New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-04

mere were no tedrS In NatndTlncS eyes, Dut
Mrs. LANDAU could not speak for a moment.
That young voice with its searching pathos, had
filled her eyes and half-choked her, and she was
conscious Of strong fear that she was about to
come upon something in the girls character which
| would not yield to her influence easily as she
had beer able to influence her in many Ways
"Of course" said Katharine, 81 sha'nt be
happy, but long to get so shall be hardened"
She smiled as she continued, II think it is
| hardened that I need to be- don't want TO
feel life So intensely Since can't be happy,
should like not to feel things much
"But you shall be happy" Mrs LANDAU had
| found her voice, and now spoke with confidence.
| And have you no mercy upon Owen? DO you
| forget himp"
Il remember him" answered the girl.
"What do you mean, thenp What are you
intending You will soon he free. Are you
| going to act upon senseless wbim? Kate, you
brighten me-"
II hope / shall he free. But don't think
| divorced women ought to marry again. 1t is
| revolving, somehow.
| Mrs LANDAU actually stamped her foot on
| the sand.
Divorced women" she cried in n fury.
Katharine, 1 have patience with you. You
need 10 be whipped.
| Then she stopped and tried 70 think what was
the most forciblc thing she could say and the more
she tried to think, the more helpless she felt She
could find no words that were strong enough. and
vet she was woman who ordinarily had plenty
of words at her command But she must speak in
some way
ing there.
Surely something must be done with her-some-
thing that would let some light in upon her mind
| nd ma l,o hor things they
But what should be done Katharine. from
what Mrs LANDAU called a very absurdty of
sitrveness and refinement, had come to this--this
atroclous conclusion was what the elder woman
called it-aud here was the pos N Of her upbring-
! ing working, and here was strain from her
mother. OF course, the girl SEEMED not much more
than child she was in effect scarcely more thac
one but before years and experience might bring
wisdom to her she might work irreparabe harm;
she might destroy her best hope OF happiness.
Mrs LANDAU inwardy ragged as these thoughts
came hurriedy to her. and at the same time she
knew herself powerless.
Making great struggle against her emotion
she calmly began to remark that her niece could
hardly be classed with the ordinary divorced wo-
man that the circumstances OF the case made tho
| whole affair very different; that
Aunt Kate" interrupted the girl L" do You
Il
mind hundreds of timcsp try not TO feel So
try not TO care az do. But it's all of no use.
I shall be that thing they call divorced woman,
| md Won know unde- the circumstances I want
70 be that since ii is the best thing there is left
for me to be- tell you. Aunt Kate with n
swift access of fury in her face and voice. ltS
n terrible thing TO think OF ones mother az
| think Of mine"
Mrs LANDAU waited before she spoke. Fl
| nally she asked:
| Are vor resolved, really resolved toto be 50
| silly as TO refuse 20 be Happy because OF what
has happencd?'
"Why. Aunt Kate l couldn't be happy
II deny that"
Katharnc's eyes were full OF pa%ioha'r long,
ing but she repeated:
VI tell You couldn't be happy
This repetition brought her sister so plainly
| before Mrs. LANDAU that she so far forgot her-
| sclf ne 10 raise her voice as she answered.
And tell YOU that you know nothing about
| H., Can't YOU take the word OF n woman :"
! much older than you and who knows what shc Is
| talking about?'
For answer Katharine male pucF move
ment and put her arms over her aunts neck az"
her head on her shoulder. Size pressed closely
AGAINST Mrs. LanGaf who hell her while TIE
girl sobbed heavily, as those sob whose agony
| takes hold OF the roots OF life. But they were
DRY sobs--tears did not relieve them.
| At last she whispered, II love him so, Aunt
Kate. and shall love him more and more 1"
does seem as II I conld not bear it.
! The arms frightened about her
| Mrs LANDAU said with kind Of hari reckless
ness:
"Perbaps Mr.. Grove will die As widow j
supnose YOU would not think it necessary to re.
iect consolation. Or do your scruplcs extend
even as far as that ~
The girls sobs ceased.
"Pease don't talk to me in that way she
whispered again.
| Then Mrs Llandaff's conscience Hnote her
"Oh. forgive me- she whispered back
Katharine chung fast about her aunt's neck
while she said brokenly:
IF you stop being kind to me what shall ]
do What shall do9'
81 shall never stop being kind 10 you Bnf
T do wish. Kate. that You had-wel shall! say
I wish you had little broader nina
| "But since haven't. what shall do =
Katharine lifted her head and tried 10 smile
Then she went on in desperate voice ion
| ..oLo .bout that mans dying | can't tell You
.,hv but have a reason, and it isn't notion
e,tber but I have q reason that will make me
| ,orv much troubled II Deacon Grove dies. That
Is II he dis now, of this illness
| Mrs. LANDAU almost gasped as she heard THIS
! "Katharine" she said are you IN your rgh'
mind?'
al don't know" ~
at know, then. II you 20 on like this shall
suspect YOU of incipient insanity
II can't explain about this" continued ha'ha-
rine not replying to her companions last re-
mark. 1T isn't pleasant TO want any one 70
die"
perhaps you will tell me that you Will Rr'eVs
%, Mr.. Grove II he should die ?
NO"