The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-10-12

was = touch Of dignity and reserve
that somehow did not seem quite nat
ural to Fred, In his memory of the
kindly little woman.
Aunt Jane" he said at last. How
Is Miss Allen-Kate?" he added. Il
you, nor even you, at first, but should
like to know IL she be well and happy.
I know she is not married, for I have
watched the Bloomwell papers for
that item of news
eyes," answered the little woman,
she is well and contented, as are
most OF our lassies in this wholesome
little town.
Again Fred caught the note of a GER
tain reserve, but he was not to be baf-
fed or restrained from saying all he
had intended to say
you know all about our misunder-
standing" he ventured, at last
Yes, know" and now there was a
decided angry ring to the gentle voice.
Il have thought, sometimes went
on this unconscious culprit, that I
should have written again, after a
few months, but I suppose Kate did
not care as she fancied, and that it is
better so''
Il think, Frederic Smith, you were
the one who did not care" said Aunt
Jane, reused at last out OF her natural
calm. "Or you took strange way to
prove your affection; you quarreled,
Quarreled like two silly children that
you were, and then you chose to think
poor Kate meant all she said in anger.
| So you needs must take your dignity
back to town, before it could be again
insulted, without one. farewell word,
or giving my poor girl a chance, had
she wished, to get down humbly and
ask your forgiveness
Aunt Jane-why, Aunt janet" in
terrupted the young man, his voice
thrilling with indignation. Surely
Kate told you of the letter I wrote as
soon as l left her. How could you
think me so mean, SO unmanly?"
The little woman read truth in his
earnest young face, and she got up,
and stood with both hands on bis arm
Fred" she said, II knew years ago
of two lives that were spoiled by just
such foolish mistake; let us right
this if we can. Now, tell me all about
that letter, for Kate never saw, or
parted in anger that day in the woods"
He answered eagerly, all his face
glowing with sudden hope.
| 1--WE had quarreled; it commenced
with triAe, but we both grew angry
at last, and Kate gave me my ring and
said she never wished to hear from
me again, and I was more angry, and
turned and left her without a word.
After I had cooled down 1 was as
ashamed and sorry as you could wish,
and I wrote a letter asking her for
giveness, and begging for a note in re-
ply, saying that I should leave the
next morning, and really know that
she meant all she had said, if had no
word from her,
"Who took the letter." interrupted
Aunt Jane.
tKate's boy, Isaiah the Prophet, who
always carried our notes to each
other He came back in a short time,
saying: Miss Kate read hit and say,
mo answar."'
"What did she do with the note?'
asked. Toe hit up he said. She
war mighty begaged talking ter Mars
Carlton, goin' ter ride, spec, see he
buggy and hos thar That was surely
enough; what more could I do, in JUS
tice to myself, but leave?"
Fred" said Aunt Jane, eagerly, 1T
was all yarn, know; I am sure the
Prophet lied and Kate never heard OF
that letter. She has gone away but
will be home in few days, and, my
dear boy, don't let your false pride
| make a wreck of her happiness and
your own
Indeed, Aunt Jane, shall not" he
| answered. II had much rather make
a wreck of that false Prophet" But
his face was full of hope and JOY as
he stopped and kissed the gentle old
face near him, and Aunt Jane did not
look in the least offended.
And now, I must tell you of my
business; I am in partnership with
gentleman much older than myself;
such splendid, grand man as he is!
You would like him, I know, Aunt
Jane; he used to be familiar with this
town years ago, and said he had met
you:"
Just here the anxious black face OF
Isaiah peered over the white gate.
MARS Fred, sur, hab some business
with VOW, when Miss Jane done be
fro. if youw please, sur
GAIL right" answered the. young
man, and he added aside to Aunt Jane:
'I have some business with him, too
young scoundrel.''
Don't kill him, Fred" said she, fol
after all, he is Hates property, and
: she is fond of him.
Looking at it in that light" laughed
Fred, IT shall deal with him most ten
/ Derby"
So remounting his horse he rode