River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-11-28

ANSI0CACCA nd0 OCSn SpCuQIu3 Tic
afternoon at the art exhibition. When
she was leaving she pushed her way
through the hall, and near the door
passed the same gay group who had
caught her attention once before.
They did not see her this time, she
was sure; Louisa was eagerly criti-
cising picture with tall young lady,
and her brother was leaning over his
pretty blonde companion with some
laughing remark. No, they did not
see her.. she ran down the stairs, and
walked quickly along the crowded
thoroughfare, trying not to think.
Why did she feel so hurt and angry,
and so inclined to cry? Why should
they have cared to recognize her-a
girl in a shabby gown? 1t was more
than a year since they had seen her,
and then only for a few weekS-but
they had been such good friends dur
ing that short time. True, it was in
country village, where there was no
fashionable society, and boarding at
the same farm house, they were
thrown much together; and she was a
very pleasant companion and had the
knack of finding the shadiest rides.
and the hooks where the blackberrieS
grew thickest.
If it had been anyone but Louisa
and-and DR.. Leigh! She checked a
rising sob, and turned into a side
street. 1t was almost deserted, and
hardly half a square away was a tall
young man, coming toward her She
recognized him instantly, and her
first impulse was to turn back. But
no, he might have seen her-she
would not run away. She threw her
head proudly up, and looked straight
before her He might recognize her
now-he was alone; but she would
not see him. He was quite near now,
and her heart was beating fast. Would
he pass her by?
miss Graydon!" The joyful sur
prise in his tone sounded very gen.
uine, but she would not notice it.
"How do you do, DR.. Leigh?" she
said coldly, ignoring his outstretch-
ed hand Her expression changed.
care you not going to shake hands
with me, Miss Katherine?"
She put her hand unwillingly into
his.
"How long have you been in town?
Where are you stopping?" he cues
toned.
81 have been in town eight months, y
she said distinctly, "and | am boarding
in South Benton street" She took es-
pecial satisfaction in naming the I'M
fashionable quarter
Katherine was an orphan and was
trying hard to cultivate her voice. She
managed to make ends meet by tax
ing pupils of her own.
They walked on in silence a few
minutes. They had turned into a
street where the houses were tall and
shabby and built close together.
"And you are living down here?'
he said, indicating the seemingly end
less row of houses. "Alone, Miss
Katherine?"
Eyes, alone. My landlady and her
family are very respectable and good
hearted, but hardly congenial. Yes,
am practically alone. This is the
place. I can't ask you in, DIR. Leigh
i have too much consideration fol
your feelings. Mrs. Hawkins front
parlor is something to weep over"
Now and then Katherine met DIR
Leigh walking in Benton street, ant
he always joined her. looking sur
prised and pleased.
She knew he worked hard at his
profession, and also that the large
fortune left by his father rendered i
quite unnecessary. She ventured tt
question him once when the subjec
was touched upon.
81 love my work" he said. "AnC
I should not be happy idle
"But you need not be idle. There
are hundred things to interest one
and fill ones time"
Katherine began to look forward tt
these walks and talks, and to the
great punches of violets and hot
house roses she often found in he
room, with Murray Leighs card at
tached.
One day she found her washerwom
an waiting for her with the plea that she
would come to see her sick daughter
81 hate to bother you, miss, bu
she's ben cryin' fur you, an it seems
like she would git better if you would
come an sing fur her. She's that low
sperited she can't git well. It's thai
terrible la grippy, miss"
So Katherine went, taking with hel
Leigh's lavish gift of flowers.
81 can at least add a little bright
ness to some one else's life" she
thought, and herself, felt brighter fol
the good it did the child.
She went often after that not know
ing how often she barely missed meet
ing Dr. Leigh on the narrow stair
case. One evening Murray Leigh stop
ped quietly to listen a moment at the
half-open door. When the song was
finished he entered without knocking
and Katherine rose, flushed and agi
tated. and babe the invalid hurried
Good night"
"Wait five minutes, Miss Graydon