Year: 1879

The days slipped by, and Klttle hoped
he would csme back or write, but her
hone was vain one. He had evidently
taken her at her word, and hencetorth
they were to be strangers to each other.


And was the only one to blame
sobbed Kittie. 1t was all my doings
and loved him y


1t was a drowsy summer day. 1he
wind was langwd with warmth, and
seemed to make the day moro -depress-
ing in its influence on the brain and body
than 1t would have been if no breath Of
air had stirred the dropping leaves out,
side the open window.


Catharine Rayne stood at her desk IN
the Treasury Building at Washington,
and went through hel wsrk in a me-
chanical way. 1t was hard TO keep her
thoughts on it this sluggish afternoon,
when everything seemed to sweon tor
the want sfa fresh breadth of coolness
TO revive it.


A great change had come into her life
since she gave back John Fenwlck's
ring. A sudden collapse IN the bank
in which their money had been deposit
ed had left her and her mother depend
ent upon their hands for the bread they
must eat and the clothes they must wear.
II needed some such blow to bring out
the strength Of her character.


4 friend in Washington had procured
her a clerkship in the Treasury Depart
ment. and she had come there, bringing
her mother, who was little better than
an invalid. What she earned was
enough to keep them comfortably, and
she was thankful fer that.


She had grown to be grave and
thoughtful woman. The years had
come and gone, and she was thirty nsw'
with silver threads beginning to show
in her brown HAIR, and little lines OF
care about her mouth.


In all these years she had heard but
little of John Fenwick. She knew that
he was getting to be a prominent man
at the West. But that was about all.


1t had always seemed to her that they
would meet again somewhere. She Won
dered when and how. Loving him as
she had done, she felt what it is to lose
and in the bitterest way loss can ever
come to US. Ever since they had known
her in the Treasury Department she
had carried that look Of patient sorrow
in her eyes.


lam sure there must be some ro-
nance in Miss Rayne'' past life,' de
.lared Susie Vernon. L wish l kne"
what 1t was


sSbe isn't looking at all well lately
said Susie to her neighbcr, this drow'y
day 'She IS overworking herself
She'll be down completely if she ISN'T
careful


There was a sound of vsices at the
door, and one Of the Treasury oficers
came in with some gentleman. Visi-
tors were so common that no one gave
them more than a passing glance as
thew entered, then working on as usual.


Catharine did not lock up. But she
became aware, by some subtle influence,
all at once, that some one was watching
her. She looked up then, and gave a
little cry that was almosta sob.


.Kittis 1t was John Fenwick's
voice that spoke. 1t was his hand that
was outstretched in welcome.


Haven't you a word Of welcome Tor
a fellow p he said, looking down into
her iace suestioningly.


lam Glad to see you, John,' che
,aid. and then burst into q sudden mt OF
weeping.


i have not forgotten you in all these
years. he said, gravely! DO you care
for me Kittie"


never cared for any one else, she
said. 4 was wicked. 1 saw 1t all al
terward.'


See here, he said, gently, and she
looked up and saw the ring she had
yiyen him back years ago. 'Will you
wear it again, Kittie' 1 have had
onely life. If you would only wear it


Sh. held up her hand. He slipped
The yellow circlct on her fnger, and
then aud there before many wondering
,ves he kissed her. The wearineSs
scanned to have suddenly gone out OF
her face and life.


And Susie Vernon knew that there
had been a romance IN Miss Rayne's
life and that this was the best and hap
pest part of It.


TIE Boy AND THE SENATOR