The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1894-10-11
Katherine B1ount's love.
BY The Dutchess.

wonder at the pr0tracted silence.
"Of many things" she answered,
vaguely, not to say unpleasantly. But
Sir Mark being perfectly unsuspicious
Of having offended her In any way, de-
tected no warning In her voice, and
went on unwittingly of his undoing.
Tell me one Of them, Tita," he said,
tenderly, SO compromising himself as
absolutely as mortal man could do so.
do not address me In that manner"
she said, who gave you permission
to call me TitaY Not I, certainly! New
er dare to do 1t againw
II beg your pardon" Warrenne re-
piled just a little haughtily feeling
and looking considerably astonished
ut this outbreak, as well he might 81
had no idea you would have any OBJ
lection. Will you tell me what / may
call you, then -'Katheriner
II think perhaps Miss Blount will
be best" she answered, with extreme
hateur, born either of her ruffied tenn
per or Of the new-found satin train
that rustled majestically behind her.
| After this agreeable finish to their
conversation the remainder Of tlhe walk
was decidedly the reverse of pleasant,
being passed In utter silence, and II
was not until they were safely seated
at the tea-table that Katherine once
more recovered her usual spirits. Hav-
Ing succeeded In making Sir Mark quite
as miserable as man could well be,
she changed her tactics most unexpect-
edly, and raised him I'm short time to
a far higher realm of bliss than he
had ever dreamt Of, so that when tea
| was finished, and they all broke UP to
| go their different ways, Warrenne fol-
lowed Miss Blount through the pretty
| comfortable drawing-room into an ad-
| joining old-world apartment-empty,
waxed and wainscoted-until they
| found themselves alone In the en-
brasure Of large oak-panelled window
that opened easement fashion, and
through which the white glimmering
moon shone down upon their faces.
| The hour and situation were "senti-
mental" to say the least Of 1t, and
Katherine, leaning against the shutter,
with soft. silver moonbeans lighting
up her black dress and fair loneliness,
looked almost unearthly In her ex-
treme beauty.
Katherine" said Sir Mark, in q low
impassiohed voice and withou; word
of preface, II love you," "Will you
marry me?"
Miss Blount. not dreaming that for
the next few. months ut least he would
| come to the last scene in his drama,
| was astonished. She raised her eyes
! and gaZed with mute bewilderment
! upon her latest lover, but answer she
! found none.
Darling" Warrenne went on, pos.
| sessing himself of both her hands. and
speaking quickly, vehcmently, ut is
soon, / know, to tell you this; but ]
love you, and waiting years could not
increase my love. | hold you to my
heart as l never yet held any woman
for / place my whole future happi
ness humbly at your feet. Win you
not speak to me, Katherine, and hold
out to me some hope?'
Miss Blount withdrew her hands
and sat down ON the deep old-fashioncd
window seat. 1t seemed very hard tc
her just then to tell this man who
looked SO terribly in earnest that hi
could never be anything more to her
than q mere friend.
II am sorry" she began, family, but
he interrupted her hurriedly.
do not begin like that" he implor.
|
all, Katherine, but take little time tc
think before you decide on telling me
what must render my entire life either
intensely happy or unspeakably bit
ter. Take until tomorrow. and prom
Use me that you will not condemn me
hastily, but will for one night at least
reflect on what l have saU"
Archibald Blount was coming slow
ffNxx nV1
ON which the darkness seemed tt
have fallen heavily, and the girl hat
only just time to whisper, II promise
you," when he came up to them.
What! Going so soon, Sir Mark r.
he exclaimed, with his pleasant, well
bred smile. Have 1 frightened yor
away? Well, goodnight; you have {
charming evening for your walk" and
he shook the young man heartily by
the hand while he formed in the same
moment, at a glance, a pretty accurate
estimate of how matters stood.
Katherine" he said, when Sir MARI
was fairly gone, will you come int
my study before you go to bed, ant
copy out business letter for me?
am so sick of writing myself
II will be with you in one instant, .
MISS bluuuL duSWeT6u, as he turned CC
seek his private apartment again
whittier she followed him shortly af
terward, only pausing to say passing
word to Blackwood as she encountered
him in the hall.
Where are you off to, Tita?" he
asked kindly, stopping the little black
robed figure as it was fitting past him
''To copy a letter for papa. And yo,
are going 1 suppose to smoke a last
cigar? Well, in that case, will bid you
good night, now, Blackwood, as l dare
say shall not see you again"
Goodnight, my love-" he answered
very sadly, holding her hands fast fol
moment, as though undecided as tc
whether or not he would ask her q
question that lay very close to his heart
tonight; but after an instant's refiec
ton he resolved to be silent, and, drop
ping her hands suddenly, went on hi
way with n quick impatient sigh.
II will be true to him." the girl mur
INJURED with loving earnestness to her
self, as she went into the study and
sat down to write out the letter Archi
bald Blount laid before her,
r,rx a Vsruu uU