The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-18


in trouble meeself. ! know what it is to
be in want Of money"
"Oh, come, that must be an old story
NO, not so very old at ALL" began Nc
Shane when the parlor maid came in.
'Win you come, please. and speak TO
missis, STRIP she said-and Brooke imme-
diateiy rose and followed her.
And 1 must see if May IS getting
ready" cried Sarah Jane, in a tone or
suppressed excitement-and she flew up
stairs to repeat Uncle McShane's remark
able speech to Kitty. who was at once
her confidante and her suspected, though
despised rival, absurd though il seemed.
The house was quite quiet-every one
had departed an hour or more, and Kitty
Graeme had come quietly downstairs TO
replace some books she had ventured to
borrow from a small and somewhat
gloomy apartment dignifed with the ap-
peilation of library" The only joys OF
Kitty's rather suppressed monotonous eX-
istence were a fit good humor on Nays
part or new interesting book-neither
came frequently; naturally the poor In
valid was often fretful and trying, while
the last way of expanding money that
suggested itself to the Brooke family, was
on new books
Kitty was a slim, willowy creature Of
twenty, slight, but not angular, with a
long graceful throat and a rather pale,
oval face, which was Illuminated by pair
of large well-shaped eyes that were some
times dark and bright sometimes dull and
light, as the spirit moved her Her mouth
was rather too wide, but then it could
smile-a sweet, pathetic smile, when it
displayed a row Of pearly white teeth;
and her small head was crowned with
plenty of wavy bronze-brown hair, with
glints as If FURNISHED metal among its
meshes. She did not look bright on this
particular morning, rather did her young
face wear a troubled expression, though
she had donned her best frock, intending
to pay a visit to her only friend-a very
humble one, yet precious in her eyes. 1t
was a lilac and white Powered muslin,
with pretty little founce round the skirt,
a wide, folded black silk sash, and mar
row black lace scarf round her white
throat She was still standing in thought
after having replaced the books, when
one of the servants entered.
ooh, please, miss" she said in a tone OF
entreaty, would you be so kind as to do
the table flowers for me There's a lot
10 do as there's company tonight and L
have not time to fix them properly-then
Miss Smalley will scold.
Very well, Susan"
''They are all in the dining room-the
vases and things all of 'em, miss"
Kitty had nearly the whole day before
her, and rather liked the task, which went
quickly under her deft fingers. 1t was
nearly finished when she heard footsteps
in the hall; she started, and grew very
pale; the next moment the door opened,
and Val Brooke came in, carefully closing
1t behind him.
"This is luck" he exclaimed, without
Offering to shake hands with her ito find
the house clear, and only you at home"
Yes but am obliged to go out imme-
diately."
Not until you hear what 1 have to say,
Kitty" he said, resolutely. You have
turned a deaf ear to me often enough; but
now l am in a hole, you'll not refuse to
gar"
Il did hear you had got into a scrape,
and if 1 could help you the least bit, I
would listen with all my heart, Val-Mr
Brooke, l mean"
mo, you don't mean anything but Val.
You think of me as Val-if you ever do
and you are awfully ungrateful IF you
don't. You know you haunt me- Look
here. Kitty. you have been rude, and
unkind, and everything you ought not to
be, and yet l can't get you out of my
head or my heart"
Mr. Brooke, you know you must not,
and ought not, to speak such words to
me! They are weakness and folly on your
part; it would be djsloyalty on mine to
listen. I was angry long ago. when I
fancied you were merely amusing your
self; now l am grieved and distressed; it
would be ruin for you to think of me Sc
riously; 1t would separate you from your
father, and you are dependent on him.
What could 1 do to help you? No, don't,
Val, my hands are all wet"
He turned away and began to pace the
room, while Kitty put the refuse of the
flowers together on the tray and dried her
long white fingers, which Sarah Jane en-
We'd in her secret heart; she was very
pale and troubled, in spite of keeping a
steady front. Besides, Val, you know
would not marry you unless you were
quite rich and independent. 1 am very
mercenary, l intend to be mercenary,
So
kitty" said Val, sternly, and pausing
opposite her, "how dare you tell such au-
dacious falsehoods. You are as true as
steel; as free from self-seeking as an an
gel; and-why, sweet one, you are white
and trembling! You are not Indifferent to
me-you can't be, to the only one in the
house who loves and values you. We
are both outcasts now, let us make COM
mon cause. l am going to leave the
army, needs must and l am going to
leave all fineries behind me- that dear old
fellow, Uncle McShane, is going to help
me to some coloniZing scheme-and Kitty
Will you refuse TO share the hardships as
the worse hardships, though I'll make a
home for you before I ask you to leave
the unhomely shelter you have here. VIII
you love me and wait for me?" He
caught her in his arms ana held her
close.
"Oh, how will you bear a life so differ
ent from what you are accustomed to?
You" she cried
What! DO you think have so beggar-
ly spirit that | cannot bear a little hard
ship; that l am incapable of anything bet
ter than being a fine gentleman" he in
terrupted You promise me your com
pany on life's road, when I've smoothed it
a bit"
Hear me, Val. We must part quite
quite free from all engagements. God
knows what changes"
Further words of wisdom were arrested
for Val, encouraged by something In her
pathetic eyes, suddenly pressed a kiss on
her sweet mouth his lips clinglng to hers
with passionate tenderness, while for a
moment her expressive yielding confessed
the truth of has suspicion-theh she strug-
gled TO release herself and he let her so,
though he stul kept her hand