The Press., 1899-07-20
THE FATE WHEEL.

THE FATE WHEEL.
1t was certainly an unfortunate mo-
ment for John Castle to choose to put
his fate to the touch, for Kate Manners
was in the mood to turn on her dearest
friend, and the sight Of John Castle Of
all persons was calculated to loosen her
tongue considerably.
Leila Castle and Kate Manners were
students at the Datchley Art school,
Leila living at home with her family
in Kelton road while Kate lived in
rooms alone. 1t had been pleasant for
Kate as she grew to know Leila better
to enliven her days by accepting the
hospitality which the Castle family
offered. They were kind to the lonely
little student, and she was grateful.
But latterly Kate had noticed with
drawal of the hospitality. Mr.. and Mrs.
Castle bowed chilly when they met
her. Leila became too busy to talk, and
John, Leila's brother, seemed the only
one who remained cordial. His cordiali-
ty, indeed, Kate was forced to admit,
had decidedly increased, and she found
1t by no means unpleasant, though she
fretted and wondered over the others.
Then came the afternoon when Leila
dropped in to tea, and while pretending
to wax confidential had lashed Kate's
pride and temper. The subject of Leila's
confidence had been John matrimonial
hopes and plans, or rather the hopes
and plans of the Castle family with re-
gard to John.
From hopes and plans Leila had then
drifted on to description, more real
istic than polite, of the style of girl
who often sought to marry John, but
| who would never be welcomed, nor in
deed tolerated by her parents or herself,
from which point she slipped Oh to hints
of the actual girl they all hoped and
felt sure John would soon present to
them as his future wife. Then she took
her departure.
| Kate clinched her hands as she sat
thinking over the ugly word picture
that Leila had drawn-of herself as the
artful, worldly entangler of Johns af-
fections. She could be scornful as well
as they. She But knock at the door
interrupted her angry musings.
cdr. Castle to see you, miss" said
the maid, and there stood John himself.
| He did not beat about the bush. He
had come to ask Kate to be his wife,
and he went straight to the point. He
took the chair nearest to her, and he
leaned forward and told his tale with
his love shining in his eyes. But he
was not prepared for the wrath and
misery in the face which she turned on
him when he paused.
| 'Do you think would marry man
whose people would not tolerate me3"
| she asked in passionate scorn.
John started in amazement. Then the
recollection of some home speeches to
which he had listened lately sent the
blood to his face.
| "Don't talk in that way, Kate, my
darling he pleaded. Nothing mat
ters if you love me.
"Love you'll" she cried. 81 think I
hate everybody in the world-you and
them and myself"
''What do you mean p he burst out
"What have they-what have 1 done2"
''Tell mel' she turned on him furi-
ously. "Would your father and mother
and sister welcome me as your wife 2"
John hesitated. He was naturally
truthful.
"You know they would not" she
continued. "You know they would de-
test me and do all in their power to pre-
vent such marriage, and do you think
I would fling myself at them as you
ask? p
"But, Kate, dear Kate, it is mad
ness
$50 away" she commanded. 81 will
but am not going to yield, and tell
you to go.
John had not been in the room half
an hour, and he wanted to stay longer,
but, having issued her commands, Kate
u gave him no option. She went quickly
into the inner room and locked the
door. So John was forced to go, but the
love and rage in his heart were fierce.
How Kate spent the hours which fol-
lowed most women know without being
told; how John spent them most men
can guess, but in the morning one idea,
at any rate, inspired them both, though
their motives appear to have been wide
apart, for they both wheeled out their
bicycles and mounted them.
Then the divergence of their motives
was apparent. Kate, starting off i'm
pulsively down the stretch of the road
in which she lodged longing only to
get away from everybody, realized sud-
} denly that the figure in the distance
which had just turned the corner was
, the figure Of John Castle, and without
hesitation she wheeled about and sped
the other way.
That John was coming to see her she
; felt sure, but she devoutly hoped that
he had not caught sight of her.
The roads were slushy, but the air was
still, and the wild strength she brought
to bear upon her pedals sent her flying
, over the ground She realized, however,
air was equally favorable to John if he
chose to follow, and her anxiety became
intense.
As she turned into the buster roads
she was forced to slacken pace, and the
: hiudrance set her fuming. She saw bi-
cycles coming toward her, and through
the clatter of carts and feet she seemed
to hear the s'swish' of others following
D her, but che dared not turn her head to
. see if the one she dreaded was among
them.
After awhile, however, she left the
clatter of traffic behind her, and the re-
lief Of the quiet was very great. II