Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-03-14
CHAPTER Xxx.


There is joy at Willoughby farm
house. OF the hundreds of Christmas
dinners which have been eaten beneath
that hospitable roof, none was ever half
so glorious as this.
At one end of the table sits the mas
ter Of the house; at the other, Sir Harry
Grahame, supported by Kate Grahame,
Miss Balderstone, Dame Barlow and
her daughter, Arthur Dunbar, and
handsome, stalwart fellow, who has
been introduced by the exultant yeo-
man as "Nellie's young man." and
whose cheeks are yet crimson with the
novelty of his situation. Mile. Cam
pienon might have felt shocked at
this miscellaneous gathering, but
neither Miss Balderstone nor Sir Harry
Grahame seem to notice any incon-
sistency in it.
Kate Grahame is the only one present
whose happiness is dimmed by con-
lectures. Her prince, her hero, the idol
of her childish dreams was dead and is
alive again, and her heart beats exult-
ingly at the thought, but-ah. these
buts-there is another now even dearer
to her than this demi god.
Now, what if her king demand his
own? What If the man who rescued
her from life of infamy, who sur
rounded her young days with luxury,
should claim her life allegiance? He
loves her-she feels that his affection
for her is deeper than that of any
guardian for his ward. What if all this
be true? Then, in sick despair she
knows that she must give up her selfish
dreams of another and never let him
know the sacrifice she makes.
How tremblingly, then, when the
mighty meal is ended and the guests
scatter to make preparations for the
evening festival, she accepts his invita-
ton to stroll with him down the elm
tree avenue.
'My child" he says, so gently-oh.
how her heart sinks at what she calls
her base ingratitude-'I have two mat
tiers I wish to discuss with you-our
futures"
YES" she whispers, with white
lips.
And selfshly l will begin with my
self. My long life of adventure must
end in the usual story-book fashion by
my taking to myself wife"
81 know" she said, standing and
looking at him with fearless eyes,
! frankly and truthfully, 81 will do my
best to make you happy. am very
I young, and ana afraid not very wise,
but will be a true wife to you, Sir
Harry Grahame."
my dear girl, what are you dream
ing of" the baronet cried. amazed at
her confession. Then with quick ap-
prehension, fathoming the nobility OF
her sacrifice: "But, oh! child, child,
what a noble spirit is yours!''
And" she said, with painting eager
ness, ''you do not want to marry me!'
mot 1, indeed! You ever have beer
and always will be my own dear daugh.
ter. The woman would make mJ
wife is Hester Balderstone."
"Miss Balderstone!" the girls tears
were streaming down her face. "Oh
am so glad"
''Glad, chi Well, you are = nice
young woman, certainly" Sir Harry
smiled, ITO rejoice at such q confession
from the man you have just offered K
marry. Well, dry your eyes, and let III
get to the second subject Of our inter
view-yourself."
"Oh! let me be out Of the question To-
awhile"
It'll you recover your disappoint
ment at not being Lady GrahameP Nay
stop. my dear, am only in fun. But
see-suppose a certain young gentle
man. with the classic name Of Arthur
were to ask you the question am GO
ing to ask Miss Balderstone this yer,
afternoon, what would you say9"
~ do not know-I mean l."
"Weu, spare your bushes. See hin
coming, and shall leave him to you
mercy; but, obi Kate, do not tribe witt
him. His Is q noble heart. He ma,
not boast a proud patrician name, but
. Kate, my child. Dunbar Il one Of na
lures gentlemen"
He was gone, and In his place thsE
: stood the man she loved.
, "Kate, dearest Kate" he murmure(
'I have come for my rewaTd-you
. priceless love-"
/ She had no words, but the truStfS
look she gave him set his heart At res
a
, Three weddings In one day at the II
a tie ivy-clad village church was encug
\ TO turn the brain Of the quiet countz
, Solk-apd one 81 the grppms real Hv
2 bsSUbSN 1ANHg reoA91ees an1 lsA