The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-22
KITTY'S FORTUNE.

She was sasted on g. rustic bench be-
meath the trees, and he paced modify up
and down before her.
81 can't understand it, he said, paus-
ing at last ''You refuse me fatly, and
yet you say you love me-
"I'm sorry, John-awfu1ly sorry-but
you must understand now that it's final.
1 have told you my reasons for the refusal,
and you must see they are good reasons
And, as for the love, don't feel any of
that hysteric and overpowering passion
that the story books tell about, but I love
you
"Humphr'
Indeed do. But just look. Neither
you nor I have a dollar, and we are both
orphans without prospects.
ST can make money, Kate" :
81 don't believe it -
"You ought to give me chance, Kitty.
It's not fair. Wait year and only give
me grain of hope, and III prove to you
what / can do
Its of no use whatever said the girl
firmly. ''You can't make money. You
haven't got the gift. You're not thrifty.
No, won't wait at all 1 won't delude
you with even a grain of hope. In fact, I
have decided to put speedy end to this
nonsense. I am going away-of to the
city to seek my fortune, John, and if I'm
lucky''-and she laughed little sadly
81 shouldn't mind to send for you to come
and share my fortune with me-"
The young mans face flushed.
you've got very poor opinion of me,
Kitty
"How hard you make it for both of usl''
she exclaimed. ''But listen John. If I
should marry you and hard times came
upon US, as they would surely come, pow
erty and humiliation and grim and grimy
want and desolatiOn, should hate you,
John. And you would perhaps take to
drink or commit suicide. Oh, it's too
tragicl 1t would be sinful to tempt fate
that way
81 didn't think of all that" he said bro
kenly. 81 only knew that loved you"
NAnd now, John, dear, dear John, good
by she said, rising. "Let US part
friends
He turned and caught her passionately
in his arms and covered her face with kiss
es, swearing that he would never let her
go.
For moment she drank in his caresses.
Then, more angry with herself than with
him, she pushed him back.
''Leave me-, she said. 81 will never
speak to you again"
1t was late in the afternoon of sum-
mer Sunday, and the park was filed with
the usual restless and motley throng-gay
ladies in gay turnouts, toll worn work
ingmen with their wives, babies rolling
under the trees, troops of bicyclers whirling
along the graveled ways, maidens, shy and
sweet; lovers whispering divine nonsense
into eager ears-all the breath and blood
and brain and bone of the great city
stretching itself out for an hours rest and
enjoyment
A young maiden, standing alone by the
shore of the lake, looked YEARLY at the
stream of life that flowed by her. What
did it matter to one of all that throng if
she hungered for sympathy and compan-
ionship? How much alone and how lonely
she felt
A little farther down a young man stood,
and he gazed, not at the boats, nor at the
water, but at the girl who seemed SO for
lOrn.
cit looks like her," he murmured.
colder and whittier and thinner, yet so
much like her-as she might have looked
after sickness
He came closer, and the girl turned about,
facing him.
"JohnP
"Kittyu'
1t seemed a lame greeting. They clasped
hands. Each looked at the other, think
ing of the day they parted beneath the
trees, uncertain as to how their friendship
should be renewed.
'Have you been sick, KittyP''
"No; do I look dilapidated2'
"You look pale, - he said gravely. "Has
the city treated you unkindly?"
st has given me my fortune, John"
81 am glad to hear it, glad indeed
eyes she said, with a nervous little
laugh, "look at this dress, John, and at
this last years hat and at these shabby
boots. They tell the story might be only
too glad to conceal. -
"Why, thought you were in the very
height of the STYLE he exclaimed. 81 am
sure never saw you so handsome. -
There was q look of glad pleasure in her
eyes at this praise, but she shook her head
''Im a failure in this big town, John.
And that's the fortune found"
Mine is no better. 1 have been here
year now, and my career has proved the
truth of your prediction. When you re-
fused me that time, Kitty, you were for
tunate, girl"
do look fortunate, Johns" she asked
softly
You look like an angel he said and
looked as if he believed it.
''But you, you, - and with critical gay
ETY. she surveyed him from head to foot
''you are we'll dressed, sir You have a
watch and diamond and patent leather
shoes Why, John, 1 declare you are a
regular swellr'
TT get s12 week, y he said, laughing.
''Think of it, and only get SIS. Twelve
dollars a week. Why, John, tell you
| that's riches'
''You wouldn't advise man to marry
on it, would you, Kate?'' he asked, trying
| to look in her eyes.
But she turned her head away and pre-
| tended not to hear.
"You wouldn't advise that, KateP'' he
| insisted.
81 know two young people who live in
luxury on s1O,'' she said shyly.
Suppose we try it, Kate?'' he whis-
! pered.
81 don't deserve it, - she said. 81 have
been a proud girl, and there were tears
in her eyes, "but I have found out how
well love you, John, and have been SO
! lonely ''-Chica1o News