New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-03
KATHARINE NORTH.
ON THE ROCKS.
Copyright; 1902: Bv The Tribune A"oe'aisn.

Copyright; 1902: Bv The Tribune A"oefahsn'
When Mrs. LANDAU told her niece not to he
m idiot she was not, perhaps. aware of what
load she was removing from the girls mind
Katherine had been wondering whether she
ought TO inform people of that distressing incident
in her life 1t matter upon which she
could not make up her mind; she could not see
clearly Now. however. she was renewed: vi
course her aunt was right. She would know
about such matters. Where Katharine had not
Thoroughly decided she was sngularly open TO
influence from one dear TO her
Now as she stood there in the hotel room, she
almost thought that the worst burden OF lie
had rolled from her. She was too young TO be
Thus piteously weighted. She had had times, even
at the cafe, when she had almost forgotten things
Now she would wholly forget them, and IT would
be as if they had never been.
Her heart swelled She walked quietly TO
the window which overlooked the water. The
clinting beauty Of the bay smote her eyes. Tears
suddenly came They gathered and fell upon
her face But she did not know it, She was
only aware Of that exquisite sensation Of relief
and JOY.
As she stood there two figures came within
her vision They were LANDAU and Miss Wyck-
ham, They were going down the rocky path to
the beach. She looked at them without thinking
of them and yet they left an impression upon
her mind which she recalled afterward
Mrs Landaf had seated herself at the other
side of the room. She had thrown her head upon
the back of the chair and was watching the girl
at the window And her head was aching as
she did
She was saying to herself
"She shall be happy at any price. She shall
be comforted at any price" Then, as an after
thought. she added: And her mother ought
20 he Shot"
Mrs LANDAU in her philosophy OF life did
not include the discipline which wrings soul and
spirit Rather was it her philosophy TO escape
oil discipline.
Make sure Of the present." she used to say.
And il was Into her care that girl was just
now thrown
Katherine" she said. after long silence.
The girl turned
Bear In mind that I'm going to manage you-
affairs now; that is, those that you want 70 throw
from yoW own shoulders"
Aunt Kate, you are began Katharine with
tremulous voice and sparkling eyes.
She moved swiftly toward her aunt She knelt
down at her feet and leaned her arms on the
wdfnan's knees
Aunt Kate" she began sgain-
A voice outside said:
II guess this is the room. It's the right
number.
Then the doot opened without any previous
knocking, and Mrs North came deliberately in.
She was followed by her husband who took of
bis hat and stood up against the door frame
Katharine rose from her knees. Every line OF
her slender figure assumed a defensive attitude.
Mrs LANDAU also.
"You quite surprise me, Roxy" she said.
They ali shook hands in solemn manner
Il got your letter." said Mrs North, looking
ct her sister, but hadn't quite come round to
answerin' of It. Then when the telegram came
thought we nights we'll start Mr.. North he
thought So"
Mr. North Gid not attempt TO make any reply
to this remark He was gazing at his daughter
Roxy had about her shoulders her best shawl.
Il was called broche shawl 1t had an ex-
tremely red centre. She unpinned this drapery
now and folded it back from her thick neck.
Her hands, in Lisle thread gloves, were clumsy.
But she did not appear to want any assistance
aYes" she repeated, Mr.. North thought we'd
better come"
Still no word from Mr.. North.
ave seen Deacon Grove come up from
the steamboat" announced Mrs. North. " He
sai." here she turned heavily toward her daughter
THAT he'd jest seen you, Kate"
He has, said Kate.
"He said continued Mrs North, as II The
rirl had not spoken, that you was preposterous,
Kate. Now, was you?'
At this stage in the dialogue Coburn North
could not suppress sroau. Mrs LANDAU put
her handkerchief to her lips She kept her eyes
on her sisters face.
"Was youp" insisted Mrs North.
81 really don't know now answered Katharine.
"You know what the Bible says about husbands
and wives, Kate"
"Yes; maam,' answered Kate. with the old
demeanor of respect
Mira. LANDAU took her handkerchief from her
mouth.
Roxy" she said, don't 60 on talking that
STUFF. What did you come here for? You GER
tainly have no more control over Kate. II she
chooses to ask Mr.. Groves consent concerning
any subject she may. But you nor have moth
ing TO do in the matter. Do you see that?
wrote 10 you as mere foim 1t would DC
pleasanter TO have your consent. But we can do
without IT, Kate is going with me. Shall we
talk about something else now? Did you have u
pleasant trip down."
Mrs North turned to her husbarJl
"Colburn,n she said, Il told yout my sister
was jest the same
And you, Roxy, arc much the same, 10
sponded Mrs Landaf with more bitterness in
her voice than her niece had believed could be
there
"Oh. Roxy doesn't change suddenly asserted
Mr.. North.
II thought we'd come down" again remarked
Mrs. North, specially when we got the telc-
gram. ~ l thought we'd give our daughter
one more chance to see the right path-l wanted
my conscience clear"
Mr.. North now looked full at Mrs LANDAU
She wanted Tier conscience clear" he repeated
Then he burst out into boisterous laugh.
Katharine suddenly walked across the room to
his side She put her hand within his arm and
hung upon il.
Her mother glanced at her Mrs North did
not approve of being what she called lection
ate"
cbo Gaia th,< folks had something better 10