The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-01-28

Kathereen had been spending the
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 a 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 few weeks-but
they had been such good friends dur
ing that short time. True, 1t 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 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
Il have been in town eight months"
she said distinctly, land l 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. can't ask you in, DIR. Leigh
Il have too much consideration for
your feelings. Mrs. Hawkins front
parlor is something to weep over"
Now and then Katherine met DR.
Leigh walking in Benton street, and
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 it
quite unnecessary. She ventured to
question him once when the subject
was touched upon.
Il love my work" he said. "And
l 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 to
these walks and talks, and to the
great punches of violets. and hot
house roses she often found in her
room, with Murray Leigh's 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
Il hate to bother you, miss. but
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 that
terrible la grippy miss"
So Katherine went, taking with her
Leigh's lavish gift of flowers.
Il can at least add little bright.
ness to some one else's life" she
thought, and herself, felt brighter for
the good Il did the child.
She went often aftes that, not know.
ing how often she barely missed meet.
ing DR.. Leigh on the narrow stair.
case. One evening Murray Leigh ston.
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 aei.
tated, and bade the invalid a hurried
Good night"
Wait five minutes, Miss Gravdon
and l will go home with you" Leigh
said