New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-28
KATHARINE NORTH.
A CHANCE FOR 'GUSTY.
Copyright; 1892; BY the Tribune Assoefatton.

celtic. as Mrs. LANDAU first saw her slowly ap-
preaching through the thick rain. II seemed
to rain all the time now.
Katharine smiled at sight Of her aunt
Il thought Mrs. Marble was going to have
turn she remarked, and as Cap'n Marble
thought so, too. / was sure l should be happier
somewhere else. But | almost think she doesn't
really have turns, and that the Cap'n wants us
to think she has them. What is your opinion,
Aunt Kate?''
She turned and put herself In step with her
companion, who replied, carelessly:
"Oh, / don't know, I'm sure"
Katharine had spoken naturally that Mrs.
LANDAU felt almost aagrieved that she could not
guess with more accuracy at her feelings
And Mrs. Landaff's mind now full of
the thoughts suggested by the telegram sho had
just received. She was woman who acted much
upon impulse She would say that she was just
as likely to do the right thing on the spur
of the moment after she had spent hours
in consideration. Now she drew the bit of paper
from beneath her cloak and extended it.
Let rcioce!" she said gayly THAT
nal marriage will soon be not even nominal
II the Deacon dies you arc free; and If he gets
well you are free"
She waited a moment TO let Katharine take in
the meaning of the words her father had sent
The girl lifted her face slowly.
If that man gets what they call bill,
shall be divorced wife, suppose" she said
"Certainly-in the eyes Of the law. But the
main point would be that you would then be as
free as If you had never been Mrs. Grove"
Katharine said nothing for a time, while the
two walked the drenched roads.
well ?' exclaimed Mrs LANDAU a little i'm
patiently.
"Oh," returned Katharine with somewhat
desolate face, Il have nothing to say Only /
always thought divorced woman was o dis
graced creature"
She shuddered
Nonsense ?" responded Mrs. LANDAU you've
got that idea from your mother. 1t all depends
this affair." now-it is inexpressibly unfortunate,
but there's not a shadow of disgrace about it,
Here she glanced at the girl; she could not
see her face. But she felt some sort of antac-
onism, she knew not what it was. And this feel
ing angered her.
Katharine" she said. haven't you any sense.
any discrimination ?''
1T always seemed like a disgrace" said Kath-
arne again.
She was looking forlornly ahead into the
thick rain
Mrs. LANDAU made murmur Of indienation
She thought Of Roxy. Could it. after all. be
possible that Roxy had transmitted any of her
traits TO her daughter? But if it were 50,
would it not be naturalp
DO you mean," began Mrs. LANDAU. that
You would try not to be divorced?'
"Oh. no. I want TO be. want TO be free
Only was wondering If / would ever feel free in
my mind again, just if that had never hap
pened.'
The woman laughed in a relieved manner
"Oh. you ignorant ch&d.' she exclaimed.
how little you know of the power of youth and of
the years.
She wondered If Katharine would not volunteer
some word about LANDAU. She waited for her
TO do so. But no word was spoken.
In the little front entry Of Capn Marbles
house, where the two took off their rain cloaks.
Mrs. Lnndar said in her 0entlest way:
MY dear. don't criticise good fortune. And
don't drive away happiness If happiness ever
comes 10 your door"
She had put her arm over the girls shoulders
as she spoke.
Katharine did not look up. There was a slight
CULVER of her frame beneath her aunts touch
"You have been such happiness TO Inc, Aunt
Kate she said in unsteady voice.
That's lovely thing to tell me-" the
response. II hope you'll always think so'
The girl turned away with abruptneS
and hurried up the stains to her own room.
She sat by the window and gazcd absently at
The smooth gray Of the dripping heavens. And
as she gazed. the clouds parted suddenly, and
rolled away, leaving a dazzling space Of blue
wherein the sun quickly shone with binding
splendor
As if mpelcd by some power from the sun
itself the girl rose. She flung open the window
and leaned out as il to greet beloved friend.
She felt as II she had never before been so
thankful for the sunlight. She almost believed
in il as in an omen Of good.
There was step on the grass below. Mechanf-
cally she turned her eyes in the direction OF the
sound.
LANDAU looked up with barred head
II thought YOU were OUT he said with eager
ouickness "See how it is clearing. The ocean
is magnificent Won't you come down and look
at it?"
Katharine did not reply Immediately. Then
she said:
"Yes, will come"
moment later she had Joined the young man
and they were walking down the steps TO the
beach below.
Perhars Katharine did not think how he must
interpret her acccding to his reQucs. after what
he had said on the sail boat Or il she did
think. she was willing that her action should
be so interpreted
She walked on without seeming to be aware
Of Llandan's presence. But she was evidently
possessed by some thought. so that she was per-
fectly removed from self-cOnsciousness
Her companion walked silently after the
first he had hardly dared to glance at her. Inc
JOY he had experienced because she had consented
to join him for some reason quickly left him. IL
appeared that she was long way from him.
1t occurred to him that at the Arst opportqni.y'
as soon as he felt himself allowed to speak, ne
must explain that lie was no longer engaged 70
Miss Wyckham.
lie wondered If she were thinking OF tha' en-
Ragement. and was believing him to I've dishonor-