselves on me
with an inward look, as of intense rev.
erie. at must not be! it must not bel
but he does love meP' Her hands fell in
her lap; there were tears now in her
eyes, but smile quivered over her lips.
"Why do you say it must not be, Kate?
1t isl It shall ber'
l took her hand, which she scarcely
attempted to withdraw. felt that /
had won her and would hold her against
all Corners.
Just then a knock came to the door;
she snatched her hand away and rose to
her feet. Mr.. Slurk entered.
1.-The band is going to play in the
court" he said in German. 81 have
kept chairs and table for the lady and
gentleman beneath the trees"
He made q low obeisance as he spoke,
but his malignant glance never swerved
from Kate, and she, half turning toward
him, seemed impelled by a power
| stronger than her own will to meet it,
! though slightly shivering the while with
pure aversion. For my own part l
! longed with all my heart to kick the
varlet into the hall or throw him out of
the window. But prudence warned me
to bide my time. If obtained the foot
ing to which l aspired in Mr.. Birch
more's family would settle sumnarily
with Mr.. Slurk; meanwhile l should
best consult my interests by conducting
myself with all due quietness and de-
corum. l offered Kate my arm to lead
her from the room, but with barely
perceptible gesture she declined it, and
walked swiftly before me through the
| doorway, Slurk making another deep
obeisance as we passed. The fellow had
/ no hi of
the better of one that made my blood
| boil l commanded myself, not without
| an effort, and nursed my wrath to keep
| it warm.
When we reached the court the brass
band had established itself in the little
pagoda erected there for its accomoda-
ton and was just striking up, and there,
sure enough, were q table and chairs
awaiting us beneath the trees. But
neither of us was in humor to face a
crowd of people, and by a tacit agree
ment we turned to the left and, crossing
the little plank bridge which spanned
the narrow stream that skirted the hotel
grounds, we found ourselves on the high
road leading up the valley. Along this
we walked for some distance, both of
us silent At length the opening of a
path presented itself, which climbed by
zigzag route to the summit of the pine
clad hill. Into this we turned, and in a
few moments were out of sight of alien
eyes amid the thick growing hemlOcks.
The ascent was steep, and at the first
turning in the path my beautiful COM
panion paused for breath.
will you take my arm now, KateT' l
said.
With faint smile she complied.
Gust for this once" l heard her muir
muir, seemingly speaking to herself.
''Never again-but this once l will"
"Now, Kate" said resolutely, bend
ing forward so as to catch her eye, "let
us have done with mysteries. No more
you pleased First, want you to tell
me whether you love me-"
She drew her breath hard.
81 can tell you nothing, Mr.. Gains
borough
"You shall not call me Mr.. Gains
borough If you can't call me Tom,
call me nothing; but will never be Mr..
Gainsborough' to you againT
81 thought we were to have no more
never against" she rejoined, with a
passing sparkle of the old playfulness in
her air.
None of yours, meant"
II will call you 'TOm,' if you please,
on one condition"
''What condition."
THAT you let it be Just this once ,"
kate, do you love meT'
"Oh, you are cruelP' she cried with
passionate emphasis, slipping her hand
from my arm and facing me with glow
ing looks. Il wish l could say | hate
you! You are man of the world, and
poor girl from convent, who knows
nothing. l am trying to do right, and
you oppose me-you make it hard and
bitter to me. If you loved me Us las |
would love if / were a man, you would
not press me so. tell you it must not
be-"
''What is, shall be, Kate! Dear Kate,
we love each other, and who in the world
shall prevent it or forbid our being mar
ried?" 49,.
"Hush! hushr She came a step nearer
to me and caught my sleeve with her
little hand as a tinorous child might do,
glancing nervously over her shoulder as
! if something fearful were hidden among
! the trees. did you hear nOthing?' she
!