New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-07
KATHARINE NORTH.
XVII.
LIANDAFF AND MISS wYCKHAM.

face grew TO have rested LOOK upon II, While
the younger countensnce at times wore an almost
glorifed expression.
On that remote Maine coast the existence OF
Marcellus Grove somewhere in Massachusetts was
merely the existence of myth. Katharine did
not write home. She knew that her father and
mother were ignorant as to where ale was. She
was content in the assurance her aunt gave her
that Mr.. North only wished to be certain Of hear
ing in case there was anything he ought to know.
lie preferred to be Ignorant he felt that ignor-
lnoe Was his best armor.
Now for once. Katharine lived ideal days. She
vas free. The only eyes belonging to her which
looked upon her were eyes of love and approval
Mre LANDAU sauntered about with her or sat
for hours silently on the shore.
Many times the girl would turn slowly toward
her companion, glance up at her, then turn away
without speaking Or she would reach forth and
take the wOmans hand for a moment and say
Aunt Kate, this is freedom, isn't it? am
free to be myself"
Mrs. LANDAU would smile and respond
Little girl, are you happy"
"Oh, yes"
THAT is right. 1t isn't wicked in the least
10 be happy"
I'm so glad to know that"
Kate said Mrs Llandaf 81 don't believe
in being miserable When happiness comes your
way, seize it, make much of IT, What else is
there? or what else are you sure"
Katharine gazcd intently up OF the sky, for
at this moment she was lying on the sand All
at once she sat erect
Aunt Kate" she said, almost sharply, 81 but to
be right TO have the right on your side surely
we must give up happiness for that
The other smiled she answered, easily:
RI
into happiness that is wrong Don't full into
any detestable habit Of determination. Just
live. What else are we here for? Just live,
tell you" Mrs LANDAU began to speak more
earnestly, and her mere vice had peculiarly
convincing power with any listener, and par
ticulsrly with one so drawn TO her as this girl
already was.
Kate, you are not having any doubts about the
right or wrong of your leaving that man.
mo No Not doubt" strongly. 81 was
only thinking that was almost afraid 1t must
he wicked some way TO be happy like this" Gaz-
ing up at her aunt
Let me take the responsibility" was the re-
ioinder THAT was horrible way-that way Of
intoxicating perpetual restraint, constant snub-
bling of yourself There's nothing depressing
as it is to fall into the habit of snubbing your
self Others will do that for YOU all that it neces-
Tive NOurSeI1 10 yOTSucu WIFI dDuHuoh'
Good heavens As long as You are not evil, why
prunc, and bend. and twist this or that inclnn-
ton? And I'm tired of this fancy that we are so
evil that discipline is the business Of life There
was time when experienced religion and thought
that I was a vile worm Of the earth But I've
outlivcd all that. ] don't think now I'm the
least BIT of worm believe in enjoyment
Mrs Ilandaff had not survived her earncstneSs
She had raised herself to a sitting position Now
she sank back again the sand. She laughed
as she added
81 know q man who was often quoting that
cynical saying, BE good and you'll be happy, but
yor won't have a good time
"Oh," exclaimed Katharine. that is dreadful.
You don't believe that, do YOU, Aunt Kate p
But Mrs. LANDAU had finished her talk for the
time She only said languidly:
Its not Of the slightest consequence what we
believe"
Then she closed her eyes and Katharinc's mind
drifted in some indefinable way as it had never
drifted before.
So the days went on in languid, utter idleness.
when / rest, rest" Mrs. LANDAU said "You
must know" with that good-natured, satircal
smile she sometimes used, that the drain upon
great public speaker is very severe. How can |
charm the multitude if do not recuperate thor
oughEP'
Katharine listened and lived in the atmosphere
Of this woman Sometimes involuntary, half
formed, but searching questions came into the
sirls mind Then she would fix her eyes on
Mrs Llandaff's face But she found no answer.
That attractive, refined countenance vouchsafed
nothing at such times Once. at the hotel. Knth-
arine had heard some one say in speaking Of Mrs.
Ilsndsf. "She looks as il she had enjoyed great
deal"
That remark had unreasonably startled the
girl. She used to refer 70 it in her own mind.
She had heard it said of this one or that, "She
looks as II she had suffered great deal" That
did not seem strange. That was natural
For an impossible nature, the mere living with
a certain kind of a person tends to take away re-
sisting power. OF" course Katharine could not
know that she could not suspect II.
The hours glided into each other in the most
charming way Every night when Katharine put
her head on the pillow she told herself ioyously,
Tomorrow will be another day"
Mrs LANDAU had many moments az contcm-
plating the girl with tender, lingering eyes. Then
she would frown and think
What q hard-hearted wretch Roxy is Is not
nv philosophy better than hers?'
Al Nantasket. LANDAU continued TO boat and
to drive and ride, and to play lawn tennis. and
to stro with Miss Wyckham.
Miss Wyckham often asserted tnst Nan'asKeo
was really vulgar, that the best people never
dreamed Of coming there. STILL she kept on stay
ing
LANDAU in those days quite admired himself
He was sure that not by 90 much as the fut'erlng
of cyelash did he give sign Of how deadly urea
he was lie used to look at his companion ana
imagine how he should be when he had lived win
her five, ten, twenty years.
He had asked her TO marry him because ms
Judgment had approved lie almost Thought
now that if he had another life to live in this
world, he would never perform single act be-