The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-05-21

cheer up; tomorrow you will laugh at
your own fears
81 could see by the pale moonlight
that Kitty smiled sadly, and shook her
curly, golden head. They then passed
on and could hear no more.
III laughed in iendish glee TO myself
to think this was to be the last time
they would ever walk so lovingly to-
gether. l was shocked at myself; | did
not know l could be so wicked For
a moment was almost sorry and had
yearly decided to leave them alone in
peace. Then the tempter whispered
in my ear that l might have been
Harry's betrothed bride had it not been
for Kitty's babyish face. | clinched
my hands in hatred as | thought of it,
and all the good in me died for the time
being. turned and fed from the spot
into the house. l dropped a letter |
had prepared for her, just where l
knew she could not help seeing it.
Then l rushed upstairs to my own
room.
"Soon heard Kitty step on the stair,
and ] knew the letter had done its
work. A moment she paused at my
door, then passed wearily on. l threw
myself down upon the bed, but could
not sleep. Whenever closed my eyes
could see Kitty's sweet face and re-
proachful eyes looking at me.
at was almost dawn when 1 at last
fell into a troubled sleep. l was
awakened by some one lightly tapping
at my door. l called; Come in Kitty
entered, holding in her hand that letter
so fatal to her happiness.
Iris, she began, did you see or
drop any paper in the parlor? l found
a sheet of paper there, and it puzzles
me greatly. ! do not know what TO
think about it, Read it, Iris, and tell
me what you think
81 took the letter in my hand, then
bit my lips in veXation. had forgotten
to place all the letter there. The most
important part was missing But,
thought |, hastily casting my eye over
the page before me, perhaps if l play
my cards well l shall win yet. This is
what | saw:
"Dear Bess,' the letter began, 4 am still
here with the wealthy young lady. am getting
along very nicely indeed. Am engaged to her,
and will soon cOntrivo plan to get some of her
money II seems almost too bad to fool her, for
she is a sweet little thing. But Bess, darling,
once get the money it will have to be, good
by Kitty will soon be back to you, Until
then, be
"That was all. | could see by the
white face of Kitty that no more was
needed. The wretch said, pretend
ing to be very angry, but still not dar-
ing to lift my guilty eyes to Kitty's in
nocent face. 4 would let him know
did not care by breaking the engage
ment with him
"'But, began Kitty, 1T may be Harry
did not write it. l will not believe it.
There must be some mistake. Harry
could not be such wretchr
"Tears filed her eyes, and She fell
sobbing upon the bed. 1 tried to COM
fort her, knowing only too well how
true Harry was, although pretending
he was, indeed, a brute.
"At last her violent sobs ceased and
she sat up and dried her tears.
"'Come, Kitty DEAR said I, you
must hurry and prepare yourself for
your journey. 1t is almost time to
start now, and you are not ready at all.
Do not think any more about Harry,
but go now and get ready
81 cannot stir step, Iris, said Kit
ty, very decidedly until l have seen
Harry and had an explanation from
him
Here, indeed, was a difficulty. If
she saw Harry she would soon find out
it was all fraud. &c. after thinking
moment, l told her TO write note
and would carry it to him; of course
he would never see it, and it could do
no harm, only serve to blind her still
more. Soon she had finished the letter
and started slowly away to her room,
while | turned my steps toward the
cool and shady woods, to loiter away
the time until | could return to the
house.
"Oh, that l might have been struck
dead before l had retraced my steps!
but in a short time went slowly back,
thinking what | could tell Kitty when
she asked me about Harry.
presently she came down, dressed
as usual, in pure white, and looking so
pure and beautiful that / could hardly
find it in my heart to tell her the cruel
lie, which | knew would destroy her
peace and happiness for many long
day. But / turned my guilty face
away and went on, unfeelingly, to tell
her it was impossible for Harry to see
her that morning, as he had some very
important business to attend to, but he
sent his best regards and wished her a