Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-03-29
FEN TURNS OF The fATE-NHEEL

LII !UIllsO I'll I'LL lnlL HILL.
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 ner
tongue considerably.
Leila Castle and Kate Manners were
students at the Datchley Art school;
Leila living at home with her family III
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 hospl-
tally which the Castle family offered.
They were kind to the lonely little stu
dent 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 zoo nusy to talk, ana John
Leila's brother, seemed the only one who
remained cordial. His cordiality. indeed,
Kate was forced to admit, had decidedly
increased, and she found it by no means
unpleasant. though she fretted and Won
dered over the others.
Then came the afternoon when Leila
dropped in to tea. and while pretending
to wax confidential had dashed Hates
pride and temper. The subject OF Leila 5
confidence had been Johns matrimonial
hopes and plans, or, rather, the hopes and
plans of the Castle family with regard
to John From hopes and plans LEILA
had then drifted on to descrlpCon
more realistic than polite, of the style
of girl who often sought to marry Jonn,
i lanT1 or
indeed, tolerated by her parents or her
self, from which points she slipped on 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 clenched her hands as she SAT
thinking over the ugly word-plcture tnat
Leila had drawn of herself as the artful.
worldly entangler of Johns affections
She could be scornful as we'll as they.
She But a knock at the door interrupt
ed her angry musings.
DIR. 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
be went straight to the point. lie 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 pre-
pared for the wrath and misery III the
face which she turned on him when he
paused.
DO you think [ will marry a man
whose people would not tolerate me?'
she asked. in passionate scorn.
John stared in amaZement. Then the
recollection of some home speeches to
which he had listened lately sent the
blood to his face.
ling" he pleaded. Nothing matters if
you love me-
Love YOU" she cried II think I hate
everybody in the world-you, and them,
and myself
What do you mean?' he burst out.
What have they done-what have |
doneT
Tell mer'-she turned on him furious
". Would your father, and mother
and sisters welcome me as your wife,
John hesitated; he was naturally
truthful.
You know they would not" she con-
tinued. You know they would detest
me, and do all III their power to prevent
such a marriage; and do you think that |
would fling myself at them, as you ask?''
but Kate, dear Kate, it is mad
ness
Go away she commanded Il will
not have you here. | am going to cry,
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 gave
him no option: she went quickly to 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
IL L ]!
apart-for they both wheeled out their
bicycles and mounted them.
Then the divergence Of their motives
was apparent. Kate. starting off impul-
siyely down the stretch Of the road in
which she lodged, longing only to get
away from everybody. realized suddenly
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 all
was still. and the wild strength she
brought to bear upon her pedals sent
her flying over the ground. She realized
however, that he roads were no worse
and the air was equally favorable tC
John, if he chose to follow and heI
anxiety became intense. AS she turned
INTO the buster roads she was forced tC
siacken pace, and the hindrance set he1
tuning. She saw bicycles coming to-
ward her, and through the clatter OF
carts and feet she seemed to hear the
swish of others following her, but she
dared not turn her head to see if the one
she dreaded was among them. After
awhile, however. she. left the catter OF
traffic behind her, and the relief of the
quiet was very great. In time, though
she grew accustomed to it, and as she
sped on her ears or her imagination be