The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-04-29
KATHERINE GRAY.

1t was pretty room, this cell 20, as
Katherine Gray called her parlor and
alcove suite in the Norman, Cedar
street, Blank CITY. Behind a gray
screen, slightly ajar, there were tiny
gas stove and singing kettle a hall
open door of cabinet revealed odd
pieces OF china and shining silver.
This is what the SIN shone upon
through the big east bay window New
Years morning-thls and Katherine
Gray at her breakfast table. The post
man had made his one round for the
day. Some business house had sent
her a calendar, and there was one
letter. This she was reading. She
made pretty picture as she sat thus.
With all the rest of the world she was
having holiday.
wish, she said-she had a fashion
of thinking aloud when alone-I wish
that this letter could have been delayed
until tomorrow. l don't like being so
disturbed on New Years day. There
is saying that as the first day goes SO
goes the whole year. Then she laugh
ed and looked very pretty when laugh,
ing. | wonder if Pm to have propo
sal OF marriage every day in the year
and feel as bad about every one as |
do about this
Then she rose and walked to the
mirror. The reflection was not un-
pleasant she smiled as she looked at
it. But she said: There's no use in
being flattered by the glass, Katherine !;
the fact remains that this is your birth
day and that you are "a years old to-
day. Here in my hand is an offer Of
marriage from an eminently worthy and
respectable man, who would take you
away from cell % and its kitcheny
parIor air and Sc. you in handsome
home, where you wouldn't have to
hide your head in a bureau drawer
bake and boil over dish, or eat bough,
ten pie-who would make lady of
leisure of you, and who, best of all, or
what ought to be best OF all, would love
you and be good to you. And yet,
she continued, you hesitate. With
little lines coming around your eyes
and mouth, with work work and weari
ness stretching out indefinitely before
you-you hesitate. l am surprised.
You don't show your usual business
sense, your Keen appreciation of a
good bargain.
Truly she was not insensible to the
material advantages that were offered
to her IN this letter from Mr.. Brown,
wholesale grocer and dealer in canned
goods.
As she sat thus, with her hands
clasped above her head, she thought !:
If it were not for that letter received
and answered 10 years ago today-the
first OF the year is fateful day to me
surely-I krow what my reply would
be to this one. If l could only forget,
but may as we'll start my life anew to
day as any time.
Then she went to her desk and took
dow the old calendar. You've had
your day, and you may as we'll 60 with
the rest. One nail drives out another.
Your successor is here with his ready
made wisdom. By the way, I'll see
what sort this is, she said. It's some
advertising scheme, no doubt, but it
may haye message for me, just the
same.
She read:
Be more afraid OF the companion
ship that enslaves than of the solitude
that leaves you free. Use the High.
flyer bicycle. Best in the world.
She read the quotation twice, smiling
as she did so, and hung the new calen.
dar IN its place.
At O'Clock she made a careful
street toilet and went out for hen
dinner. Determined not to dine alone
she invited little Joe, the newsboy, who
brought her morning paper and who
did small errands for her aud Other
occupants of the Norman, to 90 with
her.
To be sure, when she asked him /
he had been to dinner, he admitted
that he had been wild de gang TO dt
mission. But dat, he said, don't Gu
no fgger. can eat jes' as well fer al
dat.
He verified his assertion. Katherine
never had a more satisfactory guest.
Katherine sat in the early winter twl
light at her piano, singing some swee
old song of her early youth.
Then came vigorous ring at he
door. 1t flashed across her mind tina
possibly Mr.. Browne was going to fore
stall the postman and know his fate BY
word of mouth. Before going to tn,
door she lighted the gas and went tc
the mirror. Standing there, she said
Statistics show, Katherine, that womel
over 60
Then the bell rang again. As
wavering a little she glanced at tn
calendar. Bravely the words showl
before her eyes, BE more afraid of tn
companionship that enslaves than O
the solitude that leaves you free"
All that helps, she said
Then she opened wide the door.
1t certainly was not Mr.. Browne VIII
stood there. Mr.. Browne was shoI
and rotund, forid also. This man wa
tall, of fine proportions, with clear Gu
features and a fine mustache.
Miss Gray he said interrogratively.
Yes.