Gilpin observer., 1903-06-18
CHAPTER Ix.-(continued.) }

er. At the last cake-baking. with the
dish Of cake sent to Joanna 1t went.
Back it has not come" le
For it you might go, Katherine. i
like not that my sets are broken"
Katherine blushed scarlet. This
was the opportunity she wanted. She
wondered if her mother suspected the
want; but Lysbets face expressed
only a little worry about the missing
damask Slowly, though her heart
beat almost at her lips, she folded
away her work.
The nights we're yet chilly-though
the first blooms were on the trees
and the wadded cloak and hood were
not far out of season as to cause re-
mark. AS she came downstairs, the
clock struck seven. There was yet an
hour, and she burst not wait SO long
at the bottom of the garden while it
was early in the evening. And this
singular reluctance to leave home as
sailed Katherine. If she had known
that it was to be forever. her soul
could not have more sensibly taken
its farewell of all the dear, familiar
objects of her daily life. About her
mother this feeling eliminated. She
found her cap little out of place;
and her fingers fingered in the lace,
and stroked fondly her hair and pink
cheeks, until I-ysbet felt almost en-
barrassed by the tender, but unusual
show of affection.
"Now then go, my Katherine. To
that very good were the cheesecakes
and the krullers and that tomorrow l
will come over and see the new car
pet they have bought"
And while she spoke she was re-
tying Katherine's hood, and admiring
as she did so the fair sweet face in
its cuttings of crimson satin, and the
small. dimpled chin resting upon the
fine bow she tied under it. Then she
followed her to the door and watched
her down the road until she saw her
meet Dominic Van Linden, and stand
a moment holding his hand. "A mes
sage l am going for my mother she
said. as she firmly refused his escort.
Then with madam, your mother, L
will sit until you return" he replied
cheerfully; and Katherine answered.
That will be a great pleasure to her,
sir"
A little farther she walked; but
suddenly remembering that the DOM
inie's visit would keep her mother in
the house. and being made restless
by the gathering of the night shadows.
she turned quickly and taking the
very road up which Hyde had come
the night Neil Semple challenged
him she entered the garden by small
gate at its foot, which was intended
for the gardeners use. The lilacs
had not much foliage. but in the dim
light her dark, slim figure was undis-
tinguishable behind them. Longingly
and anxiously she looked up and down
the water way. A mist was gathering
over 1t; and there were no boats in
the channel except two pleasure shall
lops, already tacking to their proper
piers. THE Dauntless" had been out
of sight for hours. There was not the
splash of an oar. and no other river
sound at that point. but the low. Pc
culiar "wish-h-h" of the turning tide.
All her senses were keenly on the
alert. Suddenly there was the sound
OF oars, and the measure was that of
steady, powerful strokes. She turned
her face southwark and watched. Like
a flash a boat shot out Of the shadow
"a long. swift boat. that came like a
Fate. rapidly and without hesitation.
to her very feet. Richard quickly left
It, and with few strokes 1t was car
ried back into the dimness of the
central channel. Then he turned to
the lilac trees.
Katherine! My love. my wife. my
beautiful wife! My true. good heart!
Now. at last, my own, nothing shall
part us again, Katherine-never again.
1 have come for you-come at all
risks for you. Only FIVE minutes the
beat can wait Are you ready?"
II know not. Richard. My father
my mother
MY husband! Say that. also. be-
loved. Am l not first?"
''If one word l could send them!
They suspect me not. They think you
are gone. 1t will kill my father"
you shall write to them on the
ship There are dozen fishing boats
near It. We will send the letter by
one Of them. My wife. do you need
more persuasion?"
She had no time to consider Rich
ard was wooing her consent with
kisses and entreaties. Her own soul
urged her. not only by the Joy OF his
presence. but by the memory Of the
anguish she had endured that day in
the terror Of his desertion. She clung
to her husbands arm. she lifted her
face to his. she said softly. but clear
~. II will go with you. Richard. With
you will go. Where to. care not at
ALL"
They stepped into the boat. and