Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-07-04
kITIY'S FORTUNE.

meath the trees, and he paced modify up
and dowr before her.
Il cart understand it" he said, paus-
ing at last. You refuse me fatty, and
yet you say fou love me"
I'm sorry, John-awfully sorry-but
you must understand now that it's final.
l have told you my reasons for the refusal,
and you must see they are good reasons.
And, as for the love, l don't feel any of
that hysteric and overpowering passion
that the story books tell about, but love
you"
"Humph!"
Indeed do But just look. Neither
you nor have dollar, and we are both
orphans without prospects.
II can make money, Kate.
II don't believe it >
"You ought to give mo chance, Kitty.
It's not fair Wait year and only give
me grain of hope, and III prove to you
what l can do.
"It's of no use whatever, said the girl
firmly You can't make money. You
haven't got the gift You're not thrifty.
No, l won't wait at all. l won't delude
you with even grain of hope, In fact,
have decided to put speedy end to this
nonsense. l am going away-of to the
city to seek my fortune, John, and If I'm
lucky"-and she laughed little sadly
II shouldn't mind to send for you to come
and share my fortune with me. :"
The young mans face flushed.
you've got n very poor opinion of me,
Kitty"
GLOW hard you make it for both of us"
she exclaimed. But listen, John If
should marry you and hard times came
upon us, us they would surely come, pow
erty and humiliation and grim and grimy
want and dcsolation, / should hate you,
John. And you would perhaps take to
drink or commit suicide. Oh, it's too
tragic! 1t would be sinful to tempt fate
that way"
II didn't think Of all that, he said bro
kenly. Il only knew that l loved you.
And now, john dear, dear John, good
by" she said rising. Let us part
friends.
He turned and caught her paesionately
in his arms and covered her face with kiss
es, swearing that he would never let her
go.
For q moment she drank in his carcsses
Then, more angry with herself than with
him, she pushed him back.
Leave me, !" she said. II will never
speak TO you again.
1t was late in the afternoon of Il sum
mcr Sunday, and the park was filled with
the usual rest less and motley throng-ga
ladies in gay turnouts, toll worn work
ingmen with their wives, babies rolling
under tho trees, troops of bicyclers whirling
along tho graveled ways, maidcns, 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 hour $ rest and
enjoyment.
A young maiden, standing alono by the
shore of tho lake, looked YEARLY at tho
stream of life that flowed by her What
did it matter to ono of all that throng If
she hungcrcd for sympathy and compan
ionship? How much alone and how lonely
she felt!
A little farther down q young man stood
and he gazcd, not at tho boats, nor ut the
water, but at the girl who seemed so for
lorn.
at looks like her." he murmurcd
colder and whittier and thinner, yet SO
much like heE-as she might have looked
after sickness.
Hccamc closer and the girl turned about,
facing him.
"Johnn'
'kitty!"
1t seemed u 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.
"Havo you been sick, Kitty"
"No; do look dilapidatedF
"You look pale" he said gravcly. Has
the city treated you unkindly%'
1T has given me my fortune, John"
Il am glad to hear it, glad indeed. "
eyes +" she said, with 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 tho very
height of the style, he exclaimed. II am
sure never saw you SO handsome. y
There was look of glad pleasure in her
eyes at this praise, but she shook her head
''I'm failure in this big town, John.
And that S the fortune found. !"
mine is no better. l 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 l look fortunate, john" 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 u
watch and diamond and patent leather
shoes Why, John, declare, you are Il
regular SWELL"
Il get st2 week, E" he said, laughing.
Think of it, and l only get So Twelve
dollars week Why, John, | tell you
that's riches. =
You wouldn't advise a man to marry
on it, would you, Kate" he asked trying
20 look in her eyes.
But she turned her head away and pre-
tended not to hear.
You wouldn't advise that, Kate" he
insisted
Il know two young people who live in
luxury on $40 she said shyly.
Suppose we try it, Kate he whis-
pered.
Il don't deserve it, 3" she said, II have