The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-08
CHAPTER II.
CONTINUED.

drew her crimson Rob-Roy cap tight
over her brows and went singing into
the rain. They stood a few minutes at
the open door and watched her head
long race through the swirling wreaths
of yapor, her vivid-crimson cap the
only point visible in the gray banks; !;
vet for those few moments they heard
her voice as some higher note pierced
the wet shroud in which che was en-
veloped.
"'Will no one tell me what she
sings?'" quoted the minister, as he
turned pleasantly to his freside; and
Jessy took up the verse and finished 1t.
"Perhaps the .plaintive numbers flow,
From old unhappy far-off things,
And battles long ago."
Jessy was partially right, but it was
not Katherine's nature to sing sad
songs. Besides, the wind and the rain
made her happy, and her heart re-
fused to believe that Richard Mowbray
had gone away forever.
"People do not come into life for
nothing" she argued, "and twas into
my life he was sent. The old ring and
the old friendship were just the only
introduction Fate could manage. And
it is far more likely he came for my'
veal than for my woe. At any Mfe,
7 will believe this"
To such thoughts, mingled with the
exhilarating storm, she reached Lev
ens-hope in high Spirits, Her habit
was waterproof, and sRs flung it off
with laugh, and thsh removing her
cap, she shook hsr hair free again.
Her cheeks We're rosy, and the rain
drops lay like dew upon them. Her
eyes snafkled, her mouth was curved
win smiles, and she brought the very
Bpirit of youth and vital joy into the
room with her. Jamie Wintoun was
sitting by the window pretending
to read. he was really watching for
Katherine.
"Why, Jamiew she said. "Will any
kind of storm keep you away from
Levens-hope?"
= "None, while you are here, Kath-
crime. IAsve been so uneasy; but [
knew you would be annoyed.i I came
to meet you" >,
Indeed I should! This lonely ride
to the manse is the last shred of lib
erty left me. I do not know what 1
should do without it. Every other
hour of the day is, in come way or
other, under his control and surveli-
lance"
"Uncle's words are always worse
than his intents, think"
"He says he is going to send me
back to school,"
"What have you been doing Kath-
erine?"
ct was, it seems, too civil to a guest,
and not attentive enough to you"
Wintoun colored painfully, but he
replied, with a great deal Of spirit:
"Uncle Brathous is to interfering
in nay personal affairs. I have not
complained of your treatment. Kath-
crime. Even if T had cause for COM
plant, I should not ask him to inter-
fere."
"And Jessy was quite as attentive
to Mr.. Mowbray as was"
eyes" he answered, but the tone
was dubious. He felt that Jessy had
freedom in this matter that Rather
inc ought not to claim; but then it was
useless to say 30. Then there was q
few moments of embarrassed silence.
Katherine wanted Wintoun to continue
the conversation about Mowbray, and
Wintoun knew this, but the subject
was painful one; he could not in
stantly compel his own acquiesence,
and while he hesitate Katherine asked,
with forced Indifference:
''Jamie, what do you think OF MIR.
Mowbray?"
"You ought not to ask me that
question, Katherine.
"Why?"
'Because you know I love you. How
can you expect me to love man who
may be my rival9"
fNonsense" she said; but Win
toun noticed that vivid blush COW
cred her face and throat, and that she
went to the window and began to sing
in order to hide her feeling. In few
moments she returned to the freside
and said:
"He has gone to Edinburgh"
"But he viii! return"
"How can you tell that? Did he
say 80 to you, Jamie?"
'sMy heart tells me 80. He admired
you very much, Katherine. I do not
blame him for that. Who could help
it?"
"Yet my guardian blames me for it,
jamie. You will not let him send me
back to school?"
"Give me the right to protect you,
dearest Then no one shall say a
word to cross you"
"Always that is the way" she cried,
with tears in her eyes and voice. 81
am to become your wife in order to
escape my stepfather's dictation. 1t
would be simply change of masters.
Now no one can be generous because
no one is unselfsh."
"Do not be 50 unjust, Katherine.
Twill not ask you to be my wife one
hour before you are 80 willingly.
Dearest, I love you 80 truly that I
can live without you and yet live for
you"
Wintoun came toward her as he
spoke, and Katherine, looking into
his face, saw it illuminated by his
generosity of unselfsh love. At that
moment the tall, ungraceful youth
was almost handsome: and she gave