The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-15
A STRANGE WOOING.

I'LL Jasper AtnWoiu. was born beau
tiful, but one day nurse dropped me from
her arms down the whole length of the
oak staircase. There is no need to say
more. Yet was happy child. As I
grew up I built such castles in the air as
other youths build, and in my castle be-
gan to see Kate Norman's figure, Katie's
dark eyed, crimson checked face smiling
on me from visionary flresides there and
hear her voice singing lullabies In the far
of future. We met often. She was al
ways kind and friendly. had fancied
something more.
One day went In the heat of the after
noon to shady spot by the river side, my
own ground. lay upon the grass, read
ing a book, when behind the glossy leaves
Of the plants which the little ones called
bread and butter bushes" heard the
sparrowlike twitter of girls voices.
She'll have him" said one.
Fancy such bridegroom" said the
other. "All his money couldn't buy me. "
He don't want you, but Kate" said
the first.
Zone must be at ones last prayer to
want such an admirer. No one could like
Casper Athwold"
''Of course not" said the first. "But
then he's rich and Kate poor enough"
"You are right. No woman could love
him. But money will marry anybody"
There was a rustic, sound of feet on
the grass The chirping voices died away
In the distance.
just for ten minutes hated the world,
hated the jolly, broad shouldered farmer
tramping alone the bride path, hated the
red faced boatman on the river hated the
yellow haired child In the bottom of the
boat' at his feet, hated all who lived and
breathed and walked erect under the
sky. Then my heart softened, and went.
had loved Kate, and loved her still.
The girls chatter had awakened me to
the truth just as lived now, alone in
the old homestead among tho marbles,
so must live unless 1 bought wife with
my gold-a wife who could not love me.
Such had been my brief wooing time. I
went no more to the cottage in tho lane
met Kate no more "by chance in quiet
places. I did no more of those foolish
things.
1 shut myself up in the old house among
my books and Stunned the sight of faces
and the sound of voices. 1t was the best
thing that a man whom no one could love
could do.
So the months wore away. Sometimes
had met her, but always looked anoth-
er way and our pleasant greetings had
come to an end. 1 had seen hurt flush
on her face and taken no heed of it. had
even been discourteous-but I loved her
just as had loved her all along
One day l went to the old lawyer who
had had charge of our estate for 40 years
and babe him draw me up q will in which
l left all that possessed to Kate Norman,
with letter which only her hands were to
unseal, only her eyes to read, after I had
gone.
This was the letter:
Kate Norman:
You never cared for me. You could not
Once heard woman say no woman could
but loved you. Had cherished one faint ray
of hope would have striven to win your
heart, but learned In time what folly it was
and in pity for myself held aloof from you
As it is, 1t gives me some pleasure to think
that you will dwell under this roof When
you read this you will pity, not deride, the
love Of CASPER ALBwoLD.
This note lay unsealed and directed, "To
be given to Kate Norman after my death"
and the will was also signed and sealed,
and walked home
At my door the elm shadows lay thick,
and In them stood a bent, crooked figure,
clothed in rags, beggar, who began his
dolorous whine as / came up:
!" A little help; just little. I'm not
strong man, sir I can't work like the
same. Yer isn't strong yerself Ycll be
KNOWN what that is A wakely ould cray
ter that would be thankful for onythipg- !
4 penny OF an ould coat, or sup or % bite;
yes, sir. j." !
I tossed him o coin.
&C.," l said. Don't loiter here"
The man looked at me cllriously, as
'hough he had expected more pity from
ne. The coin had fallen at his feet. He
tooped and picked it up
"Yes, it'll buy bite" he said. Good
mex to ye. It's not always ate before I
lape'
turned and looked at the beggar He
vas miserable also.
Come in, l said. "I'll give you some
lothes. You need them sadly"
ITS nothing but needing with me, SIR"
aid he. "Tho likes of me can't work.
"You have had an accident?''
My father threw me out of window
or joke when he was not sober"
l took from my wardrobe garments T
ad worn and babe him put them on. Aft
rward gave him food. I called no sery- !
Mt in No one saw him come or go save
lyself. He departed, blessing me-
7atched him out Of sight. Then I burst
ut in a laugh.
HE had best go and offer his hand to
ate Norman" l said. "Hhey would
lake well matched couple. Does he
'ok like me in my clothes, wonder2
hey fit him we'll"
Then I remembered going out of the
Dor and down toward the waters edge.
boat lay there with the oars in it.
epped in and rowed up the river. The
Wight faded; night came on-a dark,
confess night. l had dropped the oars
Id was drifting seward, lying at the bot
m of the boat. l knew that was in
niger, but the knowledge did not affect
Suddenly glare Of red light flashed
er my face, heard a heavy throb of ma
inery, then shrieking whistle and
Gamer was hard upon my little boat.
After that knew nothing until came
myself in strange room, in strange
tel at Albany. The captain of the .
,amer which had run my boat down fan.