The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-03-28

katharine comported herself adj
mirably. She talked freely with Mark
sang Toms favorite songs-was easy
and unembarrassed: and for her pains,
Mark, in his heart, denounced her as
the most soulless creature that ever
breathed.
She never could have loved him."
said Tom, one night, when he and his
wife were holding confidential talk
in their room. II fancy she was bit
of flirt.''
Nobody was ever farther from it!'
returned Ellen, Indignantly. IT'S my
opinion that Mark was as unjust as
possible. You know how passionate he
used to be, and Katharine was always
the proudest creature that ever
breathed!'
Ellen was right there.
Katharine was sitting alone In the
parlor, one evening, amusing herself at
the piano, playing old melodies, and re-
calling half-forgotten songs.
Ellen had gone out to visit a sick
neighbor, and Mark she had seen wan
dering off toward the village, an hour
before, so that she was left quite to
herself.
But just then Mark was coming up
the walk, and the tones OF that low
stiffness of the evening, and the song
struck his heart like the echo of some
lf-forgotten language. 1t was an old,
old melody she had often sung for him.
Don't let me interrupt you," he said,
entering quietly.
You came in so suddenly that I al
most thought it was your wrath" she
said. Il had Just finished my song-a
sweet old melody that my mother used
to love"
. He was vexed that she should speak
SO composedly of a thing that had
stirred his heart like wind from the
past.
will you sing me one of those Scotch
songs ! heard you singing to Ellen the
other night?" Mark asked.
She sang him several songs, and then
they fell into more familiar conversa-
ton than they had before done during
all these days.
in, and there she found them, with the
new moon looking in at the window and
casting it's light upon katharine's face,
and softening it.
Inwardly, Madam Ellen thought a
great step had been gained; but she
was innocent as a dove.
The next day Ellen arranged it so
that Mark was obliged to go out riding
with Katharine; and, as she saw them
depart, stood on the veranda and nod
ded her head in sign of approval.
The following day was EASTER and
Katharine resumed her old place in
the choir, the place which she had filled
when she was Ellen's chum and school,
mate in the long ago.
How fair and sweet she looked as she
stood in the organ loft singing: and
how the beautiful words of the Easter
carols fell from her lips. i.
"She must be happy" thought Mark.
ito sing like that
HE is risen. He is risen," sounded
sweetly upon the air and the audience
sat spellbound while the sweet singers
offertory filled the church.
The next morning Mark surprised his
cousin by announcing, that he had de-
cided to go to Europe.
Don't go-yet." whispered his cousin
Ellen.
But Katharine gave no sign Of dis
approval.
Marks departure was to be as sud-
den as his resolve; and that very after
noon he stood in the broad hallway
with. his satchel in hand, his baggage
strapped for the train.
Mark and Katharine found them
selves alone.
He had taken her hand-they both
tried to speak-then she was conscious
that he dropped it and turned away.
She stood there incapable Of a move
ment-she knew that he was looking
back at her from the doorway, and
suddenly Ellen cried out in voice full
of Misery:
II You are human, Katharine, don't
let MIN go so! Can't you see he loves
At those words her false strength
gave way-she heard his voice fun OF
passionate tenderness calling: "
Katharine! Katharine!',
She could, not speak-she put out her
hands blindly. and in that instant Mark
read more clearly in her heart than he
had done even in the old time. 4
katharine-my Katbarine!"
mere was no time for many words:
put In those few moments there was
happiness enough to live upon thstI5
memorv for life.