Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-07


ton of independence.
From childhood she had hated pow
erty; II meant TO her e cramped, mar
row life; desires that could not be
fulfilled. generosities that could not
be gratified, and yet. when a way of
escape had presented itself in the
person of CORVALLIS Cobb, she had
decided that there could perhaps be
more distasteful experiences than
poverty.
That night katherine amused her
self by reading the society news in
the Queen. The high-sounding titles
interested her and beguiled the time,
for she had made few friends in Lon
don and found people not eager to
welcome a stranger.
Suddenly among the names that
met her eve she saw one that she
recognizable was CORVALLIS Cobb.
The item read: "Mr. CORVALLIS
Cobb, one of Americas young mil
lionaires, is being entertained by
Lady Henry Clayborne, at Clayborne
| manor, Yorkshire. Rumor has il that
marriage has been arranged be-
tween Mr.. Cobb and Lady Clayborne's
eldest daughter, Lady Marian Clay
borne"
Katherine could not help a regret
full feeling. 1t was like finding 4
friend and then losing him suddenly
forever. Lady Clayborne was evil
IDENTITY not averse to the name of
| Cobb, and Katherine laughed a little
~ har.l,1r r
condescension to the Cobbs.
1t was nearly ten days before Cobb
called. as be had promised When
day by day passed without any sign
! from him Katherine was conscious of
distinct sense of disappointment,
and she concluded his other social
duties had made him forget her.
But one morning there arrived a
/ big bunch of violets The maid who
brought them in 70 her was over
come by the size.
Laws, Miss" she exclaimed. with
delight, they must ave cost a capt.
That evening Cobb called, and ex-
planned that he had been summoned
to Paris suddenly the day atefr he
/ had last seen her, and had just come
back.
1t was wonderful how many things
they had to talk about as they sat
, there in the shabby little back draw
ing-room. Katherine seemed TO for
get, she had never shown him so
much of herself before, it was so
natural to be talking to him about
things that interested her most.
1t was a fortnight later that she
was engaged 60 sing at Lady Lee
lands reception. Her head ached,
and her eyes were dazzled by the
blaze of lights and jewels.
Suddenly she saw moving across
the room CORVALLIS Cobb, on whose
arm leaned a tall, pretty girl. Some
one near by whispered it was Lady
Marian Clayborne.
For moment her heart beat vio-
lently, and then Lady Iceland moved
! over and motioned her to sing, IL
/ was a catchy little coon song, and
when she finished it was greeted with
| well-bred applause. Lady Marian had
come SO near that she could hear her
remark TO her companion:
Clever little thing-quite an air
about her!"
Katherine took elaborate care not 20
look in their direction, and did not
hear his reply, but the patronizing
/ tone of the girls voice filed her with
Indignation. The evening seemed ter.
ribly long drawn out, and Katherine
thought il would never end. She found
herself sitting in a corner alone just
after refreshments were served, wheI
she heard her name mentioned by tive
rather dissipated-looking youths
who stood ogling her not far away
That their conversation was meant
for her TO hear she had not the least
doubt, and her face burned.
''She looks a jolly sort" said one 81
have half mind TO ask her out in tn,
conservatory. These Americans dc
anything"
Jaw, quite So" assented the other
eco and ask her and I'll join you later.
At this moment Sig Maroni, tn,
little man who played the cello cam,
|. forward and pompously offered hi.
arm TO conduct her to small retrea
where members of the profession wer,
served by themselves.
She rose with relief at his appear
ance, when, to her surprise, Cobb sud
denly stepped forward, and with
/ slight bow to Maroni explained tina
Miss Whitney had promised him tn
honor of serving her, and before sh
knew what to say, Cobb was bendin;
, over her in the conservatory.
"Confound the impertinence of thos
idiots!" he said, angrily. ''Did the,
brighten you?"
80, no." replied Katherine, family
81 had headache, that was all'-an
with energy hate this sssort o
thing!" -
"You mean"
Eyes, / mean this amusing people,
she interrupted. 'Their insults mad
den me-"
30, Katherine, let's run away fror
it ALL" he began, with sudden eager
ness. 81 would be So good to you, bu
then" long pause.
But what, Wallis - she asked, soft