Marble Hill press., 1902-12-17

b''o mo hsn 30 you wear that
sweettaneied suit again. ID that the
Dutch style. thon. chIldi Il must be
extremely charming. La, here comes
Rlehardl He IL going to ask you To
take a sail on the river; and shall
lend you my new green parasol. do
believe Il is the only one in the coun.
Try"
Il came 10 sit with you. and work
with my worsteda. Perhaps my moth.
ef--mlsht not like mo to 80 on the
river with-any one" .s5
But Katherine had no time 70 DO
fend herself; for. with his cavalry
cap in his hand and a low bow. Capt
Hyde entered the room. In few
minutea afterward she was going
down the terrace steps with him; and
he was looking into her face with shin
Ing eyes, and whispering the common
cat words IN such an enchanting man
ner that II seemed 10 her as II her feet
scarcely touched the low, whito steps.
and abe was nome sort Of gloriAed
Katherine Van Heemskirk. who never.
never. never could be unhappy again.
They did not go on the river Capt
Hyde did not want third party near.
In any capacity. The lower steps
we're shaded BY great water beeches,
and the turf under them was green
and warm. A sweeter hour, q lovelior
maid. man could never hope TO hnd;
and Capt. Hyde was not one to NEGLECT
bis opportunity.
Let US stay here. my beloved" he
whispered. Il have something sweet
10 tell you. Upon mine honor, ] can
keep my secret no longer"
The Innocent childl Who could
blame her for listening TO itf-at hrst
with a little fear and n little reluct-
ance, but gradually resisnlng her
whole heart 10 the charm Of his soft
Ayllablea and his fervent manner. un-
III abe gave him the promise he
begged for-lovo that was to be for
him alone. love for him alone among
all the sons Of men.
What an enchanted afternoon II
wasl how all too quickly II fed away,
one golden moment after anotherl
In a few minutes Joanna and the
elder came In. He had called for her
on his way home; for he liked the
society Of the young and beautiful, and
there were many hours In which he
thought Joanna falrer than her sister.
Then tea was served In q pretty parlor
with Turkish walls and colored win
dows, which, being open into the gar
den, framed lovely living pictures OF
blossoming trees. Every one was eat.
ing and drinking. laughing and talk.
ing; 10 Katherine's unusual silence
was unnotlced, except by the elder,
who indeed saw and heard everything.
and who knew what he did not see
and hear by that kind Of presclence
to which wise and obseryant years at
tain.
Joanna was talking TO Nell Semple
in the recess of q window; but Nell's
face was white with suppressed anger.
and. though he seemed to be listening
to her, his eyes-full Of passion-were
hxed upon Hyde. Perhaps the young
soldier was conscious Of It; for he oc-
casionally addressed some trivial re-
mark to him, as II to prevent Neil
losing sight of the advantages he had
over him.
'aThe vera air o. this room is gun
powdery," thought the elder; "and ane
or the other win be ninging q spark o
passion into II and then the dell will
be to pay. I'll cen TAX the lasses
hame myself; and I'll speak to Joris
for his daughter-as good now as any
other time"
Then he said in his blandest tones,
Joanna, my dearie, you'll hae to tell
Neil the rest o. your tale the morn;
and, Katherine. put ava now that bit
O. busy idleness, and don your hoods
and nantes. bath O. you. I'm going
to Ia you hame, and | dinna want to
get my deathe wi the river mist"
"Pray, sir" said Hyde, consider me
at your service. have occasion to
20 into town at once, and will do your
duty to the young ladies with infinite
pleasure"
much obliged, captain, vera much
obliged; but It talks an auld wise
beaded, wise-hearted man like mysel'
to walk safely atween two bonnie
iasses.'
while he was speaking. Nell left the
room. He was glad to escape from a,
position which he felt to be both pain
full and humiliating, He was in a
measure Capt. Hyde's host, and sub
iect to traditions regarding the du-
ties Of that character; any display Of
anger would be derogatory to him,
and yet how difficult was restraint!
So his fathers interference was
welcome one; and he was reconciled
to his own disappointment, when,
looking back he say the old gentleman
slowly taking the road to Van Heems-
kinks, with the pretty girls In their
quilted red hoods, one on each SIDE q
him.
The elder was very polite to his
charges; but he noticed that katner-
inc was silent and disappointed, ana
that she fingered in her own room
after her arrival at home. Her subse-
ouent pretty cheerfulness, her delight
in her lilies, her conhding claims upon
her fathers love--nothiag In these
things deceived him. He saw beneaIn
all the fluttering young heart, trem-
bling, and yet happy in the new, sweet
feeling, never felt before. which nad
come to 1t that afternoon.
But he thought most girls had TO
have this initiative; 1t prepared tne
way for q soberer and more lasting
afrection. In the end Katherine wouid
perceive how imprudent, how impos.
s,ble a marriage with Capt Hyde must
no. and her heart would turn back 70
| Neil who had been her lover from
hoyhood. Yet, he reflected, 1t wouiu
| be well to have the matter under.
stood, and to give It that possibility
which is best attained on q money
| haaia