The record-union., 1893-06-24


Her night was spent in tears for her
blghted life, and prayers for strength
and endurance TO carry out her father S
wishes and make him happy.
But Reiba, the cottage maid, in her
little room-God bless her-was thinking
how she could prevent such a sorrow
coming to Kathie, and wondering how
she could soften the blow for the Earl.
Her brown eyes were still open wide
! when she was startled by a low moan
which came from her nurses room. On
reaching the bedside she found the nurse
In a swoon. About daylight she had be-
| come conscious and told Reiba of heart
affection which had troubled her for sew
eral years.
81 shall not live long now, Reiba, but
before | die there is confession which
must leave In your hands,"
From her neck she drew a narrow
black cord, to which was attached a small
key. This she placed in Reiba's hands,
saying:
This will unlock the small tin box
which has always sat on the shelf by the
old clock. In it you will find the papers
and letters concerning your mother S
marriage and your birth, telling you
what you will be surprised to learn, that
you are the only child of George-Earl
OF CraytOn-and Miss Reiba Forsyth.
Therefore you are the heiress Of the
Crayton estates and should occupy the
| position katherine now fills"
Mrs. Lotion paused from exhaustion, 4,
and Reiba closed her hand tightly over
her mouth to keep back the moan which
arose to her lips. Was she dreaming?
Could 1t really be? That she-she- Rel ba
was the heiress of the Crayton estates?
She started for the little tin box in an
agony OF 1mpatlence, but a groan from
the bed brought her to herself and duty.
For three days and nights, assisted by
Katherine, she was a faithful watcher by
the bedside of the sufferer-then the quiet
little soul passed 10 rest.
All, the agony of those hours. Longing
to see If the nurses words were true, yet
knowing in her heart they were true,
she went about with katherine in a sort
OF daZe. At length the last sad rites were
over, and Reiba was at liberty to search
the tin box and to look her position
squarely in the face. She was to go TO
kathte on the morrow until such @ time
as she could made arrangements for her
future.
With fingers which trembled and heart
beating almost to suffocation, she opened
the little tin box and took therefrom let
ters and papers which had been placed
there years before. Reverently she
opened them and read of her mother s
love, her marriage and finally of her own
birth. There was the certificate of mar
riage between George, Earl of Crayton,
and Miss Reiba Forsyth, and on the back
the date of her birth. There could be no
doubt. She was really Katherine's
cousin. She could really claim her love
and the love of her Uncle Will. But stop!
She buried her face in her hands and
thought and thought, and when she
raised her head she thought it all ont,
and an old, careworn look had stolen
into her face. Il will wait until to- NOR
row and then | shall be better able to de-
eide" she thought, and she was right in
so doing.
That night in Kathie's room they
spoke Of Phillip Bfompton, and with a
bitter cry kathie buried her face in her
hands and sobbed aloud:
How shall L bear it, Reiba? How
shall | bear all my life apart from my
love? l shall be brave, Reiba; but in the
end l shall surely die. | have tried so
hard to conquer my repugnance to this
marriage with another, but I cannot but
think l shall just die in a short time"
Reiba smothered her own grief and
pain, and comfOrted Kathie as well as
such grief could be comforted. She
would tell the Earl before telling Kathie
of her intention. Tomorrow Leon and
his father would be there and then they
should know all.
Through the long, weary night Kathie
tossed on her bed, never resting until
day streamed through the window. Then
haustion. Leaving her asleep Reiba
slipped from her bed and dressing her
self in some soft clinging material went
down stairs.
At 10 o'clock Leon and his father ar
rived, and Reiba stealing softly up stairs
found Kathie resting and this time qui-
city. Kissing her gently she left her
again.
Now is my time" she thought, and.
with a pale face and beating hearty she
walked into the study where the gentle
men were seated.
Leon was strolling about the room
whistling strangely out of tune, Reiba
thought. Sir Leon and the Earl were
trying to keep up a conversation, but ev-
identity expected the girls in any mo-
ment, as they looked up with one accord
as she entered and asked, with their eyes,
''Where Is Katherine?"
''Kathie did not rest at all last night,
Sir William, and is now resting quiz
: city,"
The Earl looked anxiously and Leon
inquiringly at Reiba who went on:
And | thought l would let her rest a
few hours, particularly as l have an i'm
portant communication to make, which
it is necessary she should not hear. ;"
They all looked anxiously at the cot
tage maid.
Reiba folded her hands, one over the
other, to give her support; thought of
her first day In that room, and related
her story. Bravely she maintained her
composure until she told of the parting of
the lovers, Phillips loyalty to Kathe-
rine and kathie's determination to do as
her father wished. II may be wrong in
telling you this, but could not see Kathie
killing herself i'll this manner, and do
nothing to make her happier. Sir Will
lam, you will not force her to a marriage
which must be hateful TO her. despite the
| ~ oh a hnaru si,a i
marry; and you,' turning to Leon,
would forever rue the day you took q
bride who loved another. If | have
grieved you, believe me, twas for your
own sake and the love bear Kathie"
There were no tears in her eyes, but in
her voice, and the beautiful speaking
windows of her soul were misty with
pain and sorrow.
Sir Leon looked grieved and disappoint-
ed; Leon himself relieved, but the Earl' S
face was pale from grief and rage. "It is
WELL" he said, in stern, angry tones.
that my daughter has a fortune; for
never would give my consent to her
marriage with man penniless and
nameless, no matter how worthy or how
much they loved.'
Then Reiba knew how much the Earl
wished for Katherine's marriage with
Leon, and she knew also that she had
done no good by breaking her promise to
tates and name for Kathie's sake. She
must always remain Reiba the Cottage
Maid.
The Earl took her hand, and there was
no unkindness toward her in his face.
She clasped his hand in both her own
and held it fast. 81 have one more speech
TO make, and that is 70 ask favor. DO
not tell Kathie of the change, but write
with your own hand the letter which
Will bring her lover. Let his coming be
a surprise TO her; let the arrangements