The representative., 1899-11-09
ONE WOMAN'S LOVE

Katherine King and Katherine Hazlett
played together in infancy, were inseparable
as schoolgirls and were intimate friends aft
er school days were over and they had be-
gun to enjoy the delights of a first season
in society.
Each solemnly vowed that nothing could
ever destroy her love for the other, never
dreaming that in their love for a man their
love for each other might be shattered.
When Beverly Douglas made their ac-
qualntance he was equally attentive to both
hatherines There was a peculiar individual
charm about each, distinct and separate
from the charms exerted by the other which
made 1t difficult for Beverly to discover
which attracted him the most So, unde-
clded between them, he danced attendance
upon Dotn, unaware and perhaps careless Of
the TACT that he had aroused a passion Of
love In the breasts of both girls
But SO carefully did the girls conceal
tnelr feelings that no one save the mother
OF Katherine fArlg guessed the intensity Of
love which, worthy or unworthy, he had
awakened
Gradually the bonds of friendship which
mad united Katherine King and Katherine
Hazlett became loosened and. although they
were thrown in contact almost daily the
sweet intimacy they had enjoyed before the
coming of Beverly Douglas was broken
Neither one would have betrayed to the
strove, with every art she possessed, to
WIN MS love. How long he might have hes
ltated before making his choice had not an
unexpected accident precipitated it, is un-
certain; but the question was settled one
summer day in the following manner:
Ihe two girls and Beverly formed part of
company of picnickers who went down the
RIVER IN roWboats to island resort On
the way home the boat which carried these
three and three others was upset. All were
thrown into the water.
By strange freak of fate the two pirls
who had occupied his thoughts for so many
Weekers were thrown out, one on either side
CT beverly. In the confusion of the moment
ne scarce knew what to do, but instinctively
threw out hand to both. They had scarce
~ secured his help when big wave ad-
Vanced toward them, threatening to over
power them. Beverly felt that he must
nave a free arm to resist it and to rescue
the woman he loved. But which one was it
Up to that moment he had been unable to
decide but suddenly katherine Hazlett ap-
peared to him the most precious being in
the world. Without giving himself time to
reflect he loosened the hold of the other
and with vigorous stroke of his free arm
moved rapidly out of the wake of the ap-
preaching wave.
No words were needed to explain the sit
uatlon to Katherine King. His movement
might have been instructive, but she real
lied that his instinct impelled him to save
her rival and leave her to perish, if need be.
A bitter wave of disappointment and out
ragged love swept over her soul Just as the
approaching waves of the ricer reached her
and engulfed her body in their depth With
all her hopes and fond desires shattered and
destroyed, she had no desire to live, and
without an effort to save herself she sank
beneath the angry waters, embracing the
thought of death with joy.
But it was not willed that she should die,
nOh off hcir
than alive, she lay for many days just on
the borderland of the mysterious country
Of the hereafter.
Although she had no wish to live and
suffer, her strong constitution and the best
of nursing carried her through and she
lived to see the wedding day of Beverly
Douglas and Katherine Hazlett dawn.
Since she had to live, her illness was
opportune for it saved her from the torture
Of witnessing their happiness, and afforded
an opportunity, as she grew stronger for her
to undertake visit to the far West before
they returned from their wedding journey.
In the West an offer of a position as
teacher of music in new college was made
her, and, as she was a fine musician and
passionately fond of her art, she accented
and stayed on. And thus, busily employed
a year passed. during which she believed
that all love for the man who had chosen
another in preference to herself was gone
from her heart.
ret, Wuon Lne news TedCneQ 1er that the
other Katherine had died after one brief
year of life with him, her heart leaped in
her bosom, and such tumult of emotion
shook her being that she was frightened,
and knew that she had deceived herself
Her first unreasoning impulse was to 20 to
him. but this when she had recovered her
composure, was rejected.
What am l to him? He has plainly
shown that I am but a cipher in his
existence" she said to herself and so she
remained quietly at her post, outwardly
calm, yet waiting and watching with long
ing, for she scarce knew what
Another year wore by, and Katherine, 10
times more beautiful and attractive, was
summoned home by illness in the family.
Her trial had softened her, instead of hard
ening.
She now understood mans nature better
than when she was young girl striving for
Beverly Douglas love, and she began tn
make excuses for him to herself He might
not have intended to abandon her; it might
have been that she herself had loosened her
clasp on his protecting hand and he had not
had time to catch her before the wave struck
her. All traces of resentment were swept
away, and when she met him again while
she was able to keep from betraying her
self outwardly, she knew that she still
loved and would always love him. to the
end of her life.
AS for Beverly Douglas himself he was
charmed anew by her beauty, her dignity
and her air of distinction. Her way of
treating him, while it piqued him, only
made him admire her the more
His year of mourning was over and he be-
gan to go out again, but he soon found that
he cared only for this tranquil, soft voiced
Katherine, who with all the many womanly
arts at her command drew him to her. while
appearing Indifferent to him. l.
In short time he was madly in love and |
begged her to marry him.
She would not give him her answer at |
once, but kept him waiting, in anxious sus-
pense, for days. The uncertainty only made |
his desire grow greater until he felt that |
without her life would be unbearable. /
Finally, when she felt that his love was |
hers, unalterably and forever, she gave
him her promise.
Neither referred to the past. He had for |
gotten it ALL and she with the generousity
of her nature, had effaced it from her re- !
How can you marry him, Katherine-a |
man who once rejected" began her I
mother, when she told her her decision
Hush, mother" said Katherine softly |
"ycu know have always I
loved him and will love him as long as life |
lasts Chicago Daily News.