Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-03-27

his jaundiced eyes, Mark was forced to
acknowledge that, II those ten years had
taken away something CT the girlish look
from her face. she was much handsoner
than she ever had been--with her daz-
cling complexion, her beautiful brown
eyes, and the rare smile, which, when
she talked, lit up the sad expression OF
her face
Katharine comported herself admira-
bly,. She talked freely with Mark-sapg
Toms favorite songs-was easy and un-
embarrassed; and for her pains, Mark, in
his heart, denounced her as the most soul
less creature that ever breathed.
"She never could have loved him." said
Tom, one night, when he and his wife
were holding a confidential talk in their
room. III fancy she was bit Of fiirt."
Nobody was ever farther from it"'
returned Ellen, Indignantly. Its my
opinion that Mark was as unjust as pos
sible. You know how passionate he used
to be, and Katherine was always the
proudest creature that ever breathedr
Ellen was right there.
Katharine was sitting alone In the par
lor one evening, amusing herself at the
half-forgotten songs.
Ellen had gone out to visit sick neigh
Dor, and Mark she had seen wandering
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, sweet
voice reached him through the stiffness
of the evening, and the song struck his
heart like the echo Of some half-forgot-
ten 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 almost
thought II was your wrath" she said.
81 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 thing that had stirred
his heart like wind from the past.
Twill you sing me one of those Scotch
songs heard you singing to Ellen the
other nightf" Mark asked.
She sang him several songs, and then
they fell into more familiar conversation
than they had before done during all
these days.
1t was full hour before Ellen came
In, and there she found them, with the
new moon looking in at the window and
casting it's light upon Katharines face,
and softening it.
Inwardly Madam Ellen thought a great
step had been gained; but she was limo
cent as q dove.
The next day Ellen arranged it 90 that
Mark was obliged to 60 out riding with
Katharine: and, as she saw them depart,
stood on the veranda and nodded 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 filed when
she was Ellen's chum and schoolmate 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.
"She must be happy" thought Mark,
''to sing like that"
"He Is risen. He Is risen," sounded
sweetly upon the air and the audience sat
spellbound while the sweet singers offer
tory filed the church.
The next morning Mark surprised his
cousin by announcing that he had decid-
ed to go to Europe.
Don't go-yet," whispered his cousin
Ellen.
But Katharine gave no sign Of disap-
proval.
Marks departure was to be as sudden
as his resolve; and that very afternoon he
stood in the broad hallway with his satch-
el in hand, his baggage strapped for the
| train.
Mark and Katharine found themselves
alone.
He had taken her hand-they both
| 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 sud
| denly Ellen cried out in a voice full of
misery:
IF you are human, Katharine, don't
let him so so! Can't you see he loves
your
At those words her false strength gave
way--she heard his voice full of passion
ate tenderness calling:
| katharine! Katharine"
She could not speak-she put out hel
hands blidly, and in that instant Mark
read more clearly in her heart than he
| had done even in the old time.
"Katharine-my Katharine"
There was no time for many words
but In those few moments there was hap
piness enough to live upon their memory
for life.
Ancient Easter Customs.