Middletown transcript., 1904-10-03

mond was watching and listening anx.
iously-less to what Kilmeny said than
to how she said it-but, when 1t was
over, she went away, and Kilmeny was
left alone again.
The sound OF Chris Warrender's voice
outside and the trampling OF his horses
feet presently aroused her. She sprane
from her bed and placed herself where
she could hear what he had to say. He
seemed to have brought his horse close
to the window of the sitting loom in
order to speak to Mrs. Richmond.
GOOD morning. All are well, sup.
pose?'
"All are well, thank you."
''Have you heard from Doctor Rich.
mond ?''
'No--tlere has not been time yet"
aWell, good morning, Mrs. Richmond,
good morning"
The horse drew back from the window.
and Kilmeny could hear its retreating
footsteps as Christopher rode away. She
dressed hastily and went downstairs
Mrs. Richmond was alone when she en-
tered the sitting-room, and her eyes
looked as il they had been lately filled
with tears.
Mamma" Kilmeny said abruptly,
"Chris has been here. could hear all
that you said from my window. He did
not ask for Inc you did not invite him
in. / want to know what has made the
changer"
"Dear Kilmcny, when Chris comes
now you are nearly always out, and l
daresay that disappoints him."
''Tliat might account for the change in
him, but not for the change in you. 1t
began that evening in his garden"
Klmeny spoke in a voice which fall
tered in spite of her resolution. II Mrs.
Richmond confessed to having heard
anything against Christopher anything
which she believed to such an extent
as to make her resolve to put an end to
the intimacy between him and her family
Kilmeny felt as if nothing was worth
living for. She would not care then
what became of her or where she went.
But Mrs. Richmond was silent.
'You heard something that evening""
Kilmeny went on In her trembling voice
something which made you anxious
to break off acquaintance with Chris
You wrote to papa next morning about
it. Chris knows you wrote, and yon and
he are only waiting to hear what papa
will say. Chris comes here no more
until papa has written. Mamma, heard |
last night that gave me an
idea what it was about. but | could not |
believe it. If it is true. if you are con-
vinced beyond the shadow of doubt |
that it is true, do not speak. Just be
silent, and | shall know what to think.
| could not bear to have it put into
words"
Her straining ears waited for a sound,
but none came, and when she looked at
Mrs. Richmond she was weeping.
"Aind, don't know what it is p cried
kilmeny. ut was only whisper which
reached me, and l said that did not
believe it, but it must be true Don't tell
ne any more. could not bear it. Let
ls never speak of it again.
81 hoped it might be arranged some
low," said Mrs. Richmond. 81 hoped
'ou might not have to leave me, darling.
Even now, if your father were home,
might be done. But he has
lot even had time to write, and | do not
,now what to do"
Gould we not 60 away? We need
lot stay in this house p Kilmeny cried
sitting down to her mothers
eet and looking up into her face. "If
re cannot speak to-to-Mr. Warrender,
r have anything to do with him, we
ught not to be in his house. Let us
cave at once" i