Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-07

Katharine Would Like to Know.

CHAPTER XXX.
Katharine Would Like to Know.
The next mornings issue OF the Eureka
Sentinel contained this item: Those indi-
viduals who gave certain Reverend Gen.
tleman the dare. last night. received more
than they barsained for: at least. 50 It Is
said"
Katharine read the paragraph over and
over, but failed to penetrate its signin-
canoe. She was quite sure Vaughan YVES
rieanf by the Reverend Gentleman" but
what was "the dare?' Who gave it7 How
did they get more than they bargained
fcrg' Katharine would very much like to
know.
Whom should she ask2 None of her I'M
mediate household. They were too ready
now TO detect In everything she said or did
her interest In this extraordinary young
man. Ned was out of town for day or
two on business for the firm. Winsiow
came but seldom to the house nowadays:
ne was out OF the question, anyway. There
remained Mr.. Haverford. She would write
him note and ask him to go riding with
her.
She hastily penned a few lines and DIS
patched them by Jerry. IN a half hour ne
had returned, bearing the answer, with
pleasure. AT this afternoon. F. H."
Downing her most becoming habit, of
rich, deep yelvety blue, and setting a man
nsh-lookng hat upon her most feminine
head. all bright waves of hair without and
carefully connected schemes within, she
awaited with some impotence the coming
of her escort, In the meanwhile walking UP
and down the long yeranda which com
manded the street There he was at last
with that monkey Of an Elsie perched In
'front.'
Have you been waiting long?" he in
1fx-I.S -
Ten minutes or more" she eoidly return
ed. She hated to be kept waiting, as he
knew. Where did you find that young
woman
''She met me at the gate" he answered.
with smile; I'VE didn't expect YOU to be
SO prompt"
Where's Marguerite, Elsie?' demanded
Katharine, turning to her daughter, who
stood demurely looking on. her small hands
clasped before her.
Having lessons with Aunt Emmeline,
mamma returned Elsie, sweetly. Lessons
with Aunt Emmeline," was a movable
feast. adjusted to the inclination of the
teacher.
We'll. you'd better have lessons. too"
said her mother. Go in and tell Aunt EN-
incline said so. Run along!'
Elsie's lips quivered. but she obeyed.
I've been trying for a year to have a
regular governess for the children" said
Katharine, as they trotted away, but Ar
thur won't hear Of 1t and Mabel always
thinks just as he does. Elsie is almost six
years old"
Her brain Is very active" returned Hav-
erford, conventionally.
1.-THE more reason for its being occupied. Z"
said Katharine, resoiutely. She was not in
the best of humor. She seemed, to herself
to have somehow lost control of her little
world. 1t no longer came to her for counsel
and direction. Once not a move had been
made until she approved of it. Now every
one went his or her own way, and she was
left alone.
She had not much cared what they did In
these last few months. Her eyes had been
on one figure, her ears keen to catch what
ever might be said about one person. And
he-he went his own way also! That should
have cooled her interest, but it was the
rather stimulated.
She had always despised that sort of
woman, the sort that is neglected into car
ing. She must throw off this prepossession
summon her little court, play the queen
again. Here was Haverford. to begin with.
She would assert her old sway over him,
by no means difficult undertaking.
She turned to him with her most charm
ing manner, blend of confidence and COM
mand. We've seen very little of you late
Iy, except at church." she said, graciousiy.
Haverford, surprised, began to frame ex-
cuses. There had been the Lenten services,
the rehearsals for Easter music. He was
quite well aware that he could have found
time for calling: and in his soul he knew
that he should have done If he had for
moment suspected that he was missed.
Yes, I know" she responded pensiyely:
at is the busiest time of the year for you
But 1t Is the dullest time OF the year for
us, the time when we most need our friends
However early spring may come. 1t always
seems late"
'But 1t is certainly coming. Look therew
He pointed to the buds showing on a cot
tonwood tree. Beyond It, down the valley
q tender light half melancholy, half glad
ness, altogether wistful and appealing
lo4 ~ .
commonplace into unquestionable charm
1t really looks as II It might be going to
do something fine and beautiful, doesn't itr'
exclaimed Katharine: bring forth roses In
It might, IL 1t were waterd and sown ="
said Haverford gravely
was there an undertone of meaning in
ms voice. a sympathetic vibration to the
needs OF the Neglected plain?
She glanced at him as he Strengthened
himself In the saddle and frightened the
rein which had been lying lose on his
horses neck. deciding. as She had many
times before, that he was a very handsome
man. His clear-cut features. fine. full
brow. the poise of his head on his Shout
ders, made up an ensemble which appealed
to her love of the refined and the distin-
gufshed. What did he lack? What did
he need to make of him a great man Only
what she could give, what she had given
years ago, when she was Katharine Sin
clair and he was the rector of church in
winter among friends-the life the fire,
the quickentng force she knew so well how
to give.
She had induced him to return with her
to Eureka and he had assumed the charge
of the little church she built. He had sur
prised and swayed his people for more
than twelyemonth, until Guy Chisolm
had appeared and carried her away Then
the life had dwindled. the fire had gone
out, the force had failed. He had re-
NAMED at Saint Stephen's-his bishop had
said '.he was good man for the place, an
earnest churchman and without eneum-
branees'-and Katharine had been kind
had written during her absence, had seen
much OF him since her return. He was
always ready, now. to come when she
called, to fulfill her. commissions. to an
swer her questions-she was suddenly
reminded of the question she intended
to ask him this afternoon. by the
way" she said aloud, do tell me
what that paragraph meant in the
Sentinel this morning. Who is the rever-
end gentleman? 1t wasn't you was II?
Who dared him. to do what?'
Haverford stiffened. 1T was not l.
assure your he said, with energy. "A
disgraceful performance
She was all attention. '1Disgraceful7"
she repeated. You surprise mel Who was