Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-11-22

6lOW bhAOhCoI
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.
Are 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 ques.
toned.
81 have been in town eight months, Z"
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 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?"
Yes, alone. My landlady and her
family are very respectable and good
hearted, but hardly congenial. Yes,
am practically alone. This is the
place. / can't ask you in, DR.. Leigh
IL have too much consideration fol
your feelings. Mrs. Hawkins FROM
parlor is something to weep over"
Now and then Katherine met DR.
Leigh walking in Benton street, ant
he always joined her, looking sur
prised and pleased.
She knew he worked hard at hi:
profession, and also that the large
fortune left by his father rendered Il
quite unnecessary. She ventured t
question him once when the subject
was touched upon.
81 love my work." he said. "Ant
l should not be happy idle"
But you need not be idle. There
are hundred things to interest one
and fill ones time"
rs it not better, though" he ar
gued, ito do something that not onl,
interests oneself, but benefits Others
as well?" He did not tell her tina
the greater part of his work was un
dertaken without hope of compensa
ton.
of course you are right" she an
swered, but most men would not d,
it."
Leigh shrugged his shoulders. The,
would if they liked it," he sal,
lightly.
Katherine began to look forward Il
these walks and talks, and to tn
great punches of violets and hot
house roses she often found in he
room, with Murray Leigh's card al
tached.
One day she found her washerwon
waiting for her with the plea that sh
would come to see her sick daughter
Il hate to bother you. miss. bu
she's ben cryin fur you, an it seem
like she would git better if you woul
come an sing fur her. She's that low
sperited she can't git we'll. It's tina
terrible la grirpy, miss
So Katherine went, taking with he
Leigh's lavish gift of flowers.
81 can at least add a little bright
ness to some one else's life" sh
thought, and herself, felt brighter ia
the good it did the child.
She went often after that, not know
ing how often she barely missed NEE
ing DR.. Leigh on the narrow stall
case. One evening Murray Leigh stor
ped quietly to listen moment at tn
half-open door. When the song wa
finished he entered without knockinl
and Katherine rose, flushed and ag
tated, and babe the invalid a hurrie
Good night"
wait five minutes. Miss Graydor