Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-08-20


me so, Mr.. Gordon. She declares that
.he must marry fortu e. What is the
nIlttsr?"
| had started up with an involuntary
exclamation which I could not repre- IS.
D,A the girl know-or Care-that she
WIS driving me mad? And just ut that
Instant, with broken wall, the mu-i
lied into silence. arose to my feet,
"Pardon me, Miss Champion, br >an,
triring hard to be calm and courteous.
4 have Miss Hathaway's orchids and
must return them to her. Orchids are
90 valuable to be lightly thrown away.
Miss Clara bowed, but thore was a loot
If displeasure upon her thin face.
made my way slowly from the SO
,luded niche back to the baIl-rnom &c
Kitty Hathaway's side. laid the orchids
IN her hand.
"They are too valuable to lose, sug.
gcsted.
"They are hdeous!" she cried, tossin;
them upon a table. II never could IN
derstand the beauty Of an orchid any
more than can appreciate the beauty of
a mushroom. But Mr.. Granger sent
them, and T.
/ bowed.
81 understand. He is the last favored
suitor, | cut in, harshly.
Kitty lifted her eyes to my face again
with that same indignant glance, but
full of pathos too.
"Will you get my cloak" she asked
softly-"and please find mamma.
think shall go home"
With secret satisfaction obeyed her
and when the carriage had driven away
| went back to bid the hostess good night
and took my departure also.
had made up my mind to ask Kitty
Hathaway to be my wife. I loved her.
Good heavens! of what had l been think
ing all these months, not to have found
out the truth before?
l rang the bell at the pretty little home
OF the Hathaways the next evening
Kitty and her mother lived in retired
street, in neat cottage which, with
small income, constituted their entire
wealth.
She came into the cosy parlor where ]
awaited her. She was all in black. and
ner face was very pale. l arose and tooS
her hand in mine at once lwould make
no prelude or preparation, but would 60
directly to the point.
Kitty" I whispered, II have cons
to ask you to be my wife. I think have
always loved you. Kitty, Kitty, what's
your answer?"
The sweet, pale face dropped
II am sorry, she murmured family
but II can not" All my pride was up
in arms in a moment.
You refuse me, then 2" | cried bit
terly. And oh, how love you, Kitty!'
She was trembling like a leaf, but she
turned away with calm composure.
snatched up my hat and turned to tho
door, angry, hurt. my pride stung.
"Good by!" cried wildly. Il hope
may never see you again You are a
fiirt and not worthy good mans love!"
and l dashed out of the house like
madman, and went home to my own
rooms and locked myself in, alone with
my dreary thoughts.
The next day | started on a journey,
deciding to make tour of the far West
visit California; Colorado and explore
the Rocky Mountains. Time passed ant
| found myself so occupied and inter
ested with the strange sights and ne"
scenes whittier my unquiet spirit led ms
that the wound in my heart began to
heal. In the meantime had kept up
correspondence with Clara Champion.
How | had drifted into it can hardly
say, but found her pleasant, chatty
writer, and was glad to receive her let
laI ronIio1 To Iopcr In
when news connected with some rea
estate of mine at home made me de-
eide to return, and l started upon the
very next train for the East.
found my mother well, and having
attended to my business, turned my step
in the direction of the Champion man.
sion. / rang the bell and Was ushered
into a small reception-roonl, which wa.
separated from Miss Clara's boudoir by
heavy azure velvet portieres. l seated
myself to await Miss Caras coming. J
new and unframed, and having shown
me into the reception-room, straitway
forgot to announce my arrival to the
ladies. And sitting there, my presence
unsuspected, heard these words:
"Mamma 1T was Clara Champions
voice" do you think that he will ever
propose? Alan Gordon, l mean, OF
course Whom else have been ang
ling for ever since that night when
told him that Kit Hathaway had de-
termined to marry fortune? And then
you know, made Kit believe that h.
had told me-didn't ever tell you abou!
it?-that he would never marry gin
without a fortune, and, above all, a gir
who loves to fiirt. In short, | made heI
believe that he was only amusing him
self with her, and Kit is horribly proud,
you know, 80 that accounts for Gordon
going away so suddenly. | am deter
mined to be Mrs. Alan Gordon myself
for he is worth half a million or more.
started to my feet in utter cousterna
ton, and then the strangest thing oc
Cured. Out from the embrasure of the
long window at the other end of tbs
room, where she had sat hidden from
my view by the heavy window curtains
came Kitty Hathaway. She had ais.
been victim to the blundering servant
and we two Gagged there together has
heard our own story with all the wrong
set right.
| put out both hands with a swift
glance towards the portieres-a glance
which Kitty interpreted to mean silence
She laid her white hands in mine, and
without Il word / stopped and kissed her
At that very moment Miss Clara swept