The Delta independent., 1899-06-23
THE FATE WHEEL.


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 homo 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 htterly 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-
~. indeed. Fate was forced to admit.
had decidedly increased. and she found
it 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-
g.rd 70 John. sees
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 wCuld never be welcomed. nor in
deed tolerated by her parents or herseH
from which point she slipped Oh 10 hints
Of the actual girl they all hoped and
felt sure John would socn present 10
them as his future wife Then she took
her departure.
Kate clinched her hands a. abe Mt
thinking over the ugly word picture
that Leila had drawn Of herself ~ the
artful. worldly entangIcr Of Johns az
fectionA She could he scornful - well
as they. She But n knock 1t the door
interrupted her angry musinsA
DIR. Castle TO zee you. miss, said
the maid. and there stood Jchn himself
He did not beat about the bush. He
had come to nsk Kate to be his wife.
and he went straight 70 the point. He
took the chuir nearest to her. and he
leaned forward and told his tale with
his love shining in his eyes. But he
YVES not prepared for the wrath and
misery In the face which she turned IN
him when he paused.
"Oo you think would marry n man
whose people would not tolerate mey'
she asked in passionate scorn.
Jchn started in amusement. Then the
recollection Of some home speeches to
which he had listened lately sent the
blood to his face.
Don't talk in TINT way. Kate. my
darling" he pleaded. Nothing mat
ters II you love me.
Love you!" she cried. II think I
hate everybody in tho worid-you and
them and nyself,''
"What do you mean - he burst out.
what have they what have doncy''
Tell mel" she turned ON him furi.
ously. Would your father and mother
and sister welcome me as your wifer"
John Lesitated. He was naturally
truthful
"Ynu know they would not. shs
continued lyon know they would de-
test me md do all in their power to pre-
vent such marriage. and do you think
wonh fling myself .t them as you
ask y
"But. Kate. dear Kate. IL is mad.
ness
go away. she commanded. II will
not have you here. am going to CIV.
bat an not going tO yield. and tell
you TO 20.
p 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
into the inner room and locked the
door. So John was forced to go. bui 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 guere. but In the morning one ides.
st any rate. inspired them both though
their motives appear 10 have been wide
apart. for they both wheeled ont tbeis
bicycles and mounted them. Il
Then the divergence Of their motives
was apparent Kate. starting off i'm.
pulsively down the stretch Of the road
in which she lodged. looging only 10
get away from every body realized sud.
denly that the 6gure In the distances
which had Just turned the corner wss
TIE 6gure Of John Caetle. apd witbouS
hesitation she wheeled sbout spd spei
the other way.
That John was cnmisg to So her ~
fe't sers. bat - Asvostly hupsd TIA 1
be ~ ~ sssGht agAe q hss.a ssl /
Ths rcads were sauaAy. bat tAs ais v,el
seill sDd ~ via ptrsggtA - hpoast1
% bssr sSoa ~ tsodG Ut ~ ayfl4
svee - uyssA SAssea(ssA AswsssSd
~ ~, -. ~ ..o:1I, .o:Ss - - !! ~
. ghHE3oT2 = SoJI