The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-12-29

my hands In hatred 8 I thought Of II.
and Ill the good In me died Tor the time
being. I turned and lied from the spot
into the house. I dropped : letter
had prepared for her, just where /
knew she could not help seeing It
Then rushed upstairs 10 my own
room. IS .:1-f. 49, SIS
Soon heard Kitty's step on the stair,
and knew the lie. ter had done it's
work. A moment she paused at my
door, then passed YEARLY on. I threw
myself down upon the bed, but could
not sleep. Whenever I closed my eyes
I could see Kitty's sweet face and re-
proachful eyes looking at me.
1t was almost dawn when I at last
fell into troubled sleep. I was
awakened by some one lightly tapping
at my door. Icalled: Come in Kitty
entered, holding in her hand that letter
SO fatal to her happiness. ....zs
!" Iris she began, did you see or
drop any paper in the parlor? l found
sheet Of paper there, and it puzzles
me greatly. l do not know what to
think about it. Read it, Iris, and tell
me what you think
II took the letter in my hand, then
bit my lips in vexation. L had forgotten
to place all the letter there. The most
important part was missing. But,
thought I, hastily casting. my eye over
the page before me, perhaps if I play
my cards well shall win yet. This is
what saw:
Dear Bess,' the letter began, I am still
here with the wealthy young lady am getting
along very nicely, indeed. Am engaged to her,
and will soon contrive plan to get some Of her
money. 1t seems almost too bad to fool her, for
she Is sweet little thing. But Bess, darling,
once get the money it will have to BE- good
by, Kitty: will soon be back to you. Until
then be-
'That was all. I could see by the
white face of Kitty that no more was
needed. The wretch said, pretend
ing to be very angry, but still not dar-
ing to lift my guilty eyes to Kitty's in
nocent face. L would let him know l
did not care by breaking the engage
ment with him.
But began Kitty. itmay be Harry
did not write it. I will not believe it.
There must be some mistake. Harry
could not be such a wretchp
| "Tears filed her eyes. and she fell
sobbing upon the bed. 1 tried to com
fort her, knowing only too we'll how
true Harry was, although pretending
he was, indeed, brute.
"At last her violent sobs ceased and
she sat up and dried her tears.
"'Come, Kitty DEAR said 1, you
must hurry and prepare yourself for
your journey. It is almost time to
start now, and you are not ready at all.
Do not think any more about Harry,
but 60 now and get ready
! II cannot stir a step, Iris said Kit
ty, very decidedly, until have seen
Harry and had an explanation from
him.
Here, indeed, was difficulty. II
she saw Harry she would soon find out
it was all fraud. So, after thinking
moment, told her TO write q note
and would carry it to him; of course
he would never see it, and it could do
no harm, only serve to blind her still
more. Soon she had finished the letter
and started slowly away to her room,
while I turned my steps toward the
cool and shady woods, to loiter away
the time until I could return to the
! house.
''Oh, that I might have been struck
dead before had retraced my steps!
but in. short time went slowly back,
thinking what could tell Kitty when
she asked me about Harry.
'Presently she came down, dressed
as usual, in pure white, and looking so
pure and beautiful that could hardly
find it in my heart to tell her the cruel
lie, which knew would destroy her
peace and happiness for many long
day. But I turned my guilty face
away and went on, unfeelingly, to tell
her it was impossible for Harry to see
her that morning, as he had some very
important business to attend to, but he
| sent his best regards and wished her a
pleasant journey. Then hesitated, as
if l had something more to say. yet
dreaded to proceed.
60 on, iris commanded Kitty,
with paling face and flashing eyes, tell
me all
"'Well,' l continued, it is a hard
message to carry, yet it is best that you
should know, cruel as it may seem.
Kitty Il tried to make my voice trem-
BILE as if trying to suppress my feel.
ings) he requested me to tell you he
did not think best for you to correspond
while you were away. 1t was so short
time it seemed very foolish. Do you
hate me for carrying so cruel message,
Kitty darling?' asked.
"'No, indeed she slowly faltered;
you are not to blame, Iris. You would
do anything in your power to help me,
| would you not, dear?'
"'Ah! those trusting words, how they
cut to the very soul!
"A moment she stood irresolute, then
kissed US all good-by, and descended to
the waiting carriage. AS the turn in the
road hid her from view, I rushed up
stairs to my own room, closed and
locked the door. Seating myself, l
Il 4: NJ