The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-07-15

striving hard 10 be calm and courteous,
Il have Hiss Hathswsy's orchids and
must return them TO her. Orchids are
too valuable to be lightly thrown away.
Miss Clara bowed, but thore was look
Of displeasure upon her thin face.
made my way slowly from the Sc
cluded niche back to the ballroom to
Kitty Hathsvay's side. / laid the orchids
in her hand.
They are too valuable to lose, sug.
gestsd.
They are hideous.- she cried, tossing
them upon table. Il never could un.
derstand the beauty OF an orchid any
more than can appreciate the beauty OF
mushroom. But Mr, Granger sen.
them, and T.
bowed.
Il understand. He is the last favored
suitor, cut ia, harshly.
Kitty lifted her eyes to my face again
with that same indignant glance, but
full Of pathos too.
will you sc. my cloak'" she asked
softly--and please find mamma.
think shall 60 home
With secret satisfaction I obeyed her,
and when the carriage had driven away
l went back TO bid the hostess good night
and took my departure also.
! had made up my mind 70 ask Kitty
Hathaway to be my wife. loved her.
Good heavens. OF what had been think.
ing all these months, not to have found
out the truth betoreI
rang the bell at the pretty little home
OF the Hathawsys the next evening.
Kitty and her mother lived in q retired
street, in a neat cottage which, with
small income, constituted their entire
wealth.
She came into the cosy parlor where
awaited her. She was all in black. and
her face was very pale. arose and took
her hand in mine at once Iwould make
no prelude or preparation. but would 60
directly to the point.
kitty l whispered, II have come
to ask you to be my wife. think have
always loved you. Kitty, Kitty, what's
your answer?'
The sweet, pale face dropped.
III am sorry she murmured family
"but IL can not. All my pride was up
in arms in a moment.
You refuse me, them" | cried bit.
tcrly. And oh, how love you, Kittyl"
She was trembling like leaf, but she
turned away with calm composure.
snatched up my hat and turned to the
door, angry, hurt, my pride s.ung.
Good by!" cried wildly. 4 hope I
may never see you again You are
tirt, and not worthy good mans love!"
and / dashed out Of the house like
mailman, and went home TO my own
rooms and locked myself in, alone with
my dreary thoughts.
The next day started on a journey,
deciding to make tour OF the far West
visit California. Colorado and explore
the Rocky Mountains. Time passed and
found myself SO occupied and inter.
ested with the strange sights and new
scenes whittier my unquiet spirit led me
that the wound in my heart began to
heal. In the meantime had kept up a
correspondence with Clara Champion.
How / had drifted into it can hardly
say, but found her a + easant, chatty
writer, and was glad to receive her let
ters. had just replied to q long epstle,
when news connected with some real
eide to return, and l started upon the
very next train for the East.
found my mother we'll, and having
attended to my business, turned my steps
in the direction OF the Champion man.
sion. / rang the bell and Was ushered
into small reception.room, which was
separated from Miss Clara's boudoir by
heavy azure velvet portieres. seated
myself to await Miss Clars's coming.
new and unframed, and having shown
me into the reception-room, straitway
| forgot 10 announce my arrival to the
ladies. And sitting there, my presence
unsupported, heard these words:
Mamma was Clara Crampton's
voice-"do you think that he will ever
propose? Alan Gordon, I mean, of
course. Whom else have I been ang-
ling for ever since that night when l
told him that Kit Hathaway had de-
termined to marry fOrtunef And then,
you know, made Kit believe that he
had told me-didn't ever toll you abou:
it?-that he would never marry a girl
without fortune. and, above all. a girl
who loves to hirt. In short, made her
believe that he was only amusing him
self with her, and Kit is horribly proud,
you know, so that accounts for Gordon
going away so suddenly. am deter
mined to be Mrs. Alan Gordon myself,
for he 10 worth half Q million or more. "
started to my feet in utter consterna-
ton, and then the strangest thing oc-
Cured. Out from the embrasure of the
long window at the other end OF the
room. where she had sat hidden from
my view by tho heavy window curtains,
came Kitty Hathaway. She had also
been a victim to the blundering servant,
and we two Gagged there together had
heard our own story with all the wrong
set right
put out both hands with swift
glance towards the portieres-a glauce
which Kitty Interpreted to mean silence.
She laid her white hands in mine, and
| withnut a word atooped and kiasad ar