The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-09-11

gan. they went alone.
1t was mad riding from the begin
ming. Kitty intended that it should
be. 1t is useless to excuse or extenu-
ate her conduct. Any defense would
fall below the documentary evidence
of her guilt in the form of a scrubbed
note to Colonel Moulton dispatched the
night before. 1t said:
Call up your bill early tomorrow He
will be absent part of the session.
KITTY.
good distance from town when Kitty
saw the young senator look at his
watch. As he shut it with determin-
ed snap the horse that Kitty rode gave
an unexpected jump, and the bride
broke. The spirited black went into
the air, then sped wildly down the
road, headed from town. Kitty cast a
wild, appealing glance behind her, with
pitiful little cry, and chung to the
saddle.
For perhaps a mile Kittinger was
unable to Overtake them. Then came
an accident which could not have been
planned, however dark view is taken
of Kitty's conduct. A team, dragging
long timber wagon. occupied nearly
all of the narrow highway. The black
swerved suddenly, and Kitty landed in
a heap at the side of the road.
Kittinger had forgotten the senate,
the merger bill, his public duties. every
thing except Kitty's danger He ran
to her and lifted her in his arms. and
he was conscious of a great thrill of
joy and relief, for she opened her eyes
and spoke.
I'm not hurt in the least" she said.
But when she tried to stand on her
feet she promptly sank back into Kit
fingers arms and tainted dead away.
w.
Kittinger reached the senate cham
Der an hour after the merger bill had
been called up and passed. Extras
were already in the street announc-
ing it.
Kittinger was furious. He rose to
question Of personal privilege and
denounced the proceeding as das-
tardly trick. The leader of the ma
jority, in reply, declared that he was
surprised and grieved at the unwar-
ranted charge. He disliked, however.
to impute malice to any one. and
therefore he would put it down to the
youth and inexperience Of the senator.
Kittinger. unconvinced, marched out
Of the chamber and down to the Office
of Colonel Moulton. That genial gen.
tleman, however, was not present to
listen to his denunciation. The room
was empty. but Kittingers eye took
In at single glance scrap of paper
carelessly left lying on the chairman's
desk. 1t was Kitty's note to Moulton,
and the single glance told Kittinger it's
contents.
He knew the handwriting. He knew
the signature. He rushed out of the
room with feelings hard to describe.
v.
For three days an impatient young
woman with plaster cast on her an
kle sat up in bed at frequent inter-
walls to look at cards which came with
deluges Of flowers and fruits and dain-
ty trifes, only to fling them aside and
sink back again to her pillows. wholly
unsatisded.
When the doctor announced her re-
covery FROM the shock and permitted
her to be dressed 1t was penitent and
remorseful Kitty who wrote a pitiful
little note to Senator Kitttnger. She said
that she had confession to make
and would he please come to her and
listen to 1t; after which he alone should
decide what was to be done.
Senator Kittinger came His indig-
nation lasted until he reached the room
where she awaited him. propped up
with pillows. She was quite pale and
she extended wan little hand to him
timidly, for she was not sure that he
would take it.
He did take 1t. and on the instant
all his anger died out, for he saw again
the great black horse with bride dan
Cling. laundering down the highway
and after huddled little figure lying
by the roadway and not stirring for
what seemed an eternity until he lift
ed it in his arms.
And so he held the small hand tight
ly and went down on one knee beside
her. and the only words of reproach
which he spoke were:
kitty. Kitty, how could you? It
was terrible. You might have killed
yourselfr'
"Waitw she said. You do not know
how bad l am-how wickedw
Yes. do" he mumbled through the
small fingers. But she did not heed.
You think that was reckless.
That was nothing-nothing. l did not
mean to fall off and be hurt, but I
broke the bride on purpose. planned
the runaway. intended to keep you
from getting back in time. l did it de-
liberately."
II know all about it." said Kittinger.
Kitty looked puzzled.
"You-kissed me-after you knew
she inquired wonderingly.
He kissed her again to convince her.
few minutes later Governor Mil
lard himself came in. Kittinger was
still half kneeling beside the low chair.
and there were explanations.
Presently. when Kittinger was TAX.
Ing his departure, the governor called