Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-06-27
SELECTED STORIES.
MY ROMANCE.

ILL.," said I, abruptly and earnestly, a.
though the theme upon which I was about
b. dilate was a newly discovered truth,
whereas II was one that had caused me
many an hour OF unrest during the past
few months, ''it's downright shame that
I'VE are so poor"
Lii brushed the crumbs from the napkin
into her apron and thence to the floor and
t,ssively admitted that it was.
'lt is for your sake that abhor this eter-
pal warfare with poverty" l asserted in
IL Of magnanlrnity "You are such frail,
kelicate morsei Of humanity, who look as
though you might be waited away bodily
by an unusually energetic summer evening
lreeze. Now, as for myself. ! am different
~ constituted A Kansas cyclone couldn't
phase me. surfeit of hardships and a
Learth of lifes necessities agree with me-
] thrive and grow fat under such disheart-
enng circumstances. as my physical condi-
lion will attest But IL Is hard for you,
lear. Ifthat vacillating, ,weakminded young
scion of English nobility would only exer-
rise little common sense and marry you
and take you away beyond the confines of
this hot, stuffy atmosphere, he would win
my lasting gratitude and deliver you from
premature death"
Lills face flushed painfully.
Don't talk so, Katie" she said plead
Ingly. "Speak of Sir William with respect,
ut least"
II can't do It," responded, waxing yet
more indignant. Hes an idiot How you
can care anything for him is incompre-
hanciIl. 70 mo p ia nnffa f,la aff, TINT
you do ana II he had any eyes In his head
be would see 1t, too, and act upon that
knowledge. OF course he intends to ter
inmate this prolonged courtship some time
by matrimonial proposition, else why did
he follow us to America whom poor papa
brought us here on this wild goose chase,
end why has he stuck to US ever since like
leechi"
Lii vouchsafed no reply, and having ex-
pressed myself in terms sufficiently forci-
BILE to satisfy even my rsbellious spirit i
made preparations for pursuing my daily
vocation. The three Robinson girls were
unusually stupid In their music that morn
ing, and that, allied to previous sources OF
annoyance, served to reduce my mind to
condition of utter chaos, which was In no
wise abated by subsequent events
At the entrance to the park i met Sir
William.
Miss Kate" he said, smiling joyously as
he advanced toward me, IL am delighted to
meet you. I have been wanting to see you
alone for some time"
"Yesi" l answered coolly. Have you
spoken to Lii about IL YETI"
mo-" he said, looking at me curiously.
II have not. Why shouldIf What is 1t to
herr"
ut Is a matter of vast Importance to her,
! should judge considering that she Is the
individual upon whose happiness you have
designs" I retorted sharply.
He stared at me in blank surprise. "You
are mistaken" he said at length. 1T is
not your sister whose happiness contem-
plate destroying, but your own"
/, In turn, stared at him.
~lieS" exclaimed dumbly and ungram-
matically.
"You." be replied with equal obtuseness.
There WAS an injunction In our immedi-
ate vicinity warning US to keep off the
grass" but disregardipg the comma. we
trampled over the velvet sward and sat
down on bench near by. There was an
interval OF silence At last he spoke.
''Miss Kate" and his effeminate face
blushed deeply, II may as well out with 1t
at once Will you marry me-"
"No," said shortly, II won't"
he seemed greatly surprised by the an
ever. -
"Why n0ti" he calculated feebly
"There are several reasons" / replied.
''In the first place. do not like you. Then
we had always thought that you fancied
Lill. She cares for you. Why don't you
marry herr Besides" added, attempting
TO make him comprehend the uselessness of
his suit, II am already engaged"
II can't believe It," he exclaimed excit-
edly. II had never thought Of that l did
not know that you were acquainted with
many gentlemen. May ask who he isf"
s'Yes," answered In sheer desperation,
''it il my cousin, Lee Morton. We have
kept it secret, never having told even
Lill. He will be at our house tonight.
Come and meet him and be convinced"
He left me soon. and after q moments
planning | started ON another mission. A
half hour later stood before the door Of
Lee Mortons studio and sought admission.
Lee was our cousin several times removed.
He had visited US frequently after we came
to America and had, to a certain extent,
hispelled that feeling Of loneliness that al
ways clings round strangers in strange
land, but he had been very busy Of late, we
had heard, finishing a picture for the art
exhibition, and we had not seen him for
several months. There was wonderment
mingled with the cordiality of the welcome
he accorded me.
"What Is the trouble. Katep he asked
rravelv. noting my unwonted sxcitAmant