Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-03-26

Cholly nodded his head afIrmativeIy
TO Major Poole = assertion and continued
his story:
This all happened four years ago
No one heard anything during that time
Of pretty Kate Donovan, for, You sec, she
wasn't Mrs. Gordon, after all An aunt
Of hers did have the grace To write to
me, making inquiries. She had heard
that Kate was in the United States, in
a place called Pennsylvania. and would
l make inquiries. as | lived. no doubt,
near there? You know, these old cuun-
try people. us they call themselves, think
that the United States are about as large
as al English county.
do / know it," interrupted the ma
jor. why, lady i'll London once asked
mo to personally deliver small parcel
Of china to her daughter because | lived
in New York, near where her daughter
was settled. took the parcel, thinking
to see the address of some street here.
Where do you think the fair creature
lived?'
New Jersey" hazarded Wears.
"Maine?' queried another.
"No" roared the major. "Idahon'
Guess you didn't accept the COM
mission, major, said Cholly.
"Well, no. relieved my mind by re-
citing sundry words not in Webster 8
Dictionary. Go on, my boy. Tell us all
you know of pretty Kate Donovan.
Il came through Canada OF my way
from the west n few days ago, contin-
ned Cholly. I'VE changed cars ut a
place not far from Toronto and had
some hours to wait for connection.
Strolling around, 1 came to place
where n circus WAS i'll full swing-dou-
BILE tent, side shows, all complete. Con-
sulting my watch. l found l had time
to see the performance An English
steeplechase was advertised as the chief
attraction. 1t had just commenced when
l took my seat III the first row. close to
the ring. l can hardly tell you my feel
ings when I recognized tho first lady
rider who entered 1t was Kate Dono-
van.
"GoOd heavens CALCULATED the
major. Come TO that"
Yes; it was Kate, graceful, 1.-the,
nervy us ever, locking like queen
among those painted judys and rough
men. "
How could you sit there and see itY"
groancd Major Poole.
Il hadn't To sit long recognized
her instantly. and, poor girl, she saw
mel''
Knew youi" gaSped the major.
"Ees; she turned pale under the hor-
rible paint and rouge she was daubed
with Somehow she seemed 10 lose her
nerve all Of a sudden. The horse, q vi
cious black beast, Swerved to ono side
suddenly-major, fellows, l cannot tell
it, il was too horrible"
Kate Donovan to lose her nerve on
horseback? I cannot credit it " said the
major i'll an awed tone.
II was in the ring and by her side in
a moment" Cholly continued, not no.
ticing the majors interruption. "She
knew me, poor girl, when her eyes
opened for the first time. She died with
her hands tightly claspcd i'll mine
did she sa.ay anything" asked
Andy Wears. Did she tell you any
thing?'
"lf she did, you re not the one I'd re-
peat it to-, said Cholly fiercely. "The
last words or II poor dying girl are hard
ly club talk, not if know it,.
So saying, Cholly seized his coat and
strobe aHEr;ly from the room.
The other men looked at each other
significantly.
Hes hit hard" said the major.
Poor fellow! If you had seen Kate,
you d not blame him. always thought
he liked her. -
And Cholly, as he strobe along the
street humeward, cursed his own folly
III telling the story of pretty Kate tc
such an ~ ;enCC. "As if they cared, ~
he muttCl,,. They were a set of hard
hearted, G., |. 'ynical men, and he
(Ghully) waS Il fool for telling the story.
| Somehow lie had never realized before
that j." hnd cherished an ideal for the
past f"u. y.,ut and that ideal was the
woman Nho Ia few days before had
died III his !n!s. Iell that idiot Wears
what she - IL: Chully smiled grimly a.
the th"2%Et struck him, for only he
knew what those last words had been
They CCh, ed III his ears even now in the
din n"d noise vi the New York evening
"CAu!ly. deaT-dear Cholly"
If she bad only said them four years
ago, he thCu9ht iniSerably as he showed
his KY into tho latch of his home door
| Vanity