The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-07-22
IN KENTUCKY'S HILLS

Young Harrington had been O devoted
sutton for the hand of Elizabeth, Katherine's
older sister, but Elizabeth had rejected him
and had sailed for Europe, leaving him in
despair
The NARROW family, Katherine in particu.
lar, felt very sorry for Harrington. Mrs.
NARROW affectionately called him Willie"
and the others all did what they could to
show him that they appreciated him, even
if Elizabeth did not. When the Marlows
went to their summer home in the Ken
lucky mountains, near new and prosper
Gus mining town which had suddenly sprung
into existence there, they invited Harrington
to visit them. He came, was charmed with
the scenery, with the society of his hostess,
and of her pretty daughters. Formerly, he
had had eyes for none but Elizabeth, but
as time went by he found that the other
NARROW girls were pretty and interesting
The crack in his heart began to mend, but
he did not know it, and still mourned for
Elizabeth.
AS Katherine was the oldest of the daugh-
tiers, it naturally fell out that he went about
with her. =
One day Harrington proposed that they
ride to the "Peak," mountain top some
miles distant. Katherine consented, donned
her riding habit, and by two o'clock they
were away. Harrington could not assist
girl to mount without recalling a certain
day when Elizabeth had smiled down into
his eyes as he adjusted her stirrup. He re-
membered just how she looked and what she
wore. 1t was with heavy heart, therefore,
,, that he sprang to his saddle and drew up
beside the handsome Katherine. She did
not remind him of Elizabeth in the least
His lost love had large blue eyes, while
Katherine was a dark beauty with creamy
complexion and dark brown eyes.
He tried to throw of the gloom which had
settled upon him. AS he listened to Kath
crimes low, even voice he gradually became
appreciative of his ow;! good fortune. To be
alive on such day, have leisure to en-
Joy the good things If life and to ride
through the mountains with charming
companion suddenly seemed to him to be
very precious thing.
On their way down the mountain the road
lay near some mountaineers' huts. The lit
tie hamlet had seemed deserted as they had
gone up, but now, as they turned the curve,
they heard loud talking and swearing. The
natives had been drinking and were now
boisterous and quarrelsome. Harrington
was angry that Katherine had to listen to
their vile oaths. With the instinct OF chiv-
airy he suddenly rode on ahead of the girl
and called to the men that lady was COM
ing and that they must remain silent until
she was out of hearing His request was not
couched in the politest of English, for he
was hotheaded and angry. The mountain
GERS, usually most considerable of the ladies
of the neighborhood, were in no mood to
bear opposition. They swore louder than
ever, and three of the most reckless ran into
their cabins for their rifles.
Aghast at the result Of his interference
Harrington turned his horse. There was no
need. The frightened Katherine was almost
behind him. Putting himself between her
and the toughest of the men, Harrington
said, in a strained whisper:
we must ride fast"
Just then one of the mountaineers fired
The report reverberated through the hills
Katherine's horse jumped to the side OF the
road, and the frightened girl, white and
weak, found that she could scarcely keep
her seat in the saddle. In flash Herring
but holding his own horse firmly, he passed
| his arm about her waist and lifted her into
| a secure position.
Hold to the saddle!" he cried, and then
he grasped the bit of her horses bridle. He
was Just in time, for another shot, and then
another rang out. The bullets whistled past
against him, gasping. Their horses were
pounding the earth in fine style now. The
sagacious animals kept close together, and
thus they passed out of sight of the noun
| taineers.
Harrington was leaning toward Rather
inc, half supporting her. while his left hand
held her bride reins. Now he checked the
horses slightly, passed the rcins from his
| left to his right hand, and again threw his
| arm about her.
Darling, are you hurt?" he questioned,
anxously, not knowing what he said. "Did
they hit you?" he asked again, holding her
| closer to him.
mo. think ! am all right now, vii"
she said, presently, "but ] believe ] would
have fallen if you had not held me"
In the passing moment, Harrington real.
lied that it was Katherine whom he loved.
How black the world had grown in that
dreadful minute when he had thought she
was shot. How glad he was, now that the
danger was over. Elizabeth's face was but
dimly recalled now. 1t was Katherine who
filed his heart
eve viii be at home before dark" ex-
claimed Katherine, speaking gayly, and try
ing to hide her embarrassment.
II must tell you that love you, Kate"
said Harrington, earnestly. ride slowly,
dear, and let me tell you what you are to
me" he broke off suddenly. and gave her
an eloquent, appealing lock,
"You are thinking Of Elizabeth" she re-
marked, confidently. did you always make
love to her on the way homer" the latter
mischievously.
st is not Elizabeth, but you, whom !
love-" said Harrington. please do not play
with me, Kate. May mot call you Kate?"
Il was ehristteenneed Katherine" observed
the girl, iadifferently.
81 was christened William" said Herring
ton, suddenly recalling her speech as she
announced her safety. "Did you not call me
Will just now!"
1t was now Katherine's turn to be en-
barassed. She blushed furiously, and then
recovered herself.
y must hays thought ! Was Elizabeth"
she said, returning to her indifferent man
per,
"Please leave Elizabeth out OF it," said
Harrington, stitfly. Then, with q sudden
change of manner, he exclaimed
"kate, | love you. Will you not be seri-
GUS long enough for me TO ask you to marry
me?"
"Why didn't you say so before?" asked
Katherine, archly.
ASK what?"
"Ask me to marry you. You didn't say
word about it when | was teasing you
abaHt Elizabeth" said Katherine. gayly.
She had quite recovered. it seemed. but she
was still pale.