Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-01-20
TWO ORPHANS.
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q HE was seated OH rustic bench
~ beneath the trees, and lie paced
modify up and down before her
can't understand It," he said, paus-
ing at last. You refuse me fatty, aud
yet you say you love me-"
Pm sorry, John-awfully sorry-but
you must understand now that It's
final. l have told you my reasons for
the refusal, and you must see they are
Isdon't feel any of that hysteric and
oyerpowering passion that the story
books tell about, but love you"
-'Humph!'
Indeed l do. But just look. Neither
you nor l have dollar, and we are
both orphans, without prospects"
II can make money, Kate"
81 don't believe it" &.
''You sas u me chance s
Kitty not fair Wait year and
on. me a grain Of hope.sand I'll
prove to you what I 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 mt all. l won't dclude
you with even grain of hope. In fact,
have decided to put speedy end to
this nonsense. am going away-of
to the city to seek my fortune, John,
and IL I'm lucky"-and she laughed n
little adly-"I shouldn't mind to send
for you to come and share my fortune
with me-"
The young man flushed.
you've got very poor opinion of
me, Kitty"
How hard you make 1t for both of
usw she exclaimed. but listen, john
IL should marry you and hard times
came upon us, as they would surely
come poverty and humiliation ana
grim and grimy want and desolation, 1
should hate you. John. And you would
perhaps take to drinl or commit sui
eide. Oh, it's too tragic"
II didn't think of all that" he said.
brokenly. II only knew that ! loved
you"
"And now, John, dear, dear John,
goodbye" she. said, rising. LET us
part friends"
He turned and caught her passionate
ly in his arms and covered her face
with kisses, swearing that he would
never let her go. For n moment she
drank in his caresses. Then, more angry
with herself than with him, she pushed
him back.
leave me-" Said she. 81 will never
speak to you again"
1t was late in the afternoon of a sum-
mer Sunday and the park was filled
with gay ladies, toil-worn workingmen
with their wives, babies rolling under
the trees, troops of bicycles whirling
along the graveled ways, maidens SHY
and sweet, lovers whispering divine
nonsense into eager ears-all 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
at the stream of life that flowed by
her. What did 1t matter to one Of all
that the throng IL she hungered for
sympathy and companionship? How
much alone and how lonesome she
felt! A little further down young
man stood and he gazed, not at the
boats, not at the water, but at the
girl who seemed SO forlorn.
ut looks like her." he murmured;
colder and winter and thinner, yet 80
much like her-as she might have
looked after sickness"
He came closer and the girl turned
about, facing him.
".John!
"Kitty!'
It seemed lame greeting. They
clasped hands. Each looked at the
other, thinking Of the day they part
ed beneath the trees. uncertain as to
how their friendship should be renew
ed.
Have you been sick, Kitty?"
No; do looked dllapidated?'
you look pale" he said gravely.
Has the city treated you unkindlyg
1T has given me my fortune,
john"
II am glad to hear 1t, glad indeed"
YES" she said with nervous lit,
tie laugh, look at this dress, John,
and at this last years hat and at
these shabby boots. They tell the
story might be only too glad to con-
ceal.'
"Why, I thought you were in the
very height Of the STYLE" be exclalm-