The Idaho recorder., 1922-02-10
Kitty's Return
From Europe
By ALVIN HENDRICKS
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Kitty Benson had gone away to Eu-
rope. Kitty Benson had returned. She
I had gone away a prodigy, but she had
returned to be the pride of Four Cor
ners.
Lester Davis and Kitty had been
sweethearts until her father made his
sensational sale of farm land to the
oil company. Then the BensoDs had
| built the great house on the hill which
dwarfed the friendly, homely cottages
of the village. And Kitty's mother
had discovered that she had voice.
! She was sent 10 finishing school
and she returned for brief holiday
and to Take the announcement that
she was to go to Italy to study under
great master. And Lester had re-
belled, wildly but impotently, against
her parents dictum.
Il love you, Kitty" he urged. "What
Is the use of becoming a singer, even
If you can touch the hearts of thou
sands? The only happiness in life is
in the home. Kitty, marry me this
evening and let US face the future
1
Benson. When he told him that he
wanted TO marry his daughter the rich
man placed his hand kindly upon the
boys shoulder.
Success in life," he said senten-
tiously, consists III the ability to rec
ognize conditions. A year ago | should
not have opposed your wish. But now
1t is preposterous. My daughter is to
find her mate among the leaders of So
ciety, here or In Europe, not in a pen
niless lawyer. No, my boy, stay awhile
and have dinner with us and put those
foolish ideas out of your head"
1t was very mournful dinner for
both Kitty and Lester. But after din.
ner Kitty sang for them and at the end
Lester always remembered that she
sang Home, Sweet Home.r
'Au revoir, Lester" she whispered,
when the time came to say good-by,
Il shall be back III two years, and
you will find my heart whole and yours
for the keeping"
Now she was back; but things had
changed greatly during the two years.
The Bensons still lived in the great
house, but their fortune was sadly
shrunk. Unlucky speculations had
eaten into Benson's fortune. The
mother was away travelling; since her
daughters departure she had spent
little time at home.
But kitty's return was the occasion
for a great reception. All the old
friends were there, for Benson was at
| bottom friendly man. Lester was
now rising man and talked of as
candidate for the bench. But in his
heart he felt that Kitty would never
be his.
Her smile and glance were no less
friendly, but there was no longer the
cordial spontanelty of old.
lie dared not tell Kitty of his love
| now. The party broke up at last; all
the guests had gone, and Lester found
no excuse for remaining. He knew
that unless Il miracle occurred he
would not see Kitty again. AS mat
ter of fact, he had received an offer
| from corporation to represent them
in nearby town. He had told Kitty,
and she had congratulated him.
AT last he rose and took his hat.
kitty's hand was cold in his. Mechan-
lcally she said good-by.
No, he could not leave her like that.
He turned and hurried back. 1t was
now or never He must speak with
her; it was his right he would.
AS he approached the door he saw
figure standing in the moonlight.
kitty" he cried.
She was weeping. Her voice was
shaken with sobs. He caught her in
his arms and kissed her. Ii was the
first time in three years. But she
drew herself out of his embrace.
kitty, l love YOU" cried Lester. II
want you. Oh, Kitty, be my wife. Re
member the old days!"
Lester" she said slowly, with bro
ken accents, Il am not worthy to be
your wife. l am fraud and sham,
and If you thought me cold it is be-
cause l have had to steel my heart
against my better nature.
DO you know that l am failure?
Yes, |, who thought myself so fine, so
grand Il singer, destined to become
famous IN Europe, am nothing but
lie. l never had II voice."
And the worst of it was l had to
pretend. l shall always have to pre-
tend that | was success. People will
ask what has become of the brilliant
Miss Benson. My life has got to be a
lie, just as my fathers is. for he is to
be declared bankrupt. 1t is all pre-
tense, all sham. When saw you
and remembered Your words to me
about home l nearly died of shame.
That's all, Lester, and now good-by."
But Lester only laughed as he drew
her into his arms again. for he knew
that love which understands all is in
yincible.