New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-26
KATHARINE NORTH.
MIR. GROVE PROVES DIFFICULT.

her niece with one nanU, drew up tnc Snades 10
The two windows until the room was brilliant
with the morning light.
Then she turned again toward the girl and
looked at her.
Katharine met that gaze with gathering
sense of safety and comfort. She almost began
to wonder that she had been disturbed.
IL hope you'll forgive me, Aunt Kate" she
said hurriedly. Il know / could have endured
il. and shouldn't have changed my mind in the
least. Nothing can ever make me change my
mind But did dread it 40! And all at once IL
seemed rs though, If could get to you, perhaps
I shouldn't have to see him. ] do hope you'll
forgive me-" she repeated with increased earnest
ness
Mrs LANDAU was listening intently: and she
was watching the face before her no less intently.
She released the girls hand. She drew her
wool dressing gown closely about her and sat
down on q couch.
"Come and sit here by me- she said. Now, "
authoritatively, "tell me what it is you talk
ing about Your words Sound as if you had got
I'D in a dream and come here. But don't worry
about my forgiveness. 1t is delightful that you
sought me. i must tell you that have sent TO
your father asking that may take YOU with me.
You certainly shall not stay in that restaurant il
! have to abduct you with my own hands"
Katharine's eyes dilated sense Of great Joy
was taking the place of the feeling of comfort.
But this Joy, Of course, could not have any real
foundation. She was already learning to distrust
anything which wore the face of happiness.
Now she tried 10 be calm, and to say in an even
voice:
you ought to have sent to my mother"
Mrs Ilandaff smiled.
"Oh. I understood that wrote first to her.
But she isn't rapid in her movements. She may
be, even now, studying upon my letter. I'm not
accustomed TO wait It is almost time TO hear
from your father. Thank fortune. his mind can
act"
And should stay with you: should 60 with
you?"
As she asked this Katharine rose from her seat
beside her aunt and stood before her.
ayes"
81 should like that. That would be kind
of heaven, wouldn't it?"
Il hope So" responded the elder woman, to
whom earthly arrangements dill not now so readily
seem like heaven they had once done.
Here, with puzzling gesture and quick
movement. Katharine walked away to one of the
windows
Mrs LANDAU remained sitting. She watched
her niece, waiting for her to tell what she had
come to tell.
II was several moments before the girl spoke,
and wnen she did so she kept her face toward the
window.
II don't think it's Of any use, Aunt Kate"
"Why not?'
"You see there's something dreadful about
me-" with continued averted face.
Mrs. LANDAU was resolved not to treat the
matter seriously. She answered lightly
"Something contagious? Are you, perhaps,
coming down with the measles Never mind,
had the disease at the proper early age; and 80
did Owen So that is disposed off,
Katharine laughed slightly. She came back
and stood again before her companion.
"Its worse than that, Aunt Kate. It's some
thing you can't get over" She gave another
little laugh that was rather dreary; and then
added. But don't think it's catching
AT your age one should get over anything
Very likely you think you're in love. There u
nothing so probable in that case as complete re-
covery."
Its worse than that" again said the girl
Il suppose I'm married"
Mrs. LANDAU rose to her feet As she did sc
the girl shrank away from her.
"You poor child!' exclaimed Mrs. Lanlah In
her most penetrating voice. She asked immedi
ately, What make you suppose SOP ana she
could not help smiling now, although she was
getting anxious.
at doesn't seem as if It, could really be true. v
heoan the GIRL 81 think all the time that II
can't be possible. But it is. forgot 1t a httlf
since I've been at the shore. But Deacon Grove
came down here yesterday. lie wants TO see me
felt as il couldn't see him. But know must
Rut T shan't 20 with him. Nothing can make
me do that"
Her Young face hardened so that strange ant
faint and feeting resemblance to her mother wal
visible.
"Who is Deacon Grove?"
Mrs. LANDAU did not smile any more Still
she tried not to show the anxiety which wal
deepening in her mind.
The girl delivered the words clearly ant
slowly.
Mrs. LANDAU sat down now. She folded mel
hands. For the moment she hardly knew wha
70 think or say. She wondered greatly that any
Girl who could look so resolute as this girl hal
inst looked should have married unless she wer'
willing.
Since YOU feel this way perhaps the man cal
he persuaded TO get BILL When I was young
they used to talk in Feeding Hills about gettint
q bill I believe the thing can be done witt
greater facility now than ever
The woman spoke somewhat duly. She wa
irving to adjust her mind to this most unex
pected complication.
Grove" she said after a pause, There uset
Ia be n Young Nfarcellus Grove when l was
girl. He can't he the lie married yer.
early. too"
Il am his fourth wife"
Katharine made this statement as she had made
the Others.
Again Mrs LANDAU rose to her feet. Thi'
time she seized her niece by both shoulders. She
shook her slightly.
Now tell me the whole story!" she cried
sDid Roxy do this thing? Yes. am sure sh'
did,"
"Yes" said Katharine. 1t was mother. Bu
I-oh. Aunt Kate, do you know what will she
has? How it presses down on you and stif1e:
you, and you have TO do as she says' And
was 40 Young and father couldn't help me. In
I cLan alxs.as,a ho old nn,ay