Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-02-12

the stairs and called once more
"Lysbet Van Heemskirkl Is there
naebody in to bid me welcome|
Then Katherine knew it was Madam
Semple; and she ran to her mothers
room and begged her to go down
and receive the caller. For in these
days Katherine dreaded Madam Sem.
pie little. Very naturally, the moth
er blamed her for Neil's suffering and
loss of time and prestige; and she
found 1t hard to forgive also her posi-.
tive rejection of his suit.
And towards Neil, Joris had a Sc,
cret feeling of resentment. He had
taken no pains to WOO Katherine until
some one else wanted her. 1t was
universally conceded that he had been
the first to draw his sword, and thus
indulge his own temper at the expense
Of their chlld's good name and hap
piness. So, below the smiles and kind
words of long friendship, there was
bitterness. II there had not been
Janet Semple would hardly have paid
that morning visit; for before Lysbet
was half way down the stairs, Kath-
crime heard her call out:
Here's bonnie come of. But it is
what a folks expected. The Daunt-
less sailed the morn, and Capt. Earl
wi contingent for the West Indies
station. And who wi him, guess you,
but Capt. Hyde, and no less? They
say he has furlough in his pocket
for twelve-month; more like it's a
clean total dismissal. The guide ken
it ought to be-"
So much Katherine heard, then her
mother shut the door of the sitting
room. A great fear made her turn
faint and sick. Were her fathers
words true? The suspicion once en-
tertained, she remembered several
little things which strengthened 1t.
Her heart failed her; she uttered a
low cry of pain, and tottered to a
chair like one wounded.
1t was then ten o'clock. She
thought the noon hour would never
come. Eagerly she watched for Bran
and her father; for any certainty
would be better than such cruel fear
and suspense. And, IL Richard had
really gone the fact would be known
to them. Bran came first. For once
she felt impatient of his political en-
thusiasm. How could she care about
liberty poles and impressed fishermen
with such a real terror at her heart
Joris was tenderly explicit He said
to her at once: 1.-The Dauntless'
sailed this morning. Oh, my little
one, sorry am for thee!"
is he gomez" Very low and slow
were the words; and Joris only an
swered, Eyes"
Without any further question or re-
mark, she went away. They were
amazed at her calmness. And for
some minutes after she had locked
the door of her room, she stood still
in the middle of the floor, more like
one that has forgotten something, and
is trying to remember, than a woman
who has received a blow upon her
She did not think of weeping or re-
preaching, or lamenting. The only
questions she asked herself were:
How am l to get life over? VIII
such suffering kill me very soon?"
About two o'clock Lysbet went to
at once to her. There was nothing
to be said, no hope to offer. The
mother did not attempt to say one
word of comfort, or hope, or excuse.
She only took the child in her arms,
and wept for her.
81 loved him so much, moeder."
Thou could not help 1t. Handsome
and gallant and gay he was"
And he did love me. A woman
knows when she is loved"
Eyes, am sure he loved thee"
He has gone? Really gomez"
mo doubt is there of it. Stay in
thy room, and have thy grief out with
myself"
mo; will come to my work. Ev-
cry day will not be the same. | shall
look no more for any joy; but my duty
| will do"
They went downstairs together
The clean linen, the stockings that
required mending, lay upon the table.
Katherine sat down to the task. Res
olutely, but almost unconsciously, she
put her needle through and through.
Her suffering was pitiful; this little
one who few months ago would have
wept for a cut finger, now silently
battling with the bitterest agony that
can come to a loving woman-the
sense Of cruel, unexpected, unmerited
desertion. So for an hour, an hour of
speeches. sorrow, they sat. The at.
mosphere was becoming intolerable,
like that of a nightmare; and Lysbet
was feeling that she must speak and
move, and so dissipate II, when there
was loud knock at the front door.
Katherine trembled all over. ITO.
day cannot bear 1t, mother. No one
can / see. | will go upstairs"
Ere the words were finished, Mrs.
Gordon's voice was audible. She
came into the room laughing with the
smell of fresh violets and the feeling
Of the brisk wind around her. Dear
madam" she cried, Il entreat you for
favor. | am going to take the air
this afternoon; be so good as to let
Katherine come with me. For / must
tell you that the colonel has orders
for Boston, and may see my charm
ing friend no more after today"
katherine, what say you? Will
you go?"
Please, min moeder."
Make great haste, then" For
Lysbet was pleased with the offer,
and fearful that Joris might arrive,
and refuse to let his daughter accept
it. She hoped that Katherine would
receive some comforting message.
Stay not long," she whispered