Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-06-03
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 tG loosen her
tongue considerably.
Leila Castle and KaSe Manners were
students at the DatChlcy Art school,
in Kelton road while Kate lived in
rooms alone. 1t had been pleasant for
Kate as she grew to know Leila better
to enlivcn her days by accepting the
hospitality which the Castle family
offered. They We're 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 5 brother, seemed the only
one who remained cordial. His COrdiali
ty, indeed, Kate was forced to admit,
had decidedly increased, and she found
it by no means unpleasant, though she
frettcd and wondered over the others
Then came the afternoon when Leila
dropped in to tea, and while pretending
to wax confidential had lashed Kate 5
pride and temper The subject of Leila $
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 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 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 he scOrnful as well
as they. She But knock at the door
interrupted her angry musings
''Dr. 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 me?"
she asked III 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!" she cried II think l
hate everybody i'll the world-you and
them and myself. -
'What do you mcan?" he burst out.
"What have they-what have done ?"
Tell me- she turned on him furi-
ously. would your father and mother
and sister welcome me as your wifer"
John hCsitated. He was naturally
truthful.
"You know they would not, " she
continued You know they would de
test me and do all III their power to pre-
vent such a marriage, and do you think
| would fling myself at them as you
ask p
But, Kate dear Kate it is mad
ness -
500 away" she commanded. Il will
not have you here. l am going to cry,
but am not going to yield, and | tell
you to 90.
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, but the
love and rage in his heart We're 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 cut 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 i'll 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