The National tribune., 1895-02-21

But, in many respects, the present ex-
perience was unique. Katharine was not
altogether unacquainted with that phase of
passion known as an unrequited afiec-
ton" but, never, until now, had she been
called upon to play the leading and tragic
part in this dual drama. In short, Miss
Leighton, pretty, witty and deservedly pop
lar, had overlooked dozen adorers only TO
| bestow her affections on an individual who
had never even aspired TO such good for
| tune.
Horace Woodland was successful young
business man, of average good looks, and
| something more than average ability. Just
| why Katharine loved him it is impossible
to say. Why he did not love her is equally
inexplicable. Perhaps as good a reason as
any is that it had never occurred to him.
In the social gaieties of a lively Western
town they met frequently. They danced
together; but the waltz which to Katharine
seemed whrl through Elysium left Hor-
| ace with pulses as staid as at its beginning.
| When he led her TO her seat, bowed his
thanks, and went contentedly away to claim
his next partner, the girl could have hated
| the beauty which was so powerless TO attract
him. But, like most women, and more
than most women, Katharine Leighton was
| good actress. She neither blushed at his
coming, nor psled at his going. Perhaps at
heart she was something of fatalist. In
this matter, at least, she was possessed OF
| The belief that time would give her what
she most desired. Meanwhile she could
| afford TO wait.
But, when her opportunity came at last,
it was by no less prosaic medium than the
United States mail. The are of romance is
certainly over. Your deadly enemy no lon
ger pins bis challenge to your door with a
poisoned dagger, nor does the lover trust his
missive to a white-winged dove. Uncle
Sans gray-coated messenger must do duty
| for both. And the communication which
meant so much to Katharine Leighton came
| in dirty, yellow envelope, ornamented with
sundry blots, and directed in cramped, un-
| gainly hand. The housemaid, who took it
| from the postman, Uttered over it's compro-
missing appearance. Mrs. Leighton looked
at it scru,inizingly through her glasses.
Dear mel" she said, 81 wonder who
Katharine's disreputable correspondent can
/ ben
Katharine was out that afternoon, and did
not return home till nearly o'clock. When
| the letter was handed her she read it through
in silence and thrust it into her pocket She
was halfway up the stairs when her mother
| called after her:
Well, Kitty, what in the world was in
side that dirty envelope?"
Nothing particular, mamma, DEAR" an
swered the girl, in her softest voice.
1t is characteristic of the confidence dis
played in American girihood that Mrs.
Leighton did not press the question further.
| When Katharine, having rearraDged her
! hair and put on a more becoming hat came
down stairs a few minutes later, and an
nounced that she was going out and didn't
| care for dinner, not even then did the mother
| feel trace Of uneasiness. Katharine was
| impulsive certainly, and gay; but, as Mrs.
| leighton comfortably thought, no more ca
pable of serious indiscretion than she her
| self
Perhaps, if she had followed her daugh-
| ter's movements after leaving home, she
might have felt less certain of this pleasing
| theory. Katharine took a Central street car
rode two miles south, and then alighting
walked rapidly back in the direction from
which she had just come. Then, turning sud-
| denly to the east, she followed circuitous
course, whose windings at length brought
her before before an attractive residence up
whose steps she hurried Her. heart was
beating suffocatingly, but there was no
| trace of agitation in her manner as she said
| 10 the servant answering her ring: " wish
to see Mr.. Horace Woodland"
The girl glanced at her curiously, as she
| showed her to the parlor. 1t was a some
what unusual thing for handsome young
| ladies to call upon the son of the house
who shall say it is, ma'am 2" she asked.
Say lady wishes to see him." dictated
Katharine, with that superior hauteur posi-
BILE only in this land of equality. After the
girl had withdrawn, Miss Leighton drew
long BREATH as if nerving herself for some
ordeal, and then took from her pocket q
! yellow yellow envelope.
"A lady, aud wouldn't give her name,,,
said Mr.. Horace WOodard, who sat at dinner,
lingering over his dessert. "That really
sounds romantic. If you'll excuse me,
mother, I'll try to solve this mystery" But
when he walked into the parlor and discov-
cred Katharine, he felt degree of astonish-
ment which he vainly attempted TO conceal
under an exuberant cordality. Miss Leigh
toni " he exclaimed. How delighted / am
to see you!"
Katharine made an appealing gesture
with a beautifully -gloved hand. "Oh,
please, Mr.. Woodard," she mnrmured ap-
| pealingly. After moments hesitation, she
| hurried on. - don't know as ought to
have come at all. Perhaps l should have
| ignored the matter, or else sent messenger,
but ii was intrusted to me, and / didn't care
to shirk the responsibility. Please don't
think me foolish. / thought the matter
| over, and 1t seemed to me that the only
right thing was for me to see you myself"
She paused, and the young man collected
his bewildered thoughts with an appreciable
| effort. T" As long you are here, am sure
you have done the right thing,n he an
swered, mystified, hut gallant. He took
chair beside her. and as she flashed glance
at him hasaw that her eyes were brimming
with tears.
Miss Leighton!" Horace exclaimed, in
dire perplexity, " if you are in trouble and
can use me, let me assure you that my serv-
ices are at your command"
Katharine laughed nervously, and turned
away her head as if ashamed of her emo
ton. 1t isn't my trouble" she explained
hastily. The truth is, Mr.. Woodland, /
want you TO read this letter which received
this afternoon. Probably it is an absurd
hoax; but if it is warning, l want you to
have the benefit of it."
She gave the yellow envelope into Hor-
aces hands, and the young man, opening
it, read as follows:
Mrs LAYTON: II you'd like TO have shair in
| saving mans life, go to Mr.. Horace Woodland
| who lives in Washington St, and tell him to be on
his gard IL lac leaves home after dark any night this
| week.
A. WELL wIsHER
Horace read the letter twice. "The hand
writing looks as if it might be disguised" he
remarked, after moment. "YOur name is