The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-03-10
euauenIy ne spoRe.


Spite of herself Kitty b1ushed vio-
lently-
II have not heard from him at all. .
She said. timidlv. stHe IS much too
angry with me to write to me, and
you, she added half raising her eyes.
but dropping them instantly before
Paurs burning. inscrutable look. f'you
are angry, too.
ftp You mistake. I should not
presume to be. What have we il COM
mon2"
IN Nothing" she answered, wincing
under his tones ''but i could wish that
we could hold good opinion Of each
other as common property Mr.. Dam
FORTH won't you come here a moment7
I have something to say to you2"
Paul came over and sat near her, in
the chair that she had indicated BY a
wave Of her hand.
you know, she commenced, ssthat
have heard 50 much Of YOU that i
could not but feel as if I knew YOU.
even before we came here; and all
that have heard and seen has given
me no reason To think otherwise than
we'll Ask yourself, then if it is not
hard that a person whom respect
should condemn me, misjudge me.
without a hearing, as know that You
have doue2 1T Is a continual pain to
me- the thought; and at the risk of be-
ing thought. perhaps overbold, shall
try at least to Justify myself VIII
you let nae tell you how that misera-
BILE story about Dave Hilton really
VASE"
eff you like, % returned Paul. coldly.
81 always liked Dave" went on Kit
ty, plaintively. s'I was really fond of
him. as brother. told him So, and
I thought that he understood. When
he first explained himself 4 was
shocked quite beyond measure, and
though I did not love him had almost
consented, rather than have him ac-
cuse me, as he did aftervard. Moth
ing but a sense of wrong, that / felt
sure would never leave me if 4 should
be weak enough to yield, gave me
strength to persevere. He raved, per-
sisted, would not be refused. I pitied
him; but what could I d0p 7 must be
firm If had shown him half the
grief I felt he would never have left
me- 1t would have simply prolonged
his misery and mine. Could i have
done Otherwise2"
you? Certainly not" returned
Paul with a somewhat remarkable
aceent on the pronoun.
Here She heaved a little sigh; and
little sobs and curious. suppressed
sounds from Kitty's corner.
Paul put out his hand and touched a
face wet with genuine tears.
''You are crying. What is the
matter?' he asked, more gently than
he had yet spoken
81 am So lonely Thevare all against
me; and you whom thought would be
generous and believe me. are against
me. too I wish Dave Hilton had put
q pistol ball through nay head"
How do you know I am against
your
Your silence just now spoke more
plainly than words"
Perhaps you are not the yvisest Of
interpreters. am not conscious of
having given you cause for any such
assertion. 1T is unjust in you TO say
so
Kitty sank back with little sigh.
Are we friends?'' be asked, with a
soft look, rare on his face.
do You believe me2"
'tWhat win You have? How can
but believe you? 1t is hardly neces-
sary to say that I do. You have not
answered me yet. Are we friends?"
Kitty put out a little hand silently.
and Paul, taking it into his grasp,
pressed and kissed st.
From that time they were, i hardly
know whats it seemed rather a vassal-
age than i Irritation. PauIs caprices
equaled those of a most inveterate +
coquette- At one time he was devo-
ton itself, and Kitty Dloomed ont at
such times with a loneliness truly sur
prising. because Of the expression of /
an emotion the least selfish BE any
feeling that she had ever exDerienced- +
at others he was cold, distant almost /
uncivil. devoting himself exclusively I
to others, and these alterations per T
picking to us all. wore visibly on Kit
ty's health and spirits.
Al last he addressed her ia words of +
love- carelessly, as one who was sure F
of his prize; and she caught at the dec
laration eagerly complaining at the F
same time that he but half loved her. f
She doubted perpetualv, required +
perpe tual reassuring- assurances that f
Paul gave sometimes carelessly, some +
times refused pettishIy. on one of I
these occasions, Paul said to her.
s.Y on distrust me strangely. Do YOU
dread retributive justiee9 is it that
you remember Dave Hilton2"
s.Why do you speak of him9 L never F
loved him.
But do you love me2"
"Love You? You are my lifew
"And if I should deceive you as
you did Dave Hlton2a
81 cannot imagine it. I would not
believe it: but if such a thing could be, f
i should not die-people don't die So
easily-but live Oh. why do you sug-
gest such things2 i had rather die /
than know you were false"
But saw ] vere- say / hated Won for I