Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-01-26
TWO ORPHANS.
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n HE was seated on a rustic bench
~ beneath the trees, and he paced
- moodily up and down before her.
Il can't understand it, he said, paus-,
ing at last. You refuse me fatty, and
yet you say you love me-"
I'm sorry, John-awfuIly sorry-but
you must understand now that it's
final have told you my reasons for
the refusal, and you must see they are
good reasons. And, as for the love,
| don't feel any of that hysterlc and
overpowering passion that the story
books tell about, but l love you"
"Humphr'
Indeed 1 do. But just look. Neither
you nor | have a dollar, and we are
both orphans, without prospects"
II can make money, Kate"
Il don't believe it,"
"You ought to give me chance,
Kitty. It's not fair. Wait year and
only give me grain of hope, and I'll
prove to you what 1 can do"
Its no use whatever" said the girl,
firmly. You can't make money. You
haven't got the gift. You're not thrifty.
No, | won't wait at all. l won't delude
you with even a grain of hope. In fact,
/ have decided to put a speedy end to
this nonsense. l am going away-oH
to the city to seek my fortune, John,
and If I'm lucky'-Ghd she laughed a
little SADLY shouldn't mind TO send
for YOU TO come and share my fortune
with me-"
The young man flushed.
you've got a very poor opinion of
me, Kitty"
How hard you make it for both Of
u.s." she exclaimed. But listen, John,
II I should marry you and hard times
came upon us, as they would surely
come. poverty and humiliation and
grim and srlmy want and desolation,
should hate you. John. And you would
perhaps take to drink or commit sui
eide. Oh. it's too tragic
Il didn't think of all that" he said,
brokenly. Il only knew that l loved
you"
And now. John. dear. dear John.
rood-bye." she said, rising. Let us
part friends"
He turned and caught her passionate
" i'm his arms and covered her face
with kisses, swearing that he would
never let her go. For moment she
drank In his caresses. Then. more angry
with herself than with him, she pushed
him back.
Leave me-" said she. Il will never
sneak TO you again"
Ii was late in the afternoon of a sum-
mer Sunday and the park was filed
with gay ladies. il-worn workingmen
with their wives, babies colling under
the trees. troops of bicycles whirling
along the graveled ways, maidens shy
and sweet. lovers whispering divine
oousense into eager ears-al the breath
and blood and brain and bone of the
great city stretching itself out for an
hours rest and enjoyment.
A Young maiden, standing alone by
the shore of the lake. looking YEARLY
n the stream of life that flowed by
her. What did il matter TO one or all
that the thrung il she hungered for
sympathy and eompanionship? How
much alone and how lonesome she
feltl A little further down a young
man stood and he gazed. not at the
boats. not at the water. but at the
girl who seemed so forlorn.
1T looks like her" he murmured;
Older and whittier and thinner, yet so
much like her-as she might have
looked after sickness"
He came closer and the girl turned
about facing him.
john
kitty
1t seemed a lame greeting. They,
claSped hands. Eaoh locked at the
other. thinking AZ Re day they part
ed beneath the trees. uncertain as TO
how their friendship should be renew
ed
1--we you been sic6. Eitty?"
NO: do l looked dilapldatedg"
You look pale" he said gravslv.
HAS the city treated you unkindly? -
1T has given me my fortune,
John
Il am glad to hear il. glad indeed
~Yes," she said with q nervous lit.
tie laugh, '1oolz at this dress. John,
ana at this last years hat and 1t
these shabby boots They tell the
story I might De only too glad 10 CON
ceal
why. l thought you were in the
very height of the style. he excIaim-