Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-26
are too valuable to Be lightly thrown

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away"
Miss Clara bowed, but there was .
look Of displeasure upon her thin face.
made my way slowly from the Sc
cluded niche back to the ballroom, to
Kitty Hathaway's side laid the
orchids in her hand.
sThey are too valuable to lose. sug-
gested
"They are hideousl" she cried, tossing
them upon table near. Il never could
understand the beauty Of an orchid any
more than can appreciate the beauty
of mushroom. But Mr.. Granger sent
them, and p
l bowed.
"I 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.
"Will you get my cloak?" she asked
softly-"and please find mamma. l
think shall go home."
With secret satisfaction obeyed her,
and when the carriage had driven away
l 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.
Good heavens! of what had l been think
ing all these months. not to have found
out the truth before?
rang the bell at the pretty little home
Of the Hathaways the next evening.
Kitty and her mother lived in retired
street, in a neat cottage which, with a
small income, constituted their entire
wealth.
She came into the cozy parlor where
awaited her. She was all in black, and
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. l think l
have always loved you. Kitty, Kitty,
what is your answer~
The sweet, pale face drooped.
'sI-I am sorry" she murmured faint
ly, ''but II cannot" All my pride
was up in arms in a moment
"You refuse me, then?" l cried Bit
terly. "And oh, how love you,
Kitty!'
She was trembling like leaf, but
she turned away with calm composure
snatched up my hat and turned to the
door, angry, hurt, my pride stung.
.'Goodbyw l cried wildly. 81 hope
may never see you again! You ase
firt and not worthy good mans
love!" and then / dashed out Of the
house like madman, and went home to
my own rooms and locked myself in.
alone with my dreary thoughts.
The next day / started on journey,
deciding to make tour of the far west
visit California, Colorado and explore
the Rocky mountains. Time passed and
/ found myself so occupied and interest
ed with the strange sights and the new
scenes whittier my unquiet spirit led
me that the wound in my heart began
to heal. In the meantime had kept up
a correspondence with Clara Champion.
How l had drifted into it can hardly
say, but found her a pleasant, chatty
writer, and was glad to receive her let
ters. Ihad just replied to long epistle,
when news connected with some real
estate of mine at home made me decide
to return, and l started upon the very
next train for the east.
found my mother well, and having
attended to my business turned my
steps in the direction of the Champion
mansion. rang the bell and was
ushered into small reception room,
which was separated from Miss Clara's
boudoir by heavy azure velvet portieres
| seated myself to await Miss Clara's
coming. learned afterward that the
servant was new and unframed, and
having shcwn me into the reception
room straightway forgot to announce
my arrival to the ladies. And sitting
there, my presence unsuspected, heard
these words:
"Mamma"-it was Clara Champions
voice-"do you think that he will ever
propose? Alan Gordon | mean of course
Whom else have been angling for ever
since that night when l told him that
Kit Hathaway had determined to marry
fortune? And then, you know, l made
Kit believe that he had told me-didn't
l ever tell you about it, mamma?-that
he would never marry girl without a
fortune, and above all girl who loves
to flirt. 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 go
ing away so suddenly. am determined
to be Mrs. Alan Gordon myself, for he
is worth half million or more"
l started to my feet in utter conster-.
nation, and then the strangest thing oc-
Cured. Out from the embrasure of the
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 victim to the laundering servant,
and we two Gagged there together had
heard our own story with all the wrong
set right.
l put out both hands with swift
glance toward the portieres-a glance
which Kitty interpreted to mean silence.
She laid her white hands in mine, and
without word l stopped and kissed
her.
At that very moment Miss Clara swept
aside the portieres, falling back with
stifed shrek as her eyes fell upon the
scene.
"Miss Kitty is my promised wife,
Miss Crampton," l said quietly, "and
we thank you from the bottom of our
hearts for having set right the wrong