New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-08
KATHARINE NORTH.
Nv.
KATHARINE AND HER FATHER.

herself ought to be more angry than she was
What time there had beer over at the North
house! The idea of a brides going of in that
way, Katharine did not seem to have much sense
Of what she had done.
Joanna was confused
IL wish you would tell father-only father. +"
Katharine spoke pteously. And she pressed
her hot face again into her companions neck
Joanna waveerd
But how can ?" she said. do you want
anybody else to knOwPn
"Oh. no! Oh. no."
Il guess l shll find it kind Of hard work." re-
marked Joanna. Your mother n Mr. Grove II
I've curious enough about what tell your father.
Kitty. do think you've acted kind of unreason-
able; can't you see it. YOURSELF"
Katharine did not reply. She only c,ung closer
and shuddered. In moment she said
You don't feel as if you could tell father
then?'
III try"
Perhaps you can see him and not let the others
know it"
And perhaps can't But I'll DO S well IS
/ can"
And don't you tell any one else"
No"
Now Katharine drew away. But she held on to
Joanna's hand.
"Of course you don't want me to stay here" she
said. Il truly didn't think how strange it was
when came. I'll 90 away. if YOU say so, Jo-
anna"
Will You 20 back with me?" eagcrlr.
But Katharine sbrank
Il couldn't see mother or Mr. Grove again to-
night. ! couldn't" she answered
There was certain savage emphasis in her
voice which brought Joanna to terms immeiia'ey.
III go: I'll go. she FASTENED to say
Katharine turned toward the bed again.
"Iu Lie down. l didn't know was so tirel.7
1he said. Il knew hadn't slept But think
the real reason for my WEAKNESS is that God has
not cared anything about me- Don't you think
so. joanna" pausing in the dusk and turning
toward her friend.
Joanna felt sob rising in her throat as she
heard the words.
She swallowed the cob as she came toward the
bed.
You just lie right down. Kitty" she said
soothingly. land don't you worry. I'll tell your
father somehow, and the rest sha'nt know"
She put a thin coverlid carefully over her
friend. Kitty laid herself down. But she rose
Immediately on her elbow she whispered:
Il suppose you think you've got religion 10
anna, don't yOu?'
II hope So"
II thought so, too, you know, when Joined
L
don't think so any more. And don't care. either,
if haven't. I don't care thing about it, Nor
for anything in the world. Only little for
father. You tell father"
Yes, yes. You have nice nap III be back
in few minutes
Katharine did not answer. She had dropped her
head the pillow and closed her eyes. She
felt herself being borne off upon blessed wave
Of sleep.
As for Joanna she went noiselessly down the
stairs. Through the open doors she heard the
combined snoring of her parents.
She took her mothers shawl from its peg in
the entry. pinned it over her head and stepped
out into the night which was odorous and vocal
with summer flowers and summer insects
But the girl could not think Of anything save
her Grand The grass was heavy with dew
that she fastened into the road where even the
dust was damp with the night moisture. She
ran until she came close to Katharino's home.
The lights were still burning there and she saw
figures moving about.
She did not know in the least how she should
give her message Then she bcthought herself
that it would be only natural that she should
come to inquire about Katharine. But straight
forward Outspoken Joanna did not relish her
position.
She opened the outer door and held it in her
hand while she called:
"Mr. North. have you heard anything from
her?'
To herself she saying:
"Oh, what shall do if one Of the others should
come ?'
But it was Mr. North who strobe forward in
his shirt-seeves
Have you heard anything?" repeated Joanna
aloud, despising herself for what seemed to her
what one might call Machiavelian kind OF pro-
ceeding.
She reached forward as she spoke and seized
Mr. Norths hand.
"Sbe's safe in my room. She don't want you
TO speak of it,, she whispered
The mans face changed To such look OF re-
lief, almost of happiness, that Joanna whispered
again:
Don't go and look like that why don't you
tell me il you've heard from her? p
For Mrs North was now coming toward the
two -. -.
The father turned his head from his wife. He
made a great effort and said
no, we had mt heard"
us that you Joanna ?" inquired Mrs. North as
her husband walked quickly away. This Is a
dreadful trial / don't know what I've done 70
have a child act So
Joanna was silent.
Mrs. North went on, her thick. throaty voice
giving a dull emphasis TO her words. Il tmhh
they ought TO be securing the country. l say
something's happened to keep her somewhere IL
was odd that She went anywhere; but say come
things keeping her" -,
"Why don't you scour the country then
asked Joanna.
She felt great load Of deceit upon her as shc
stood there and asked that question. knowing a.
she did that Katharine asleep on her own
bed
"Why don't I?" repeated Mrs North her
anxious eyes fixing themselves on the girls face.
"What can poor woman do against two men !.
Besides. size Deacon Groves wife now. lie says
,,..i4 Deacon Groves a man that's going TO have