New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-21
KATHARINE NORTH.
crsrY ALLOWS MIR. GROVE TO BE SEEN

Katharine. standing there beneath her aunts
scrutiny at first found it impossible to reply,
and she felt that she could hardly bear that
scrutiny.
II was not Of much satisfaction for her to
think that. whatever happened, she was not blame
worthy.
What was said on board that boat?" re-
peated Mrs LANDAU with asperity.
Katharine moved suddenly and sat down upon
the nearest chair.
She was not thinking Of prevaricating in the
least. She was only wishing she had strength to
reply.
Mn. LANDAU was under the dominion of an
anxiety so keen that it made her seem harsh
She waited now in silence
Katharine turned slowly toward her. She
bent forward as if the words she was about to
say were a weight upon her.
Mr. LANDAU" she began-she pressed one
hand over her eyes; she finished the sentence
rapidly" told me that he loved me Of course he
WAS mistaken"
Good heavens!" exclaimed Mrs. LANDAU, and
she added with subdued violence, land / trusted
him.
Katharine made no response She sat still.
with her hand over her eyes.
The woman walked up and down the room a
few times. 1t was extremely disagreeabe to be
made uncomfortable, and to be made uncomfortable
where her affections were so enlisted was worse
still She could not, in this case, throw off the
feeling
At first she was so angry with Owen that she
could not allow herself to speak.
She had been right in those necting suspicious
which had come to her. Such intuitions were
never false. Why had she forgotten them?
What was Owen thinking aboutP Owen!
He must have come down here deliberately.
She remembered his face that first day. She ought
not to have forgotten that either But what could
she have donep What could she do now?
At this last question she stopped in front OF
the girl. who was sitting there in the same atti-
tude she had taken few moments ago.
Katharine, she said, now speaking gently.
ayes Aunt Kate"
But Mrs Landaff found that she could not ask
her the question that had been in her mind In
stead she hesitated, and finally said
go to your room now. We are both tired.
We can see things more clearly after h'tle.
Owen must have been insane"
She kissed Kate, and she generously Renamed
nom looking at her
But when the girl had left her. Mrs. LlandaH
resumed the water proof cloak which she had
thrown from her on her arrival, and went quickly
down the stairs again. Her soul was in arms TO
protect that girl. And she was furious against
her stepeon. She met him on the cllh pain Us
she had expected to do.
The rain was still falling, but she did not care
for that She took his arm and turned MN
round away from the house. then walked rapioy'
keeping her hold upon him.
Il could not see you there withou' haVihs
Cann Marble open the door a half-dozen tunes
And must see you"
LANDAU bowed, and tried to walk as fast as
his companion ,-
The warm rain was driving mildly in their
faces Il was quite dark and the path was I'M
syen. Mrs LANDAU was obliged to slacken her
mace. She was indignant that at such umc
IA thi. she should feel almost irresistible IN
clination TO weep. She wanted to lean aeaihs'
the Young mans shoulder and cry
She could not tell why her anger had gone.
And her anger had made her feel strong.
"Owen," she said finally. II am 80 disappointed
in you
al knew there was something" she went on
sand T made Katharine tell me what you said
7 made her do it, She barely told me O"en
do YOU forget Miss Wyckham p
II find Pm forgetting her with great deal
Of ease"
But thought you were gentleman.
LANDAU could not restrain slight movement
Mrs. LANDAU dropped his arm and walked De-
side him, still combating that inclination to cry
She was telling herself that she was getting I'M
beetle, since anything should effect her ike 'nis
She became aware that the young man, as well
as she. was under the influence Of strong emo
ton. .
He turned to her and took her hand, placing II
again within his arm
"Do Won think he asked quickly, that
man oupht to keep on with engagement TO
onc woman when he finds he loves another
woman? Answer yes or no!
"No."
at agree with you. I was worse than looi'
I was something Of knave, when asked MISS
Wyckham to marry me. Because knew aion
love her. But liked her, and thought would
marry And / didn't love any one else But
now"
LANDAU paused and unconsciously pressed the
hand on his arm more closely to hin.
Surely you will sympathize with me- ne
continued AT 1 never saw Miss Nor'n again
II she died tonight, | couldn't hold to an en-
gagcment with Miss Wyckham' my eseo orc
opened And I've told her I made mistake.
II was not a pleasant quarter Of an hour you may
believe But wouldn't willingly see Miss Norm
again until l was free man j.
LANDAU suddenly paused In his walk, and IN
the dusk turned fully toward Mrs. Llanoa"' ~
VA NOT "a dark that she could not see the glow
on his face.
aDo Won mean that the engagement Is brokenY"
"Yes."
Mrs. LANDAU restrained tie trenor that threat
ened to seize her.
And this is not within, fancy Up she asked.
a within / tell you IL is love.
LANDAU spoke with sternrtess.
His companion groaned.
"Oh. of course you think it's love. she ssid'
He made no answer 10 this remark
They went on in silence. Their feet splashco
in fho rnan for