The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-12-26

gate the old monastery that was
haunted by weeping man, and ds-
clared she intended to go to church,
no one interfered. Somehow, she
rather wished that her plan had ot
worked so smoothly BY the tine
the scanty congregation had slowly
filed out of the churchyard, and the
vicar had disappeared, Kitty began
to feel excited, not to say nervous.
But she went toward the bridge
all the same, and some one was GER
tainly standing there with a little
dog under his arm. AS she APP
preached the tiny creature yelped.
II believe that have the pleasure
Of addressing Miss K?" said a voica.
Kitty's heart leaped. She looked
up to see Rupert Halliday standing
hat in hand before her. He was
wearing a gray tweed suit, a beauti-
full little Yorkshire terrier was
huddled up contentedly inside his
coat by this time, for the wind was
cold.
You. Rupert" she gasped.
Il am so glad you came" he said
QGite naturally. 81 was mortally
afraid you wouldn't" and taking
her hand, he drew it quietly into his
arm and they walked on.
There is a seat under those trees.
Shall we sit down and talk? |
should like to tell you a little story
If may"
Kitty allowed herself to be led like
child.
you are wondering, of course.
what all this means. It is this:
There was a girl who would never
let me tell her that loved her she
was the very dearest little girl in all
the world, but as evasive as a rain
bow, and never would let me find out
her real feelings about anything. |
knew she was quite different from
the ordinary society doll. so at last |
sent her my advertisement, hoping
It would appeal to her. said to
myself that some instinct would
make her answer It,"
But | never knew-how could I
that you would do such a thing. Oh!
1t was shameful" she cried, hotlv.
Her face was scarlet, and tears came
into her eyes Rupert bent down
and looked into them.
Was it?" ne asked gently.
weigh the whole matter well in
your mind before you answer. we
might have gone on for months,
years even, without ever getting to
know each other as we do now. |
was desperate. because | loved you
and wanted you to be my wife. 1t
was romantic-foolish, If you like
but / know you better from those
letters than in all the time | had
know you before. And so do you
know me now, don't you, darling?"
Kitty looked up, and Halliday
caught her hands and kissed her.
THE vicar of the church here Is
a friend of mine. He has promised
to marry us, and l have got the IL
cense in my pocket. There is no
thing to wait for''-
Marry you now. this minute,
How could l, in bicycling dress?
What would people Think"
you and I are above convention
alities," he said, firmly. Haven't
we threshed the whole matter cut
between us? Do you think | haven't
provided for all contingencies:
Didn't l disguise my writing so tlat
you never guessed that 'Sympat n.y.
and Rupert Halliday were the same?
/ have friend here who will help US
and take care of little Fluffy. l will
send messages to the countess and
your friends. Announcements will
be made in the papers. You can buy
your trousseau in Paris. The crisis
Of your life has come, my darling,
and l beg you not to draw back.
Come"
Kitty went and thnV N,nrn rnnrrind