The National tribune., 1895-07-04

not fair to Appleton. If we are to do this
you must end everything with him and
marry me. Will you?" A long pause
Kitty seemed to be thinking
The waltz was nearly ended yes, the
last notes were wailiDg now-if she could
put off the answer for momenti Will
you ?" insisted SAKE. Another pause. Ap-
pleton was making his way toward them !;
he did not like the looks of things. kitty,
will your" repeated SAKE.
/ must think" she answered. "Tll tell
you at / o'clock" The smile she gave him
as she muttered this below her breath was
assurance enough. Both we're victoriously
happy. Kitty told Appleton that she feared
SAKE was badly in love with her, and chatted
on SO happily that he regained his wavering
faith.
Kitty went home and waited until
| o'clock. She planned her revenge with de-
| light. SAKE should be thrown over so
| calmly that his stiff pride would never re-
cover. He could not resent it; it was he
who had been treacherous, not she. At
o'clock she threw q shawl over her light
gown and crept downstairs. She was a
! little inclined to turn back. Things were
assuming n serious aspect. If she should be
caught, it would be bad. Outside, she
waited in the corner of the house and heard
| approaching footsteps aud the clanking Of
the saber of the Officer of the Day. His
figure loomed up out of the darkness quite
| close to her; he hesitated and looked up at
her window; then. as his glance fell, he
seemed to see the muffled figure in the
corner He strodc toward it.
Harry" she whispered.
A pause Yes" was answered, also in a
\ rphi JIa % ha- nd bar in
| his arms without q word. He was too un-
| certain to speak.
Kitty whispered again. Il thought you
mighn't come, alter all.
But l did"
Yes" " Kitty, with her head resting on
his shoulder, waited for him to ask for his
answer, but he said nothing. This was
awkward, she could not begin herself
You look enough like Fred, in the dark,
to be his brother"
"Yes?n
"If your voice were not so unlike his, 1
should say it was he"
Really?"
GOOD gracious! can't you say nything
except in monosy llables?"
" What is there TO say?"
Kitty was desperate; what conld he
mean? Again she forgot herself and re-
versed the order of things.
" You might kiss me at least, Think"
"Shall I?"
"Sball you? What question" and she
turned up her face to him.
And now ] must 90, Kitty dear. Oh,
Kitty, Kitty" he whispered huskily.
She drew back What is the matter 2"
But he was walking away. Don't you
want your answer ?n sho ran after him say
ing
Not now not tonight"
She turned and crept into the house
Then she knew what she had DONE Chilled
by the night air and trembling with fright,
she stood in the middle of the floor and
looked straight ahead, seeing all her mistake
and the shameiulness of it as she had not
before. To accomplish revenge she had
come TO this: she had thrown herself into
mans arms almost unasked. And the
man had acted curiously. Small wonder
She sank apon the floor and sat for hours
with her head hanging down. Then she
undressed and went to bed, but lay awake
until morning. She thought of Appleton
now. and how she had betrayed him, and
she loved him more than she ever had be-
fore. 1t was hard struggle between shame
and Unborn frankness, but she determined
and let him do as he ,liked-throw her over
if he wished; but tlien he would not, she
was sure of that! Only her old role of dis
penser of favors and privileges would be
ended; it would be he who would play the
magnanmous henceforth.
If only she codld have back the crimson
rose she had pinned on Saxe's coat If he
were to wear it the next day, Appleton
would recognize it as one of the bunch he
had given her, aud remember that he had
told her that red roses meant love. She
worried and marteled that she should have
rushed headlong into such disgrace She
was one of those women whose tears come
easily, but she had been too frightened and
ashamed to cry; at last, mt reveiIle, she
sobbed her greis away and slept.
After guard-mounting she went into the
garden with scarlet face. She saw Apple