Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-02-26


sweet-faced girl by overhearlng one
clerk remark to another:
Eyes, Maggie does look happy. She's
a lucky girl! You know she's engaged
to Hugh Austen, the architect. He's
one of Gods noblemen; there isn't a
better man in the city. believe they're
10 be married some time this winter"
"One Of Gods noblemenv Kate re-
peated the words softly to herself, then
added in whisper, burying her burn.
ing face in her hands, "And my k.ng!"
No word Of love had ever passed be-
tween them, but eyes have way Of
betrayfng secrets sometimes. She knew
his heart was hers even though his
word was pledged to another-and she
exulted in the possession.
He was SO different from the men she
met in society that he interested her
from the first. He was quiet, with that
reserve which betokens strength Of
character as well as strength of will.
She remembered the day she first met
him. He was in the library when she
went in to get book. and her father IN.
PRODUCED him. He acknowledged the
Introduction by curt little bow, hard
~ giving her glance. and continued
the discussion with Mr.. Gordon as IL
she had not been present. She felt
piqued and snubbed-a novel sensation
for the heiress-and she determined to
show this rude young man that she was
not altogether devoid of intelligence.
Kate was an only child, the idol Of
her fathers heart. She was his friend
and comrade-lls companion in the
true sense of the word. SHE possessed
good judgment, and had always taken
a live interest in his affairs. He often
said she had a better head for business
than half the men he met.
Determining to understand the sub.
ject thoroughly. she hunted up all the
books in the house treating on archi.
lecture, and spent her spare time in
studying and making notes.
When Mr.. Austen came again she had
the satisfaction of seeing look of sur
prise creep into his eyes as she occa-
sionally made an apt suggestion.
He turned and looked at her several
times during the evening, when some
unusually brightremark of hers arrested
his attention-a remark showing clear
and intelligent understanding of the
question under discussion. The few
women he knew were of the domestic
order. who rarely gave a thought to
anything outside the petty round which
constituted their world. And that So
.ciety belle should be able to discuss in.
diligently and originally the living
issues Of the day-the vexed problems
that make life the complex thing it is
amazed him.
He had begun by feeling-if he had
any feeling ut all in the matter-that
the beautiful heiress was no more to
him than any one of the many other
pieces of brlc-a-brac in his employers
house. She was II beautiful statue.
nothing more, nothing less. But when
the statue woke to life he discovered
that 1t possessed rare and delicate
CHAIRMAN indetinable something that
attracted and held him. And gradually
the evenings he spent at her fathers
house became the bright spots in his
rather colorless existence.
Kate did not know how long she had
sat there when she heard the door open
softly and q quick, nervous step COM
ing toward her. Rising, she stood facing
him as he came up. His face was flush
ed. and there was an eager light in his
eyes.
II could not go away without apollo.
giving TO You for what said a while
ago" he said, speaking breathlessly, as
though impelled by some inner force.
He had caught her hands in his, AMI
was holding them crushed together in
both of his own. II did not mean you
there are no weak points In your ma
ture. You are good and pure and stead
fast. was thinking only of myself!'
They stood for full minute looking
into each others eyes-readlng each
others souls. Then Kate gently with
drew her hands. and walking over to
the mantel said rather unsteadily:
1--WE cannot Judge human beings by
the same standard by which we Judge
inanimate things. There are weak
spots in every nature-but out of that
very weakness grows the beautiful
flower of humility"
..Thank you" he murmured in a
broken whisper, and started toward the
door. but before reaching 1t, turned,
and catching her hands In his crushed
them against his lips-and was gone.
Kate did not go to Mrs. Grantley's
that night. She complained of not feel
ing well. and she certainly did look i'll.
Human faces are Natures highest type
of etchings; and heartache Is the keen
needle that traces the. finest lines. Her
father was alarmed. and willingly con-
sented when she begged to spend the
winter with her aunt In Florida.
1t was like driving nail into her
own coffin. this wrencliing away from
the very sun Of her existence. But 1t
was the only thing to do. There was no
other way.
Il am so rich In other things-and she
had only hlm!" she told herself EVER
and over again. when her heart rose In
rebellion against the sacrifice.
Hers was an intense nature. possess.
ing rare capacity for suffering, but
also possessing a noble disregard of
self. 1t was impossible for one of her
to accept happiness pur-
chased through another's pain.
The long, colorless days and blank
empty years stretching before her
frightened and appalled, her. But she
did not falter in her decision.
Hugh Austen's wife never knew how