The Dickinson press., 1895-04-20
Katherine BloQnt'S hove.
~ THD DuCHEss.

There was a moments pause, and
then Lady Warrenne, bursting into
tears. threw her arms around her hus-
bands neck.
"Oh. Mark, Mark!w she sobbed, you
were always too good for me. my
dear"
After this little repentant admission
there ensued a somewhat heightened
silence. long enough. at all events, to
allow Katherine Warrenne's heart to
pass forever into her husbands keep
ing.
Now you must 60 away and get
yourself ready for dinner" she said,
presently, when she had dried her tears
and called back once more the willing,
radiant smiles. Harriet ordered it
early on purpose for you, SO you have
little time"
Every well, I shall not be a moment"
Sir Mark answered, opening a door
that led into the gallery. "But will
you and Harriet be civil to me in this
dress ?"-glancing at the morning
clothes lie wo1..
Yes. we will, of course, I promise. :"
Katherine said, adding with a beWitch-
ing little smile and blush. "You look
very nice-to me. Now go up to my
room, the first you will come to, and
make haste"
But do not on any account mcddle
with the rouge Or the pearl powder"
Mrs. Charters put in gaily. She was
running up the stairs at the moment
and had overheard the last remark.
"Oh. no fear; 1 shall leave all that to
you two" Warrenne answered, prompt
~, with a short laugh Us he ran up the
steps with almost boyish elasticity,
such a wealth Of joy surging up within
his heart as he had never dared to hope
for in this life.
Harriet" cried Lady Warrenne,
when she had drawn her friend into
the blue sitting-room and closed the
door, what shall l say to you? How
can 1 thank you. when I feel but for
y ur goodness we might have gone on
to our lives end without a reconcili;l-
tion? Dearest, my only regret is that
it will be impossible for me to love you
better than / do at present."
II do not want thanks" Mrs. Char.
teris broke i'll merrily, feeling thorough
ly In her element; your face is enough
for ME. Any artist would sketch you
this moment joyfully as a model fol-
Contentment. Well" maliciously, "do
You acknowledge now that you wanted
him."
yes, I will ever acknowledge that ]
am far happier than I deserve to be-
Katherine answered. very well satisfied
to confess herself defeated. "And hi
is looking very well, too, Harry. is III
not%
"Just a little thin. perhaps" Mrs
Charters suggested. "NNell, yes, nov
that 1 think of 1t he is looking a de
gree timer than he used to be-bu1
very handsome. it seems to me-"
Katherine finished so naivcly tina
Harriet burst into a merry ringin:
laugh. in which, after a few ineffectua
struggles to maintain her composure
Lady Warrenne Joined heartily. Theil
mirth had by no means subsidized whel
Sir Mark again entered. appearing con
siderably benefited by his hasty toilet.
What are you both laughing about?'
he asked, unable himself to repress
smile at their evident enjoyment.
"About you" replied Mrs. Charters
~mischievously. "Your wife has jus
discovered for the first time how ex
trcmcly handsome you are" whercupol
Katherine blushed crimson, and would
have attempted some denial, had not
servant ut that j%uncture announced til,
important fact that dinner was served
THE END.