The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-01

valuable 20 be lightly thrown away
Miss Clara bowed, but there was . look
Of displeasure upon her thin face.
made my way slowly from the secluded
niche back to tho ballroom TO Kitty
Hathawry's side. ! laid the orchids IN
her hand.
"They are too valuable to iose," sug-
gested.
"They are hideousi" she cried, tossing
them upon table near. al never could
understand the beauty OF an orchid any
more than can appreciate the beauty OF
. mushroom. But Mr.. Granger sent
them, and ~
bowed.
az 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.
"wnl you get my cloakf" she asked
softly" and please find mamma. think
shall go home"
With secret satisfaction / obeyed her,
and when the carriage had driven away 1
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. loved her.
7ood heavensl of what had been think
ng all these months, not to have found
,ut the truth before?
Irang the bell at the pretty little home
sf the Hathaways the next evening.
Kitty and her mother lived in retired
Itreet, in a neat cottage which, with
mall income, constituted their entire
wealth.
She came into the cosy parlor where
awaited her. She was all in black, ana
her face was very pale. arose and'tooK
her hand in mine at once. would make
no prelude or preparation, but would go
directly to the point.
kitty" whispered, 81 have come to
ask you to be my wife. think l have
always loved you. Kitty, Kitty, what Is
your answer"
The sweet, pale face drooped.
"I am sorry" she murmured family,
"but IL cannot" All my pride was up
in arms in moment.
You refuse me, then?' cried bitter
ly. "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 the
door, angry, hurt, my pride stung.
"Good- byl" cried wildly. 81 hope l
may never see you again! You are fiirt,
md not worth good mans Lowell" and /
iashed out of the house like madman,
md went home to my own rooms and
ocked myself in, alone with my dreary
thoughts.
The next day I started on a journey,
leciding to make tour of the far West
risit California, Colorado and explore the
1ocky Mountains. Time passed and
ound myself so occupied and interested
With the strange sights and the new
Genes whittier my unquiet spirit led me
hat the wound In my heart began to
zeal. In the meantime / had kept up a
correspondence with Clara Champion.
low had drifted into 1t can hardly
ny, but / found her a pleasant, chatty
Yriter, and was glad to receive her let
ers. had just replied to long epistle
yhen news connected with some real
state of mine at home made me decide to
'eturn, and started upon the very next
rain for the East.
found my mother well, and having at
tended to my business, turned my steps
the direction of the Champion mansion.
rang the bell and was ushered into
mall reception-room, which was sepa-
ated from Miss Clara's boudoir by heavy
azure velvet portieres. / seated myself to
lwait Miss Clara's coming. / learned
unframed, and having shown me into
the reception-room, straightway forgot
20 announce my arrival to the ladies.
And sitting there, my presence unsus-
oected, heard these words:
"Mamma vt was Clara Champions
soice-" do you think that he will ever
oropose2 Alan Gordon, ] mean, of course.
Whom else have been angling for ever
Jince that night when l told him that Kit
| hathaway had determined to marry a
fortune? And then, you know, / made
| Kit believe that he had told me-didn't
| ever tell you about 1t, mammaf-that he
would never marry girl without for
tune, and, above all, a girl who loves to
| fiirt. In short, / made her believe that
| he was only amusing himself with her
and Kit is horribly proud, you know, SO
| that accounts for Gordon going away so
| suddenly. / am determined to be Mrs
Alan Gordon myself, for he is worth half
| a million or more"
started to my feet in utter consterna-
| tion, and then the strangest thing oc-
| CURED. Out from the embrasure Of thu
| long window at the other end OF the
room, where she had sat hidden from my
| view by the heavy window curtains, came
| Kitty Hathaway. She had also been a
| victim to the blundering servant, and we
two Gagged there together had heard our
| own story with all the wrong set right.
Iput out both hands with swift glance
| towards the portieres-a glance which
Kitty interpreted to mean silence. She
laid her white hands in mine, and without
| a word stopped and kissed her.
At that very moment Miss Clara swept
aside the portieres, falling back with a
| stifled shrek ~ her eyes fell. upon the
| scene.
"Miss Kitty Is my promised wife, Miss
Champion" I said quietly, "and we thank
you from the bottom Of our hearts for
having set right the wrong that your own
hands have wrought"
Kitty has boon my dear wife for many
long day, but we will neither Of us ever
| forget the look of defeat, the horror, the
| CONSERVATION which rested upon Clara
L C~.xuoxnn,a foca Ruf ~ all hor nwp