Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1893-12-23

damask, washed ana ironed by her
own hands.
Come pet" she said. and coaxcd
her sister to the table, taking OIL her
bonnet, smoothing the soft golden
hair, kissing the pale brow, so fun
Of gloomy thought
kathleen took little coffee but ate
nothing She sat with her eyes fixed
on vacancy scarcely conscious of the
meal that had been spread for her
quite unconscious of Roses face watch
ing her
My dearest, il you don't eat if YOU
20 wandering about and fasting for
long hours you win be tit for moth
ing; You win drop down in the streets;
you viii be carried off TO Il hospital
Kathleen looked nj with a startled
expression
Yes. yes; YOU are right" she said
hurriedly, with a sudden agitation in
tone ANA manner III | become too
weak. ready to faint ut every turn,
l sF0u be useless-I can do nothing;
and ! have much to do Yes. dear,
viii take some of this nice bread and
butter. / want to be strong / am a
/ reed-a poor feeble reed; and | ought
to We made of iron"
only be reasonably careful of your
self, dear, and you viii soon be strong
again. Those long wanduingS and long
HASTINGS must kill you if you 20 on
with them. You ought to be careful
of yourself, Kathleen added Rose.
with tears in her eyeS-for there were
times when she felt as if IL We're but
a question of weeks and days how long
she might keep this idolized sister-"you
ought to be careful, for my sake and
Philips. We are both SO fond Of you
Yes" Kathleen answered in low
voice, "iNnd for his sake
She forced herself to eat, and did
tolcrable justice to the white sweet
bread and the fresh salad Her meals
in her own apartment were less luXuri-
Gus. A slice of dry bread, eaten stand
ing, handful of cherries and crust,
IA cup Of milk. She had boarded her
little stock of money ever since Gas
tons disappearance. She held it ready
for any expenditure that might help
her in her scheme of vengeance
II want TO be strong she said
quietly. when she had finished her
meal Il have got some employment
IA kind Of place, to which | shall
have TO 90 very early every morning"
Indeed" exclaimed Rose sitting at
work by the window, moving the era
die with her foot why did you do
that, dearY"
II hardly know" answered Kath-
leen with her eyes on the ground Il
I thought it would be better for me to
be employed"
But | don't think you are strong
enough for employment of any kind,
just yet dear" said Rose anXiously.
The idea seemed to her fraught with
peril, with madness even.
go, but | shall get stronger now
that have . motive a settled purpose
In life, Il task 10 perform You viii
see that shall do so, Rose, Have no
fear"
Her eyes frightened and flashed as
She spoke-a hectic fatal light Rose
thought
II hope whatever place You have
taken, that the work is very easy, said
the elder sister, after a pause.
30 yes, it Is easy enough-ycry easy;
in the open air mostly. You will see
that my health WI improve every day"
II shall be full of thankfulnesS II
1 see that; and if the employment adds
10 your happiness"
1T willw cried Kathleen eagerly.
1T will make me very happy if I sue
coed"
Dearest / never like to question
you about yourself" said Rose in a
pleading tone, for I know there are
heart-womds which should never be
/ touched, But should be so glad if
you would tell me frankly, fully, what
you are going to dOT'
II cannot, dear
Cannot! o Kathleen, is not that
hard between such sisters as you and
me"
IAN my life has been hard since the
I2lst Of May
And l am to be told nothing?'
I Nothing more than have told You
already / have taken upon myself
an ayocatlon which will oblige me to
90 out very early every morning: to be
out sometimes at dusk. / want you
TO understand this, and not to be I'M
easy when am away from home"
II cannot help being uneasy. l am
anxious about you every hour of the
day. Why cannot you stay mt home,
/ Kathleen, and let me take care Of you?
/ could get you work that you coulG
do in your own room; sheltered safe,
protected from the pollution Of tie
streets, from the hearing Of foul Ian
guage from brushing shoulders with
disreputahle people"
Il hear nothing; feel DO degradation.
think nothing, am conscious Of moth
ing, but my own business"
rs this business-respecttble-
worthy Of a good CatholicT
yes. it is respectable There is war
rant for It in the Scriptures"