Year: 1873

and fast as she read the conclusion:I5


"The love I entertain for you has been
with me from childhood Katie. 1t grew
with my growth and gained strength as
1 did. If you had permitted it, 1 would
have told you this five years ago, but it
was not to be, and I now offer for your
acceptance, heart that has in reality
long been your own


Long after the rest had retired that
night, Kate walked restlessly up and
down the porch absorbed in deep thought,
and before she slept she wrote the fol-
lowing reply;


mo Victor. Seek to win some fresh
young heart; not one that has ached
with sorrow as mine has done. Although
have lived but twenty-five years, it
seems as if I should be twice that age, so
much have 1 suffered. You deserve
better fate than to have me for your wife.
You have ever been to me Victor a kind
and noble friend; continue So That
you may find one who will make you
happy, and upon whom you can bestow
all the affection you now offer to me, is
the sincere prayer of KATE"
A week after the events recorded
above Kate Conway stood on the bridge
where she had first met the man who
had darkened her bright young life


Five years ago today" she murmur
ed at was cloudy that day 1 remember,
as it is now" a-


She thoughtof Bertram Conway as he
had then appeared riding at full speed,
his clothes soiled with mud, and his dark
handsome face wearing scowl of impa-
tience. While thinking of these things
it is no wonder that her heart beat more
rapidly as she saw at some distance tall
horseman riding up the road towards her.


How silly l am, she thought, with
faint smile. "The color of the horse is
the same, and seeing the rider at that
moment, made me forget the past and
| almost imagine that Bertram was coming
toward me-"


She leaned against the railing of the
bridge and gazed thoughtfuIly down at
the water below, without second glance
at the riders face. She soon heard
clatter of hoofs, and a familiar voice.
cried


Are you so absorbed in the contem-
plation of that muddy stream that you
cannot even look at an old friend ?"
"VictorP' she exclaimed What a
start you gave me. Not even look at an
old friend did you say saw you few
moments ago, but you were not then near
enough for me to distinguish your fea-
lures"


He dismounted and offered his hand


''Of what were you thinking so intent
ly when l came up, he asked, after a
while


"Of my life Victor The morning of it
was bright, but soon storm-clouds ap-
peared, and now. nothing remains but
! darkness.


'Say not so Kate You know that
there is one whose aim will be to brighten
it up for you. Be my wife Kate. Give
yourself to me. No other woman can
ever be what you are to me. care not
for the past what you have suffered will
only make you more dear to me- You
have wrung my heart more than once;
do not do, SO nowa Do not avert your
face now; speak 1toI me- Do Hnot deserve
some reward for my constancy p


She'was silent for a few moments, and
then raising her dark eyes to his face
said, while bright color glowed N eth
er cheek:


"Yes Victor. The reward is a poor one
but such as it is give it to you.


And she placed her hand in his.


"See, Katet'' exclaimed Victor, as the
setting sun cast golden light over the
earth: Your comparison was fortunate
one; your life has been dark and stormy,
but the remainder of it is to be brighten
ed by peace and happiness.


81 THE END s1s q ssft