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 HE SAT AND LISTENED AS IF IN A TRANCE. Page 338.
 
 BY 
 
 AMANDA M. DOUGLAS 
 
 FRONTISPIECE BY JOHN GOSS 
 
 BOSTON 
 LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
 
 COPTBIGHT, 1883, BY LlE AND SlIEPABD 
 COFTBIOHT, 1911, BT AMANDA M. 1>OUOLA8 
 
 All rights reterved 
 
 WHOM KATBIK MABEIXD
 
 TO MY YOUNG FEIENDS, 
 
 WHO, 
 HAVING FOLLOWED KATHIK THROUGH HER CHILDHOOD, 
 
 AND EXPRESSED PBOM TIME TO TIME DEEP INTEREST 
 
 IN THE AFTEB-DAYS OF HER WOMANHOOD, 
 
 WITH ITS DUTIES AND PLEASURES, 
 
 S^is Wolunw is uffrttioncttlg Jnsmbri), 
 
 WITH THE HOPE THAT IT MAT ADD TO THE FRIENDSHIP 
 SO CORDIALLY BEGUN BETWEEN 
 
 AUTHOR AND READER. 
 1863. A. M. D. 
 
 2135342 '
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ' ' THEN you think I ought not speak of this to Kathie ? " 
 
 The fresh, 3 r oung voice had an accent of entreaty, as if 
 in hope the listener might relent. 
 
 Gen. Mackenzie was softly pacing the polished floor of 
 the dusky, old time room in the Piazza, di Spagna while 
 his sou sat leaning his arm on a small table, his face par- 
 tially averted, bowed a little on his hand. 
 
 " My dear boy, you are both so young " 
 
 " If you think I shall change or forget " Bruce began 
 vehemently. 
 
 " No, no, it is not that. I believe you know your own 
 mind and will keep it. I should be sorry if I could think 
 otherwise of your stabilit}- ; and it gives me pain to re- 
 fuse you an}'thing, } r ou must know that, my dear son. 
 But for Kathie's sake " 
 
 " I am sure she loves me. She simply does not under- 
 stand ; but if she thought of it " 
 
 " That is just it. Listen a few moments patiently, 
 Bruce, remembering that there is no one in the world 
 whose welfare can be of quite such keen interest to me. 
 Kathie is still a sweet, innocent, unawakened child You 
 and she have been like brother and sister all these months, 
 and she has not the slightest suspicion of any warmer re- 
 gard on your part. It is not time for her to think of love. 
 She ought to go on in this unconscious, untroubled way a
 
 6 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 year or two longer : she has so much to see, so much to 
 learn, before she can even judge herself correctly. Why 
 should we lay a burden on her, confuse and trouble her 
 perceptions as to what is coming to herself? " 
 
 "A burden! As if I would make it any burden!" 
 with the confident ring of youth. " She need not be en- 
 gaged. She can go on just as she is now : I am not a 
 jealous fool ! " 
 
 " Bruce, a marriage engagement is too solemn a thing 
 to hold that way. Either one must be bound or free. 
 These half-measures place a girl in a very equivocal posi- 
 tion. I should like to return her to her mother as simple 
 and childlike as she is now. She was intrusted to our 
 care, and you see it is a point of honor. If Mrs. Alston 
 were here to decide, or if Kathie were a year or two 
 older " 
 
 " Still, I do not think Mrs. Alston would question }'our 
 judgment," returned Bruce, with pardonable pride. 
 
 " That is one reason why I am so scrupulous. Because 
 I might so easily take the right of deciding her child's 
 future, I do not want to feel that we hastened any change 
 in her. If she does care for you, your absence will help 
 her to find it out. She will contrast others with you, and 
 for this cause, as well as more personal ones, I want your 
 standard kept high and pure. Take the noblest, manliest 
 view of it, my dear son. Think of her for the next two 
 or three years, perhaps, living upon your letters, exagger- 
 ating, no doubt, the dangers to which you may be ex- 
 posed, never feeling that she has the right to be quite care 
 free, denying herself many innocent pleasures through what 
 she considers her duty to you. Do you not see that it 
 would eat the heart and the sweetness out of girlhood ? " 
 
 The young man was silent a moment, then he rose 
 suddenly. 
 
 ' ' You think it would be selfish in me, I know you do ; 
 and it is."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 7 
 
 There was a new resolution visible in every feature, as 
 he stood in the dying light by the western window. It 
 was a noble face, full of health and energy, and a certain 
 integrity that would command respect anywhere. 
 
 " I had not looked at it in that light before ; I was 
 thinking of myself and the fear of losing her. You will 
 guard her for me?" And his tone was full of tender en- 
 treaty. 
 
 A softened commendation shone in the father's eyes, as 
 he crossed to his son, and Bruce, linking his arm in that of 
 the other, resumed the slow pacing with him. 
 
 " I will do my best, but," with a fond smile, " I do not 
 think she will require much guarding. And I need not ask 
 you to keep honorable in thought, word, and deed for her 
 sake. You have passed through some of the perils of 
 early manhood unscathed ; but in the frontier life, to which 
 you are going, there will be new temptations, and, not the 
 least, the subtle ennui of idleness. my boy, I should 
 like to keep you with me always ! " 
 
 Bruce pressed the hand he was holding to his lips. To 
 the boy his father had been the ideal of all that was noble 
 and worthy of admiration. The strain and peril of all 
 those years of civil war had given his soul a larger growth 
 than the tranquil times of peace. 
 
 " It gratifies us to see our sons and daughters taking 
 their places in the great world, and yet it brings a pang of 
 sadness. They can only be children of memory, and the 
 after-friendship must be largely their own gift. We have 
 been more than ordinarily near and dear, and, Bruce, it 
 pains me to refuse you ; but I have tried to keep to the 
 highest right and sense of honor." 
 
 " I am not sure but it will be a better discipline for me 
 if it has a little bitter flavor. It is something to strive 
 for, to win. I shall try to make myself worthy of her, 
 and to keep the respect and esteem of all whom I love. 
 You will not blame me for placing her first ? "
 
 8 WHOM KATHIE MAKRIED. 
 
 " I hold that a man has as good a right to strive ear 
 nestly for the woman he loves as for any other great prize 
 of life ; and often an aim of this kind is the best incentive 
 for a young man, since out of it springs the wider duties 
 of life and citizenship." 
 
 " It has been such a happy year ! " Bruce said in a tone 
 of lingering enjoyment. " I ought to be the more ready 
 to go back after such a grand holiday ; but there seems 
 so little that is heroic in frontier life, so little to do, con- 
 trasted with the stirring years of the past. It is only the 
 steady tramp, now." 
 
 " ' That all the good the past has had 
 Remains to make our own life glad, 
 Our common, daily life divine, 
 And every land a Palestine," " 
 
 repeated his father. 
 
 " Brave, gentle Whittier," rejoined Bruce. " I will try 
 to remember that among the many noble truths he has 
 sung." 
 
 ' ' "We are so apt to think our own times prosaic ; but 
 occasionally the victories of peace are greater to a nation 
 than those of war. Heroes are often called into being by 
 the emergenc}' of the hour, and there is an inspiration in 
 being called upon to perform a great deed ; but it often 
 takes more real strength and principle to fulfil the daily 
 duties that are demanded of every human being, both by 
 God and his neighbor." 
 
 Bruce was silent : he had fallen into a revery. He had 
 enjoyed being at West Point, and the prestige of his 
 father's name had given him a leaning toward military 
 life, yet he wondered if he would make the same choice 
 now. He had no right to shirk : he owed his country 
 her meed of service, even if it was guarding a frontier out- 
 post against marauding Indians and affording protection 
 to travelling traders. He had come to dream of home 
 life, of daily love, of sweeter duties, and the other looked
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 bald and barren. What was it he had read somewhere 
 about girding one's self like a good soldier ? 
 
 " Bruce? " The elder paused, in a tone of soft, doubt- 
 ful inquiry. 
 
 " I was thinking of all the outlying things shall I 
 call them so? Of the years to come." 
 
 " I am glad you can look at it in that light," in a greatly 
 relieved tone. " And you are not unhappy?" 
 
 " I cannot promise that I will not be unhappy when I 
 am alone by myself, but I am not as wretched as I thought 
 I should be an hour ago, when you asked me to to sac- 
 rifice my own desire. And yet I am just as much in love 
 with Kathie ; and the horrible fear comes over me what 
 if I should lose her ! At least you will let me write. My 
 letters may come in yours, unsealed." 
 
 The father's heart was deeply touched. 
 
 " Bruce, in this matter I trust you unreservedly. And 
 I think I can answer for the others, when the proper time 
 comes." 
 
 " Thank you," with a warm, earnest pressure of the 
 hand. Then suddenly, "We must have lights : I hear 
 them coming." 
 
 There was a sound of footfalls and voices on the stairs, 
 and before the apartment was really illumined, the door 
 opened, and Mrs. Mackenzie entered with her niece. A 
 certain matronly grace marked the changes the years had 
 brought Aunt Ruth ; but Kathie Alston, to stranger eyes, 
 would have been an undeniable young lady. A fresh, fair, 
 slender girl, with the delicate complexion of her country- 
 women, and a charm that was not so much beauty, per- 
 haps, as the candor, grace, and purity of childhood still 
 clinging about her. Certainly foreigners who met her did 
 not have to complain of aggressiveness or imprudent frank- 
 ness. She was rather shy of strangers, but enjoyed every- 
 thing in such*a wholesome, happy way that tired eyes and 
 weary brains sometimes watched her with envy.
 
 10 WHOM KATIIIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Oh," she began now with a bright little laugh, " you 
 were sitting in the dark, telling secrets ; but you will have 
 to repeat every little plot and plan ! O Bruce, I wish 
 you could have been there and heard Signora Biondo! 
 She has such an exquisite voice. Only, it was so queer 
 not to ask any gentlemen." 
 
 "They might have frightened the young debutante," 
 said Bruce, glad of the cover of a commonplace. 
 
 " She does n't look so very young, does she, Aunt Ruth? 
 And she is n't beautiful ; but I believe celebrities seldom 
 are. She is going to Milan to make her debut, and then 
 to St. Petersburg." 
 
 " And then to America, that harvest for singers," 
 rejoined Bruce. 
 
 " No doubt. Wouldn't it be odd to hear her there 
 some time, Aunt Ruth? But it was delightful. And did 
 you stay in all the afternoon? Were you planning cam- 
 paigns with uncle ? " 
 
 She turned her clear eyes full upon him. Bruce studied 
 her face curiously in the softened lamplight. It was frank, 
 friendly, tender with the peculiar sympathy of her nature ; 
 yet she did not shrink or color, or drop her eyes to veil 
 any secret. She loved him very much, but she was not 
 in love with him. The pleasant intercourse of the past 
 months had made them friends, cousins, as Bruce had at 
 first insisted ; but his father was right, it was not her 
 time to love. 
 
 "Oh ! " she exclaimed with a little confusion, " I don't 
 want you to think We are all sorry ; / am sorry to 
 have you go." 
 
 " Then you must be glad " 
 
 "The sentences do not join properly." There was a 
 little gravity in her tone. " But you do know." 
 
 " I think he does," answered his father, as a flush of 
 color dyed his son's face for an instant. 
 
 Kathie began to take off her wraps. Yes, she should
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 11 
 
 miss Bruce every day and hour ; and if the Merediths 
 were not coming, she would want to go back to America 
 herself : sometimes such a homesick longing came over her. 
 
 The tea was brought in, and the conversation was kept 
 to safe general topics. Then some American friends called, 
 and after a little they dropped into the silence of reading 
 and thinking. 
 
 Just as they were parting for the night, Kathie went 
 over to Bruce. 
 
 " I am going to tell you," she began in her soft, com- 
 forting tone, " how glad I am that we had Scotland and 
 England together, and the Alps, and that great, strange, 
 barbaric Russia, for at home we can go over the bits and 
 fragments of remembrance. You will be ready for a 
 vacation, or a furlough, is n't it, by the time we return. 
 And I shall not care so much for Paris and the rest." 
 
 He was glad she could not see his face in that dim light. 
 
 "And you do not think that I shall not be sorry 
 to have you go ? " with a little falter in her voice. 
 
 " O Kathie, how could I think that? " 
 
 ' ' You know it is as uncle said ; there is no choice about 
 it. We must give you up for a little while, and I have 
 been trying to be brave and " 
 
 "Oh, my darling, don't!" Bruce cried suddenly; "I 
 know There, you are actually making a coward of me, 
 a soldier and a soldier's son. I shall think of you often, 
 always ; and you must send a little remembrance now and 
 then." 
 
 " Yes. Good night." She stooped and kissed him on 
 the forehead, as any sister might. He pressed her hand 
 to his lips, then let her go. It would be like caging a 
 bird in May, to speak, to bind her by any promise. 
 
 And yet he wondered. With a young man's jealous 
 fervor, he had a fear that whoever saw and learned to 
 know Kathie would want her. What if he should miss 
 the golden moment of her awakening !
 
 12 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Kathie thought the parting over sadly enough when her 
 head first touched the pillow : it had been such a happy 
 time, all their foreign tour so far. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Meredith had gone over with them. The 
 voyage had proved delightful, with only a trifle of seasick- 
 ness. Kathie had been a little shy at first with her new 
 cousin, but Aunt Ruth and her step-son were very dear 
 friends. 
 
 The party had all gone up to London. There was so 
 much to see and verify, so much of history and legend 
 and song ; so like home, and yet so different, the likeness 
 being greatly the familiarity of speech. 
 
 Bruce and Kathie were out every day with the General 
 or Mr. 'Meredith when the ladies could not go, for the 
 baby occupied Jessie a great deal, and Aunt Ruth was 
 not strong enough to stand the fatigue ; but there were 
 stage-coach and railroad jaunts to pretty country places of 
 note, ruined castles, and long-ago battle-fields. 
 
 " It makes it so real," Kathie said. 
 
 There were odd little bits, provincialism, English quaint- 
 ness, the greener}' of gardens and fields, little towus with 
 their narrow streets and old inns, peaceful rivers, peasants, 
 and tidy maids. Gen. Mackenzie kept the young peo- 
 ple away from the darker side, the crowded cities with 
 their streets of want and crime. Theirs was the pleasure 
 tour of youth. 
 
 Then the party separated. Business called Mr. Mere- 
 dith to Paris, where he was likely to spend the winter. 
 The Mackenzies went to Scotland and spent the eaily au- 
 tumn rambling about slowly as Aunt Ruth could take it. 
 There was as much of romantic interest, in fact, more, I 
 think, to the young people ; and perhaps, too, there was 
 more time devoted to it. There was some far-back ances- 
 try that seemed to claim kinship, and Bruce hunted up all 
 the places made famous by the hero from whom he had 
 taken his name. There were other heroes and knights,
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 13 
 
 haunts and castles, and Holyrood, with its sad story of a 
 checkered life and tragic ending. 
 
 " It seems strange to think of Queen Mary as a pretty 
 French princess, with life and love and the luxury of the 
 time all before her, when }*ou contrast with it her dreary 
 prison years. I never can wholly approve Queen Eliza- 
 beth," said Kathie with warm resentment. 
 
 " I do not suppose there ever was any great event or 
 dispute where one side was wholly right," said the General ; 
 "there were always partisans to inflame both queens, 
 and to sow dissension between them. Elizabeth, we must 
 admit, was suspicious and jealous, and poor Mary fell 
 upon evil times, even if she were as fair as her best histo- 
 rians represent her." 
 
 " But the strange thing," remarked Bruce, " is the curi- 
 ous love and veneration the Scotch seem to exhibit about 
 her now, and the hatred with which they pursued her then. 
 You almost feel now as if she had been idolized." 
 
 " That is the romance of time," said his father. " I think 
 they had a chivalrous love for their queen, while their rigid 
 principles led them to distrust and despise the woman." 
 
 There was Abbotsford to be visited, and the young peo- 
 ple evinced a sudden interest in Sir "Walter Scott's novels. 
 They found so many historic places, celebrated battle- 
 fields, and lochs with legends of song. " The Lady of the 
 Lake " was exhumed, Bruce and Kathie taking turns in 
 reading aloud. 
 
 Gen. Mackenzie had some governmental business at St. 
 Petersburg, so they were to take Russia as their next 
 abiding-place. At first Kathie had tried to write letters 
 home and to the girls full of descriptions of the wonderful 
 sights ; but she found it was not possible to keep it up. 
 Aunt Ruth considered it quite too great a tax. 
 
 ' ' You will have all winter to get your memories into 
 shape," she said. " You can see now, and write it out 
 afterward."
 
 14 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " It seems as if I should see it always," returned Kathie. 
 " The pretty rivers with their still prettier names, the Dee 
 and Tay and Ayr, the firths and the lochs, and the 
 Minch, with its countless islands. I really could draw a 
 map from remembrance. I used to wonder sometimes if 
 man}^ of these places were not put down for the bother - 
 ment of one's brains." And she laughed over what had 
 once been quite a trouble. 
 
 The travellers felt at liberty to diverge from regular 
 routes, and as Bruce had a great desire to see something 
 of Norway and Sweden, they took those next, aud then 
 made a little stay at Copenhagen. Kathie declared this 
 was the first of their foreign tour where speech and attire 
 and modes of living were so different. " And we cannot 
 learn every language," she declared in dismay. 
 
 Bruce was a very good German scholar, and though 
 Kathie had been reading it for the last j'ear, it was quite 
 another thing to converse readily. 
 
 " For there are so man}' different kinds," she said, sadly 
 puzzled. " Now one American always can understand 
 another." 
 
 ' ' But we could n't understand all the English or all the 
 Scotch," returned Bruce. " And here abroad there have 
 been so many petty kingdoms and places, and different 
 tribes and nations getting mixed all the time, yet each one 
 jealous for its own nationality ; and then, as one has ab- 
 sorbed the other, there comes to be a sort of mixed dialect. 
 But it seems to me as if everybody would speak English at 
 last : foreigners acquire a little of it so easily." 
 
 Gen. Mackenzie was much interested in comparing 
 different forms of governments and their results, and 
 Kathie often spent a day with Aunt Ruth while they were 
 occupied with what Bruce called the weightier matters of 
 pleasure. On such days she declared she studied German 
 and geography. 
 
 They went up the Baltic Sea and coast of Sweden as
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 15 
 
 far as Stockholm. Winter was coming on, and though 
 St. Petersburg was their next point, it was a question 
 whether the ladies could take any pleasure in so rigorous 
 a climate ; but Bruce thought half the delight would be 
 wanting if they were not there to share it, and Kathie 
 declared it would be a great pit}' to miss one of the grand- 
 est capitals in the world. They would be sure to take 
 good care of Aunt Ruth, and she was not afraid of the 
 cold. 
 
 They felt well repaid for their daring. The wonderful 
 city filled them with amazement. Long quays of massive 
 granite hide the marshy shores of the Neva, that must 
 have looked formidable to even such a conqueror as Peter 
 the Great. But he saw with the e}*e of genius that there 
 was no other place so well disposed for both safety and 
 menace, and he rescued the land from the grip of the sea, 
 and laid a foundation of such durability that palaces, 
 churches, bridges, and obelisks stand securely and bid 
 defiance to the forces of nature. 
 
 Bruce and Kathie had many excursions to themselves, as 
 the General was quite occupied at first. They never tired 
 of the wonderful winter palace, the churches and obelisks, 
 and the Hermitage, with its accumulation of pictures, 
 sculptures, and gems ; and though its royal founder, 
 Catherine, had long since passed away, there were many 
 reminders of her lavish expenditure. 
 
 ' ' I think the term ' barbaric splendor ' is just right 
 when applied to Eussia," said Kathie : "it is so magnifi- 
 cent, and it is full of Eastern luxury as well. But now we 
 seem right in the heart of foreign travel, do we not ? " 
 
 "You will seem almost in the heart of the East when 
 you get to Moscow," the General returned. " St. Peters- 
 burg is quite Europeanized in comparison." 
 
 The Mackenzies stumbled over some old military men 
 who had been through our own war. Bruce received sev- 
 eral very complimentar}' invitations, and went with his
 
 16 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 father to different places where it would have been incon' 
 venient for ladies. But Kathie had a great deal of pleas- 
 ure ; operas and theatres were extremely brilliant, and 
 the Kibitka sledging very exhilarating when it was not 
 too cold. Aunt Ruth enjoyed the opera, and several din- 
 ners that she attended with the General, but most of the 
 out-door excursions were impossible for her. She was 
 ver}' happy, however, in the enjoyment of the young peo- 
 ple, and proud of her fine-looking step-son. Kathie and 
 he settled to very friendly ways, and occasionally some 
 one, in speaking of her, said, " Your sister." 
 
 " I am not sure but I shall have to adopt you," the Gen- 
 eral remarked with a smile. 
 
 " I don't always explain," said Aunt Ruth : " it makes 
 such a little difference."
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 IT was as the General said, Moscow seemed indeed a 
 collection of cities, the past, the present, the old world and 
 the new, and was like nothing, Kathie declared, so much 
 as the " Arabian Nights." The Tartar impress seemed 
 everywhere with its glittering crescent, the minaret, and 
 the swelling dome. The muezzin still called to prayer 
 from the roof of his mosque ; but by its side were pagodas 
 of China, Byzantine churches, and the triumphant Greek 
 cross, Grecian temples, French palaces, Turkish bazaars 
 and German beer- houses, every variety of costume and 
 feature, bizarre and picturesque, every nation under the 
 sun it seemed. 
 
 They soon became comfortably domesticated, and with 
 the experience of the last two months quite prepared to 
 feel at home. Gen. Mackenzie regretted they could not 
 have had this part of their tour in the summer, when gar- 
 dens and fields were in their glory, instead of continuous 
 snow and ice. 
 
 But they had some gay times skating and sledging ; and 
 the Kremlin was a source of unfailing interest and wonder. 
 They visited the point from which Napoleon's army 
 advanced on the silent glittering city, shrouded in snow, 
 with its mosques and minarets sparkling as now, but with 
 the more subtle fire at its heart that was to subdue and 
 dishearten its conqueror. Then they ascended the tower 
 of Ivan Veliki, the great belfry, and had all of Moscow at 
 their feet, with the Moskva winding in and out, and 
 almost doubling upon itself.
 
 18 WHOM KATHIE MAREIED. 
 
 The cathedral of St. Basil, with its many towers, each 
 one enclosing a chapel, the cathedral of St. Michael, and 
 the church of the Assumption held them spell-bound with 
 dazzling altars and shrine pictures set with jewels. Then 
 the grand halls, with their inlaid floors and the soft gleam 
 of many tinted marbles, the jewelled thrones of the great 
 Russian monarchs with their crowns, the treasures and 
 emblems of conquered and subjugated kingdoms, the treas- 
 ures that make the Kremlin, beside its historic associa- 
 tions, the Mecca of the Russians, for within it is gathered 
 all that is most venerated in religion and the most cher- 
 ished in historical tradition. 
 
 They remained so long in Moscow that they made some 
 friends and began to feel very much at home, though it 
 seemed to Kathie that they might go on making discover- 
 ies for a lifetime. But it was decided at length to go on 
 to Warsaw, and from thence presently to Berlin. 
 
 After some months of pleasant wandering through Ger- 
 man cities and towns, of studying picture galleries and 
 churches, highwa}-s and byways, mountains and lakes, our 
 travellers came on to Rome, where they were to meet the 
 Merediths presently. Bruce's recall found them here, 
 and as he had exceeded his year, it was deemed advisible 
 for him to return. It would hardly have been possible for 
 any young man of Bruce's tastes and habits of thought 
 not to have admired his girl companion, and for the reason 
 of the familiar association, Gen. Mackenzie distrusted a lit- 
 tle the true temper of the regard : both were so young, and 
 the intimacy had been that of brother and sister ; besides, 
 Kathie certainly was unconscious of any warmer regard. 
 
 That evening he discussed the matter with his wife. 
 
 " I think you were very shall I say heroic? Spartan- 
 like is better, I believe." And she glanced up with a wist- 
 ful smile. " Was it not hard to refuse your own?" 
 
 " You don't mean, Ruth, that and it seemed like tak- 
 ing an advantage of your sister," he ended abruptly
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 19 
 
 " Dora would not have been displeased, of that I am 
 quite sure. Still, Kathie is such a mere child she would 
 hardly know what love meant." 
 
 ' ' And it is not right to bind her by an engagement 
 until she does know what it means. I think she would 
 assent, and make herself at home in the new strange feel- 
 Ing, and come in time to love with her whole heart ; but 
 would it not be anticipating the bloom and newness of 
 love, tr} 7 ing for it? And it would of necessity change the 
 current of her thoughts, her enjoyments " 
 
 " How odd that you should think most of Kathie's wel- 
 fare, while I lean to that of Bruce ! Yet I do not know 
 as it would be best for either of them, and I am not much 
 of a believer in children's engagements, only I have a 
 woman's fondness for lovers." And she smiled softly 
 again. 
 
 ' ' Yet I do dread to lay a burden on her. To my mind 
 she is still a sweet, innocent child, and as such she ought 
 to go on for another year or two. Let them be friends, 
 let them correspond as he proposes ; and if Kathie's time 
 of blossoming comes, let her feel the exquisiteness of a 
 preference. Let her choose, as well as be chosen." 
 
 Bruce had a new interest in his mother's eyes the next 
 daj 7 , although she refrained from any overt touch of 
 6} T mpathy that might betray her real knowledge. They 
 were all to go to see him off, as he was to embark on a 
 government vessel bound for home. 
 
 There was a quiet manliness in Bruce that surprised his 
 father, who seemed to realize for the first time that his 
 son had come to man's estate in every respect. 
 
 A sad and tearful good-by, that was as a matter of 
 course ; but there was something to occup} r them imme- 
 diately, a letter from the Merediths, asking them to find 
 rooms, that they might be as neighborly as possible. So 
 Aunt Ruth and Kathie started at once, since there were no 
 vacant apartments at their hotel. It was quite a search,
 
 20 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 and presently they were rewarded by a chance of two rooms 
 in an old palace on the next square, which an Austrian 
 countess had just left. The}' all went to meet and welcome 
 them, and Kathie's parting thoughts of Bruce were very 
 much confused, since as yet she could not realize the void 
 made by his going. But oh, how delightful the familiar 
 faces looked ; and Mr. Meredith's hearty, joyous voice 
 brought back old times to the child's heart. There was the 
 pleasant tumult of greeting, of being packed in the voiture 
 and taken at once to the Mackenzies, while the luggage 
 was hunted up and despatched to the new domicile. 
 
 She was so glad to see them ! Jessie had changed 
 greatly. There was a certain something her sister-in-law 
 would have called style and aplomb. No one would have 
 ventured to hint that Mrs. Meredith was countrified now. 
 The girlish prettiness had merged into a matronly piquancy 
 and dignity that would be able to hold its own under the 
 most critical eyes. Her dresses were exquisite, and her 
 gloves and bonnets truly French. 
 
 As for Robin, he was simply superb. He had grown 
 so since Kathie had parted with him ; he could walk and 
 talk, and his French was the cunningest thing in the 
 world. 
 
 Their rooms were satisfactory, and they were delighted 
 to be with their friends. Mr. Meredith remarked the 
 change in Kathie, she was so much taller, even if she had 
 not outgrown the sweet child's face and unworldly air, 
 and the trick of being warmly enthusiastic. 
 
 "It was too bad that Bruce had to return," declared 
 Jessie. " I am disappointed, for I wanted to see him so 
 much." 
 
 " We were all so sorry," said Kathie with unaffected 
 regret. "And we have had such delightful times." 
 
 " I never knew one could become such an enthusiastic 
 Russian," returned Mr. Meredith, while Jessie was study- 
 ing the fair girl-faca. " I did n't know but you would end
 
 WHOM KATIIIE MARRIED. 21 
 
 by taking some fierce count with an unpronounceable 
 name, and then I should have disowned you." 
 
 Kathie smiled a little at that. " Oh," she said archly, 
 " you know I was not out, had not been presented, and 
 all that sort of thing ! And everybody thought I was 
 Bruce's sister ; one lady even congratulated me once upon 
 my resemblance to him." 
 
 ' ' I have heard of people living together until they grew 
 to look alike," said Jessie ; and then she made a sudden 
 pause. 
 
 " I did have a fancy," she said afterward to her hus- 
 band, " that something deeper than cousinly regard would 
 grow up between these young people when they came to 
 be daily companions. What French woman would trust 
 her daughter so unreservedly with a young man not her 
 brother ! Yet I dare say the French maiden would give her 
 chances for matrimony many a thought, while the idea has 
 not j^et entered Kathie's head." 
 
 " There is plenty of time for love and all that. For the 
 credit of my young countrywomen I am glad there is one 
 American girl innocent of matrimonial intentions, though, 
 truth to tell, I think it a libel. See how many American 
 girls we met at Paris intent upon their studies, and not at 
 all anxious about society. But how odd it would be for 
 some one to have a better right to Kathie than her friends 
 and relatives." 
 
 " Of course the relatives come last," laughed Jessie, 
 lapsing into thought and silence. Yes, it would seem un- 
 natural for any stranger to win Kathie. And then came 
 a little wonder, as she remembered one to whom Kathie 
 had always been first and best. If this fascinating young 
 cadet had made no other than a cousinly impression 
 
 " What conspiracy are you planning now? " her husband 
 asked suddenly. 
 
 " Oh ! " Jessie turned scarlet. Not even to him hardly 
 to her own soul would she admit her thought.
 
 22 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " I warn you to beware of plots and plans in behalf of 
 titled foreigners. Americans for the American, say I. As 
 soon as I scent danger in the air, I shall whisk Kathie off 
 home." 
 
 " To all of which I consent heartily," was her reply. 
 
 There was so much to talk over on both sides. Kathie 
 had seen the most wonderful places ; but Jessie, too, had 
 taken out-of-the-way journeys to the South of France, and 
 embarked finally at Marseilles. Switzerland they would 
 have together. 
 
 " What will you give me for my news ? " asked Mr. Mer- 
 edith when he had received his first instalment of letters. 
 "A surprise ! " 
 
 " Some one is coming out," guessed Kathie, glancing 
 up from her romp with the baby. 
 
 " No. A marriage, without any foreign tour, of a once 
 very fashionable girl ! " 
 
 "Oh, it is n't Ada?" 
 
 " Yes, it is Ada. Her father is delighted with his new 
 son." 
 
 " But who is it?" asked Kathie. "I can't recall any 
 one. But we have been awaj 7 so long." 
 
 "Oh, I am quite certain you saw him at Dr. Mark- 
 ham's." 
 
 Kathie studied a moment. 
 
 " Don't tease her," begged Jessie. "Dr. Gamier." 
 
 " Oh, then Dr. Markham is pleased ! " 
 
 " Yes. He has shown it in a very substantial manner. 
 He insisted upon furnishing their librar}'. He had taken 
 the young man under his wing before we left New York ; 
 and I think it an excellent choice." 
 
 " Did Ada's mother like it?" ventured Kathie, a little 
 as if she was treading on dangerous ground. 
 
 " I think Ada could have pleased her better," said Jessie- 
 " She was going into society again, and quite admired, 
 I gather from other sources. I suppose her mother felt
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 23 
 
 that she might do better, though Dr. Gamier cannot be 
 considered quite as a ' poor but worthy ' young man : he 
 has bought a house and has a good practice." 
 
 " And the right side of Dr. Markham is the high road 
 to fortune. I was afraid he would not suit Ada, being of 
 the rather solid order. What an insufferable piece of 
 vanity and self-complacency Ada would have become with- 
 out any check ! I think we ought to give }^ou the most 
 credit, Kathie. I really did weary in well-doing, and was 
 discouraged with her. Kathie, you have been the salva- 
 tion of us all." 
 
 " But I had mamma and everybody to encourage me. 
 And I do believe Dick Grayson and Mr. Langdon helped 
 that summer. It was learning how happiness could be 
 found in little things." 
 
 " That is it, you wise honey-bee," laughed Mr. Mere- 
 dith. 
 
 " But tell me all about her. This is the first real news 
 I have heard in a long time." 
 
 " Well, they have been engaged about six months. I 
 think by what George writes that her mother was a little 
 disappointed, but he said he was glad to give his daughter 
 to such an earnest, honorable man, though it was a great 
 loss to him to give her to any one : she had been such a 
 comfort to him. I do believe she has, and I am thankful 
 that he has had this through his days of adversity. What 
 selfish, useless lives a great many rich people lead ! It 
 doesn't seem so to you as you are going through it, but 
 when you look back at it Help me out, Kathie." And 
 Mr. Meredith laughed. "What was my text? Oh, Dr. 
 Gamier bought a house, and they were to go to housekeep- 
 ing. Ada's idea used to be the grand tour. But I think 
 now, like the Mry stories, they will live happily forever 
 afterward." 
 
 ** J^Ti't you hear from her, Kathie?" asked Jessie in 
 surprise.
 
 24 WHOM KATI1IE MARRIED. 
 
 "She wrote to me early in December, and I am ashamed 
 to say that I did not answer the letter for nearly three 
 months. Now that I think of it, she has quoted a friend a 
 good deal whose opinions seemed to have great weight 
 with her. I supposed it was Mrs. Arde." 
 
 "There is a lovely woman," remarked Jessie, " who is 
 doing a good work in the woi'ld, a regular home mission- 
 ary to the so-called better classes. She is in comfortable 
 circumstances, accomplished and refined, and might be a 
 star in society. Such women, pure and lofty themselves, 
 can raise the standard of womanhood greatly among 
 young girls. And I am beginning to think we Americans 
 let our elders drop out of our lives too soon. The girls 
 educated in convents come to have a respect for middle- 
 aged women, are trained indeed to defer to them and ac- 
 knowledge the stability of their position, while the mothers 
 and elder sisters get rudely pushed aside at home, snubbed, 
 and reminded in every wa}* that their day is over. You 
 see I am picking up some very useful foreign notions. 
 When I go home I shall establish a circle or clique, and 
 become a famous woman." 
 
 Soon afterwards Kathie's letter came from Ada, dated in 
 her new home. 
 
 " I hope you will not feel hurt by my silence," she be- 
 gan, " or want of confidence, for it really was not that : I 
 never seemed to have time to write all the explanations I 
 wanted to make, and I wonder if you are sufficiently grown 
 up now to understand. My impression of you, Kathie. is 
 that j'ou are still an innocent little girl, with a great deal of 
 unworldh" lore ; and }*et how many love affairs you have 
 had right under your own eyes ! Why you must have seen 
 and guessed about Uncle Edward ; and yet how reticent you 
 were ! I wonder if you forgave my foolish far-sightedness. 
 O Kathie, I must have been extremely silly in those days ! 
 My only comfort in remembering it is that we did not often 
 drop down upon sensible people. I can hardly believe now
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 25 
 
 that I was the listless, useless girl 3-011 found one winter day, 
 ruined in health, energy, and hopeless of the future. You 
 would scarcely imagine that I could become interested in 
 the every -day work of the world and like it. 
 
 " When you went awa}% papa would have strained every 
 nerve to send me, and I wanted to go ; but I was ashamed 
 to go with you, after your good lessons. I shall always be 
 glad that I struggled against my selfish desires and stayed at 
 home, for through it papa and I came to understand each 
 other better, and love truly and fervently. He is very 
 noble and self-sacrificing, Kathie, and I am not sure but I 
 have as much of a hero in him as you have in your Uncle 
 Robert. I began to care for his comfort, and found so many 
 ways, and so much enjoyment in them. We shall always 
 be much more to each other for this time. 
 
 " Mrs. Arde was such a lovely friend to me, and I did 
 go into considerable society. I was proud of attracting such 
 a man as Dr. Gamier, though I was not in love with him 
 at first. He used to drop in now and then, and send me 
 flowers ; but he had little time for party going and dancing, 
 and he was not the kind of man to hurry one into a decision. 
 There were several others ; one young man mamma favored 
 a great deal, who was in very good circumstances, and his 
 family were all extremely fashionable people. We went to 
 Long Branch a month in the summer, and he was there. 
 He was attractive, and I did like him, only I knew with 
 him I should go right back into the old life ; and it did not 
 look so inviting to me as it once had. 
 
 " After we came home he attended me to a party ; it was 
 very gay, with an elegant supper and an abundance of 
 wine and champagne. He drank until he became abso- 
 lutely silly ; not more so than several others, but I was 
 disenchanted with him, with the whole set. I found I was 
 beginning to measure all men by Dr. Gamier, who is a true 
 gentleman, gentle in his strength. And so the rest was 
 easily settled. Our engagement was hardly six months.
 
 26 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 We resolved to go to housekeeping in a pretty way, and Dr. 
 Markham has been just delightful. I think he has adopted 
 Philip in his brusque, generous way, and takes great pride 
 in his success. And if you should be caught by some high- 
 sounding title while abroad, I think I might displace you 
 in his esteem. 
 
 " So we have begun life with love and home and an ear- 
 nest purpose, but prepared for many failures. Papa is to 
 be our frequent guest. Both boys have gone away to 
 school, and Florence is in a kindergarten ; so mamma will 
 have it quite easy. Some day I hope to see you, and then 
 we will talk over the things that cannot be written." 
 
 Kathie read most of this to Aunt Ruth, who warmly 
 commended Ada. 
 
 This was followed by a letter from Mrs. Langdon. 
 They hoped to be in Rome before long. They had gone 
 first to Spain and visited the old cities of romance and 
 history, finding wonderful things on every hand. They 
 would spend some months in Roman wanderings, then 
 take Switzerland and the Alps and a little of Germany, 
 spending all of the ensuing winter in Paris. 
 
 " I wonder if you would like to have a winter in Paris?" 
 Aunt Ruth asked. 
 
 "Mr. Meredith and Jessie expect to return in thft 
 autumn," Kathie answered, with a kind of wistful touch ID 
 her voice. " I should want to see Paris " 
 
 " But you have a longing for home, is that it? Still, as 
 we had to take the first part of our tour with reference to 
 business, we can certainly devote some time to pleasure. 
 I want to see Paris also, as it is not likely I shall ever 
 come abroad again ; but we will consider whether we 
 want a whole winter of it." 
 
 The General and Mrs. Mackenzie had gathered quite a 
 little circle of friends, foreign and American, so Jessie, 
 who had grown much fonder of society, was at once taken 
 in their midst. They saved up some things for Emma and
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 27 
 
 Mr. Langdon to enjoy with them, but there were lovely 
 drives, churches and palaces to visit, until, as Kathie said, 
 one almost had a surfeit of sight-seeing. 
 
 "And the comfort of it is to just stop and live some- 
 where," said Kathie. " We lived a little while in Scotland, 
 and a longer time at Moscow, and now we are living here ; 
 all the rest is journej-s between." 
 
 " You will be a noted traveller when you reach Brook- 
 side again," commented Mr. Meredith. 
 
 ' ' And I shall be all the rest of my life getting things 
 straight." 
 
 It was so delightful to see Mr. and Mrs. Langdon. 
 They took them quite by surprise one morning, hardly an 
 hour after their arrival in Rome. 
 
 " Oh ! " cried Kathie, with her arms about Emma's neck. 
 " You seem like a little bit of home. How good it is ! " 
 
 " Surely }'ou are not homesick? " inquired Mr. Langdon. 
 
 " It would be dreadful to confess it, would it not? We 
 are not going to abridge our stay, but I do think Brook- 
 side will look just lovely to me when I see it again." 
 
 "It has changed so much you will hardly know it," 
 Emma returned. " A new railroad touches it at the north 
 side, and an immense factory is being built, to say noth- 
 ing of several smaller ones. We shall soon be South-End 
 people, the select aristocracy of the town. O Kathie ! do 
 you remember the old patrician days at school ? I met 
 Belle Haddon last summer in New York. She is divorced. 
 Her father is very successful in some ' ring ' again, and 
 they are floating on the topmost round. It was a great 
 pleasure for me to tell her you were in Europe with your 
 aunt and uncle, Gen. and Mrs. Mackenzie. Several of 
 the girls and boys are married, and hosts of new people 
 have come in. Has your uncle told you about the improve- 
 ments ? They have straightened and widened all the drive 
 along the lake, and cut through one place that makes it 
 lead up to the heart of the town, and it is called Cedarwood
 
 28 WHOlx KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Avenue. The people who thought themselves almost out 
 of sight are right in the midst of style and what will be 
 elegance after it is finished. And there is going to be a 
 town hall and a library. Mr. Grayson and your uncle 
 and Mr. Adams have all taken hold of it. You will 
 hardly know the place when you get home." 
 
 Uncle Robert had kept Kathie pretty well posted, but 
 it was very enjoyable to hear it first-hand, as it were. 
 Such entertaining little bits were always cropping out, 
 that Kathie declared it was almost as good as seeing with 
 her own e} T es. And it was so nice to hear about the boys. 
 Fred Lauriston had graduated, and gone to South America 
 for three years ; Dick Grayson had decided upon law ; he 
 and Rob and Charlie Darrell would graduate the following 
 summer. Emma had seen them all during vacation. Sue 
 Coleman was married and gone to Chicago, and one of the 
 Gardiner girls was engaged to Henry Cox. 
 
 In fact, for the first few days everybody gave up th 
 girls to one another for " pure gossip," Mr. Langdon said. 
 He was very proud of his pretty wife, and took greal 
 interest in her talent, as one could plainly see. She was 
 still girlishly slender, and seemed not to have grown a 
 day older, while Mr. Langdon had that indescribable 
 married air of supreme content. The gentlemen of the 
 party fraternized admirably. Emma had been sketching 
 and painting a little in Spain, and they had some beautiful 
 views. 
 
 " They remind me of Moscow," said Kathie ; " yet the 
 two countries are so far apart and so different." 
 
 "Yet the same race and the same religion has left its 
 impress on both," remarked Mr. Langdon. " Moslemism 
 bid fair to overrun the world at one time, yet the Cross 
 has triumphed over the Crescent, and will go on a great 
 factor in civilization. How new it makes one feel, Mere- 
 dith, to wander about places a thousand or two years 
 old ! "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 29 
 
 " And to think of all the mighty races that have lived 
 and died, and left enduring traces of themselves. If we 
 were bachelors, Langdon, I should like nothing better 
 than a run through Egypt." 
 
 " Well, you can take us," said Jessie. " I used to tnink 
 Egypt and Persia were the two countries above all others 
 that I should desire to see." 
 
 " Yes, we might ; but Kathie, you know, is homesick." 
 
 "I should rather take the rest some other time," she 
 responded gravely.
 
 CHAPTER "HI.> 
 
 IT Kathie had been left quite alone with her aunt and 
 uncle, to miss the absent one at every turn, to dream and 
 brood, and hold intimate thought, communion, conver- 
 sations one really makes of it in solitude, the result 
 might have been quite different ; but it was all active life 
 instead. Gen. Mackenzie had been in Rome twenty years 
 before, Mr. Meredith had run through it once with a party 
 of young men ; but to Mr. Langdon everything was new. 
 There was a great deal for the gentlemen beside the pic- 
 ture galleries. Old roads, bridges, and ruins, old battle 
 sites, and dead and gone armies with their heroic leaders. 
 The start of a wonderful civilization that was destined to 
 rule the world in various guises, the going-out into all 
 the world of Christianity, that had left behind old and 
 enduring monuments, and changed the face of the earth 
 wherever it spread. 
 
 Kathie and Emma listened with deepest interest to 
 these talks of matters they had just touched upon, it 
 seemed, at school ; or they lingered in churches, studying 
 rare sculptures and wonderful paintings, that inspired 
 them with a sacred awe. How much of human and ideal- 
 ized lives they represented ! 
 
 " One could pass a lifetime here and never weary of 
 the great work," Emma said, " if body and brain could 
 stand the constant tax. I am afraid I shall never want 
 to do anything but look." 
 
 " Rome makes you understand antiquity: it is such a 
 gradual going back," rejoined Mr. Meredith. " Every
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 31 
 
 year is represented There are no breaks. Far beyond 
 the Christian era, every century keeps its own intact, 
 every ruin has its story to tell, with its date and name." 
 
 " And what stories they are ! " said Jessie. " We were 
 through the garden of the Pincio yesterday and out to 
 the spot where Lucullus lived and gave his great feasts ; 
 and later on Messalina gave hers there, until she aroused 
 the tardy resentment of Claudius. Was hj3 noble, or sim- 
 ply weak, I wonder ? But her enemy triumphed over her 
 entreaties and her husband's forbearance, and slew her 
 when, less courageous than Cleopatra, she dared not com- 
 pass her own death. What men and women there were in 
 those days ! I do think the world has improved." 
 
 " Yet I wonder if our growth in moi'als is to mark a 
 degeneracy in other matters? We have no such sculp- 
 tures to-day, no such bridges or palaces. What work of 
 ours will last thousands of years?" mused Mr. Langdon. 
 
 Kathie proved quite a guide to her friends. When they 
 were tired of journeyings they spent mornings in galleries, 
 Emma stud}'ing and sketching a little, and occasionally 
 meeting with an entertaining episode with some of her 
 own countrywomen. Jessie was much interested in the 
 peasant women and children, the promenades and drives, 
 and the odd phases of Roman life. Aunt Ruth introduced 
 them to inner glimpses of Roman society, and the days 
 were so crowded with enjoyment that they passed too 
 rapidly. It was as Kathie said, they had to do the seeing 
 now, and the thinking afterward ; to store their minds with 
 the grand, the exquisite, the wonderful, to serve for after 
 feasts. 
 
 As soon as was practicable in the season they started for 
 Switzerland. Of their journey over the Alps, of the lakes 
 and mountains, of passes wonderful and dangerous, of 
 Chillon, with its fortress of the cruel Middle Ages, of the 
 vale of Chamounix and Mont Blanc, and the hundred histor- 
 ical and romantic points, the world knows them almost by
 
 32 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 heart, yet the great thing is to see them with our own eyes, 
 to linger breathless and awe-stricken, and feel that the half 
 had never been told, the half that could not be told, 
 but must be seen and felt, drop deep into one's soul. 
 
 When Kathie could stop she vainly tried to transcribe it 
 for Bruce, as she had promised. " If you had been here," 
 " If you could have stayed," to see this or that, mixed with 
 Emma and Jessie and the wonderful baby, but not much of 
 her very self. There was no time in " marching on " to 
 think of one's self. That she missed him everywhere and 
 longed for him was but natural : any friend would have 
 done it. 
 
 They took a small corner of Germany in their way, and 
 then pushed on to Paris. Jessie was so at home here that 
 she proved an excellent chaperone. They soon domesti- 
 cated themselves ; they were all so accustomed to foreign life 
 that it did not take long. 
 
 " The shopping will have to come now," declared Jessie, 
 "and we must put it in by bits along with the sight-seeing ; 
 but I made up my mind long ago not to overload myself, 
 and when I wanted again, to pay duty, patriotically." 
 
 Their first tour was to Versailles. The city was bright 
 and open and full of sunshine, and so clean in contrast with 
 many other places. There were the palace and garden of 
 the Tuileries ; the slender, beautiful obelisk of Luxor, stand- 
 ing in what had once been the Place of Revolution in those 
 mighty times of terror ; the broad avenue leading straight 
 out to the Arch of Triumph, the riverside, the villages with 
 their narrow streets and pretty gardens, the white-capped 
 women and peasant men in blouses, the contrast of the 
 beautiful carriages and their gayly dressed occupants, and 
 so on down the Boulevard de la Reine to the gateway of 
 the Trianons. 
 
 The place was full of remembered presences of dead and 
 gone royal t}\ Here kings and queens had played at grandeur 
 and at simplicity. Here had mingled joy, ambition ; dreams
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 33 
 
 attained ; here, too, heart-breaks and sorrow. They lost 
 themselves in still lovely glades of greenery, they wandered 
 past fountains, they came to Marie Antoinette's Swiss cot- 
 tage, with its overhanging gallery and latticed windows, the 
 dairy where she played prettily at butter-making ; then on 
 again through avenue and mall, through the court-yard to 
 the gallery of sculpture, with its glories, and then to the gal- 
 lery of battles, that seemed to tell of themselves the 
 world's history. 
 
 Here, everywhere, it seemed, Napoleon the First had left 
 his impress. Kathie and Bruce had studied up his cam- 
 paigns while in Moscow, Bruce with a soldier's ardor for 
 a famous general. Now she paused before the great pic- 
 ture of the Coronation. All these shadowy kings and 
 queens still live in the great heart of the world that makes 
 pilgrimages from afar to see them. They went back to 
 their carriages too tired for even a word. 
 
 " We can talk it over in New York," said Emma ; " it 
 will seem more of a luxury then." 
 
 There was many a delightful but fatiguing day. Some- 
 times Annt Ruth could not go, and Kathie was glad they 
 had left Paris to the last. " For it seems now," said she, 
 u as if we could go home and go to bed, and get rested 
 after it all." 
 
 "But I shall miss you so much," said Emma, regret- 
 fully. 
 
 " I have never had but one temptation to be jealous," 
 confessed Mr. Langdon ; " and that is about Miss Kathie- 
 I think Emma spent a full month gathering up messages 
 before she left America, and it will take me a month f o 
 comfort her after you have gone." 
 
 " I think / ought to be jealous as well. He has be- 
 wailed you every time he went to Cedarwood, Kathie ; 
 and he liked me first because he thought I resembled you. 
 Perhaps if you had been older, he would not have liked me 
 at all."
 
 34 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " That was a lovely summer, with so many 3*oung peo- 
 ple at Cedarwood" ; and Mr. Langdon sighed. " I really 
 believe I would like to live it over again. And your inva- 
 lid friend has married, Miss Kathie, as well as several oth- 
 ers. I shall always count your uncle among my choicest 
 confreres, and some time, when Mrs. Langdon has become 
 a famous artist, we shall drift back and set up a studio or 
 a country home or something charming, in memory of the 
 old-time delights, and your uncle and I will come to be 
 quoted among the solid men of the place." 
 
 "Langdon, you are sentimental"; and Mr. Meredith 
 laughed ; ' ' though I think we all owe a good deal of 
 what is best and happiest in our lives to its influence," he 
 appended, in a graver tone. 
 
 Gen. Mackenzie glanced across at his wife, and she 
 answered with a touch of rising color : so many ever- 
 widening circles had evolved from that one centre. 
 
 Yet it began to be really sad when a time was appointed 
 for the Mackenzie party to leave Paris : there were so 
 many little last things and last visits. 
 
 " Though no doubt we shall be heie again and again," 
 declared Mr. Meredith : ' ' people so often ran over for a 
 three months' tour ; and you can do one or two places very 
 thoroughly." 
 
 " And it is nearly seven months since we dropped down 
 upon you at Rome. I can hardly believe it. You will see 
 us back in New York in a year or two." 
 
 The last shopping and packing, and then a journey to 
 picturesque Normandy together, a kind of afterthought, 
 to soften the parting, then a brief sail across the Channel 
 and they touched English soil and seemed almost home ; 
 but they must spend another week or two in London, look- 
 ing about, and then the longer trip over the ocean, pleas- 
 ant, with not a great deal of sickness. 
 
 Home ! Yes, it was delightful. 
 
 " And you can only have one little place to really live
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 35 
 
 in," said Kathie. " I believe I would as soon have it 
 Brookside as any other. Think of our pretty lake and 
 Guilford River ; and we have some hills " 
 
 " But they will look very small after Mont Blanc." 
 " I should n't want to live in the shadow of Mont Blanc 
 all my life : it would overpower me." 
 
 They had not sent word of the exact time of their re- 
 turn, but after reaching New York, Gen. Mackenzie tele- 
 graphed to Cedarwood. They were driven at once to a 
 hotel, and were glad of a rest. New York did look 
 strange after the Old World cities ; still, to the elders it 
 had a pleasant suggestion of home. 
 
 Kathie and Aunt Ruth went to bed to get rested up after 
 the sea dizziness and confusion of the last day. Jessie 
 was engrossed with looking after nurse and baby, who had 
 thriven physically on his tour, if the remembrance never 
 could be much to him. The gentlemen were very busy 
 with the luggage, and considering what was to be done 
 next. It was late in the afternoon, and no friends would 
 be likely to some to greet them. Mrs. George Meredith 
 was away on her summering, but the brothers met in a 
 most cordial manner. George had aged a good deal. 
 
 " Old fellow, it will be your turn for a holiday next,'' 
 Edward said with heartfelt regard. " I feel almost con- 
 science smitten." 
 
 " But you never need, Ned. If you had not come to 
 the rescue so nobly, I must have gone under. I have had 
 a hard time, but we are on our feet again, and shall be 
 fairly prosperous. The boys are bright and hardy, and 
 Ada is very happy. I am down there half my time when 
 I am alone. Gamier is a really splendid fellow. As men 
 go, Ada has secured a prize." 
 
 His fatherly pride showed in his face. 
 
 " I am so glad," was the warm response. 
 
 " You can never know, Ned, what a comfort she was to 
 me through some of the hardest. If my boys turn out as 
 well "
 
 36 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 If Kathie could hear that commendation ; for surely it 
 was her hand that planted the good seed. And a little 
 further back, had there not been something that set him 
 to thinking, an influence a little different from any that 
 had entered his careless manhood up to that period? If 
 he had married some worldly young girl, and repeated his 
 brother's life : but no wealth or elegance could ever make 
 Jessie frivolous. 
 
 Kathie did not even wake up for any supper, but slept 
 straight on in the restful slumber of youth and fatigue. 
 Aunt Ruth came and looked at her with a tender smile, 
 and then went down to supper. Gen. Mackenzie had 
 brought in letters, among them one from Bruce. He had 
 gone to his new post of duty and found it a great change, 
 of course. He was not much in love with the surround- 
 ings ; indeed, he was fast coming to think that he preferred 
 the amenities of civilian life ; but he meant to stand stead- 
 ily by his colors. 
 
 "Tell me about Kathie," he begged: "she says so 
 little of herself." 
 
 She came down the next morning bright as a rose, 
 rested and refreshed. 
 
 " It will be quite a reception day," began Mr. Meredith ; 
 " the world has all gone out of town, but what is left of 
 it will drop in and congratulate you on your safe arrival. 
 I suppose the next move will be Brookside, for I know all 
 the Darrell clan are wild to see their grandson." 
 
 Jessie colored with motherly pride as she bent to kiss 
 her little boy. 
 
 " I think the delegation will be up to meet us," remarked 
 the General. " I am most anxious to get out of the hat 
 and dust ; but we cannot leave to-day." 
 
 " Do you really think Uncle Robert will come, and " 
 Kathie paused with softened eyes. 
 
 " Mamma will be awaiting us at home," returned Aunt 
 Ruth, quietly.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 37 
 
 "Isn't it just a little bit odd," began Mr. Meredith, 
 "but the first time I saw } r ou, Mrs. Mackenzie, and 
 Kathie here, I was standing on the hotel steps? Kathie 
 was a little, bright-eyed, country girl, looking like a field 
 daisy or a wild rose ; and you brought a wonderful charm 
 with you. I don't believe any one ever understood before 
 how pretty they were, for the whole world has gone to wild 
 roses and daisies since." 
 
 " Did I look so very countrified? " inquired Kathie. " I 
 felt as if I had gone into not exactly fairyland, but wonder- 
 land. And there were so many people, such a noise and 
 confusion, and you just took me and Aunt Ruth's shepherd's- 
 plaid shawl up-stairs ; and it seemed a palace to me, it 
 really did," laughingly. " There was a great dinner after- 
 wards, and a drawing-room filled with lovely women and 
 brave men, and I felt all the time as if I was enchanted. 
 Did I do anything very queer and awkward ? " 
 
 " Not a bit," declared Mr. Meredith. 
 
 "It was one of my three wishes, you know. When 
 Uncle Robert came home he gave me three ; and I always 
 shall believe in fairy stories to the very end, for I had my 
 three wishes, and they all came out splendidly." 
 
 ' ' Which one did I come in ? " 
 
 Kathie colored. 
 
 " The very first," replied Aunt Ruth. " She wished for 
 me, and we came to New York to see Dr. Markham about 
 my lameness." 
 
 " And I seemed to have a pretty good share in that 
 wish too," responded Gen. Mackenzie, with a smile at his 
 wife and niece. 
 
 "Like the strawberry girl 'me too, Katy!'" ex- 
 claimed Mr. Meredith. " We two," glancing at Jessie. 
 " You never dreamed, Kathie, how many incidents and 
 romances were to grow out of it." 
 
 "But if you had not been there?" supposed Kathie, 
 archly.
 
 38 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " I should have lost incalculably. Robin, nothing could 
 have made it up to us." And he took his little boy on his 
 knee. 
 
 A waiter entered with a card, " Mrs. Gamier." 
 
 " Kathie, go first and try your enchantment," said 
 Jessie. " How shamefully late we are that Ada should 
 call before we are through breakfast ! " 
 
 Kathie lingered, but Jessie and Mr. Meredith promised 
 to come directly. 
 
 Kathie smiled a little as she crossed the threshold of 
 the reception-room, thinking of the awe of that childish 
 time. Ada rose ; the two years had changed her very lit- 
 tle, except in the expression of content and satisfaction. 
 For a moment she glanced uncertainly, then her arms were 
 around Kathie ; and if the embrace was more demonstrative 
 than the languor of the day approved, no one could have 
 questioned its genuineness. 
 
 "O Kathie! what a pleasure. I did not expect to 
 see you first of all. Papa told me last evening you were 
 all in, and that I must call upon Aunt Jessie, as if 
 I had forgotten my manners in my new life. Oh, how 
 you have grown and changed, and," holding her off a 
 little, " how indescribably foreign you look ! " 
 
 "Do I? I have a queer feeling as if I did not quite 
 know what I was, but I shall, when I get to Brookside 
 and mamma." 
 
 " Kathie Alston, I wonder if you will be quite content 
 there now? I do not want to stir up any longing or 
 desire, but Brookside is small, and there is no great vari- 
 ety of people or employment, or enjoyment for that mat- 
 ter. I have speculated a good deal upon it, and though I 
 am not as sill}' as I was a few years ago, it does seem like 
 burying }*our graces and accomplishments ; for you are 
 stylish and pretty, and you could be quite a star in society, 
 with all } T our newness and freshness." 
 
 "I'm not going to bury myself, returned Kathie. 
 " There is too much real work to do. O Ada "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 39 
 
 " There, it was only one of the temptations. I could n't 
 help uttering it. I don't believe anything will ever spoil 
 you. What is it this content in stillness and sweet- 
 ness? this holding everything with reverent hands, as if it 
 was not really yours, and yet enjoying all things to the 
 uttermost? You see I am no angel yet, but full of ques- 
 tions and wonders." 
 
 "But happy?" Kathie asked, with a kind of jealous 
 longing for her friend. 
 
 ' ' Happy ? oh yes ! " And Ada gave a smile of rare con- 
 tent. '' When you come to know Philip, and Uncle Mark- 
 ham and I have talked him nearly deaf, dumb, and blind 
 about }^ou, I think you will understand the sort of pro- 
 gression in me, for it is that which puzzles you. One can 
 desire to go on without being altogether dissatisfied with 
 the things that are, but you can't go on without question ing. 
 And I must go on to keep up with my husband. I can't 
 allow myself to fall behind, and so if I question you a 
 little and watch you What a queer talk right in the begin- 
 ning ! And I am so glad to see you ! Of course the 
 whole journey was delightful. Did you bring home most 
 in lovely laces and new gowns, or did you turn artist or 
 poet or novelist? Everybody writes a book now." 
 
 " I am the one girl without a genius," confessed Kathie 
 frankly. " I have learned a good deal, and seen until my 
 brain could not hold another sight ; I am afraid it is yet a 
 chaotic mass, that I shall have to straighten out all the rest 
 of my life to get all the objects in order." 
 
 " But Mrs. Langdon is going to be a real artist, is she 
 not ? I think she paints beautifully already. They spent 
 a winter in the city, and Mrs. Arde met them, you know 
 she is always taking up special people and bringing them 
 out to delight the ordinary ones. And so I found in her 
 the Emma Lauriston of that summer at Cedarwood. One 
 of the girls said then that you always found so many nice 
 people, and I begin to think you and Mrs. Arde alike in 
 that respect. And she is crazy to see you."
 
 40 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 The Merediths entered at this moment, and Ada's atten- 
 tion was directed to the new channels. Aunt Jessie was 
 elegant, certain!}', and the bab} r a marvel of prettiness, 
 talking French as if it were his mother tongue. Kathie 
 watched her friend with a curious feeling, as if again there 
 was a great distance of years between them. It had never 
 been, it would never be, a love friendship, as that between 
 herself and Jessie or Emma Lauriston ; yet there was a 
 strength and determination in Ada's face, as if she had 
 set out to reach some of the higher places. "And I 
 shall know her better presently," Kathie thought. " It is 
 like getting acquainted with a new person." Then she 
 wondered, in a little dismay, if every one would seem so 
 different. Perhaps the two years had changed her as 
 well. 
 
 Dr. and Mrs. Markham were announced next, and it 
 became quite a gay family party. Aunt Ruth came in for 
 a large share of compliments, and Kathie began to realize 
 suddenly that a great change had been going on with her 
 most unconsciously. She had passed from young girlhood 
 to womanhood. The eager child-life was a thing of the 
 past, and at this moment of missing it Kathie stretched 
 out her hands unconsciously, as if to implore it back again. 
 Life suddenly looked large and sacred. 
 
 The Doctor came over and teased her. She was so tall 
 and st}-lish, and had seen so much that no doubt her own 
 country would appear poor and plain by contrast. Could 
 she condescend to an old chap like him, who couldn't put 
 a French sentence property together to save his neck, and 
 would she come down some time when the others could 
 spare her and make them a visit, and talk over the won- 
 derful things she had seen? 
 
 Some old friends of Jessie's entered presently, and the 
 others went away with promises ; then a telegram an- 
 nouncing the arrival of home friends at one, and Kathie's 
 heart gave a quick, glad leap.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 41 
 
 " Aunt Ruth," she began, when they were in their room, 
 " have I changed very much?" 
 
 Aunt Ruth looked puzzled, then smiled. 
 
 " You have grown, of course, and yes, I suppose you 
 have. The rest notice it more easily than we do. What 
 is there to look so grave about, my darling ? " 
 
 " I wonder if I shall ever be quite the same to mamma 
 and Uncle Robert?" 
 
 " O Kathie, to them, to us, there can be very little 
 difference ! The old love is the same, and takes no ac- 
 count of years or change." 
 
 She asked no further questions, but glanced out of the 
 window, thinking. She must do something with her life, 
 with the years to come : people alwa}*s did when they 
 were quite grown up. If she could be something, if there 
 could be some aim, some purpose, and not all a simple 
 going on of pleasure. 
 
 She had quite lost herself in a tangled train of thought 
 when a voice outside somewhere said, "And Kathie?" 
 The young girl sprang up and took a few steps forward, 
 and was clasped in two strong arms. 
 
 ' ' O Uncle Robert ! Uncle Robert ! " And hiding her 
 face on his shoulder, she gave a little sob. She was 
 home to her own again. There could not be any sense of 
 change with him. 
 
 But he was not to have her all to himself. Right behind 
 were Rob and Charlie Darrell. Robert, tall and erect, 
 with a proud, masterful face, clear, frank eyes, and a line 
 of dark mustache shading his upper lip. He really 
 seemed stranger to Kathie than Charlie Darrell, who was 
 not less manly looking if not so tall. There was a fine and 
 spiritual expression in his face ; it looked like some of the 
 pictures she had seen, the indescribable indication of a 
 life a little higher than the ordinary round. 
 
 Father and Mother Darrell had joined the party. There 
 were some other grandchildren at a distance, but Jessie's
 
 42 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 baby had somehow been a little different from the rest, 
 
 perhaps because Jessie's marriage had been a little out 
 
 of the common order. 
 
 Rob said it again, " O Kathie ! how you have changed ! " 
 " And yet it is, it always will be, the same little Kathie," 
 
 said Charlie Darrell ; and she felt strangely comforted.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " I HAVE brought her back to you, your very own, as J 
 promised." 
 
 It was what Gen. Mackenzie said to Mrs. Alston on the 
 great porch at Cedarwood, when the mother held her child 
 again in her arms. To him it represented the sacrifice he 
 had made in not taking her for his own, the putting off, 
 the waiting that might have a little danger in it ; for 
 right behind was another to whom Kathie would be fair 
 and sweet with the charm of womanhood. 
 
 Afterward they all talked at once. Kathie ran round 
 to every place, and found there had been a great change. 
 The child nooks did not fit her so well : she had outgrown 
 them and come to the larger abiding-places. There were 
 no children, for Fred was shooting up into a tall, slender 
 boy, and Rob was a man. The days of frolics, laughing, 
 and glee were over. How strange it was ! 
 
 And yet the dear old house had not changed. She was 
 so glad the rooms were large, the hall and stairway wide, 
 and the porch room abundant. It would do for anything 
 they might ever grow into. There had been a little 
 refurnishing, but Uncle Robert told her they had left plenty 
 of room for the treasures she had brought. 
 
 " Dear home ! I am so glad to be here again. I think 
 I was homesick two or three times, mamma. After Bruce 
 returned, if Jessie had not come I should have wanted to 
 end our lovely journeyings then and there. We used to 
 wish for yon so, Rob, when we were in Moscow, talking 
 over Napoleon, who seems to have left footprints all over
 
 44 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Europe. And when we did start, when we reached the 
 Channel to cross to England, it seemed as if I could n't get 
 home fast enough, as if something would happen. And 
 yet here we all are, and nothing has happened except just 
 the right things, that always do happen, I suppose. Do 
 you know, mamma, I never realized until yesterday that I 
 was grown up, a young lady." 
 
 " Yes," Mrs. Alston said with a sigh. " I think I would 
 have been satisfied to keep you by me in childhood for 
 years to come." 
 
 Robert went round and sat on the step by his mother, 
 Kathie being on the other side. Then Fred came and 
 seated himself just below, leaning his arms on his mother's 
 lap. It made a pretty picture. 
 
 " I wish I could have you painted just so," remarked 
 Uncle Robert. 4i You own them all now, Dora." 
 
 " I and mine," she uttered with pardonable motherly 
 pride. 
 
 " But Rob is going away," said Freddy. 
 
 " O Rob, where?" Kathie asked. 
 
 ' ' "Why, I suppose I ought to be looking out for my 
 living somewhere," returned Robert. "You don't think 
 I could stay here always, hanging on uncle, do you ? " 
 
 " But what are you going to do?" 
 
 "Did you hear to-day, Uncle?" the 3 T oung man asked, 
 glancing past his mother. 
 
 Uncle Robert nodded. Then he said aloud, " Yes, that 
 is one of the pains and penalties of manhood, an old 
 law." 
 
 Robert Alston looked straight before him, over the space 
 of lawn and lake to the woods on the farther shore. There 
 were old laws and old penalties, and no one could hope to es- 
 cape them. Every error or carelessness or sin had to be paid 
 for in kind. He would fain have made his mother's wish 
 reality, begun again at childhood. If one could retrace 
 if regret could undo !
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 45 
 
 Uncle Robert would not allow the conversation to drop 
 to any saddened key just now of all times. It was right 
 enough that Rob should strike out for himself ; but if he 
 could have elected to remain nearer home ! Yet there was 
 always a little roving tendency : was it in the blood ? 
 Even when he had started another topic, he kept a quiet 
 side for his thought. 
 
 Indeed there was no chance for conversation to flag. 
 Not an old friend or protege had Kathie forgotton, though 
 it had been impossible to keep up with them all. But 
 Uncle Robert seemed to have a catalogue of them and the 
 most important events that had happened. 
 
 Kathie found her own room refurnished and quite a mar- 
 vel of beauty. The other belongings had been placed in a 
 smaller room across the hall ; and when all the pictures 
 and bits of remembrance had been unpacked, it became a 
 wonder to know what to do with them. 
 
 There was much going to and from between them and the 
 Darrells, and after a day or two Cedarwood was besieged 
 by old friends. It was still warm, being the first of Sep- 
 tember, and there could be a good deal of out-door living. 
 The girls were all wild about Kathie ; and. there were compli- 
 ments and exclamations enough to make her vain. 
 
 Rob had decided to make his business essay in Chicago ; 
 why, no one could quite tell, for his uncle wished him to take 
 a situation in New York among friends. Through Mr. 
 Meredith, Uncle Robert had found a nice position ; but Mrs. 
 Alston was quite disappointed at her son's preference for 
 mercantile life. The offer had come, and now in a few days 
 he was to say good by again. 
 
 His college career had proved very satisfactory on the 
 whole. He had the Latin oration and had taken one of 
 the prizes. There had been a good deal of rowing and 
 pleasures of various kinds, and some boyish escapades, but 
 nothing that had detracted from his standing. His mother 
 bad gone to commencement and felt duly proud of her son.
 
 46 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 "Mother," Rob said the next morning, "I think we 
 ought to give another party a sort of welcome home to 
 Kathie to introduce her afresh to Brookside : so many 
 new people have come in ; and then it is something to have 
 a travelled young lady in one's family." 
 
 Mrs. Alston glanced up at her brother. 
 
 " I was thinking of that myself. I suppose Kathie will 
 have to begin young ladyhood." 
 
 " Does n't it seem queer?" said she. " Will I have to 
 drive round in a pony carriage with mamma, and keep my 
 cards in her case, as they do in English novels ? And I 
 ought to have a white silk dress." 
 
 " Why, that would be a wedding dress," declared Fred. 
 
 " Not necessarily in my case." And Kathie laughed. 
 
 " The party is a bright idea," said Uncle Robert. " We 
 ought to set about it at once." 
 
 "Oh, do you remember the first lovely party we had 
 here, when the house was christened? I don't believe I 
 should ever want to go entirely away to stay I mean : 
 there are so many dear and delightful memories and joys. 
 I seem not to have really lived anj r where but just here, 
 only I have been out a-visiting a good deal," she said 
 
 " I hope to keep you for many j T ears to come," rejoined 
 her mother, with a tender kiss. 
 
 " Oh, you will be sure to ! I feel as if I was just ready 
 to begin some kind of living. I suppose I do not need tx? 
 go to school any more ? " 
 
 " Not unless you wish to study law or medicine," said 
 Uncle Robert, with a dry sort of smile. 
 
 " I am afraid I have not sufficient application. And I 
 have no genius. Mamma, will you be satisfied with a 
 commonplace daughter ? " 
 
 A glance answered the question. The every-day virtues 
 and pleasures were not quite so commonplace as the 
 world might think.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 47 
 
 " Yes, I should like to have a party," Kathie began, " if 
 the girls have not forgotten me, or gone away. A real 
 American party again." 
 
 "We have quite a number of new neighbors," said 
 Uncle Robert. "I have had to solace myself with some 
 other young ladies." 
 
 " Then I shall be all curiosity to see them my rivals," 
 she exclaimed archly. 
 
 They all decided it would be quite the best way to an- 
 nounce Kathie's return. Uncle Robert began a list. 
 Kathie listened to the strange names. There was a Miss 
 Georgie Halford, who had been spending the summer with 
 Mrs. Adams, their neighbor, and whose mother, now dead, 
 had been Mrs. Adams's cousin. There were some new 
 neighbors on the avenue, the Collamores, who had three 
 delightful young people ; and as they went on Kathie ex- 
 claimed, " Why, I shall not know any of them ! It will 
 be quite like a foreign party, after all." 
 
 " You will like the Collamores," said Rob. "And, 
 Kathie, do you remember little Rose Gordon? She grad- 
 uated this summer from some great school, and is just 
 beautiful. I took a party of girls out rowing one day, 
 and she amused them by telling of a wonderful snow-house 
 we once built, and a fairy play we had. I 'd nearly for- 
 gotten about it, but it all came back." 
 
 " It was the winter before Uncle Robert came home. 
 Oh, how strange it seems !" And a curious light filled 
 Kathie's eyes. 
 
 " Now your friends, Kathie," said Uncle Robert. 
 
 "Let us invite the girls who were here so long ago ; at 
 least, all we can. Oh, where is Lottie Thorne?" 
 
 "Still here, still in 'maiden meditation fancy free,'" 
 declared Rob, "but making big eyes at all eligibles. 
 She would remind you of what Ada Meredith used to be, 
 only she is sickly sentimental."
 
 48 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Oh, have you seen Ada? She has changed, and she 
 puzzled me a good deal." 
 
 " She is getting fitted into another new life," said Uncle 
 Robert. " The past two years have been very hard for 
 Ada. Mrs. Meredith will never be anything but a worldly 
 wise, fashionable woman. What 'our set' thinks and 
 does and wears is all in all to her ; she is surprised at 
 having a daughter who does n't think like her, who feels 
 that fashion may not be quite everything. I must com- 
 mend Ada for trying to be a good daughter to her mother 
 as well as her father. Dr. Gamier is an intellectual man, 
 with a strong home side to his character : and now Ada is 
 trying to adapt herself to a new sphere ; she has more 
 real character than I gave her credit for." 
 
 " She 's grown a famous favorite with Uncle Robert," 
 declared his nephew. " I can't get on with her any better 
 than I used." 
 
 " Lucy Gardiner and Harry Cox are engaged. I heard 
 that in Italy, wasn't it odd? I want the girls and 
 Harry, and Sophie Dorrance, and oh, I am afraid I 
 shall forget somebody ! Mamma, do you ever hear about 
 Mary Carson ? " 
 
 " She married very well last winter : her husband has a 
 large hon interest at Pittsburg." And Mrs. Alston glanced 
 questioningly at Kathie. 
 
 "I was n't going to invite her," and Kathie flushed; 
 " that is, we never were intimate, you know ; only at 
 Rome Emma and I were talking over the strife between 
 the patricians, and But I think the strife was all on 
 one side, Emma was so stanch and loyal. I shall al- 
 ways love her." 
 
 "It was quite an experience. Of course you have 
 heard from Sarah Strong ? " 
 
 " I always wrote to her when I could, for I knew just 
 what would interest her." 
 
 " They have all improved greatly," said Uncle Robert ;
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 49 
 
 " you see it in the farm as well. The son took some prizes 
 at the count}' fair. Do you know, Kathie, I think it is a 
 little leaven that will leaven the whole village in the course 
 of time." 
 
 "Sarah loves teaching so much; and she is studying 
 the whole time as well. I believe I shall enjoy a talk 
 with her wonderfully, and I dare say she will know as 
 much about Europe as a great many who have been 
 there." 
 
 So the party list was made out, and Uncle Robert wrote 
 the invitations in Mrs. Alston's name. Brookside was 
 beginning to take on quite a society tone, and wore a 
 thriving business air on account of the new factories. It 
 brought in many families of the poorer classes, for whom 
 something was needed beside mere shelter. Mr. Grayson 
 and Mr. Adams, who had considerable interest in the town, 
 had aroused some of the most influential men in its welfare, 
 and had begun a crusade against ignorance and intemper- 
 ance. Beside the library in progress, there was a gymna- 
 sium and reading-room for the employes of the different 
 shops, made contingent mostly on good behavior, as the 
 fee was but trifling. 
 
 " You see, Pussy, after you went away I had to employ 
 myself in other things," explained Uncle Robert as they 
 were driving along. 
 
 "You have all interested yourselves wonderfully in the 
 town," replied Kathie. " Why I never saw such a change ! 
 Mr. Meredith insisted that the place would look so small 
 and poor to me that I never could content m} r self here 
 again ; but I fancy it was partly teasing. But travel does 
 change one a little," she ventured timidly. 
 
 " It ought. That is what it is for : to give new ideas 
 and improve the old ones. Well," with a rather roguish 
 twinkle, " shall you be dissatisfied? " 
 
 " Oh, no, indeed." And her little hand slipped in Uncle 
 Robert's unoccupied one,, 
 4
 
 50 TVHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 u Betiause mamma and I have counted upon you a good 
 deal. I think she feels a little sore about Rob's departure." 
 
 "Oh, why does he go?" interrupted Kathie. "The 
 boys are to be in New York, and when he might have 
 stayed there." 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Meredith would have given him as good a 
 chance. I can't quite understand Rob's suddenly devel- 
 oped taste for business. He is very fond of chemistry and 
 several scientific pursuits, and I thought he would choose 
 among them ; but when I found he had made up his mind 
 firmly, I gave in. Perhaps when he has tried it a year or 
 two, he will not like it as well as he thinks : he has grown 
 so much more quiet." 
 
 " Yes, I noticed that. And he is real handsome," said 
 Kathie, with pride. "He compares very favorably with 
 Bruce." 
 
 " Is Bruce your ideal? " 
 
 Uncle Robert seemed not to look at Kathie, yet he was 
 watching her narrowly with drooping eyes that hid so 
 much. 
 
 " Yes," she made answer tranquilly, without any rising 
 color. "I don't mean that he is above and beyond all 
 others ; Dick Gra3 T son is as manly and noble, doubtless, and 
 Charlie is Well, he has what Grandmother Darrell calls 
 the mark of the calling ; and you would never doubt his 
 goodness. But Bruce seems to be made to go out into the 
 world and keep his goodness and nobleness, and all that. 
 And then he has so many little touches of tact and tender- 
 ness that you hardly look for in one who has always been 
 brought up with boys, knightly, chivalrous, express it." 
 
 Uncle Robert lapsed into silence. He, like the others, 
 had wondered if Kathie would return with her deeper emo- 
 tions unstirred ; but he understood at once how it had been. 
 Or was Bruce in the too familiar friendly contact ? 
 
 Her thoughts went back to the months of journeying. 
 
 " I am so glad you have seen it all, Uncle Robert," she
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 51 
 
 began presently. "It ia such a comfort to preface a 
 bit of anything with a 'don't you remember.' Through 
 Germany there are so many little bits of villages with a 
 thread of river winding around, and a range of mountains 
 in the distance, looking so calm and peaceful, as if people 
 could live there forever and be happy. And yet how 
 many people in the world are stolid, indifferent ! Educa- 
 tion is a great help, after all. One has to learn how to 
 appreciate." 
 
 ' ' And you can still appreciate this ? " 
 
 " It is like a picture, Uncle Robert ; and the soft, ha,zy 
 light is so lovely. I think," she went on slowly, " we 
 are too busy to pause and take good long looks, as we do 
 abroad. There you have the sort of holiday feeling. 
 You come purposely to see. The primrose is something 
 more to you ; but maybe it is n't quite so much to 
 them." 
 
 Uncle Robert watched her with a peculiar delight. She 
 was still simple hearted. True, though she had gone out 
 to some extent at Rome and Florence, she was not consid- 
 ered in society, and she had made few girl friends. All 
 that part was yet to come. 
 
 Kathie showed herself an eager, pleasure-loving girl 
 through the party preparations. It somehow became 
 merged into quite a grand affair. 
 
 " You may as well give Kathie her social standing at 
 once," Mr. Conover said to his sister. " She is to be the 
 equal of the best here, both in wealth, accomplishments, 
 and, we all trust, in character. But I desire that there 
 shall be no question note as to where she belongs." And he 
 smiled. 
 
 So the supper and the music were to be the best of their 
 kind. Rob made the discovery that it would be full moon ; 
 and the weather was delightfully pleasant. There were to 
 be colored lanterns on porch and lawn, and some out-door 
 amusements. The most familiar of her girl friends had
 
 52 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 dropped in, but after the invitations were out the others 
 waited. 
 
 Rob went to New Haven for a few da} - s while prepara- 
 tions were going on, and immediately afterwards he was 
 to start for his new post of duty. Freddy developed a 
 boyish adoration for Kathie, and did not want to be out 
 of her sight a moment. 
 
 The day had been lovely, and the evening was perfec- 
 tion. When the house and lawn came to be lighted up 
 Kathie declared it looked like a palace on a small scale. 
 Her choice for a dress had been a pale blue silk, trimmed 
 with an abundance of Malta lace, which gave it a peculiar 
 delicate and aiiy appearance. Without being particularly 
 handsome in any respect, Kathie was a very pretty girl, 
 quite tall, and with a graceful slenderness. Winsome was 
 the word to apply to her. A freshness sweet and whole- 
 some, a thorough enjoyment that somehow made the joy 
 sweeter and better for all around her. 
 
 She appeared exceedingly lovely this evening, as she 
 stood with her mother, being introduced and receiving 
 guests. Aunt Ruth, in purple velvet and soft laces, looked 
 as if she might have stepped out of a picture. Jessie and 
 Mr. Meredith were as much at home as members of the 
 family ; and Ada had come out with her husband. 
 
 " I took him awa} r from important cases and every- 
 thing," she said to Kathie, " for I felt that I must see you 
 this night of all. He rarely goes to parties. How lovely 
 everything is ; and you are simply perfect ! Give me credit 
 for a great deal of self-control, for I am tempted every 
 moment to be jealous of you. Kathie, all the good things 
 of this life do come right in your way. You will be a lit- 
 tle queen, with everybod} r doing you homage. Everybody 
 alwa}-s did, for that matter. Why ! It is one of the 
 grand puzzles to me, when the whole world, or at least a 
 great part, is striving continually " 
 
 " As to who shall be greatest " ; and the pause was
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 53 
 
 filled in by Uncle Edward. " ' Seeketh not her own' 
 is n't that the great secret ? And then ' all things shall 
 be added.' But we must not get into a weighty discussion 
 just now, for the young gentlemen are looking askance at 
 Kathie, and the music is inspiriting." 
 
 Dick Gray son came up to ask Kathie's hand for the first 
 quadrille, if she were not already engaged. 
 
 "What a handsome } r oung couple!" exclaimed Ada. 
 Then, with a smile, " The next important question will be 
 who Kathie will marry. I opine there will be heart-burn- 
 ings and jealousy, even if she does not set up for a fash- 
 ionable belle. But she has everything in her favor." 
 
 "Ada " 
 
 " No, Uncle Edward, you need not begin a lecture. I 
 will admit that I have a curiosity to be Kathie just a little 
 while, to see how it seems. But I am not dissatisfied with 
 anything in my own life. I cannot imagine a husband 
 better or nobler than Philip." And a gratified smile lighted 
 up her face. " We have all we want at present, and some 
 time we shall go abroad, when we are educated up to 
 the point of thorough enjoyment. And I am glad to be 
 through with the strife and the anxiety of choice, and all 
 that. So now I can speculate on the future of other girls, 
 and watch their mistakes, and their seeking after pleasures. 
 But the thing with Kathie seems to be this, she has had 
 everything just in the time. I was a young lady at heart, 
 thinking of lovers and marriage and dress, when I knew 
 her first. I never had any real childhood, few girls do 
 nowadays. Hers was so perfect, so lovely ; I think 
 of it often now. How happy the}' all were the summer I 
 was here ! and they were only tasting the mere edges of 
 their cake. If they had run through it and found the ring, 
 there would have been nothing but the same old pleasure 
 over again the crumbs. But see, the dancing is to 
 begin, and I am to take Dr. Gamier through a quadrille." 
 
 The band was stationed on the wide piazza, and some
 
 54 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 of the younger people had proposed the beautiful lawn for 
 a part of the dancing ground. The turf was short as vel- 
 vet, and the evening an unusually dry one. Over all the 
 moon wended her way royally, dimming the countless stars, 
 silvering the outlines of the evergreens until they seemed 
 alight with gems. Here and there a colored lamp toned 
 the scene, giving apparent warmth and softened tint. 
 The strains of music were enchanting, as they always are on 
 the evening air. 
 
 Kathie and Dick led the quadrille in-doors. Rob and 
 Miss F&y Collamore were vis-a-vis. Kathie had been in- 
 troduced to both girls, and her first glance had been 
 caught by the younger one, Louise, a bright, lively girl, 
 not so tall as her sister, whose hair was still a mass of 
 fluffy golden curls, and whose dark eyes gave her a 
 piquant expression. But now, as she met the other face in 
 crossing and balancing, an occult sympathy drew her to it. 
 Like the pictured faces abroad of some of the saints, a 
 pure oval, with the soft brown hair brushed straight across 
 the forehead, and worn in a heavy coil of braids at the 
 back, a mouth of tender sweetness, and eyes of resigna- 
 tion. There was something more in them when she turned 
 them to Rob, an expression that gave Kathie a curious 
 little thrill, and that she found herself speculating upon 
 afterward when she saw them together. 
 
 But her speculations were all fragmentary in that delight- 
 ful whirl. There were so many new people, and the old 
 friends had changed, grown or stood still, as Kathie 
 began to realize that even the last might happen. When 
 she was not dancing she sought them out, but the new 
 claimants seemed to crowd in and bewilder her. 
 
 " I believe I am vain and frivolous." she confessed, 
 pausing a few moments beside Uncle Robert. "It is all 
 delightful ! and the spirit in my feet leads me, ' who 
 knows how? ' " smiling up into the fond eyes ; " it is just 
 a fill of pleasure ! "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 55 
 
 " My little girl, it is right to enjoy it all." 
 The supper was elegantly served, and the guests seemed 
 to enjoy everything to the uttermost. The sweet and 
 bright variety in bringing young and middle-aged together, 
 the S3 T mpathetic pleasure, that gave a more personal tone to 
 the intermingling, a delightful remembrance that each could 
 take of a party a little different from the regulation affairs, 
 having the best of them, and something better beside.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 KATHIE sat by the open window the morning after the 
 party, glancing out in a dreamy fashion. There was a 
 great mound of salvia resplendent in its September glory, 
 and over a pagoda of lattice-work climbed in a luxuriant 
 manner a gorgeous trumpet creeper. How the evergreens 
 had grown since they first came here ! and what a beautiful, 
 cool, green shade tempered the brightness ! 
 
 "Tired?" Uncle Robert sauntered up to her, and then 
 dropped on the ottoman in an indolent fashion. 
 
 "Tired! oh, no," with a gay little laugh. "Do you 
 suppose one party would wear me out? If so I must have 
 climbed Alps and explored picture galleries in vain." 
 
 " But I thought you looked grave, and I wondered if 
 your serene royal highness had found some dregs in your 
 cup." 
 
 " "Well, I have " ; but she smiled as if they were not very 
 depressing. " I was thinking how curious people are, and 
 that I was no exception." 
 
 " So you have acquired that much worldly wisdom ? " 
 
 " Do you call it worldly wisdom? I did not dignify it 
 by so high-sounding a name, and I felt a little humiliated ; 
 for it seemed like fickleness on my part, or some sort of 
 change, or outgrowing " 
 
 " You are delightfully ambiguous." 
 
 " When I was a little girl I used to come to you with all 
 my puzzles, you know. I have not had any of late ; per- 
 haps because I was changing about and enjoying myself, 
 and did not keep to one range of thought or feeling." 
 
 " I shall be glad to take back my little girl " ; and a ten-
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 57 
 
 der light shone in his eyes. " You are grown so tall that 
 I need some link or chain to bring you back ; so what is 
 the puzzle?" 
 
 k ' Do you think I have changed very much? " 
 
 " I can hardly answer you yet. I believe I was a good 
 deal surprised at first, for somehow I never tried to get the 
 little girl out of my mind ; as to virtues and vices " 
 
 " Oh, you know I did not mean that ! It is Well, I 
 will tell you just what it is. You know how fond I was of 
 the Gardiner girls? It seems awful to say it, but last 
 night " Kathie paused with a flush of embarrassment. 
 
 "You found a difference," Uncle Robert suggested, 
 quietly. 
 
 " It seemed so strange. Of course I congratulated Lucy 
 on her engagement, and we talked of the girls and the 
 changes, and it appeared somehow as if we came to the 
 bottom of everything so quickly, were really aground, 
 and you could hear the crunching on the sand. Lucy is 
 happy and content. Annie talked a little about Europe, 
 as i f it was a few towns and rivers and pictures and ruined 
 castles. Then Lottie Thorne not that she ever was any 
 great favorite talked as if it was all Paris and fine 
 dresses and being presented to the queen. She seemed 
 amazed that I was not at a drawing-room or a grand ball 
 in Paris. And even Sophie Dorrance wasn't Well, it 
 seemed suddenly to me that I had outgrown them all, and 
 here, in sober morning light, I was trying to get the 
 matter settled satisfactorily. Can I, ought I, to put 
 myself back, or could I bring them up? It is no real lack 
 of regard." 
 
 " No. It happens to many of us after a separation. 
 One mind broadens, deepens, and another does not. But 
 it will hardly do to dwarf the growing mind," with a 
 shrewd half-smile. 
 
 " Then you do not think it wrong? " with a joyful sense 
 of relief in her tone. " Or fickleness ? "
 
 58 WHOM 'KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " No. It is one of the inevitable laws of mental im- 
 provement. You have had a wider sphere and experience 
 than most girls of your age. This is the thing we are all 
 doing unconsciously, outgrowing some one else ; stand- 
 ing on a little higher intellectual plane. When we begin to 
 be vain of our ascent, and despise those who are left 
 behind, it is time to take heed of our ways. But the 
 natural changes settle themselves. The Gardiners will 
 always keep in a small round, and be very estimable 
 women, not comprehending or longing for the greater 
 knowledge. It is a wise providence of God that there 
 should be a great many of these kindly, simple-hearted, 
 easily contented people in the world. But those who have 
 greater advantages are expected to use them." 
 
 ' ' I may as well confess all my faults , since you are so 
 lenient. Are you not partial, Uncle Robert?" Kathie 
 asked archly. " I could n't help thinking that I liked the 
 Collamores, in just one evening, better than the old friends ; 
 that is, I had the feeling that there were more real sources 
 of enjoyment between us. But to throw over old friends " 
 
 " You need not throw them over. They gradually drop 
 out of themselves. I was glad to have you begin with the 
 old and the new, that none of the old friends should feel 
 hurt or slighted. Society does demand certain courtesies 
 of us, and it serves to keep in check the selfishness of hu- 
 man nature. Many of these matters will be regulated by 
 experience. Your life, your pleasures and enjoyments will 
 take you out of the Gardiners' circle. They will have 
 their own friends and relatives, whom you probably will care 
 little about ; you will have yours, among whom they would 
 not feel at home. You will go on exchanging calls and 
 visits at intervals, and both will recognize the fact that 
 each has an interest beyond the other, and good sense will 
 keep both parties from any imaginary injury." 
 
 " Then you think I may make all the new friends I de- 
 sire to?"
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 59 
 
 " I do not believe it will be necessary to restrict you 
 yet awhile. Dr. Johnson advised people to keep their 
 friendships in repair ; and I have found it very good coun- 
 sel. You will make mistakes : young people always do, 
 older ones too, for that matter. Some persons will appear 
 very charming at first, and you will soon tire of them ; 
 then you may discover a gem where you had not looked for 
 one." 
 
 " I wonder if you will be surprised at my developing a 
 taste for gayeties? I thought last night enchanting." 
 
 ' ' My dear, it is the province of youth. There are 
 pleasures then that we cannot enjoy later in life. I want 
 you to be a happy young girl ; not a pedant or a critical 
 moralist. And now what does your ladyship propose to do 
 this morning ? " 
 
 "Oh, I did promise to drive over to the Darrells this 
 morning. Ada goes at noon with Jessie and Mr. Mere- 
 dith. How I shall miss them ! Uncle Robert, I have a 
 fancy that I grew up to them. I was such a little girl when 
 Miss Jessie first liked me. But I must run away and 
 change my dress." 
 
 She soon returned in driving attire, looking fresh and 
 rosy, showing no sign of fatigue. Indeed, it seemed even 
 now as if she could dance on forever. How lovely the 
 world was ! What a delightful thing it was just to live ! 
 
 They were all delighted to see Kathie, from grandmother 
 down to Robin. Jessie's trunk was packed and stood in 
 the hall. 
 
 " The birds all fly out of the old home nest," said grand- 
 mother ; " we can only keep them a little while." 
 
 "But they come back again," rejoined Mrs. Darrell, 
 with her motherly smile. "It is the way of the world; 
 and we are so glad to have Jessie near by once more." 
 
 " And to think of my having her all the time ! I am so 
 glad I decided upon the seminary, for now that Jessie is 
 to set up her household gods in New York, I can watch
 
 60 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 the process of their being decorated with foreign gear and 
 gauds," declared Charlie. " Kathie, pardon me," and he 
 bowed very low. " I ought to have risen with the lark 
 does he get up early in September as well as June? and 
 made my party call. I had no idea that you would be 
 out after such a night of dissipation. It was just splen- 
 did ! but I can't imagine anything at Cedarwood beiug 
 less than the most delightful of its kind." 
 
 " Highly complimentary !" exclaimed Ada, entering at 
 that moment. " But I thought we should miss }*ou, 
 surely. Early rising is an old habit of }'ours, I believe." 
 
 *' It was late this morning," returned Kathie. 
 
 " No need to ask how you are, for your face tells the 
 story. It was a lovely party, and I think everybody en- 
 joyed it. Please put me down for the next one. Even 
 Dr. Gamier wasn't a bit bored, and he is very shy of 
 parties." 
 
 " I am so sorry to have you all go," Kathie declared, 
 looking around. " Aunt Ruth and uncle are to start for 
 Washington the first of next month, Rob and all the boys 
 will be away, and I shall have to take to party going in 
 pure self-defence." 
 
 "And visiting," said Jessie. " I do not mean to 
 abate my claim. I shall certainly give parties, if that will 
 be the way to beguile you ; and Robin cannot be de- 
 serted." 
 
 Ada took her off presently. 
 
 " After all," she began, " you are a real young girl. I 
 wanted to see what you did last night, whether 3*011 were 
 too grave for follies and pleasures, and meant to set. us all 
 an example." 
 
 " But Uncle Robert does n't think it wrong." And she 
 glanced up with questioning eyes. Ada was difficult to 
 understand. 
 
 " No one said it was wrong ; and if one could map out 
 one's life and find the true dividing line, and shun that
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 61 
 
 where pleasure runs into frivolity and where enjoyment 
 turns to envy and jealousy and detraction ! But you will 
 have a lovely time, Kathie Alston, and why should you 
 not take the best that comes ? There is no one to hurry 
 you into marriage, to hurry you into anything ; and so 
 you can enjoy }'our pleasures slowly, thoroughly ; and if I 
 can't give you a party when you come to visit me, I can 
 regale you with a choice little supper, and show you Dr. 
 Gamier at his best. You will never be able to slip quite 
 out of my grasp." 
 
 Kathie laughed a little, yet was not quite sure she 
 should elect Ada for a friend now any more than in the 
 past. It was one of the puzzles of life that was not com- 
 fortably settled for her. 
 
 Dinner was early on account of train time. Charlie 
 took out the light wagon to drive Kathie and Ada, while 
 the others and the trunk would occupy the family carriage. 
 They were all loath to spare cunning baby Robin ; but the 
 good-byes were said presently, they were only for a little 
 while now. 
 
 After they had watched the train out of sight, Charlie 
 helped Kathie back into the wagon. 
 
 " I am going to present a petition," he began. " I want 
 you to give me this afternoon. I shall go away so soon, 
 and I am not satisfied with bits and fragments. I want 
 one good long talk, that will keep in my mind until I see 
 you again." 
 
 " But mamma " 
 
 "We will stop, so she need have no anxiety. I think 
 she will trust you to me," he said, a little proudly. 
 
 Kathie had been so used to guardianship that it seemed 
 odd at the first moment. Yet she and Bruce had gone 
 so much together ; still, there was a little strangeness 
 about the young man Charlie, with his deferential courtesy, 
 quite different from the boy who had been her playmate 
 and champion.
 
 62 WHOM KATHIB MARRIED. 
 
 Mrs. Alston had no objection. She was very fond of 
 Charlie Darrell, and would have enjoyed a son of this kind, 
 who never gave one an anxious thought. 
 
 They drove slowly through the old haunts, now and then 
 greeted by a familiar voice. Here they used to go chest- 
 nuting. A great strip had been taken off for a street, the 
 woods thinned and cleared up, the ground a mass of velvet 
 turf and moss. Then they followed Silver River to the 
 point where it met and emptied into Guilford River. Even 
 the little straggling settlement of Guilford had improved 
 and was brightened up by a paper mill. But they were 
 not intent upon these signs of industry, so turned out of 
 their course to beauty, softness, the tender touches of 
 nature. Birds sang in the lingering tones of later summer, 
 bees droned, insects crooned, and the sweetness of balsam, 
 the resinous odor of the pines, and the wine-like fragrance 
 of wild grapes filled the air. 
 
 They talked as young people will, of the future and its 
 promises, bright with hope and romance, old, old memories 
 and interests. His were the dreams and the ambitions, 
 tempered with the higher grace, of the great work to do 
 in the world, of the poor souls that were to be raised, 
 ennobled, saved, of the truth to be made manifest in daily 
 living and work. He had an enthusiastic love and rever- 
 ence for the calling that he had chosen, and it had not only 
 the sanction of his parents, but their approval and sym- 
 pathy. 
 
 Kathie listened with an interest that was very fascinating 
 to the young man. All the delights and variety of the two 
 years abroad had not spoiled her. She was the same 
 honest, frank, tender girl, ready to take up her duties in 
 life, readj r for sympathy and earnest endeavor ; and as 
 he glanced at her fair face the half- formed dreams of boy- 
 hood took shape, and he knew then what the hope of man- 
 hood would be to him. 
 
 When she returned she found her mother and Uncle 
 Robert ready for tea.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MAKRIED. 63 
 
 " Where is Rob? " she asked. 
 
 " At the Collamores', I fancy : I saw the young people 
 playing croquet on the lawn." 
 
 ' ' How odd ! Rob did not affect croquet, as I remem- 
 ber"; and Kathie smiled. " I think he likes Miss Fay 
 very much." 
 
 " I should be glad if he liked her a great deal, and she 
 liked him," said Mrs. Alston. 
 
 " Rob has never been a very ardent lover of the sex," 
 returned his uncle, " but I arn glad in his first essay his 
 fancies run so wisely." 
 
 " And I shall cultivate them," declared Kathie. " I liked 
 them all so much ; but I believe I admire Miss Fay the 
 most." 
 
 "You could not choose more agreeable friends," said 
 ier mother. 
 
 Aunt Ruth and the General entered, and they went to 
 supper. Kathie begged to be excused and retired early, 
 and scarcely had her head touched the pillow before she 
 was in the sweet sleep of care-free youth. 
 
 Mr. Conover found his sister sitting on the broad step 
 of the piazza after the others had left her. 
 
 " " You are grave, Dora," he said, in a kindly tone ; " you 
 must learn not to feel so anxious about Rob. There is not 
 very much to fear, I think. He certainly has conducted 
 himself very well through his college years ; and if he dis- 
 appoints us both %, little in his choice, we must remember, 
 ' The thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.' " 
 
 " Thank you, Robert" ; and she motioned him to a seat 
 beside her. "No father could have been kinder to them 
 than you have been, or more patient. I am trying to 
 resign myself to his going away, though I was not thinking 
 so much of that now. If I could make a wish for him and 
 have it come to pass ' ' ; and there was a lingering cadence 
 in her tone. 
 
 "What would it be?"
 
 64 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " That he might love and marry Fay Collamore." 
 
 " Wh}-, Dora ! You have actually a longing to choose 
 your son's wife. Mothers are not always ready to do 
 that." 
 
 " I understand that I must give him up ; that, however 
 brave, manly, and successful he may prove, he will never 
 be to his mother what some sons are ; and }*et I think he 
 loves me better now than at any time in his life. But he 
 has always been outside of mine, so to speak. It was boy 
 friends and pleasures, now it will be men and business, 
 and some time a wife. The wife may wean him away 
 entirely." 
 
 " And if it were Fay, you know she would not." 
 
 " I should have another daughter. I am glad Kathie 
 has taken a fancy to the girls ; I hoped she would. Yet I 
 think mothers have a right to feel as anxious over the mar- 
 riage of their sons as that of their daughters ; and an 
 unfortunate marriage as surely wrecks a young man." 
 
 " I own I have felt a little surprised at Rob's evincing a 
 preference for any one, and Miss Collamore's influence 
 over him could be productive of good only. She is strong 
 and firm, with all her gentleness ; yet it would seem a 
 little strange for any of them to marry : the} r are such 
 children." 
 
 Mrs. Alston sighed. Just then a step sounded on the 
 gravel walk. Rob came up and paused before them, while 
 they exchanged a pleasant greeting ; then, as if obeying 
 some sudden impulse, he clasped his arms around his 
 mother's neck and kissed her fondly, and a moment after- 
 ward uttered an abrupt good night. 
 
 " I wonder if I ask too much? " the mother cried, in her 
 longing, yearning soul. 
 
 The next day was Rob's last at home. He had said 
 good by to the old haunts and friends, and he lingered 
 about the rooms in such a melancholy way that Kathie 
 rallied him on a newly discovered sentiment. He packed
 
 WHOM KATHIE MAERIED. 65 
 
 his trunk, talked a long while with Aunt Ruth, and even 
 declined an invitation to go out driving with Uncle Robert. 
 Late in the afternoon Miss Collamore came over with her 
 sister to call on Kathie. The girls soon discovered similar 
 tastes and fancies. Miss Fay painted considerably in oils, 
 and had met Mrs. Langdon, whom she liked very much. 
 Kathie pieced it out with bits of their adventures abroad. 
 
 " How delightful it must be to have her husband so 
 much interested in her pursuits ! I like to hear Mrs. 
 Adams talk of them, and I hope to know her better when 
 she returns, and you two were schoolmates !" 
 
 "Yes," returned Kathie, "only you know she was 
 much wiser in nearly every point than I, and she has a 
 genius." 
 
 " I was wondering," said Miss Fay, "how it was you 
 put your mark so upon people. Everybody seems to 
 remember something. Why, at first, I supposed you a 
 woman grown, and your uncle told me one day that you 
 were only a child. You are not older than Louise." 
 
 Kathie flushed, but made no answer. 
 
 " And I was so afraid I should not like you. I wanted 
 to so much; but sometimes, when you hear persons 
 talked of a good deal is it the perversity of human 
 nature? you can't or will not like them." 
 
 " I hope you will," Kathie said, in a sweet, grave tone. 
 
 " Oh, I do ! I liked your face in a moment, and the 
 party was so delightful ; but it could not be disconnected 
 from you. It was not so much in honor of you as a part 
 of you. Then your uncle had told me of a party you had 
 when the house was christened, and that Mr. Meredith 
 called it ' Kathie's Fairy Land.' " 
 
 " I used to be such a famous little girl for fairy stories," 
 said Kathie, with a bright laugh ; " and I like them yet ; 
 it seems as if a great many real fairy incidents had hap- 
 pened to me." 
 
 Mrs. Alston came out to announce that supper was 
 
 5
 
 66 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 ready, and beg them to stay. At first they insisted they 
 had only come to make a call ; but everybody overruled, 
 and they remained. After supper they had some very fine 
 music, and Rob escorted them home. 
 
 " I am to go over and see Miss Fay's studio," Kathie 
 announced ; " and Miss Louise is doing lovely high- art 
 work. Mamma, I suppose I shall have to get at some- 
 thing. Shall I embroider, or paint, or study operas ? " 
 
 " For a wfiile you need not be distressed, I think." 
 
 " Can I spend my time in idleness, just enjoying every- 
 thing and loving you ? For mamma mia, we have two long 
 years to make up." And Kathie kissed her fondty. 
 
 The tears came into Mrs. Alston's eyes. Here, as in 
 the years gone by, she must find her greatest comfort ; and 
 she pressed her daughter fondly to her heart. 
 
 Two days later Rob said good by and went to his new 
 path of duty. It was a promising position in an excellent 
 mercantile house, and on good behavior and business 
 capacity depended a series of promotions. 
 
 "You '11 write often?" his mother had said; "and I 
 hope 3 r ou will find a pleasant home." 
 
 " Don't worry about that, little mother. I hope I shaft 
 prove no discredit to any of you, and I do mean some time 
 to be a rich man, to take care of }*ou in your old days." 
 And he laughed, with an effort at gayety. 
 
 " I hope it may be so," she made answer ; but there was 
 a tremulousness in her tone. 
 
 Uncle Robert accompanied him to the station. It was 
 a quiet drive, but, as they stood on the platform, Rob sud- 
 denly grasped his uncle's hand, and though his face was a 
 trifle averted, the husky tone betrayed how deeply his 
 heart was touched. 
 
 " No words can ever thank you, Uncle Robert," he said, 
 " for the kindly care you have bestowed upon me ; but I 
 want you to know that I do appreciate it, that, as my 
 mother says, you have been more than a father to us, to
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 67 
 
 me, and I want you to feel sure, positive, that I shall not 
 shame you in the new essay I am about to make. If I 
 should ever be tempted to dishonest} 7 , I will throw up 
 everything and come back to you ; and I feel quite certain 
 now that I shall never drink or drop into bad company. 
 Trust me in all these things, will you, and comfort 
 mother?" 
 
 " I will trust you, remember that, my boy ; and I think 
 I could hardly care more for an own son." 
 
 He felt the shiver that ran through the boy's arm ; but 
 the train came along with its rush, and their hands clasped 
 tighter for a moment, then parted as if with a wrench. 
 Rob entered, settled himself, but would not trust even a 
 glance without. 
 
 Uncle Robert drove home slowly. There was some 
 trouble, some lesson learned by bitter experience, some 
 urgent need of money he guessed, and sighed to himself. 
 Time would tell. He could trust him for the future.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THERE was nothing but changes, Kathie thought. Aunt 
 Ruth and Uncle Mackenzie went to Washington, and she 
 had a promise of a few weeks if mamma could spare her. 
 Mrs. Meredith had taken a house in New York, and as 
 soon as she was settled Kathie must come and help her 
 arrange some of the adornments brought from abroad ; 
 and at home every day seemed occupied finding the new 
 level and adapting herself to it. 
 
 Hannah and Jane Maybin were still in service. Indeed, 
 Jane had become so useful, so deft and ladylike, that Mrs. 
 Alston gave up the care of the dining-room and sleeping- 
 chambers almost wholly to her. She had gone more in 
 society, and was enjoying some of her olden prestige. 
 She was glad now that she had begun it, for Kathie 
 needed a chaperone and friend. Mrs. Alston had no fancy 
 for leaving her young daughter unguarded through her 
 perilous years, and the little touch of deference to elders 
 that Kathie had acquired unconsciously abroad was ex- 
 tremely grateful and pleasing to mother love. Indeed, it 
 seemed almost like her lost youth returning, to have this 
 tall, fair girl for her companion ; and though she was very 
 unlike Aunt Ruth, yet those days were suggested by so 
 many incidents of the present. 
 
 Fred was giving very little trouble. A rather slow but 
 indefatigable student, and evincing a passion for chem- 
 istry and all corresponding experiments that sometimes 
 quite startled one's nerves. Uncle Robert had fitted him 
 up a laboratory in the old play -room, and tried to keep an
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 69 
 
 oversight on his doings. He developed an almost girlish 
 fondness for his mother, and had little of Rob's rapturous 
 regard for boys ; but as little did he care for being a girl's 
 favorite. To be let alone with books or experiments was 
 his delight ; and his passion was horseback rides on Jas- 
 per, who had now reverted to him. 
 
 Invitations poured in upon Kathie. Already quite a 
 charming "set" had been formed, happily of cultivated 
 people with some interest beyond the exciting one of dress . 
 There were many out-door amusements, though the boat 
 club was shorn of its glory. Archery had become a great 
 favorite. Georgie Halford was queen here, and Mr. 
 Adams had fitted up an admirable archery ground. Then 
 there was a sketching club, that went out now and then to 
 study nature. They were all bright with the dreams and 
 hopes of youth, and tinged with the inseparable romance 
 which lends to these early years its greatest charm. 
 
 They welcomed Kathie warmly. Uncle Robert had 
 made himself an immense favorite with young people, and 
 the} r all felt acquainted with her after the evening of the 
 party. There were little teas and musical evenings, which 
 often ended with some favorite quadrilles. 
 
 " How do you ever find time for anything?" she asked 
 in despair, as she sat one morning in the pretty room at 
 the Collamores', that was devoted to everything, Louise 
 said, and in which one felt at home immediately. Fay had 
 her easel in the bay-window, and Louise a pretty willow 
 workstand, with her bright, soft silks and quaint embroid- 
 eries. 
 
 " I don't know," and Fay glanced up with a quiet 
 smile, " unless it is that we have settled, and 3-011 are 
 stih 1 on the wing. Coming back has made everything 
 new to you. Last summer mamma and I spent all the 
 time in calls and company, it seemed to me, and taking 
 our bearings, as a sailor would say. Lou was in school 
 then ; and I have a fancy companionship helps you along."
 
 70 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Then I shall have to bring my work over here. Only 
 what shall it be? I think it spoils one to go abroad. 
 You buy such an endless sight of pretty things at such 
 bargains ; and I know I should never have the patience 
 to work a set of curtains" ; stooping to examine Louise's 
 delicate embroidery. 
 
 ' ' I am fond of sewing. I sit here and go over the old 
 romances, of queens with their maids doing marvellous 
 handiwork, of ladies making colors for their true knights, 
 who went crusading, and it takes me back to the old world 
 of chivalry." 
 
 " And Lou is romantic," declared Fay. " Now I should 
 never care to sew unless I was in great trouble. It seems 
 to me distracting rather than tranquillizing ; and yet it is 
 a pretty sight to see a group around a table, in the glow of 
 a lighted lamp, the busy fingers sewing, while one reads 
 aloud." 
 
 " Then Fay and I decided not to have the same special- 
 ties. Of course we both studied music, that seems a 
 necessity nowadays, but I had no genius for painting, 
 and I wanted some pretty house accomplishment ; and 
 the reason why I began curtains was that I was afraid I 
 should get the house too full of tidies and lambrequins and 
 banners, and this would last me a long while. So, 
 Kathie, you can come over and read to us, or tell us of 
 the wonders abroad : we may never go to Europe." 
 
 " I hope you will," returned Kathie, warmly. " Hear- 
 ing is not quite like seeing ; but I do not want to fall into 
 the ridiculous habit of prefacing everything with, when I 
 was in Rome, or, when I was in Paris." 
 
 " I think you are extremely modest, and I do enjoy 
 your descriptions, they are so fresh and graphic. Some- 
 times you remind me of your brother. How you must 
 miss him !" 
 
 " You see I never had very much of him. He was at 
 school and college, and now I have been the truant. We
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 71 
 
 should all have enjoyed his being nearer home ; but then 
 he was n't I mean he never cared for girls." 
 
 Louise laughed at that. 
 
 u He used to consider us a great trouble, but I think 
 he has changed somewhat." And Kathie flushed a little, 
 while a look of fun lighted up her eyes. 
 
 "How fortunate young men do change!" exclaimed 
 Lou. " Who is it says that some one else always has to 
 find out how nice boy's sisters are? We thought him 
 quite gallant ; and papa praised the young men of Brook- 
 side without stint. Only it is remembered virtues, or 
 blessings, brightening, etc., for they do seem to have taken 
 their flight pretty generally. Eugene groans dismally." 
 
 ' ' I thought it nice that some one should charm Rob out 
 of his boyish indifference, to use the mildest term. He 
 always admired men so much. Mr. Meredith used to be 
 his ideal." 
 
 "I don't wonder, I am sure: he is a most delightful 
 gentleman ; and there is some one else I am anxious to 
 see Gen. Mackenzie's son your cousin by courtesy. 
 Do you suppose he will ever come back to Brookside? 
 Your brother told us so much about him." 
 
 " You will like him," Kathie said, enthusiastically. " I 
 don't know whether the government will give him any va- 
 cation until his three years are up, but I hope so." 
 
 " I do sometimes experience a little tinge of envy when 
 I see you in all your glory, Miss Kathie Alston," began 
 Lou, in a whimsical tone, when Fay interrupted. 
 
 " Here comes your 'loyal knight and true,' to spirit you 
 away. It is like a story-book. Shall I wave my lily hand 
 to him?" 
 
 Kathie glanced out of the window. Uncle Robert had 
 the large carriage and a sudden thought flashed across 
 her mind. 
 
 " I will run down a moment, she said, vanishing. 
 
 " Do you all want to go for a lovely drive ? " he asked.
 
 2 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " We shall not have many such gorgeous days, for autumn 
 is on the wane." 
 
 " Yes," answered Kathie, " I will gather up the girls." 
 
 They were delighted, and went to inform their mother 
 and hunt up their wraps. Mr. Conover was on very 
 friendly terms with them, and he was the kind of man to 
 prove an invaluable companion to young girls. They 
 were too young to count on his mariying, consequently 
 there was the charm of perfect ease. 
 
 Kathie resigned to Fay the seat of honor beside her 
 uncle, and after the} r had turned on the lovely river road 
 he gave Fay the reins ; she was very fond of driving the 
 ponies. It was a fragrant, dream}*, Indian-summer day, 
 and made one feel luxuriously indolent. 
 
 " Oh, here is a letter for } r ou ! " said Uncle Robert, hand- 
 ing one to Kathie. 
 
 It was from Rob, as she knew at a glance. He was not 
 a very diffusive correspondent, but quite exacting of late. 
 " Tell me what 3 r ou do, and where you go," he said ; " I 
 am hungry for home news. I did not think I should miss 
 it so much. Do you see anything of Miss Collamore and 
 her sister? Remember me kindly to them." 
 
 Kathie read the paragraph aloud. " How queer for 
 Rob to long for home ! " she said ; " and yet he seems a 
 good deal interested in business." 
 
 " Tell him you do see us," said Lou, " and that we 
 couldn't live without you." Fay colored delicately and 
 made a gentle inclination of the head. Was it the fresh, 
 bright morning that stirred her wifrh unwonted emotion? 
 She could afford to give him, not one thought, but many, : 
 the young toiler in a far-away city. There were pleasant 
 walks still sacred to her, little bits and fragments of talk 
 to which she had a half-fancy she held the key. He had 
 never cared for girls before, but he had seemed much in- 
 terested in them ; she would not detatch herself from her 
 sister ; and she wondered if he would be back at Christ-
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 73 
 
 mas, or another summer : there were so many pleasant 
 things yet to discuss, so much of earnest purpose left un- 
 said. 
 
 Uncle Robert watched the wavering color. He could 
 not know the thoughts that were bringing her nearer to 
 him, but he speculated slowly upon what life would have 
 in store for her The strange, sweet mystery folded deep 
 within, like the frond of a fern, the joy or sorrow, or nega- 
 tive content of a young girl's life. No, it would never be 
 the last. "When nature was once roused, moved to its ut- 
 termost, it must be for joy or suffering, something that 
 involved her in the supreme emotions of life. 
 
 The two on the back seat laughed and chatted in gay 
 unconcern. Their time would come later. How could 
 any one help being joyous on this queen of days, in this 
 air of heavenly content ! 
 
 It was past noon when they returned. Dinner was 
 waiting, and Mrs. Alston was going to the sewing society 
 that afternoon. 
 
 " And 1 shall write letters every precious moment of 
 the time ! " declared Kathie. " How they do accumulate ! 
 Uncle Robert, do you know that I have been extremely 
 remiss to an old friend? I have not been to see Sarah 
 Strong. She told me she should not expect me until I 
 had gone t-he round of the home friends, and was thor- 
 oughly rested. I have been home almost two months, and 
 shall never get around, because the circle widens contin- 
 ually. I 've been wondering if I shall feel disappointed in 
 her." 
 
 "No," answered Uncle Robert decisively. "She has 
 been going on as well as you. She is not of the stuff to 
 stop while there is a next." 
 
 " Well, I am anxious to see her, even if I have waited. 
 It was because I thought it best to go on Saturday, as she 
 is more at liberty then ; but my Saturdays have been so 
 occupied. Suppose I promise for this week, can you 
 take me ? "
 
 74 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 ' I am at your service," bowing. 
 
 'Thank you. Then I will write." 
 
 She settled herself to her proposed employment. A 
 long, gossipy letter to Rob r but it seemed full of the Coi- 
 lamores. They had gone here and there, they had talked 
 over so many things, and she liked them so much. " I 
 suppose I ought to be fondest of Lou, because she is near 
 my own age, and I do like her to be gay with ; but if I 
 should ever be in bitter trouble, with no mamma or Uncle 
 Robert, I should go to Fay. Is n't it queer how suddenly 
 and inexplicably you trust some people ? " 
 
 " He will set that down as girls' rodomontade," she 
 said to herself, with a smile. 
 
 Aunt Ruth, and then Bruce, to whom she sent all the 
 news about the boys. I think the thing that comforted 
 him the most was her naive admission that they had all 
 gone, and Brookside seemed so queer without them. 
 
 It was dark before she came to the end of her notes, 
 but she drew a long breath of relief, and resolved to keep 
 them in better order in the future. After mamma's re- 
 turn came supper, and nearly all the evening Kathie sat at 
 the piano and played soft, bewildering tunes. The night 
 had turned rainy after the day of wonderful loveliness, 
 and some tunes between the lingering chords one could 
 hear the soft dripping without. 
 
 " Have I tired you?" She bent over Uncle Robert as 
 he lay on the sofa, and kissed his forehead. 
 
 " Tired! my little darling, no. It is so seldom that I 
 get }"ou aU to myself, unless I am taking you somewhere 
 or bringing you home." 
 
 "I have developed into a sad run-about. You ought 
 to have a great deal more of me. I am defrauding you 
 out of your just dues." 
 
 " I must not turn into a selfish old fellow and shadow 
 your brightness. I am so glad to have you happy." 
 
 "But, can any one be too full of joy, too easily 
 pleased ? Am I not childish and frivolous ? "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 75 
 
 " I told you the other day you were to have your holi- 
 day of youth. Enjoy it and you will please me." 
 
 He watched her as she flitted across the room to her 
 mother. These sweet, pure, transparent young girls' lives 
 interested him so much, for he had reached a time when 
 he could detect the false, and the true had become dearer 
 to him. His little Kathie had grown into this tall, fair 
 being, and stood on the threshold of womanhood. Some 
 time But no, it was pain to anticipate. 
 
 Saturday was fair and auspicious, with a rather crisp 
 air after the storm. They decided upon an early dinner, 
 and then Uncle Robert handed her into the phaeton, and 
 tucked the soft robe about her. How pretty and refined 
 she looked, with a little dash of scarlet in her soft, gray 
 costume, and everything so exquisitely harmonious ! 
 
 The road to Middleville bad met with few changes or 
 improvements, and looked rather cheerless, with its well- 
 nigh leafless trees and yellow or brown stubble fields ; 
 yet Kathie enjoyed the drive, thinking how all the changes 
 of the seasons contributed, each in its turn, a beauty and 
 tone to the world ; and this was like a plain dish the day 
 after a gorgeous feast. 
 
 But as they caught sight of Farmer Strong's, they re- 
 marked a change. The trees were trimmed up, the fences 
 in good order, and the fields had a cleared, tidy look, as if 
 the harvest was finished and put away, with no loose ends 
 or fragments left about. The house had been painted a 
 soft, restful stone color, with brighter trimmings, and the 
 old-fashioned door-yard still abounded in bloom. There 
 were chrysanthemums of almost every color, some late 
 roses, and clusters of geraniums. A porch ran across part 
 of the front in place of the little soop, and at one end a 
 Chinese honeysuckle was timidly clinging, while a Virginia 
 creeper had made bolder essays and was hanging out its 
 scarlet sprays. 
 
 A figure flashed out of the door and down the walk.
 
 76 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Yes, the two years had dne a great deal for Sarah Strong. 
 Kathie felt that she would hardly have known her the first 
 moment, and yet it was more the inward, spiritual change 
 manifest in every direction, than any purely outward alter- 
 ation. She was of medium height and rather stout, but 
 there was a compactness to her figure, a firmness and vigor 
 to her step, a haracter in the poise of her head. Her 
 hair had deepened in its color, though it was still red, but 
 its tint and abundance rendered it really beautiful. Her 
 clear, serious, gray eyes, her gracious expression and ten- 
 der smile, made the face good looking in the truest sense. 
 
 "Oh ! " she exclaimed, then paused suddenly, as if half 
 abashed. 
 
 Kathie sprang out and clasped her arms about her old- 
 time friend and admirer. 
 
 "How good of you to come!" Sarah cried, with a 
 long, struggling breath. " And oh, how how beautiful 
 you have grown ! I must say it ; has nt she ? " turning to 
 Mr. Conover. " I have thought so much about you, and 
 wondered, and }~our letters were such treasures. But 
 there is nothing like really having 3*ou once again ; changed 
 and yet not changed ; but I don't believe anything could 
 spoil you." 
 
 " I don't know," returned Kathie, archly. " Praise 
 might." 
 
 " No, it wouldn't: you would know that the truth was 
 true, and the rest you would n't care for ; and sometimes 
 people cannot help speaking out what is in their hearts, 
 sure that it will not be wrongly interpreted. But they are 
 all so anxious to see you, and yet they are afraid that yor 
 are a great lady." 
 
 Sarah laughed softly, with a mellow kind of cadence, 
 and Kathie joine'd her, as the two walked across the porch 
 and entered the parlor. 
 
 Kathie recalled unconsciously her first introduction to it. 
 That too had been gradually toned down. And what
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 77 
 
 pleased Kathie the most was the utter absence of any 
 sense of newness, though she realized that it was Sarah's 
 parlor, for it had nearly all been refurnished. The carpet 
 was a rich deep brown, with here and there a dash of 
 crimson and olive green. A few easy-chairs and the sofa 
 she had once been so proud of acquiring, a pretty home- 
 made bookcase, with some jars and ornaments on the top, 
 and getting to be quite well filled ; the melodeon, some 
 well-chosen pictures, and soft, drapery curtains in ecru, 
 that toned the white wall, which Mrs. Strong would retain 
 as a point of cleanliness. A cheerful fire was burning in 
 an open-front stove, and the air felt delightful after the 
 ride. 
 
 " No, I am not a great lady that any one might be 
 afraid of," said Kathie, with some amusement. " I feel 
 very natural in getting back to the old places ; sometimes 
 it seems as if another Kathie had been abroad, until I 
 count up the changes." 
 
 " Mother ! " Sarah said ; " Cousin Ellen ! " 
 
 Mrs. Strong entered, her own hearty self in spite of a 
 certain diffidence ; and her delight was visible in every line 
 of her face. Beside Cousin Ellen, Martha, a tall, bashful 
 girl, seemed longing to hide herself, and yet a certain curi- 
 osity conquered her shyness ; but in a few moments the 
 group seemed increased indefinitely, with almost every 
 child pushing forward, until Kathie stood in the midst, a 
 little princess with her loyal retainers. 
 
 Uncle Robert had driven down to the barn, as usual. To 
 the thrift here had been added a kind of sensible orderli- 
 ness. The farmers around rather sneered at the new-fan- 
 gled notions of the Strongs, taken out of books and papers, 
 but the result remained a source of astonishment, and not a 
 little secret envy. There were better crops finer fruit, 
 some successful ventures in new things ; and the money 
 gain was the thing they could not well despise. Father 
 and sous labored harmoniously together. James had his
 
 78 WHOM KATHTE MARRIED. 
 
 workshop and exercised his ingenuity on rainy days pro- 
 ducing some creditable pieces of workmanship. He had 
 decided not to go to the cityfor a trade, and add another 
 to the strugglers. 
 
 Within the house they talked and talked. Kathie in her 
 refinement, breeding, and culture was the same marvel to 
 them as heretofore. There was no condescension, no 
 standing a little apart, and yet they, by a fine natural con- 
 sent, set her above themselves. 
 
 " Now, children," said Mrs. Strong, " come out in tha 
 kitchen and leave Sarah and Miss Kathie to themselves a 
 little while." 
 
 The children obeyed rather reluctantly, but the two were 
 finally left for a girlish confidence. And there was so 
 much to say, school, with its gradual advancement; 
 church, with its music and its grand lessons, a little soci- 
 ety, even in that country place, and the work to do. 
 
 Sarah Strong said it with a glad, true ring. Work was 
 the thorough comprehensiveness of living. A plain, nar- 
 row place, but not small, only a little soul could contract 
 it. Ever}'thing she touched came presently to have a vi- 
 tality of its own. She was not a nurse, she could not 
 pander to weakness ; her theory must stand alone, robust, 
 far-reaching, and her practice must lead others to help 
 themselves. Yet there was no rudeness in all this, rather 
 a gentle firmness, that allowed no turning back, that pointed 
 out mistakes clearly. 
 
 As Kathie listened she wondered. What would Sarah 
 do with this life presently? Was she not needed out in the 
 great world ? And how would she get there ? And then 
 Kathie knew the God who had guided hitherto could not 
 fail or go wrong. Perhaps it was just here the work was 
 required. And she was holding herself steadfast, garner- 
 ing up the true content, staying here, but learning all the 
 time to go up higher when the true summons came, yet 
 not hurrying nor dimming the grace of the present by any 
 impatience.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 79 
 
 " What a grand thing," she said, presently, " to have 
 been in all these places ; and the next best is to see through 
 a friend's eyes. When I had your two or three letters 
 from Rome, I knew you were looking at things for me. 
 But further back, when you were in Moscow, you spoke of 
 Napoleon, and we found two or three histories and read 
 them aloud. James was so interested. Then we wanted 
 to know about Russia and Prussia, and all these quarrels 
 with kings and emperors. I interested the school- children, 
 and they in turn roused their parents. It is always the 
 little leaven. And how can people shut their eyes and 
 care nothing about the events outside their little circle ? I 
 always did want to know"; smiling. "When I find a 
 child dull and ignorant, and am tempted to be impatient, 
 . think of your goodness." 
 
 "But you were not dull," said Kathie. "Ask Uncle 
 Robert. I believe his sympathy has brought about higher 
 results than any act of mine." 
 
 " There was a step on the porch and Sarah started. It 
 was too dark to see the quick color mantle her face. 
 
 " Kathie," she said, " I must beg your pardon for some- 
 thing I have done. I hated to lose even a moment of 
 your precious time, but I read one of your letters to our 
 minister, and promised him if ever I could arrange it you 
 should meet; so father asked him down to tea. He 
 is coming now. Don't feel annoyed, please." 
 
 Then she began to light the lamp. Martha opened the 
 door and announced Mr. Truesdell. 
 
 Kathie rose. A grave, rather careworn man, not much 
 beyond thirty, but looking old for his years, yet with a cer- 
 tain scholarly refinement and a gentle, almost entreating 
 strand in his voice. 
 
 The moment after the " men" came up from the barn, 
 and Mrs. Strong announced supper, a generous country 
 supper, with a table that would not have shamed more 
 pretentious people.
 
 80 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Mr. Truesdell and Uncle Robert were acquainted, it 
 seemed. Mr. Strong and James were delighted to see 
 Kathie, the young man somewhat shy at first. It certainly 
 was a pleasant supper, and Mr. Truesdell proved himself 
 very companionable. 
 
 There was a bright moon, so the guests did not hasten 
 away immediately. Sarah opened the melodeon and they 
 sang a few grand old hymns. Some strange conscious- 
 ness flashed across Kathie as they stood there, and it 
 seemed as if her question about Sarah was answered. 
 
 But the}- had to say good by presently. Kathie promised 
 to come again, and Sarah was to have a whole Saturday at 
 the Palace Beautiful, as she called it. 
 
 "Well?" said Uncle Robert interrogatively, when they 
 had ridden a long distance in silence. 
 
 " Uncle Robert, who is Mr. Truesdell? and has he been 
 longatMiddleville?" 
 
 " About a j'ear, I think. He is an earnest worker, for all 
 his quiet air, and a widower with two children." 
 
 " Oh ! and Sarah will go to the very place she is so well 
 fitted for. Did you guess or know " 
 
 " I know that he cares a great deal for her, but Sarah is 
 hardly conscious of its meaning. She likes him, but the 
 cousin being there blinds her a little. How did 3-011 come 
 to see such a thing? I did not know your eyes were so 
 sharp." 
 
 " It was his tone when he spoke, and his look. I am so 
 glad ! What a strange thing that all her improvement 
 should tend to this point! And she is such a sincere 
 believer, such a noble worker, I feel quite shamed beside 
 her. The pupil far exceeds the desultorj' teacher." 
 
 " I think it will be an excellent marriage. They are not 
 the people to hurry Providence, but will go on tranquilly 
 until some day when her eyes will see the truth and tender- 
 ness awaiting her. But remember, Kitty, that you have 
 surprised the knowledge."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 81 
 
 "Oh, I could never hint such a thing to her. Do not 
 think that poorly of me, But you know " and he under- 
 stood the kind of tender amusement in her voice ' ' that 
 I have been in the midst of a good many love afSairs." 
 
 " Yes. You deserve credit for the judgment evinced, 
 and I know you will not fail in this." 
 
 She was silent for a long time again, wondering, in an 
 innocent, young-girl way, how this great mystery would 
 come to her, if ever it came at all.
 
 CHAPTER VH. 
 
 KATHIE was rather quiet and thoughtful after her visit 
 to Sarah Strong. Was she really idling away too much of 
 her time? She could take up some study, a course of read- 
 ing, or an accomplishment. She did practise her music, 
 she was very fond of that ; and she dropped in now and 
 then among the old friends she had known, who were 
 always delighted to see her. The Morrisons were still at 
 the Lodge, and another baby had been added to the group. 
 She used to talk over old times with grandmother, who 
 was still hearty and cheery. Far-away Ethel and her 
 father were doing well ; and, though she realized more 
 truty than ever that she had outgrown some of the girls, 
 there was no need of any abrupt breaking off. As Uncle 
 Robert said, these matters settled themselves. 
 
 Mrs. Alston wanted to go to New York, and her brother 
 proposed that they should take a real holiday with Kathie, 
 go up to the city and board for a month or two, shop and 
 see pictures, and attend some operas, as there were sev- 
 eral noted singers announced. Hannah would look after 
 the house and Fred, and Jane would be glad to go home 
 for a few weeks, as this was always considered a great 
 treat by the Maybin family. 
 
 Kathie's new friends were in despair. 
 
 " I don't believe you ever mean to stay at home !" de- 
 clared Eugene Collamore. " Here we are just getting in 
 nice train for in-door amusements, planning a series of 
 amateur concerts and a Shakespeare reading club, and now 
 away you go."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 83 
 
 " But I am only one." 
 
 " Every one counts, especially in the winter. Girls, 
 let us tr} r to persuade her." 
 
 There was such a very evident admiration in Eugene's 
 glance that Kathie colored with a curious sensation not 
 quite comfortable. 
 
 " I have expended all my eloquence and all my reasons," 
 answered Lou, " but the stubborn fact remains ; and if 1 
 had so good an opportunit}^ I should go. Perhaps we will 
 for a week, Kathie ; would n't it be jolly ? " 
 
 " Oh do ! " cried Kathie. 
 
 "Worse and worse. You set a bad example, Miss Al- 
 ston, and stir up disaffection. If you could plead duty now, 
 but pure pleasure " 
 
 "Let us seek pleasure while we may," carolled Lou, 
 
 gayiy- 
 
 Eugene walked over home with Kathie ; they, too, had be- 
 come great friends. 
 
 " Eugene is regularly smitten with Kathie Alston," said 
 Louise, after they had gone. " If they were older, one 
 might wish " 
 
 " But they are too young to wish about. I never saw a 
 girl so innocent of love-making or marrying as she. I 
 don't believe it ever enters her mind." 
 
 So they made ready and went to the city. Mrs. Mere- 
 dith would not hear of their staying at a hotel. She was 
 just settled in her lovely new house, as Mr Meredith de- 
 cided that now they might safely purchase. It was but a 
 short distance from the Park, and in a very select neigh- 
 borhood. The furnishing was elegant and artistic, and 
 Mrs. Edward herself a stylish and fascinating woman, 
 with her Paris culture and experience. Her sister-in-law 
 was amazed and a trifle envious. Jessie would never be 
 a purely fashionable leader, but one clique no longer ruled 
 society : it was the thing now to have a specialty ; and 
 Jessie chose hers among the pleasures she really enjoyed. 
 Ada was glad to be drawn into this delightful circle.
 
 84 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Kathie declared they did nothing but go and enjoy. 
 Charlie Darrell was a frequent visitor at his sister's. Dick 
 Gra} - son and some other student friends found a cordial 
 welcome, and Kathie soon had a train of admirers. It 
 troubled her mother a little at first. 
 
 " We shall not alwa}'s be able to keep her a child," said 
 Uncle Robert, smilingly : ' ' young men will discover her 
 charms." 
 
 ' ' But I should be sorry to see her flirting or making a 
 bid for admiration." 
 
 " She has little need for that. And you know, Dora, 
 she has been brought up with boys, as one may say, and 
 is in a certain way used to their attentions. Think how 
 Mr. Meredith and Mr. Langdon treated her two or three 
 years ago, and she never overstepped the bounds of child- 
 ish pleasure. We will not trouble her with cautions until 
 we see her on the verge of dangerous paths. There is 
 nothing so lovely as the entire innocence of a young girl." 
 
 "If young men do not mistake it. The most finished 
 coquettes of the day assume it as their strongest ally." 
 
 " There are no counterfeits on base metals," said 
 Uncle Robert, with a pleasant laugh. 
 
 Dr. Markham had not lost his olden fondness for his 
 favorite. She took rides with him, and they had long 
 talks about Ada. 
 
 " She has awakened to the true sense of living," said 
 the doctor, ' ' but she is grasping at too much. A man 
 does n't expect to master all the knowledge of a lifetime 
 in a few years. You have to try things, to sift and win- 
 now, to hold fast of some truths not altogether palatable, 
 to let others go that may be charming, but have no real 
 place in your manner of life. It is the fitness that makes 
 symmetrical characters, not the many bits of knowledge 
 pieced on. Some time I think she will get things un- 
 tangled, and realize that of this great mystery, life, we 
 can only have one small piece here. But she is making a
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. , 85 
 
 better woman than I ever fancied she would. After all, I 
 think it takes love and mothering to make true girls and 
 women, and heaven knows she had little enough of 
 that." 
 
 "And I had so much," said Kathie, with a thrill of 
 strange, secret joy. 
 
 Beside the operas and dinner parties, Kathie went to 
 some quite ga} r entertainments, where she danced to her 
 heart's content. Weeks flew by rapidly. Gen. Mackenzie 
 was up once on business, armed with entreaties that Mrs. 
 Alston and Kathie would spend the remainder of the win- 
 ter in Washington. 
 
 "Well, why should you not?" asked Uncle Robert. 
 " There is really nothing to confine you at home, and you 
 are not so old as to have lost all zest for society. Ruth 
 would be delighted, I know, and Kathie would have a 
 glimpse of the most important men and women of her own 
 country. Congress will be in session ; and so many ce- 
 lebrities seek Washington in the winter to see and be 
 seen." 
 
 Kathie was enchanted with the idea, and so the elders 
 laid their plans accordingly. The Collamores were to 
 come up and keep Christmas with some cousins, and they 
 hoped Kathie would stay. There was shopping and dress- 
 making, and no diminution of enjoyments. Kathie was 
 the same favorite here that she had been in childhood. 
 
 " I will tell you what I want to do Christmas morning, 
 Uncle Robert," she said, her eyes softened with emotion. 
 " Let us go to some quiet church for morning service. I 
 want to think of the winter when I was here with Aunt 
 Ruth, while she was being cured. It was so hard to stay 
 away from you all, and somehow she and I both fell into 
 the Slough of Despond, I believe " ; and a soft, sad smile 
 played over her face at the remembrance. " But Christ- 
 mas morning brought great joy to our souls, and I would 
 like to keep the feast reverently, thanking God for all the 
 blessings."
 
 86 WHOM KATHTE MARRIED. 
 
 It surprised all her friends that Kathie resisted the grand 
 music and elaborate decorations of the great churches, and 
 went off with Uncle Robert to a plain church to celebrate her 
 festival. They could not understand what it was to her, 
 but Uncle Robert knew by that how little the child's 
 heart had changed, that under all the lightness there 
 were deep soundings to be touched by the greater hand, 
 and to answer in kind. 
 
 Eugene Collamore came up Christmas eve to stay over 
 Sunday with his sisters, who were already very much at 
 home at Mrs. Meredith's, and having no end of enjoyment 
 with the young College Clan, as Lou called it. They were 
 nice, jolly fellows, and Eugene had enjoyed Charlie and 
 Dick wonderfully the summer before ; but he soon made 
 the discovery that he had not come to see the boys, and as 
 for Kathie, one could never get near her any more. When 
 she was talking and laughing with Dick Grayson he was 
 very sure she liked him best, and when Sunday evening 
 they were all singing hymns, as Charlie played on the organ, 
 there came .a rapt, heavenl}* look in their faces that 
 seemed to make them so of one kin, of one mind, that 
 Eugene turned sorrowfully away with a pang he could not 
 fathom, something beyond boyish perception, yet very 
 real and keen. 
 
 How often they said, "If Rob were here; if Bruce 
 were here," and called up old and fond memories. Kathie 
 wrote to them both, but she felt that letters were a poor 
 substitute for this delight. 
 
 Mrs. Alston went home for a week, and then the party 
 started for Washington, where Aunt Ruth received them 
 with unalloyed gladness. Kathie recalled her first visit to 
 Washington, but oh, how different everything was now! 
 Aunt Ruth was the centre, one might say, of a very charm- 
 ing circle. Her husband's position, her own culture and 
 recent travel, and perhaps the indescribable charm that 
 goes by the name of fascination, filled her rooms with choice
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 87 
 
 friends. She still looked very young, and her slight lame- 
 ness seemed to give a touch of romance, an excuse for her 
 husband's devotion. 
 
 Mrs. Alston awoke to a peculiar interest in it all. The 
 war had not quite dropped out of everybody's mind, for 
 the heroes were still honored, some of them showing scars 
 or betraying the loss of a limb ; and with it had developed 
 a wider national life ; denizens of other countries came to 
 Washington to study and observe, and foreign ministers 
 and their families added a piquant charm. 
 
 " It is almost like being abroad again," said Kathie. 
 
 There was this difference, she was regularly in society 
 now. Young people were not long in finding her out. 
 Her freshness and zest, her sunny temper and generous 
 disposition, made her a favorite. Invitations piled up on 
 her little table, and it was quite impossible to attend to 
 them all. Uncle Robert was oftenest her escort ; indeed, 
 he seemed never to tire of taking her about and showing 
 her the things she hardly dreamed of in her former visit. 
 They attended congressional debates, and her bright face 
 and interested air caught more than one eye as she looked 
 and listened. 
 
 Of parties, dinners, dances, and drives she had a full 
 share. Sometimes her mother became anxious lest she 
 should injure her health or run into some danger. She was 
 forced to admit that her little Kathie was a very attractive 
 girl. 
 
 Perhaps it was the fact that Kathie had grown accus- 
 tomed to a certain degree of approval from her boyish 
 friends as well as the elders that led her to accept atten- 
 tions with a winning grace quite removed from coquetry. 
 Young men observed that much sentiment or blandishment 
 was lost upon her. She often checked a fulsome compli- 
 ment by merely raising her eyes to the speaker ; and she kept 
 her delicate manner of reserve about her like a fine foil. 
 It was with her the simplest truth and honesty.
 
 88 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 On their return they made a short stay in Baltimore and 
 in Philadelphia. It was quite a disappointment to Kathie 
 that Bruce had not been able to make a flying trip to Wash- 
 ington, but he consoled her with the thought that he might 
 spend a few weeks during the summer at Cedarwood, which 
 would be ever so much pleasanter. While they were in 
 New York, Uncle Robert took a brief journey to Chicago, 
 and found his nephew and namesake giving entire satisfac- 
 tion in his position. 
 
 Some great change had certainly come over gay, laugh- 
 ing, fun-loving Rob Alston. He looked older, with a 
 settled, determined expression, as if he had already begun 
 to fight his battle of life and did not mean to be worsted. 
 He explained to Uncle Robert that he was living very 
 quietly in the suburbs, but the two nights he spent with 
 him at a hotel. 
 
 " Rob," his uncle said, " I do not like to see you taking 
 life quite so hard, giving up the useful and innocent pleas- 
 ures. There is only one youth after all, and if it is spent 
 with a wise economy you lay up pleasant remembrances 
 for middle life. Money is not quite all, my boy." 
 
 " I have been a good deal engrossed mastering the in- 
 tricacies of business. The other will all come in time." 
 And he gave a kind of half-smile, that seemed to lack 
 heart 
 
 " You are going on very fast, Mr. Far well informs me, 
 and have learned more rapidly than any one he has had. 
 It is high praise, Rob, but you must not neglect health, and 
 some of the attainments acquired in the past. I think 3 r ou 
 do show your close confinement." 
 
 "Then I must take a course at a gymnasium, and the 
 fresh spriug air will soon tone me up. You are very good 
 to me, Uncle Robert, but you need not be afraid of a great 
 strong fellow like me working too hard." 
 
 It was a satisfactory visit in all respects save one. Was 
 there not something kept back, some secret or perplexity ?
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 89 
 
 All he could think of that seemed probable was that Rob 
 had contracted a debt in the past and was working out of 
 it himself, as a penance and a punishment. If so, it was 
 brave and manly, and he would not interfere with the work 
 of conscience. Yet it pained Uncle Robert to leave him 
 toiling on alone, away from old friends, and making no 
 new ones ; it seemed unnatural for youth. 
 
 It was really delightful to get home once more and set- 
 tle, Kathie thought. 
 
 "Now, mamma," she declared, "we will not have any 
 journeyings or wanderings about in strange places, but just 
 a little bit of home life and home people. It will take me 
 ever so long to get my mind untangled, and know what of 
 the past I want to keep and what I shall throw away, 
 dismiss and forget.". 
 
 ' ' Then you think there will be some j'ou shall not care 
 to retain? " And her mother smiled. " It is a good thing 
 to have a weeding-out process now and then." 
 
 The house was to be cleaned, the garden put in order, 
 and taking up her old interests engrossed Mrs. Alston con- 
 siderably. Kathie carolled about the place, joyous as a 
 bird, her smile as bright as when in the midst of gayety. 
 Clearly she had not yet been spoiled. 
 
 She stood by the open window one morning early in 
 May. Oh, how fresh and fragrant it was with all this 
 dewy sweetness ! Birds were singing and darting hither 
 and thither. Yonder a hen was clucking to her brood of 
 downy chicks, and the ducks were swimming about in the 
 lake. How wide and inspiriting after the narrow in-doors 
 of pleasure ! 
 
 Uncle Robert was sauntering slowly through the walks, 
 surveying some improvements. The young girl tied back 
 her beautiful flowing locks andTan down to tim. 
 
 ' ' Upon my word, Miss Kathie ! " And there was a merry 
 twinkle of affected surprise in his eye. 
 
 " You did not think I would be able to rise with Mie lark
 
 90 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 after a winter of dissipation, did you? " she asked, with be- 
 witching archness. 
 
 " Why, the lark has been up to heaven's gate and come 
 back to her breakfast," he made answer, humorously. 
 
 " I have been almost up to heaven's gate, too" ; and a 
 sweet seriousness overspread her face. " I was glancing 
 out over to the mountain, bill I suppose we ought to 
 say now, and all the glory of the scene, the peace and 
 brooding tenderness, filled me with gratitude. I have 
 seen so much, Uncle Robert, and yet nothing seems bet- 
 ter to me than Cedarwood, though many things are 
 grander." 
 
 " My little girl, I am glad, yes, thankful, that 3*ou can 
 enjoy it thus heartily. It seems to me, a true appreciation 
 of what is lofty and great ought never, would never, I 
 should say, lead one to despise smaller phases of beauty 
 and excellence." 
 
 "1 should n't want to dwell among the Alps," Kathie 
 said slowly : ' ' they chill me and leave a kind of awe- 
 some admiration. I do not think either that I would care 
 to live at Rome, among ruins and old palaces and pictures ; 
 yet I am very glad to have seen it all, and now I am con- 
 tent and happy to be here and watch these lovely pictures 
 that grow nearer perfection daily." 
 
 4k ^o your winter's dissipation has not spoiled you? " 
 
 She laughed brightly. 
 
 " I do suppose you sometimes thought I might dance 
 away my senses. It was lovely, Uncle Robert, enchant- 
 ing." And she gave a graceful pirouette on the gravel walk. 
 "Am I queer and changeable? But it is so delightful to 
 be alive, to enjoy everything. How would it feel, I wonder, 
 to be languid and bored, and have no emotions ! " 
 
 ' ' O Miss Alston ! " exclaimed a fresh, } 7 oung voice ; 
 and Eugene Collamore reigned his horse up to the hedge. 
 "Must I wish you joy, or shall you wish me ? It 's such a 
 rare delight to see you. And I have stolen a march on the
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 91 
 
 girls. They were talking of you last night and will call 
 to-day." 
 
 " I shall be glad to see them." And though the words 
 were simply uttered, the earnest eyes she raised gave 
 them meaning. 
 
 How beautiful she was, he thought, standing there 
 In the sunshine, the wind blowing lightly among her 
 curls, stirring them so softly they looked like a shower 
 of gold. 
 
 " You have had a grand time at Washington, among the 
 magnates and great people and everybody. I wonder if 
 we shall not seem just a little commonplace, uninterest- 
 ing?" 
 
 " Why should you not make }*ourself interesting ? " And 
 she glanced up archly. " You must not allow me to pine 
 and waste away with ennui. 
 
 " O Miss Kathie, I don't believe you know what ennui 
 is!" 
 
 She surety did not look as if it had depressed her seri- 
 ously. He glanced her all over in a quick eager fashion t 
 even to the dainty feet that still seemed to take dancing 
 steps on the gravel walk. 
 
 ' ' No, I do not believe I ever suffered from it. I think it 
 would be extremely ungrateful in me. What a pretty 
 pony ! Do you ride much ? " 
 
 " Now and then of a morning. Fred and I have been 
 taking constitutionals," with a laugh. " What a queer, 
 old-fashioned chap he is ! O Miss Kathie, if you would 
 go out some time ! Wouldn't you trust her to go with me, 
 Mr. Conover ? " 
 
 " Oh, he trusts me to ride alone," cried Kathie, wifh 
 innocent grace ; " but I like better to have company." 
 
 "Will you go to-morrow, then? The girls nearly 
 always drive in the afternoon." 
 
 " I could " And she glanced at Uncle Robert. 
 
 " Of course," he said, consenting rather against his will.
 
 ?2 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " You must take good care of her." 
 
 Eugene promised in a delighted tone, and presently 
 rode slowly away. 
 
 Was it best to utter some little word of warning ? What 
 could he say to his darling, with her fresh, pure heart, that 
 would not somehow shadow it?
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 KATHIE declared she meant to begin living in real earnest, 
 and practised her music for an hour, then read with Uncle 
 Robert. 
 
 " But it seems all for myself," she said. " Ought it not 
 be something wider and better ? Why, I used to be such 
 a bus}' little girl ! " 
 
 " I think you will find your hands full presently." 
 
 Indeed, just after luncheon, Mrs. Alston asked her to 
 attend to some kindly errand for her, and when she re- 
 turned Fay and Louise Collamore had come ; so the girls 
 had a chatty and delightful time, talking over all the hap- 
 piness. They were very glad to get Kathie back again, 
 and before their visit had ended, Georgie Halford came to 
 insist that she should join the archery club. 
 
 No, the days were not likely to hang heavily on her 
 hands. Eugene Collamore began to haunt her like a 
 shadow. Their cousins came from the city for a fortnight, 
 and there were teas, and discussions on needle- work and 
 painting and music. 
 
 " If one could only tell just how much of one's life ought 
 to be given to these pleasures," Kathie said to her mother. 
 " It is so lovely to be flitting from one thing to another 
 like a butterfly, enjoying all, and tiring of none. Do I 
 waste my time, mamma?" 
 
 " My dear, there is a season of enjoyment as well as 
 study and work. I think your mission just now is to make 
 us all happy ; and you do that." 
 
 " Thaiik you," with a fond kiss. 
 
 .
 
 94 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Then the invitations for Lucy Gardiner's marriage were 
 sent out. It was to be in church. Harry Cox had a very 
 nice position in one of the mills, and they were to have 
 their house furnished and ready for living when they came 
 back from their wedding journey. Kathie went over it 
 with Lucy, and pleased the young girl by her ready admi- 
 ration. It was neat and pretty, some of the furnishing 
 Lucy's own handiwork. 
 
 " Kathie," she said, when they had inspected everything, 
 "it is so nice not to have you proud and over-critical. 
 You have seen so many beautiful and costly articles, and 
 you can have almost anything yourself; and if you were 
 going to be married there would be such a time." 
 
 ' ' How odd to think of my being married ! " And Kathie 
 gave a wondering, incredulous smile. " I don't know 
 after all, it is such a sacred, solemn kind of step, that it 
 seems as if one ought to be grave and serious, and not 
 think only of handsome attire or rich gifts." 
 
 "Well, you will have them all yourself, no doubt; but 
 it is lovely in you to praise mine. You see Harry and I 
 are not not " and Lucy flushed. " What I mean is, that 
 we shall never be rich or grand, but we can be just as 
 happy. And you will have plenty of other friends ; but 
 you won't let them crowd me quite out. We used to have 
 such a good time at school, playing and studying ; and you 
 were so kind to us all when you first had your pretty pony 
 carriage ; and what lovely, lovely times we had at Cedar- 
 wood playing croquet and rowing on the lake. But so many 
 new people have come in, girls that I shall never know 
 enough about to feel at home with, even if they cared for 
 me, and, Kathie, don't you think it best to be happy in 
 one's own way? I really don't care for things that I can't 
 enjoy, well, like Italian songs, for instance. I would so 
 much rather listen to a pretty English ballad. And I don't 
 know much about pictures or wonderful poems ; I am quite 
 sure I could n't understand them : so I think it is best to 
 keep to things I do understand."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 95 
 
 ** O Lucy, it is so much wiser and more sensible ! " And 
 it seemed as if all of Kathie's old regard for her friend 
 came back. " I do think people often make themselves 
 miserable in striving to be something they do not really 
 enjoy. I am glad you are brave enough not to attempt 
 it." 
 
 " Hany and I mean to be real happy in a plain way, and 
 you must drop in and see us, and come to tea ; for I 
 think you will never quite forget the old times." 
 
 " Indeed I shall not," said Kathie warmly. 
 
 She talked the call over with her mother afterward. 
 
 " Lucy certainly has the right view of common-sense en- 
 joyment," Mrs. Alston made answer. " I think many of 
 the young girls of to-day do make themselves useless and 
 miserable by attempting the things they cannot achieve ; 
 for the one grand life there are so many plain, every-day 
 ones, that require household virtures instead of accomplish- 
 ments. If one brings out his best, that is the true aim, 
 and an excellence much to be preferred to any second-rate 
 work." 
 
 So Lucy's marriage passed off very nicely, and the young 
 couple came home bright and happy and began their new 
 life with as much satisfaction, perhaps more, than many in 
 a broader sphere. 
 
 It seemed to Kathie that she lived almost entirely in the 
 lives of her friends. Perhaps it was the result of the les- 
 sons she had learned in childhood, the continual outgiv- 
 ing of herself and the best she had. Her interests were 
 widespread. Every one claimed her. Fay Collamore and 
 Georgie Halford, dissimilar as they were, insisted upon her 
 bringing to each a fond and warm sympathy. 
 
 Then Sarah Strong came down for a Saturday. Some let- 
 ters had passed between them while Kathie was in Wash- 
 ington ; but Sarah evinced a high delicacy in regard to 
 Kathie. She was confidential in many things, and yet 
 never dependent. Her trenchant sentences often brought
 
 96 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 to Kathie a kind of breezy freshness, as of clear mountain 
 air. They nc-ver tired or depressed. 
 
 She wondered a little if the romance had gone on to 
 fruition. Sarah seldom made any allusion to Mr. Trues- 
 dell, and then in the most ordinar}' way. 
 
 She was fresh and bright this morning as she greeted 
 Kathie. Her clear eyes had a curiously limpid look, and 
 a little something about her was changed. Kathie guessed, 
 but held her peace. 
 
 "We are to have a nice, long day to ourselves," the 
 young hostess said, as she led her up-stairs. " I have an- 
 nounced on the right hand and on the left that I am 
 engaged." 
 
 " How good you are to give up all other plans and 
 friends for me !" And Sarah turned toward her with an 
 appreciative smile. 
 
 " There is n't much virtue in it when you are really in- 
 terested yourself," answered Kathie. 
 
 " Sometimes it quite puzzles me" and a dreamy look 
 filled Sarah's eyes "how it is that you can care, that 
 others care." And a softened inflection marked the words. 
 " If I could give you back a tithe of the pleasure you have 
 given me." 
 
 " You have given me back an interest. One does tire 
 of pure pleasures sometimes. I did last winter. I was 
 really glad to get away from the gayeties, the round that 
 never leads anywhere. And yet I enjoyed it. I really 
 am afraid sometimes of growing quite frivolous ; but it 
 has n't taken away my appetite for solid food. When it 
 does I shall have to turn over a new leaf." 
 
 She looked so bright and enchanting that she seemed to 
 Sarah, as she had more than once before, a denizen of a 
 different world. Something beside wealth and culture had 
 given her this. What was it? The glad heartsomeness 
 that she put into everything, the truth that seemed better 
 for being uttered in such a winsome voice.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 97 
 
 "I should like to go to "Washington just once," Sarah 
 began slowly. " Not for balls or parties, but to see the 
 capital of the nation, and the men who make and obey 
 her laws, the foreign ministers who come to us from other 
 great countries. Did you ever think that seems our widest 
 and greatest life? Then comes the State centre, then the 
 family, and it reaches out to every one ; we all have a part 
 in it, and it belongs to us just as truly as our own lives. I 
 don't understand how people can become indifferent ; and yet 
 nations do. and let themselves drop into decay. Individ- 
 uals do, as well. Little towns and hamlets seem to go to 
 sleep, and the slumber is dangerous. It is the old story of 
 the enchanted lands, and the lotus-eaters crying, ' Let 
 us alone.' " 
 
 "I think you could rouse some of them, the near-by 
 ones," said Kathie. " You make me feel as if I had been 
 laz}- and careless." 
 
 " No one will accuse you" ; and Sarah colored a little. 
 " I think you have roused a great many, and what is bet- 
 ter, you reach out your hand to lead them over rough 
 places. So many of them are like me, wandering about 
 unguided, and needing to be put in the right way. But oh, 
 there are so many things to see and to hear that I must 
 not keep the floor, and dream aloud ! " 
 
 Kathie thought how Bruce would enjoy a stirring talk 
 with Sarah. He seemed always to be the one she wanted 
 to share such things with. 
 
 " And now," the visitor said, quietly, " I want to see the 
 pictures and go on the journey with you. We did not 
 finish last time, you remember, and that is six months 
 ago." 
 
 " Then we shall have to go to the library." And Kathie 
 led the way. 
 
 Uncle Robert had arranged the photopraphs and engrav- 
 ings in portfolios, and the girls could sit at their ease 
 and turn them over as they stood on the low easel. The 
 
 7
 
 98 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Iibrarj T had taken on a deeper tone. It seemed to Katlrie 
 that everything had changed with her growth and develop- 
 ment. 
 
 Their first journey with the pictures had been in Paris 
 nd Rome. They went through Kathie's Russian expe- 
 rience now, until luncheon was announced. Afterward 
 they took up Scotland ; and here Kathie was vivid and en- 
 thusiastic. 
 
 The day grew warmer and lovelier. 
 
 " "We ought to go out and enjoy it," Kathie said, pres- 
 ently. " Let us save the others for the next visit, then 
 yoa will be sure to come again." 
 
 " I shall want to come again, often : it is like a bit of 
 fairy-land here ; but I would like a walk down around the 
 lake. Do you ever go out rowing now? " 
 
 " Not so much," returned Kathie. " You see the boys 
 are grown up and busy or away, and there seem new pleas- 
 ures. It is archery and lawn- tennis now ; and I have a friend 
 who is fond of painting, so we go out together sketch- 
 ing and studying up nature. Now and then Uncle Robert 
 takes a row for exercise. How bright and happy it was ! " 
 
 They turned into a half-shady path. The sunshine glim- 
 mered through the young leaves and sifted golden grains 
 upon the ground until it seemed to quiver, a shining mass. 
 The air was sweet with manifold blossoming, and the soft 
 fragrance of a ripened spring, more delicate and fine than 
 that of summer before the stronger and richer scents are 
 blended. 
 
 Sarah put her arm around Kathie's slender figure and 
 drew her nearer with a little pressure. She was hardly as 
 tall, but her ample figure gave her a more matronly air. 
 
 " I ought to tell you something," she began, presently. 
 "I want to tell you first of all, for it has come partly 
 through you ; that is, I should not have been fitted for it, 
 and it would have passed me by. And it seems so strange 
 to have a great and blessed thing come into your life, when
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 99 
 
 you realize how easily you might have missed it, and gone 
 hungering for something all your days, without ever being 
 able to tell just what it was." 
 
 There was the faint tremulousness of deep emotion in 
 Sarah's voice. 
 
 "You did not think but how could you? that " 
 Then her tone swelled to a certain joyfulness. " Kathie, 
 some one loves me, has chosen me, and will set me in a 
 blessed place. It seems so strange, unreal." 
 
 " Mr. Truesdell," said Kathie, softly. 
 
 ' ' Oh ! did it appear so back to that little visit when you 
 saw him ? I never dreamed how could I ? that any 
 one would ask me to share such a life. I don't think I 
 ever looked on marriage as a thing for myself. I liked 
 teaching, and it seemed quite reasonable to fancy that I 
 should some time get into a larger sphere, go "Westward, 
 perhaps, and devote my whole life to the work. I used to 
 talk it over with Mr. Truesdell. He was like you : he 
 could understand and appreciate needs and desires ; and 
 so we grew to be friends. He did not come very often, 
 but he used to stop at school now and then ; and we took 
 to reading the same authors. He sent me books, too ; and 
 he is fond of the same kind of music, the strong and 
 restful. There is nothing weak about him, Kathie, though 
 he seems so grave and quiet." 
 
 " O Sarah ! I am so glad for you ! " And Kathie kissed 
 her fondly. 
 
 "What led you to imagine? It surprises me, for it 
 was only a month ago that he spoke." 
 
 " I do not quite know. I think Uncle Robert helped. 
 Something in Mr. Truesdell : a man shows it occasion- 
 ally ; and perhaps men understand quicker, at least about 
 each other. And you love him ?" Kathie asked, with a kind 
 of awesome timidity. She had never fallen into the habit of 
 discussing love with other girls, trying on all its emotions 
 beforehand ; yet there was a delicate curiosity prompting 
 her noMt
 
 200 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " I don't dare to say all that just now," Sarah returned, 
 reverently. " Can any one tell all about it at once? I am 
 in a strange state of content, and ask myself whether I 
 can, whether I dare, take the life. To be a mother to two 
 children, and yet I love children so, and his are sweet, 
 shy little things. Then that larger life with its duties, 
 can I have something to give to that, and to him, out of 
 my own small daily resources ? Yet I feel that I would 
 rather be with him, if it were a desert or a lonely island, or 
 in trouble and toil, than take anything else, if I can be 
 found worthy." 
 
 " It is the life for you," Kathie returned earnestly ; 
 " and yet you might choose an easier one." 
 
 " Do you think so? I wish there was something to 
 give up for his sake. It seems such a large awaiting, 
 such a daily reward for the work, as if he had so much for 
 me, and I not enough for him. Can we live in earnest, 
 and accomplish some heavenly work, cheer the wearj", 
 fainting souls, lift others out of tangled paths and set 
 their feet in a large place ? I keep thinking it over. And 
 you believe, Kathie, that I should be justified in taking it? " 
 
 A country minister's life, there would have seemed 
 nothing very large or grand in it to some girls ; but Sarah 
 was not looking at the food and raiment, nor the small 
 daily round, it was the higher life, the communion of 
 saints, the nearness to God in this work, that glorified it 
 for her ; just as her single-hearted faith had glorified the 
 work she had done thus far. 
 
 " Justified ! If he loves you and you love him, ought 
 anything to separate? And why should you not work 
 together, when both are laboring for the same end? Oh, 
 I think you will be happy ! " 
 
 " I do not suppose God gives us life just for the happi- 
 ness in it. Isn't it making others happy? When we 
 reduce it to absolute self, we narrow it. God would n't 
 have put the whole great world around us if he had meant
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 101 
 
 us to look continually at one object ; and this is why Mr. 
 Truesdell's life satisfies me ; he can never get it down to 
 one small, objective point: it is always broadening." 
 
 Kathie was silent. Had her pupil so far exceeded 
 her? Would she always be ready to take in the great 
 world ? 
 
 " We are going on just the same until school closes. I 
 believe two or three people imagine it is Cousin Ellen ; so 
 you see I do not need to be called into question. And all 
 this time I shall be getting used to the thoughts of my new 
 work." 
 
 She did not say her new life. She could not bring it all 
 down to the level of daily existence, as she would by and 
 by, when the marriage was talked about. 
 
 They had to retrace their steps, for there was not much 
 time to spare. The new railroad had a station near Mid- 
 dleville, and she was to go in the train. Kathie drove her 
 down to the station, and though there were no ardent, girl- 
 ish promises, each knew how warm an interest she held 
 in the other's heart. 
 
 She was turning her horse slow!}" when some one spoke. 
 
 "Where are you going?" asked Eugene Collamore. 
 ' ' Don't you want to take in a stray ? " 
 
 " You?" She smiled gravely, for she was in a serious 
 mood. 
 
 " Yes, if I dared to invite myself. You and the pony 
 look so tempting and so lonesome." 
 
 " Do we look lonesome? Now I thought Hero and I 
 had a peculiarly companionable aspect. But we will take 
 you in." 
 
 ' ' Admirable condescension . See what an humble- 
 minded adorer accepting the crumbs the princess flings 
 out to him." 
 
 " I did not mean tojling, Eugene," she returned quickly, 
 holding herself erect, with a sudden dignity. 
 
 ' ' Oh, you know that was pure folly ! " And with a laugh 
 he sprang in.
 
 102 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 They waited there for a train just coming up. Mr. Dar- 
 rell drove beside them, and spoke to Kathie. 
 
 "I've come for my lad," he said. " I believe he has 
 been studying overmuch again or else he is homesick for 
 the sight of the country." 
 
 "Charlie? Has he been 111?" Kathie leaned over; 
 was it the position, or some warmer touch, that flushed her 
 fair cheek ? 
 
 " No, not ill, only a little used up, and wanting a 
 week's rest. There ! " 
 
 "The train came in, amid smoke and noise. When it 
 had cleared away a little, the procession filed out. Satur- 
 day evenings always brought full trains. 
 
 Eugene took up the reins. " Wait," said Kathie 
 
 Charlie caught sight of her first, and smiled, then came 
 around and held out his hand. 
 
 " See what a rival you are to old people, Miss Kathie ; 
 but it is the way of the world." And Mr Darrell shrugged 
 his shoulders with a touch of humor. 
 
 " I am sorry you are not well," she said earnestly. 
 
 " It is nothing much ; but I want to come in splendid 
 a month later on, so I thought I would rest up a bit. Now, 
 father. You may look for me to-morrow," he added, as he 
 sprang into the wagon. 
 
 Both parties nodded an adieu. They could have taken 
 the same direction, but Eugene turned Hero into one of 
 the new avenues. Kathie made no comment. Already in 
 her mind she had gone back to Sarah. There was a curi- 
 ous connecting link in her mind between the aims of the 
 two ; not that such dissimilar souls could ever come 
 together on any but a broad general basis, yet there was 
 the life, the work." 
 
 " How deadly solemn you are ! " Eugene said presently. 
 " I don't think Darrell looked well dangerous." 
 
 " It was n't that " 
 
 " You were thinking of him?"
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 103 
 
 " Yes, in a way." 
 
 Eugene Collamore bit his lip while his face flushed a dull 
 scarlet. Charlie Darrell was very nice, no doubt, but why 
 should he (toop down upon them just now, when they were 
 all going on so comfortably ? " 
 
 "Let me drive you over home," he began earnestly. 
 ' ' The girls will be delighted, and I will bring you back 
 after tea." 
 
 " Not to-night, thank you. I have had company all 
 day and I feel now like being lazy and thinking " ; and she 
 smiled softly. 
 
 Did she mean, to think of Darrell? How pleasant and 
 jolly they had been since Kathie's return, and now some- 
 thing had come to spoil it all. Why could they not have 
 gone on just the same until until 
 
 " Here we are." And Kathie's voice roused him from his 
 revery. 
 
 " Good night," he made answer, huskily.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 IT was ver} r comforting to see Kathie's gravely sweet 
 face at church on Sunday, and no Charlie Darrell. Eugene 
 (J&llurnore thought of her all service time ;_ indeed he had 
 thought of her nearly all night. 
 
 " There is a picnic for the Mission School and Orphans' 
 Home on the carpet," said some one to Kathie as they all 
 came down the church steps. "I wonder how many of 
 you young girls could be counted on for the supper?" 
 
 "Why, any of us," returned Kathie at random; "all 
 of us, I think," correcting herself. 
 
 " The committee is to meet after Sunday school : try 
 and be present." 
 
 Some one was talking to her mother, so she crossed over 
 to Miss Collamore, and made the announcement to her ; 
 and as they turned down the street Eugene took the out- 
 side of the walk, and constituted himself Kathie's cavalier. 
 
 A young man not to be despised, well grown and well 
 looking, a little darker in tone than either of the girls, 
 straight and manly, with a certain degree of character 
 that spoke in his favor. His father was one of the part- 
 ners in a very prosperous new mill, and Eugene was an 
 only son, not foolishly brought up in idleness. 
 
 As they walked together they were a very pretty young 
 couple ; even Uncle Robert thought this. 
 
 He, Eugene, was so happy to be beside her, and lis- 
 ten to her bright talk. She was her olden joyous self; 
 and the brilliant day served to clear up the clouds and 
 forebodings of the night. If they could only go on this way
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 105 
 
 until the right time came for a word to settle it all. If 
 there were no other young men. 
 
 But the radiant morning did not end so brightly. The 
 girls stayed, of course, to see the committee in the after- 
 noon ; and when Eugene sauntered out to meet them, 
 Charlie Darrell had taken possession of Kathie. They 
 were all deeply interested in the picnic. The Orphans' 
 Home, one of the charities that always get merged into 
 the larger asylum, had been undertaken by a kindly and 
 benevolent woman. There were twenty children now. 
 The mission school consisted of the poor that had becu 
 gathered in, and their scanty pleasures were of necessity 
 provided by others. Now there was to be a day in the 
 woods, with swings and other simple amusements, wind- 
 ing up with a holiday feast. The elders would take 
 the charge, and do the hardest part of the work, and the 
 young people must come in as assistants. They were will- 
 ing enough, and talked it over in the interested, eager 
 manner of youth 
 
 " It is such a nice plan to have it before one begins with 
 company and all the grown-up pleasures," said Fay Col- 
 lamore. " We had such a delightful time last year. You 
 had a hand in it, Mr. Darrell. Are you going to stay long 
 enough for this ? " 
 
 " I think not. I shall have several very busy weeks 
 before my vacation. I only wish I were ; but I must get 
 back the last of the week." 
 
 " Tuesday of the week after is the da}- settled upon." 
 
 " You must enjoy it for me, though I believe such things 
 are often more work than pleasure. Yet we used to 
 have some nice times in the old days, did we not, Ka- 
 thie?" 
 
 " It will seem quite new to me again. Charlie, you must 
 give me due instructions, so that I shall not make blunders." 
 
 They reached the place where paths diverged. The 
 lawn lay in a flood of sunshine, but the porch was cool and 
 Kathie and Charlie turned.
 
 106 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Eugene walked on moodily. The sunshine had all gone 
 out of the day. When they reached their own home, he 
 went to his room and threw himself on his bed, and a flood 
 of impatient, impotent passion swept over him. 
 
 Yes, he cared for Kathie Alston, was in love with her, 
 he admitted quite frankly, and with the ready despair of 
 youth felt that if he could not win her, there was nothing but 
 blankness and bitterness left to life. They all liked her. 
 There would be a warm welcome for her, from his father 
 down. And she seemed to care for him. They had been 
 such pleasant friends : they had so many tastes and fan- 
 cies and aims in common ; and they could be so happy. 
 Why should another come in between? What was the 
 other friendship to his love ? 
 
 " What is the matter, Eugene ? " asked Fay that evening ; 
 " you were so bright this morning, and now you are all out 
 of spirits." 
 
 " Am I?" and he tried to laugh. " I believe I have a 
 little dull headache. I am not very companionable, so I 
 think I will take a stroll out of doors." 
 
 There was but one place to stroll, one face that he cared 
 to see. Up the avenue a little way, across the lawn, as 
 near the house as he dared, until he learned where the family 
 were sitting. That was on the wide porch, in the sort of 
 yellow twilight made by the lamp within. He heard her 
 voice, gay, sweet, contented. Why did she not have 
 some presentiment? Could she not see that he cared, 
 that it was everything to him ? 
 
 How foolish ! How could she know until he told her, 
 unless she was a coquette, trying her arts ? and that -Kathie 
 Alston was not. A word would explain it all, make his 
 longing dream a reality. Why should he not dare his fate 
 win or lose it all ? But oh, he could not lose ! 
 
 Charlie Darrell was there, and it would be no real pleas- 
 ure to join them, though, like most of the young people in 
 Brookside, he had grown very fond of dropping in where
 
 WHOM KATHIE MAERIED. 107 
 
 he was always made welcome. No, he would steal back 
 again and bide his time. To-morrow, perhaps, or some day 
 soon. He could not wait with the great risk of losing. 
 
 But Kathie seemed engrossed every day and hour. He 
 haunted the house ; she was either at the Darrells' or 
 there were visitors. The two rode out together ; and when 
 Eugene caught sight of them, his heart dropped like lead, 
 and a shudder ran over him. 
 
 But at last his rival went away, lingering over the sec- 
 ond Sunday, and keeping her so engrossed that she had 
 not once called on his sisters. To be sure, there were 
 committees and plans for the picnic, but she need n't 
 spend all the rest of the time at the Darrells'. 
 
 Indeed, Charlie, with the languor of semi-indisposition, 
 and his head full of Greek translations, church histories, 
 essays, and poems, to which Kathie must listen and dis- 
 cuss and reason out with him, did claim a good deal of 
 her time. It was such a pleasure to have her there just as 
 she used to be in Jessie's reign, but not sharing her with 
 brother Edward, or have him deciding on her ways and 
 plans. 
 
 Yet he said, "What time will you come to-morrow?" 
 or, " Come over in the afternoon, and when we get through 
 with study we will go for a drive, and then I '11 take tea at 
 your house, and we '11 get Uncle Robert to go over the 
 Greek, or judge of the merits of this translation." She 
 slipped so easily into all the arrangements. They were 
 such good comrades, students, friends. 
 
 " You quite forget," said his mother, " that Kathie Al- 
 ston is a charming 3*oung lady, and that the young men 
 are all anxious to do her honor. Studious readings and 
 scientific discussions may not have the charm for her that 
 they have for you." 
 
 Charlie glanced up suddenly, and though his eyes rested 
 on his mother, his thoughts did not go with them, but 
 beyond.
 
 108 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Why, mother," he returned, "you must see that Kathie 
 is different from other girls, and doesn't " There 
 was a long pause, rather curious to himself, even. " If 
 she showed in the slightest that any subject wearied her, I 
 should drop it in a moment. I couldn't bore any one." 
 
 " You think she would show it?" And a sweet, motherly 
 smile shone in her eyes. 
 
 " Kathie is the soul of truth and honor. She would not 
 assume an interest she did not feel. And she brings such 
 a fresh, inspiriting vigor ; her views are clear and crisp, 
 and she has a good deal of critical knowledge. Not one 
 girl in fifty gets such splendid training. I do think, 
 mother, her soul is the larger for having been so much 
 with men of the grander stamp. She never seems to think 
 of her dress and her hair, and if her dimple shows to the 
 best advantage, or her smiles are properly fascinating. She 
 enjoys everything so much, and she brings such a zest to 
 work, finding all the attractive points. She is like a glow- 
 ing spring morning, and freshens }-ou up in ever}* pulse. 
 Why, I believe she has put more new ideas in my head 
 than I should have thought of in a month at the seminary ; 
 and my headaches have quite vanished. As for honoring 
 her," and his eyes kindled with pride, "I have always 
 done that, and Kathie knows it. If other young men " 
 
 Charlie walked over to the window. He had never con- 
 sidered other young men before. Kathie had in a sense 
 belonged to them ever since the da}- so long ago, when 
 Jessie had taken her and Aunt Ruth out in the sleigh. 
 They had just grown on and on into youth, keeping the 
 fine and pure regard untarnished ; but other young men 
 might begin at youth and go on to something warmer than 
 friendship. A sudden flash of remembrance disclosed a 
 vivid picture, Eugene Collamore, in all the frank allure- 
 ment of a cultured and attractive manhood, sitting in 
 Kathie's pony carriage and holding the reins, almost 
 with an air of ownership. It was like a sudden plunge 
 into an ice-cold river.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 109 
 
 He turned with a nervous laugh, and did not meet his 
 mother's wondering eyes. 
 
 " Other young men are not born blind, I suppose, and 
 they will see that Kathie is attractive ; but the old friends 
 have the strongest hold, I think." And he sauntered out of 
 the room. 
 
 He had felt quite certain of returning on Saturday, but 
 he waited until Monday morning. Would young Collamore 
 be likely to attract Kathie ? It was a sort of mental prob- 
 lem that had to be solved outside of ordinary rules. There 
 was family and position, and wealth, no doubt, but was 
 the vital, underlying strength sufficiently apparent in his 
 nature to influence a girl like Kathie, who had, as he told 
 his mother, been the companion of men? Uncle Robert 
 certainly was clear e3 T ed : he would not let her fall into a 
 mistake ; and Kathie had no need to think of the future 
 in the sense of providing for it. They would not want to 
 give her up at Cedarwood. Yes, she was safe for the 
 present. 
 
 Yet in less than a week Charlie Darrell had a new and 
 uneasy feeling about her. Never before had the tranquillity 
 of his regard been stirred. He was to finish his studies, to 
 be ordained to his high and sacred calling with Kathie's 
 clear reverent eyes upon him. Farther than that he had 
 never gone ; but out on that boundless sea stretched a 
 man's life, with its wants and needs and dreams. 
 
 Sometimes a word or an incident changes the whole 
 tenor of a girl's thoughts and carries her swiftly to the 
 shore of womanhood. To a young man accustomed to 
 sisters and real friends among those of his own age, as 
 sudden an awakening may befall, the time when the friend 
 must be something more, or a new ideal is set in her 
 place. In this instance it was the something more. He 
 said to himself in his tender, poetical wa}~, " Here, by 
 God's grace, is the one soul for me " ; and then resolved 
 with an almost awesome reverence to win her for the
 
 110 WHOM KATHEE MARRIED. 
 
 life here ; and what should part them in the life to 
 come? He laid it up with a certain large awaiting, as 
 one of the best gifts of a heavenly Father, the thing that 
 was almost certain. He would not allow jealousy to creep 
 in and distract him. First, his duty was to be to his God, 
 whose faithful servant he was vowed to his life's end, and 
 then all these things were to be added. 
 
 But no such high and pure faith sustained Eugene Colla- 
 more. He had the love and jealousy, the hope and despair, 
 the madness, of a very honest, earnest, first regard. He 
 had not flirted with girls to any extent only in the happy 
 idleness when one gives and takes of the outward sur- 
 roundings rather than the inward heart. And he had 
 passed a very miserable week, losing both appetite and 
 sleep. His mother believed him to be on the verge of 
 illness. The girls were puzzled when they thought of it, 
 but rather busy ; and he kept pretty well out of the way. 
 
 The picnic party was to meet at the Home, and the 
 children to march in a procession for about a mile, part of 
 the way through the new end of Cedarwood Avenue, to a 
 pretty clearing in the strip of wood that still remained. 
 It was the loveliest of days in early June, and the children 
 were wild with delight. The ladies of the committee and 
 the teachers were to accompany them and spend part 
 of the day in various entertainments. There was to be a 
 simple lunch at noon, and a supper at four, quite in reg- 
 ular order, and the return home shortly after. By a sort 
 of tacit understanding, friends would be welcomed at the 
 close of the feast. 
 
 " When we are fagged out and have lost our freshness," 
 appended Georgie Halford. 
 
 Some of the mothers came too, with a baby in their 
 arms, pleased to see their little ones made much of, and 
 out on a holiday belonging to their very selves, not shreds 
 and fragments of some other pleasure. They sang their 
 pretty, joyous carols, they marched in a circle, and then, 
 sat down to the abundant table.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. Ill 
 
 The young men began to stroll in presently, those who 
 could get off for an hour or two. There was some merry 
 jesting and serving, not quite to the manner born ; and 
 some of them awkwardly helped afterward in the clearing- 
 up. The wagon came for the luggage, the children formed 
 again in a procession ; there was a vote of thanks and much 
 cheering, and the day's delight was relegated to remem- 
 brance, to be enjoyed over and over again by the little 
 ones. 
 
 ' ' There is no use of our strolling through the town like 
 a baud of gypsies, " said Georgie Halford, who had an 
 admirer at her elbow. " Let us walk down the river road : 
 it will be nearer for all. " 
 
 "Excellent," declared half a dozen voices. 
 
 They paired off. Louise Collamore accepted an escort, 
 and Fay, after a moment's wavering, joined her. Why it 
 was she did not walk with Kathie and Eugene she could 
 hardty tell ; an intangible sign of preference in her broth- 
 er's face and manner as he gathered up Kathie's parasol 
 and pretty straw satchel with its blue ribbons, and slipped 
 her hand through his arm. Somehow they always offered 
 Kathie their choicest. 
 
 Eugene loitered behind. Kathie had been very busy 
 and helpful all day, quite like old times, and yet she was 
 as daintily fresh, with no sign of fatigue, as if the day had 
 just begun. 
 
 Over on the little winding river the sun twinkled ; out 
 on the lake it lay in a quivering sheet, full of translucent 
 purples and greens, with a shimmer of gold. There was 
 a fragrance in the trees overhead and in the turf under 
 their feet. Here a wood-robin sang, and one over beyond 
 answered. There was such a sense of richness, fulness, 
 and life everywhere, that Kathie drew long breaths of con- 
 tent. 
 
 She glanced at Eugene, so unusually quiet, for ordina- 
 rily he was of the gay order of young men, always ready
 
 212 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 to take his share in amusing and being amused. There 
 was a little shadow under his eyes, and his face had a 
 tense, set expression ; the laughing lips compressed, the 
 eyes glancing straight ahead, as if confronting some vis- 
 ion in the glowing }-et softened air. 
 
 The motion she made, slight as it was, roused him from 
 his revery. All day he had been dreaming over oppor- 
 tunity, and now it had come, to find him nei-vous and illy 
 prepared. 
 
 " Engene," she said softh r , " something troubles you." 
 
 "Yes." His voice was husky, and he made quite a 
 pretence of clearing it. " Kathie, did 3*ou ever suppose 
 do you think any one might be unhappy about you ? " 
 
 " Unhappy about me?" There was a touch of incre- 
 dulity in the very sympathetic tone of her voice. " Why 
 should any one be?" as if not sure the thing was possible. 
 
 " But one might be. Can't you understand, Kathie?" 
 The dream girl of Eugene's love was to respond at a word, 
 and he seemed to himself, at that moment, like one on a 
 wide and lonely sea. 
 
 " What have I done ? " pausing suddenly. 
 
 *' You have made me love you ; love you till I can think 
 of nothing else ; till I long for you day and night, and am 
 jealous if any one comes near you " ; his voice deep with 
 boyish earnestness, and his face scarlet, his eyes shining 
 almost to tears. 
 
 " Oh ! " She faced him and saw all this, then she turned 
 her eyes toward the rippling water. The robin's song 
 smote her ear, the summer air seemed harsh upon her 
 cheek. 
 
 "Kathie, I love you so much, so much," lingering over 
 it as if it were sweet to say. " I know we are both young, 
 but they, mother and the girls, would be delighted ; and 
 father will take me in the business, so I have something 
 to offer you. And my whole life, with all its aims, its 
 truth, its devotion, is yours. We could be so happy ! "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIEP. 113 
 
 It seemed to Kathie at first as if her lips were paralyzed, 
 and would never move again. She shrank a littJe awaj', 
 and he saw the motion. Holding out his hands he cried 
 beseechingly, " Kathie, Kathie ! " and would have come, 
 would have taken her. 
 
 ' ' Don't ! " she cried in a piteous tone of regret. O Eu- 
 gene ! why did you care for me so? I thought we were 
 only friends." 
 
 " You see it now. You know how, in what manner, 1 
 care for you. I shall always care just the same. I will wait. 
 Kathie, you can learn to love me. Oh, say you will try ! " 
 
 He seemed to put so much of his soul in the pleading, 
 broken as the sentences were, that Katbie scarcely knew 
 how to answer, bewildered by his evident pain, and a 
 sense of something like remorse that she had so misled 
 him, even innocently. 
 
 " Oh," she said, and her voice sounded as if a sob was 
 back of it, " we cannot, ought not try, in such matters. I 
 want to tell just the truth. I do like you very much, and 
 it seemed to me we were pleasant and true friends. I did 
 not mean to lead you to think of me in an}* other light. 
 I did not dream it was possible." 
 
 " You love some one else." 
 
 " No, I do not love any one in that way" ; and she 
 raised her clear, frank eyes to his. " I do not think I 
 understand just what such a feeling can be. I have never 
 speculated about it " ; and her voice sank to a tremulous 
 sadness. " You see, I have been quite a little girl all 
 along." 
 
 " Then you will let me wait " ; and he raised his head 
 with a joyful manliness, as if he had found a sure place 
 on which to trust his regard. '* I won't ask you to be en- 
 gaged. All shall be as it was before, only " 
 
 Oh, what was she to do? How could she make him 
 understand that she should never want his love? It 
 seemed so cold and cruel.
 
 114 WHOM 
 
 KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " No, it is better not. Let us try to forget it all. I 
 cannot explain it very well, only I don't want you pained 
 by any waiting in vain. You see I should feel all the time 
 as if I ought to be trying " 
 
 " You might, for my sake ; and if you could not, then " 
 
 * ' Let us go on " ; and she turned back to the trodden 
 path. " I suppose I have been very wrong somewhere, lead- 
 ing you to love me, when I " 
 
 " No, you have never been wrong." He would not 
 have her blame herself any sooner than he would listen to 
 any other person's censure of her. " You cannot help 
 being the sweetest and dearest and most attractive of girls. 
 Everything you do is just right. I mean one would not 
 have 3 r ou changed in any way ; and," with some warmth, 
 *' do you suppose everybod}^ is going to be blind always? 
 Other people will love you as well as I." 
 
 " Oh, I hope not" ; and she shivered. " I do not want 
 any other life for a long while to come. I don't under- 
 stand it. It seems like going out of the safe, pleasant 
 places, and I do not want to go." 
 
 That struck home innocently. He turned too, she was 
 a little ahead of him in the path, and walked slowly be- 
 side her. For some moments there was silence. 
 
 Presently he began : 
 
 ' ' I suppose I blundered about it. I have not made you 
 feel as if I was strong and reliant, and you could trust me 
 for all time. I have not even made you understand how 
 much it was and is to me." 
 
 "It is not that." She was crying a little now, just 
 quietly, the tears dropping from her long lashes. " Can't 
 you feel sure, Eugene, that if I wanted any happiness 
 outside of my own home I should be brave enough and 
 true enough to take it when it was offered? And if I 
 wanted it I should know just what it was." 
 
 They were silent again. He could not reason it out. 
 Kathie's exceeding honesty blunted his endeavor in some
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 115 
 
 intangible way. He could only think how much he loved 
 her, and wonder why she would not try to love him. 
 
 They came to the drive leading around the lawn to the 
 house. She held out her hand for her small belongings. 
 He gave them to her, but kept on beside her to the very 
 step. 
 
 " Good night." She could not give him any word of 
 comfort that would not be a word of hope as well, yet her 
 heart ached to see him so sad. 
 
 "I shall think of you all the time : I cannot help it." 
 
 He walked slowly down to the street. She ran up to 
 her own room, threw off her hat, and, dropping on the bed, 
 all her courage seemed to forsake her. She could not 
 even cry. Two or three dry sobs shook her frame, and 
 then she put her hands over her eyes as if to shut out 
 everything. Oh, if Eugene had not made them both mis- 
 erable !
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 SHE Crttf not go down when the supper bell rang, for she 
 could not see any one just then. There was a strangely 
 guilty feeling at her heart as the words rang through her 
 ears, "You have made me love you!" What had she 
 done to bring about such a result? They were not on the 
 same terms as well Bruce and she, or Charlie and she. 
 It was a mystery she could not fathom. 
 
 " Miss Kathie, your uncle sent me up to see if you would 
 not have a cup of tea," said Jane, pausing in the open 
 doorway. 
 
 " Where is mamma? " 
 
 " Gone out to tea. Mr. Conover is down there all alone, 
 for Freddy is at the Archers'." 
 
 " Tell Uncle Robert that I don't want any tea, but that 
 I am coming down to the library presently, when I am a 
 little rested." 
 
 For she must have the matter settled. She must know 
 where she had been to blame. She could not go on being 
 sweet and attractive and ever}-thing making people care, 
 and being so surprised if they did. There was a safeguard, 
 an armor, that she must put on. 
 
 The lamp was burning low on the centre table as she 
 entered the room, sweet with the dew and honeysuckle, and 
 the breath of roses. 
 
 "You have tired yourself out." Uncle Robert crossed 
 the room to meet her, and, sheltering her with his arm, 
 drew her near him, as they both seated themselves on 
 the tete-d-tete.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 117 
 
 " No, it is not fatigue." Her voice was not quite steady. 
 
 " You are very pale." But as he looked she flushed 
 deeply. 
 
 " Uncle Robert, will you tell me just what you consider 
 a coquette ? " she asked. 
 
 " Why, a woman who tries to win a man's heart, who 
 makes a bid for his admiration, or who leads him to sup- 
 pose she cares for him when she really does not. I 
 might give you a more critical analysis." And he smiled. 
 
 "But if she did not try, if she did not even suspect 
 that he cared." 
 
 ' ' It has been the misfortune of some very fine and noble 
 women to inspire a regard they could not return. Some- 
 times a better happening awaited them when the mistake 
 was overlived, and both came to see clearer. But what 
 has put all this into your head ? " 
 
 " You think it ought not be there. I am more sorry 
 than I can tell that it should have come to me. UncleRob- 
 ert, I think I ought to tell you or mamma and she will 
 not be home until quite late, so it must be to you that 
 some one cares for me, and wanted me to be engaged." 
 Further she could not go, even in her thought. 
 
 " Some one? Kathie, when did it happen?" 
 
 " A little while ago, walking home from the picnic " 
 
 She hung her head with a child's diffidence, but he no- 
 ticed her quick-coming breath, her evident agitation. 
 
 " Oh, I can guess. Eugene Collamore." 
 
 " Do you think, Uncle Robert " 
 
 "My dear Kathie," he wanted to smile, but he would 
 not have wounded her tender heart for the world, "do 
 not distress yourself so deeply over it. I am extremely 
 sorry it should have happened ; and Kugene is nothing but 
 a boy with a first fancy. Such things will occur occasion- 
 ally. What did you say?" 
 
 " I was so surprised, and But I do not love him, and 
 I tried to make him see, to understand. I don't want to
 
 118 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 marry any one. I don't want any real lovers, but just 
 you." 
 
 He pressed her closely to his heart and kissed the dewy 
 lips that were tremulous with nervous excitement. After 
 all, it was a serious matter to her. 
 
 " Tell me all about it. What led to such a talk?" 
 
 " Nothing. We had fallen behind the others, and he 
 suddenly began. He said I had made him love me, and 
 that he was very unhappy. I like him ever so much, and 
 we have had such pleasant times ; but I never tried, be- 
 cause, truly, I never thought about it. He seems to me 
 like Charlie and Dick and the other boys." 
 
 " And he really asked you to be engaged? " To Uncle 
 Robert there was a startling audacity in the young lover. 
 
 "Yes. He said they would all be so glad at home ; and 
 oh, what will they think of me now? " 
 
 " He did not say he had told them? " 
 
 " No. But oh, Uncle Robert, I can almost feel now 
 that Fay does suspect " ; and Kathie's face crimsoned to its 
 utmost capacity. " Will they think I ought to " 
 
 " They will have to think as they please, whether justly 
 or unjustly. Since you do not care about the young man's 
 love, the point is settled. He is too immature to know his 
 own mind for manhood, and at his time of life love is 
 merely ' blind contact,' not the stern necessity of loving. 
 Any sweet, amiable, 3 T oung girl with whom he was thrown 
 a great deal would attract him." 
 
 " I wish it had been some one else," said Kathie with 
 a sigh of regret. 
 
 Uncle Robert experienced a sudden check to his reason- 
 ing. There had been other girls. Georgie Halford, Rose 
 Gordon, and several who had come before Kathie, and who 
 were alike charming. 
 
 " My little girl, it is an unfortunate thing, but I hold 
 you absolved from any real intention to lure him on to this 
 step."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 119 
 
 " O Uncle Eobert," she cried, "you couldn't think 
 that of me." 
 
 " I have just said I did not," he answered gravely. 
 " Doubtless he believes now that he never can see any 
 charms in another girl, or in the whole world ; but he will 
 get over this desperate state, and when he finds you are hi 
 earnest he will accept the fact." 
 
 "But what must I do? He said, the very last of all, 
 just here at the step, he should think of me all the tune." 
 
 " You must go on the same as before, or nearly so ; 
 and you must not allow yourself to be drawn into too deep 
 a sympathy for his pain. He will suffer, poor lad ; and our 
 griefs and disappointments are as hard to bear then as at 
 any later period, for in the after-sorrows we have more 
 wisdom and endurance. I hope he will keep his own 
 counsel. And Kathie, the wisest and finest of women 
 learn to refuse their lovers beforehand, to show them such 
 a thing could never be." 
 
 "But I don't see how, when they do not know them- 
 selves what will be said. I hope never again to have any 
 to refuse." 
 
 He smiled to himself: she was still a very child at 
 heart. 
 
 " "Well, the experience has come unsought, and your 
 eyes are opened. I think you will understand it another 
 time, though it may not always save you ; and now do 
 not worry. Time is the great rectifier of such mistakes. 
 I cannot have you made ill for the sake of any young 
 man." 
 
 ' ' Mamma ought to know ? " Kathie uttered it inquir- 
 ingly. 
 
 " Yes ; I think I will have a little talk with her first." 
 
 " Oh, thank you ! Not that I am afraid, only I don't 
 want to talk about it any more : it seems such a puzzle." 
 
 " Well, so I think I will dismiss you to bed : that is the 
 best place for tired nerves. Sleep awa} r your trouble, my 
 little darling." And her kissed her tenderly.
 
 120 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 He had treated the matter lightly because he did not 
 want to deepen the impression she had already received ; 
 but he paced the floor softly now in an unquiet mood. 
 When a man comes to middle life it is difficult to realize 
 that the girl you have petted and tutored and kept free from 
 care is a child no longer. He was a little provoked and a 
 little saddened. The days of change were coming on so 
 swiftly, days of separation perhaps ; days when impor- 
 tant decisions must be made on which would hang the hap- 
 piness of a lifetime. Was she prepared to meet them? 
 
 Kathie uttered a reverent prayer and soon fell asleep. 
 The matter had not touched her with any keen, self-abid- 
 ing pain. She was grieved, sorry for him ; but she had 
 no glimpse of possibilities in it for herself. 
 
 As for Eugene, he went home feeling that he had pleaded 
 his cause very badly indeed. He would fain have absented 
 himself from the supper- table, but a certain consciousness 
 forbade it. 
 
 " One can't eat after all that feasting," he said carelessly 
 toying with his fork. " I suppose it went off satisfacto- 
 rily?" nodding to Louise. 
 
 " To the children. Poor things, life with them is not a 
 continual holiday ; but they have had a grand one to-day. 
 Papa, Mr. Hunsdon came over. He was asking about 
 library stock whether it was all taken, and thought he 
 would call and see } r ou some evening." 
 
 " I shall be glad to have a talk with him. Hunsdon is 
 a man I would like to get interested. Why, there must 
 have been quite a gathering ! I suppose Miss Oldham was 
 as happy as any of her children." 
 
 " Indeed she was," returned Fay. 
 
 Eugene was glad to have them get off on these subjects, 
 and when the}' left the table he strolled out on the porch, 
 to nurse his trouble, despair he would not call it }-et. He 
 would wait so patiently. They were young, and she said 
 she did not love any one. Then of course she did not care
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 121 
 
 tor Charlie Darrell in that way, either. It was a comfort 
 to him, and yet 
 
 A long time afterward there was a step beside him 
 and a soft hand laid on his shoulder. He knew it was Fay, 
 and he pressed his lips to the tender fingers. 
 
 "Eugene!" She stooped and clasped her arms about 
 his neck with so sweet a sympathy that it brought tears to 
 his eyes. He had not meant to betray his sorrow to any 
 one, but it was his first grief and hard to bear. "Kathie," 
 she whispered, just under her breath. 
 
 " O Fay, don't think me a baby, but I must tell you. 
 Did you guess I cared for her? No, that isn't the word ; 
 I love her, and I was jealous and miserable, and I 
 could n't help speaking. But " 
 
 "There is some one else. They have always been to- 
 gether." 
 
 "Oh, no, it is not that ! She doesn't love any one; 
 she told me so frankly ; and she has a curious shrinking 
 from all these things. That is my great comfort. And I 
 am glad now that I did speak, for it will stay in her mind. 
 O Fay, I would wait a lifetime for her ! " 
 
 Fay kissed him, but her heart was full of sadness. 
 
 " She knows we all love her, and that I do mean to 
 wait. Of course we are both j'ouug, and she is so inno- 
 cent. I believe she does n't really understand. Some 
 time it will come to her." 
 
 "O Eugene, I am afraid " How could she shatter 
 his dream ? Some womanly prescience seemed to forbid 
 all hope if Kathie had answered. 
 
 " Fay, I think you might find out a little for me ; you 
 see so much of her. You need not really ask her anything, 
 you know, but girls can judge each other more truly, I 
 think. And if you could impress her with the certainty 
 that I should wait always, that I should never love any 
 one else " 
 
 His tone was so beseeching that it pained her keenly,
 
 122 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 If there was anything she could learn to comfort him. Il 
 was that he longed for now ; he was not able to face with 
 any kind of calm or reasonable judgment the emotions he 
 took for unchanging verities, and that were in themselves 
 honest convictions. Many a love has grown and strength- 
 ened on this soil, and become a worthy passion. 
 
 " You will try, Fay? And you must go on just as be- 
 fore. I don't want our nice social times spoiled. I don't 
 want any one to feel hard toward her," he explained, 
 with a lover's loyalty. " She isn't to blame, you know. 
 She has been friendly, and all that, not holding out a real 
 hope, or I should not have asked so soon." 
 
 " That puzzles me a little," Fay answered softly. " If 
 you saw no hope " 
 
 " You must understand that she wasn't thinking about 
 such a thing, and how could she know I was, until I told 
 her? I wanted a chance before she began to care for any 
 one else ; for she really does n't love any one." 
 
 Fay sighed. She did not feel angry with Kathie, but to 
 her the case looked quite hopeless ; and she upbraided fate, 
 not knowing where else to lay the blame, that it should 
 have tossed Eugene's heart to the feet of a girl who had so 
 much love on every side that she could hardly esteem it a 
 treasure. 
 
 " I will do my best, but oh, Eugene, if nothing should 
 come of it ! " 
 
 " There must, some time," in a confident tone. 
 
 " Children," exclaimed their mother as she sauntered out 
 on the piazza, " are you not tired? Fay must be, I know ; 
 it has been an engrossing day for her. Louise has already 
 retired." 
 
 It was a gentle reminder, and not unwelcome to Fay. 
 Eugene was not in a state to be strengthened against his 
 own wishes. She breathed a lingering good night and 
 slipped away. 
 
 Kathie wondered the next morning how she should ever
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 123 
 
 meet any of the Collamores. Fate ordained that she should 
 not be kept long in suspense. 
 
 She drove in town with Uncle Robert to visit the library. 
 Just as he was handing her out of the phaeton, Mrs. Col- 
 lanaore and Fay crossed the street. 
 
 "Are you going in to inspect the pictures?" inquired 
 the elder lady. " Mr. Collamore told us they were hung 
 yesterday. I am sure we are delighted to meet you." And 
 she smiled winningly. 
 
 Kathie flushed with uncomfortable recollections. She 
 felt, by some intuitive process, that Fay knew her secret. 
 
 The library building was quite an ornament to Brook- 
 side. There was a handsome, wide entrance, and a hall for 
 concerts and lectures on the lower floor, while the library 
 and reading-rooms were above. A very fair collection of 
 books lined the shelves, and the arched windows, with 
 stained-glass borders, gave it a rather antique effect. The 
 long alcoves at either end were fitted up as reading-rooms, 
 the tables filled with magazines and pamphlets, and the 
 arm-chairs standing around with an aspect of ease and 
 leisure. 
 
 In one of these alcoves the pictures had been hung. 
 Quite a choice collection of steel engravings and photo- 
 graphs, some fine portraits, and a few oil paintings. 
 
 " I suppose you saw so many galleries abroad that this 
 shall I call it humble effort ? will hardly be a treat," 
 said Mrs. Collamore, addressing Kathie. " I miss the city 
 so much in this respect ; still we have the beautiful, ever- 
 varying world without. 
 
 " I do not believe my being abroad spoiled me for any 
 true enjoyment," the young girl answered quickly. " And 
 then," with a rather arch smile, " I am not a trained critic : 
 the little things please me as well as the great ones." 
 
 " I am glad to have this place started here, and I hope 
 the young people will improve it. I like to have them 
 interested in something above the mere pleasures of youth.
 
 124 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 It is laj'ing a foundation for something that you can enjoy 
 in after }'ears, when dancing and lawn-tennis pall." 
 
 There was a soft rustle on the stairs and Mrs. Adams 
 joined the party. Mr. Conover came forward to speak to 
 her, and the three elders formed a group. Fay went to 
 view a photograph of statuary, and as Kathie stood alone, 
 her cheeks grew hot and her pulses throbbed with a sense 
 of guiltiness. It was so unusual for them to keep apart, 
 she was afraid Mrs. Collamore would remark it. 
 
 Could she go over to Fay? She made an effort, but her 
 very step seemed to protest. 
 
 Fay acknowledged her presence with a little inclination 
 of the head, then began to talk in the rapid way people 
 often use to shelter an embarrassment. 
 
 " I heard Mrs. Langdon was to send a picture of her 
 very own. When she comes home I am afraid I shall be 
 ashamed of my small efforts ; only," with a nervous laugh, 
 " they interest me and do not bore any one else, as I do 
 not insist upon being admired." 
 
 "You will find an admirer in Mrs. Langdon I am sure, 
 and you need never feel afraid." 
 
 Then their eyes met. There was a subtle consciousness, 
 that could not be hidden by commonplaces. All the hon- 
 esty in Kathie's soul rose to the surface. She could not 
 afford to be misjudged. Reaching out, she clasped the soft 
 fingers in hers, and with a tremulous whisper, whose very 
 tone entreated, murmured her plea. 
 
 "O Fay, I am so sorry anything should happen when 
 we were such good friends ! Are you angry ? " For Fay's 
 coldness was a new experience. " He told you " 
 
 " He was very unhappy, and sisters can divine changes, 
 and regret " 
 
 " Do you believe, Fay, that I would have won his regard 
 purposely ? I never dreamed of such a thing." And Kathie's 
 cheeks glowed while her eyes were humid. "And," timidly, 
 " I should like you to know just how I do feel. I cannot 
 bear to deceive or hold out any false hope "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 125 
 
 " I knew it would be so ; and we all love you so much, 
 Kathie." 
 
 There was a mournful half-reproach in the tone. 
 
 " I know." The tears overflowed Kathie's eyes now 
 and beaded the long, dark lashes. " That makes it seem 
 so much worse. I want to be true and honest. You 
 would not have me give a half-promise that I could not 
 keep?" 
 
 Fay mentally berated herself for being so poor a cham- 
 pion. She was not trying at all. It was a miserable, 
 hopeless case ; and yet Kathie was so sweet. She did 
 covet her for Eugene, for them all. 
 
 Kathie wanted to fling her arms around Fay's neck and 
 cry, but she steadied her voice with a great effort 
 
 " Since I have given the offence," she said, "you must 
 decide the rest. I should be sorry to make any change, 
 but I know this hurts you as well 'as Eugene, and if you 
 would like me to keep quite away " 
 
 " No, don't let it make any trouble or break between 
 us"; and Fay seized Kathie's hand. "They would all 
 know something had happened. I think Eugene will get 
 over it, and realize that if you could not love him it was 
 more honorable to sa} r so at first, only it must be very 
 hard, when you love any one." And Fay's Madonna face 
 was pitifully sympathetic. 
 
 "It is very hard to refuse, as well. If it could be un- 
 said ; and if we were only on the safe ground of friend- 
 ship, since I care so much for you all." 
 
 Fay began to realize that the pain had not all been on 
 Eugene's side. Kathie had a tender, generous heart ; she 
 could even imagine her giving the best of herself to 
 save another pain. With her utmost endeavor she must 
 still be impartial, understand intuitively that a space of 
 this kind could not be bridged over. 
 
 " Let us go on as before," she made answer. " I 
 cannot give up my friend, and the explanation would be
 
 126 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 extremely awkward. No one will understand just what 
 has occurred except Eugene and you and I." 
 
 " Thank you," Kathie made answer gratefully. 
 
 " WeH, young ladies, have you settled the merits and 
 demerits?" asked Mrs. Adams, in her bright, friendly 
 tone. " I think it quite a beginning. Miss Fay, yon 
 ought to send one of your flower pieces ; and Miss Kathie 
 does a little in that line. We can afford to encourage 
 native artists, as we have no picture galleries or bric-a- 
 brac shops. And your audiences will be rather plain, un- 
 critical people, who will delight in a rose if it looks like its 
 sister rose in our gardens. Kathie, we have just had a 
 letter from Mr. Langdon. They are in Rome again, but 
 rather homesick. We shall see them back presently." And 
 there was a bit of humorous triumph in her tone. 
 
 This monologue gave the girls a chance to recover their 
 equanimity, and the conversation merged into a general 
 talk as they continued their inspection. There were other 
 subjects as well, the picnic, the Orphans' Home, and 
 finally Mrs. Adams declared she had spent a most pleas- 
 ant morning, and must go, begging the girls to come over, 
 as Georgie was complaining of them. 
 
 Mrs. Collamore had a little shopping to do, but said 
 Fay might remain if she chose. 
 
 Fay preferred to accompany her mother, and remem- 
 bered an errand or two. They parted cordially, Mrs. 
 Collamore begging that Kathie would not neglect them. 
 
 Mr. Conover bowed graciously. 
 
 "A rather fortunate rencontre," said he. " The sooner 
 one gets over the awkwardness of such an episode the bet- 
 ter. You and Fay had an explanation, I fancied. I hope 
 the young man has not made it a family matter." 
 
 " Oh, no ! I am not sure but Fay has suspected for some 
 time, and it would have pleased her so," with a bright 
 blush. "But I am very sorry. It is so hard to justify 
 one's self."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 127 
 
 ' ' Do not discuss it any more than you can possibly 
 nelp. I hope Eugene will use a little common-sense in the 
 matter." 
 
 " But it is very hard for him." 
 
 " Be careful of too much pity, my little girl, if you do 
 not intend to love." 
 
 It seemed to Kathie that the sky, heretofore so sunny 
 and enchanting, was being dimmed by shadows.
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 EUGENE COLLAMORE was too manly to carry his heart on 
 his sleeve. He knew that would not be the way to win 
 Kathie's respect, and win her he meant to do. In spite 
 of Fay's gentle admonition, he would not admit discourage- 
 ment, only delay ; and, though both were rather em- 
 barrassed at their first meeting, they were too well-bred to 
 suggest by any marked conduct that a secret was in their 
 keeping. 
 
 As the season went on, gayeties increased. Georgie 
 Halford took the lead in pleasures and was quite a belle. 
 
 Then the word came that Mrs. Meredith had a little 
 daughter. Charlie was very enthusiastic, and Kathie took 
 a trip to the city to shop a little, and be present at the 
 christening. The}' had so many plans to settle. Every- 
 body was coming home, Brookside alwaj's stood for that, 
 Gen. Mackenzie and Aunt Ruth ; and Bruce had ap- 
 plied for leave of absence ; and the Langdons. 
 
 "And if we could have Rob, and Fred Lauriston," said 
 Charlie, " the circle would be complete." 
 
 " We shall try hard for Rob," declared Kathie. 
 
 Some carious change had come over Charlie Darrell. 
 The outer garment of boyishness had dropped off, and he 
 was a man, gentle, deferent, and protecting, but with a 
 strength that seemed to raise him to a finer height. At 
 first it gave Kathie a little feeling of awe, then a touch of 
 fascination. 
 
 One evening, as they were sitting together, she spoke of 
 it. He smiled, while a bright tenderness irradiated his 
 face.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 129 
 
 "The old evolution, Kathie, that St Paul experienced 
 among his many transitions. ' When I became a man, I put 
 away ' or slipped out of childish things, the unreasoning 
 faiths, hopes, beliefs. Something stronger and higher comes 
 to take their place. And when a man has chosen from all 
 the great aims of the world that of a work for God and his 
 fellow- men it does bring with it a more reverent seriousness. 
 A true life of faith and service must make itself felt : the 
 sincere desire to help, even if it be only in one little corner, 
 cannot but ennoble any soul ; and I must try to do my 
 part, not merely taking up what comes to me, but going 
 out to find it." 
 
 " It troubles me sometimes" ; and Kathie glanced up in 
 perplexity. " There is so much living without any direct 
 aim, any appearance of being in earnest. How can we 
 always remember ? And how much is to go to daily mat- 
 ters and pleasures ? " 
 
 His pulses stirred at the sight of the sweet, questioning 
 eyes. Would it be his delight as the years went on to 
 direct them ? 
 
 " There are so many phases of spiritual and material life 
 that seem to clash, that fail to accord with our best thought 
 of it ; and yet God is working through it all ; and as he sifts 
 and winnows it, the golden grains shine out. Even when 
 we do not stop to gather them, they are there, and God 
 builds slowly with them. If we could remember that relis 
 gion was the complete whole, the sum of life, instead of 
 detached fragments, not to be garnered up in one season. 
 We can give always without any lack ; and he accepts the 
 least, the cup of cold water, in his name." 
 
 " You will bring great comfort," she said slowly, won- 
 dering how much she might take to herself. " Good tid- 
 ings of great joy." 
 
 " As if all religion is not this, a great joy here amid 
 all the sorrows and perplexities, but the greatest of all in 
 the other country, where all the mistakes are set straight, 
 9
 
 130 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 all the tangles smoothed out. I think I like best St. Johrfs 
 portion, the religion of peace and comfort, and it shall be 
 my highest endeavor to bring it to the worn and weary." 
 
 " I wish you and Sarah Strong knew each other real 
 well," said Kathie : k 'you are both so in earnest; you 
 both see so many things to do. It will be ' living in the 
 midst.' " 
 
 "And you are not to be crowded out," he re plied, with a 
 sudden heart beat. 
 
 She sighed softly, yet it had no wider meaning than the 
 very words : she was not searching for possibilities. 
 
 But to him it seemed very certain. While she waited 
 all unknowingly the future was shaping itself about her. 
 There was the stir and unrest of the transition period, 
 like the quickening breezes of spring that shake wildly 
 about all the earl} 7 fragrances and leave them to settle 
 later in summer sweetness. When she understood she 
 would take it up reverentty, gladly, just as she had ac- 
 cepted the truths of childhood and translated them into 
 larger language. 
 
 He remembered with a thrill one thing she had said. 
 that he had changed. The few words uttered by his mother 
 in that brief visit home, though with no direct reference to 
 this result, had lain and brooded in his soul until crystal- 
 lized into definite shape. Every day he was coming nearer 
 the measure of a man, the self-knowledge of needs and 
 capacities. He had never lived any part of life alone, but 
 grown up in the centre of a family, with all the assistance 
 and comfort of tenderest home life broadened by the most 
 generous outlook. It was natural to imagine the years 
 going on to the new centre, dearest of all with the other 
 soul in it. He was too refined and too reserved 1 to give it 
 any new name at present, but he lingered over it with the 
 luxury of a gardener tending some strange and choice 
 plant. It had absolutely nothing to do with passion ; and 
 there was no touch of jealousy, no fear of loss, and no 
 unrest.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 131 
 
 By this new knowledge of himself he judged her. He 
 put away the sweet, frank unconsciousness of boy-and-girl 
 friendship, when a caress counts for nothing but the out- 
 come of youthful gladness. She, too, was putting away 
 unknowingly many little things. He had seen it all 
 through the visit, the fine sense of self-appropriation 
 that dawns with womanhood ; the intangible reserve of 
 one's self, holding the sweetness folded instead of scatter- 
 ing it about. He had never remarked these fine and rare 
 delicacies in her before, and took it for a sure sign. Not 
 knowing the other episode, he interpreted the subtle change 
 to mean what was simplest and most easily understood by 
 his own soul. 
 
 " It was such a restful visit," Kathie said afterward to 
 her mother. " There was no company and little going out, 
 except delightful walks with Charlie ; and he is so serene. 
 Carlyle, you know, bids people be thankful who have found 
 their work ; and he has truly. It seems such a grand thing 
 to have such aims constantly before one. As Grandma 
 Darrell says, he does appear ' set apart.'" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 There was a soft, motherly sigh as Mrs. Alston studied 
 her daughter. This tranquil young life had always touched 
 her with a jealous nearness, a kind of coveting, as if she 
 longed to take it in with her own rather turbulent boy. 
 It might come in another way, a sonship and kinship, 
 dear almost as that of birth. 
 
 " I think it the noblest of all callings ; and he is pecul- 
 iarly fitted for it. Being in the fold is the very heart and 
 centre of the work for God and man ; and if one is heav- 
 enly minded there can be no conflicts. It is an every-day 
 preparation for the other world," she continued. 
 
 A rift of softened light fluttered over Kathie's face like 
 a cloud at daybreak. 
 
 " I can't imagine Charlie anything else, unless he were 
 an artist like the old ones whose memory is kept sacred
 
 132 WHOM KATHIE MAKRIED. 
 
 abroad, who painted Christs and Madonnas because their 
 faith and fervor were so real : they never thought of money 
 or fame." 
 
 " A letter for you " ; and Uncle Robert entered the room. 
 
 It was from Sarah. She and Kathie were frequent 
 correspondents in these days. The engagement was not 
 declared as yet, though the marriage was to be early in 
 September. 
 
 " It does n't seem quite true and honest to shelter myself 
 under Cousin Ellen's wing," wrote Sarah; "but it does 
 spare us both the comments and gossip of this small place. 
 It is true that among the women here some one might be 
 better fitted for the position ; but after seeing and know- 
 ing them, he has chosen me. And why then should I 
 shrink from accepting his love and his life, if I do it rev- 
 erently, resolving with God's help to do the best I can? 
 But it is the old, old stxwy, the pulling down instead of 
 building up, the thrusting out instead of gathering in. I 
 realize that Mr. Truesdell will be pitied for not looking 
 higher, and that I shall be treated with a distant toleration, 
 as if I had climbed a social fence and entered a field 
 in which I had no right. There will be plenty of work to do 
 in the church as well as out. I wonder why religion must 
 put on the garb of ungraciousness, for man}' of these peo- 
 ple are really striving to do right in most things. I am 
 afraid too often we make our own religion, instead of tak- 
 ing that of our Saviour. Can I live down the little stings, 
 keep patient and serene, for his sake, and let my life show 
 the manner of soul that is in me ? 
 
 "This train of thought came from a disagreeable com- 
 ment that was made about Mr. Truesdell marrying Cousin 
 Ellen. And he asked me then if I would rather go to 
 some other place and begin my life with him among 
 strangers. It was ver} r kind in him to give me a choice, 
 was it not? What would you have answered? 
 
 "I thought of the time so long ago when the girls
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 133 
 
 laughed at mother, and you stood by your colors. If you 
 had not taken me in hand I should not have been fit for 
 this place, and no voice might ever havo said, ' Friend, 
 come up higher.' Perhaps there was some pride in it, and 
 a touch of belligerency that took away the sense of being 
 hurt and made me brave. 
 
 " ' We will stay here,' I answered, ' until you consider 
 your work done. Since you want me in your life we wiK. 
 not worry about what other people think ought to be in it.' 
 
 " He smiled, and I think he was greatly pleased. ' A 
 man of my habit and temperament,' said he, ' seldom takes 
 a step like this without consideration, though I believe 
 ministers' marriages always provoke criticism. I want 
 your freshness and vigor and strength ; and the comfort of 
 3-0111- love is like a late blossoming to my shady life. Yet 
 even you might do better. When you are in the prime of 
 life I shall be an elderly man. Never think there has 
 been any sacrifice on my part. For myself, I believe what 
 God has equalized in heart and soul and brain can never 
 be subject to petty social distinctions ; but I want you to 
 be happy.' 
 
 " And I am happy. There must always be a between 
 and a higher round. But it seems so narrow and cruel to 
 desire to crowd out your neighbors. O Kathie, are people 
 always fighting their way up ? When will they be made wel- 
 come to a broad and generous level? Do we not truly be- 
 long to the heights we can reach ? If so, no one has a right 
 to pull us down. 
 
 ' ' I think all this has brought us nearer. There must 
 always be a solemn awe to a great and unexpected love ; 
 but I am learning of how much service I can really be to 
 Mr. Truesdell. I am so thankful for my health and energy, 
 and the many things I have learned ; and I shall stand on 
 one of the ' betweens ' with him and stretch out my hands 
 to any one who will come. I have learned this one lesson 
 never to forget."
 
 134 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Kathie read most of the letter aloud. 
 
 " I think it quite too bad and foolish ! " cried Kathie 
 indignantly. " Sarah is really well educated, and a good 
 musician. In many places she would be a noticeable girl ; 
 and I do not believe many women in Middleville are better 
 fitted for a clergyman's wife. It seems very unjust to be 
 compelled to make a fight for respect when one is so worthy 
 of it." 
 
 Mrs. Alston smiled a little. " No doubt there is some 
 jealousy among those who do account themselves worthy 
 of the position," said she. "A minister choosing out of 
 his own congregation seldom fails to stir up strife and 
 envy." 
 
 " Mamma, do you not think it very unworthy of women? 
 Could they thrust another out and put themselves in? 
 What would become of the preference of love? And Sarah 
 is liked ever so much. You would be surprised at the nice 
 invitations she receives. And the Strongs do live pictu- 
 resquely pretty. The children are growing up quiet, and 
 have nice manners, and Mrs. Strong's odd phrases and 
 disregard of grammar have a quaint sound. She tries to 
 please Sarah, too, only she never will be able to under- 
 stand the harmony of colors." And a mirthful smile crossed 
 Kathie's face. 
 
 " I think Sarah will conquer all opposition as time goes 
 on. Mr. Truesdell is a brave man to take what he wants, 
 deliberately, and let others see the suitableness at their 
 pleasure. I am glad the}' have decided to remain and live 
 down silly prejudices, though it seems to me he might 
 have a more congenial place. Uncle Kobert thinks him a 
 very earnest and scholarly man. I almost wonder at his 
 settling in such a little country village." 
 
 " His wife had just died, and I suppose he was full of 
 trouble and grief. Then, mamma, the parsonage is a 
 pretty old house, almost like an English picture, with a 
 garden full of roses, and a great oak-tree right at the gate.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 135 
 
 Sarah will make lovely living there, I know. I really long 
 to see her its mistress." 
 
 Indeed, Kathie was so interested in the new phase of 
 affairs that she drove up to school one afternoon and took 
 Sarah out for a regular girl's confidence. Middle ville was 
 at its best estate. Farm and meadow lands were filled 
 with promising crops, belts of woodland stood up straight 
 and tall in their mingled shades of green, and the distant 
 range of hills told of suggestive hollows and nooks of 
 dream} 7 glory. The faded houses and barns were mel- 
 lowed by shadowy lines and changing reflections, and oc- 
 casionally through an open doorway one saw a bit of in- 
 terior with the homely charm artists love. 
 
 Sarah was bright and joyous, though the day's teaching 
 had not been all smooth sailing ; but her vitality had the 
 force of perfect health, and her employment that of satis- 
 faction. 
 
 " How delightful of you to come ! " she cried. "I am 
 nearly always thinking of you, but I try to remember your 
 many claims, knowing that you cannot divide and subdi- 
 vide yourself, so the farthest must be content with an oc 
 casional ray." 
 
 Kathie studied the uplifted face with its clear, blue eyes, 
 the masses of hair framing it in like an aureola, soft, shin- 
 ing, waving in loose, irregular lines upon the white fore- 
 head. Not a common face, even if it lacked the elements 
 of beauty ; for it had been glorified by the secret of true 
 living, the companionship of broad and generous resolve, 
 taking each day in a firm grasp and extracting whatever 
 sweetness it held, with no fear that there would be a lack 
 to-morrow. 
 
 " How happy you are ! " Kathie exclaimed, impulsively. 
 
 " Yes, I am," with a confident and grateful ring to her 
 voice. " And yet," smilingly, " didn't I write you a lu- 
 gubrious letter? I was afraid afterward that you might 
 think me weak to cry out at the first thorn that pricked."
 
 136 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 "It is a pity, it is unjust, that there should be thorns 
 of that kind," was the firm rejoinder. 
 
 " Yet the thorns may be set as a sign to make one go 
 more carefully. I used to think at first that his life and 
 happiness," with a tender inflection in her tone, " were the 
 great things I had to consider. You see it seemed wonder- 
 ful that he should want me, that he thought me fit for the 
 great highway where he was to walk. When you stand on 
 the top of one peak and look over to the next, the glory 
 touches you, kindles your love and fervor, and you realize 
 that it is going down and coming up again ; and there are 
 so many things to take hold of as you go, blossoms and 
 leaves and gems, maybe, to gather up, and stumbles, and 
 a little roughness, thorns perhaps, but all the time it is 
 going on ; and you never do lose sight of the other great 
 glory, towards which you are pressing. If there were no 
 valleys, there would be no mountain-tops ; and could we 
 always endure the level of the plain ? " 
 
 "You are not afraid of the thorns now?" Kathie 
 asked quickly. 
 
 " I shall be careful of them, but I am tr3 T ing not to be 
 afraid, nor to run into them heedlessly. We all know Mr. 
 Truesdell might have paid more deference to position. I 
 was born here, and ran about an ignorant countoy girl ; but 
 when one fits one's self for something better, and it comes, 
 why should one refuse it? Why should others seek to 
 thrust you out of what you have won ? " and her face 
 flushed with emotion. " When he first asked me, I was 
 surprised and overwhelmed with a strange humility ; and 
 then I think some one might have pushed me aside for 
 very fear. Then he showed me what I had to give, 
 health, energy, and spirit, help everywhere, at home, with 
 the children, keeping a comfortable and restful place. 
 That was partly your teaching. All the days will not be 
 Sundays, even if we are doing God's work. He put the 
 six days between, the six days of trying and the one of 
 rest."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 137 
 
 " O Sarah, you have gone far beyond anything I ever 
 taught you ! " cried Kathie in all humility. 
 
 " With two such teachers I ought to come to compre- 
 hensive knowledge " ; and she smiled with rare sweetness. 
 ' ' At first I felt quite inclined to glorify my Mr. Truesdell. 
 I had never counted on marriage, or speculated about love, 
 so it was very new and strange. It is odd to be asked to 
 stop and rest when one has mapped out one's life as a con- 
 tinual march ; not that we shall loiter very much," smil- 
 ingly, " but we shall be among the wells of water and the 
 trees of palm ; and we have come to this freedom between 
 us, he is to tell me when I go wrong, when I do little 
 things that might hurt or jar, and I am not to be troubled 
 about what others say. I shall have his great love and the 
 comfort he will take for my reward. I shall not go out 
 to meet cares or phantoms, but stay in safe paths with 
 him." 
 
 That was the entire faith of love. How could one be 
 sure of the safe paths ? 
 
 There was a slight bend in the road, and they came out 
 by the parsonage. The little girls were playing tea under 
 a great rose-bush. 
 
 " O Kathie," Sarah began, " I wonder if I shall always 
 be just to the children and not try to crowd them out of 
 their father's heart : they were there before I was." 
 
 " But you do love children, and you have been with them 
 all your life." 
 
 " Yes, I could not teach if I did not love them, for chil- 
 dren are often very tiying ; and some really good women 
 fail of being good step-mothers. I wonder why ? If we 
 take anything else on conditional terms we try to respect 
 the terms. So you see there will be many things to study, 
 and claims to balance within as well as without. They are 
 shy little things, and have never been to school. Their 
 mother was delicate and refined, and I fancy rather proud 
 of position, and all that. It is a pretty old house, is it not?
 
 138 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 and yet it has always seemed a sad place to me, perhaps 
 because I have always connected it with two motherless 
 children. O Kathie, I wonder if I can win them to love 
 me : step-mothers are always looked upon with disfavor ; 
 and they are old enough to know." 
 
 "Love you? They could not help it," cried Kathie, 
 eagerly ; and as she looked at the earnest, glowing face, 
 she felt if she ever needed some one strong and comforting 
 in any great perplexity Sarah would be that friend. 
 
 "You are so generous: do you think me weak with 
 the weakest? " and she gave a bright little laugh. " I shall 
 tire you of myself and love ; but one comfort is that it is 
 new to every one, just as is the dawn, though we see it 
 every day." 
 
 " You could not tire me with anything you might sa} r ; 
 and I am so glad to have you happy. Yet when it comes 
 to one's own self, what a solemn thing it seems, to say 
 what can never be unsaid. If one should make a mis- 
 take." 
 
 She let her thoughts revert a moment to Eugene Colla- 
 more. No ; centuries of waiting could not make love on 
 her part. 
 
 "I suppose one who realizes all the solemnity must 
 have some fear and questioning at first ; but soul answers 
 to soul. You could not receive an unwelcome or inhar- 
 monious guest. It is the peace and the satisfaction that 
 determines whether it rightly belongs to you. And when 
 it comes to you I think you will know. You have been 
 the dearest of friends and confidantes." 
 
 They talked a little of other matters and then lapsed 
 into contented silence, just glancing and smiling at some 
 lovely view, or a bit of bird- song that broke the stillness. 
 And all this had come from one small deed of kindliness : 
 the drawing in instead of the crowding out. Why was 
 she not doing something now, instead of idling away her 
 days in pleasure ? Then she thought of Charlie, and longed
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 139 
 
 for him with that curious sense of loneliness that sometimes 
 pervades the soul. 
 
 They said good by at length, and Kathie turned home- 
 ward. For da}-s afterward she was haunted by a tender 
 gravity, far removed from sadness, yet it seemed to bring 
 her nearer to all who came in contact with her.
 
 CHAPTER XH. 
 
 THE lovely summer day was on the wane. Lengthening 
 shadows, a waft of cooler air, the long-cadenced song of a 
 homeward bird, the tremulous, infrequent chirp of a hidden 
 insect muffled in turfy fragrance were suggestions of com- 
 ing evening. A perfect day, Charlie Darrell had said a 
 dozen times. 
 
 He and Kathie had been spending it together. In the 
 morning there had been a lovely drive ; then after dinner 
 she had swung in a hammock in a shady place, while he, 
 stretched on the grass, recounted the last days of study, 
 the examinations, parting with friends, and the sanguine 
 plans of youth. 
 
 " I always tell you everything," he declared laughingly. 
 ' ' I wonder how I managed to exist while you were away ! 
 My remembrance of it is as a long, lonesome time." 
 
 "Thank you, "gayly. 
 
 Kathie had been letting herself be quite free and joyous 
 this day. For several weeks she had been on guard every 
 moment, for she saw that, although Eugene Collamore 
 held himself bravely, the fire still burned. He tried to be 
 the same to others and chaffed gayly with Georgie Halford ; 
 but when his eyes turned to her, waiting and hoping were 
 written in them. 
 
 A few days before he had started for Canada on some 
 business for his father, accompanied by Fay. Louise had 
 taken a new whim, archaeological studies with Mr. Huns- 
 don. Jessie and the children had come down for the two 
 summer months. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon would be home 
 in August, and Aunt Ruth also.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 141 
 
 " We will not plan to go anywhere," said Kathie to her 
 mother. " I want a lovely old-time summer at home." 
 
 " We must write for Rob," Charlie had declared. 
 " What is he about? It -is always business when he vouch- 
 safes a brief note to me." 
 
 "Poor Rob ! " Kathie had answered with a sigh, though 
 why, she could not have told, as the accounts were all to 
 his credit. 
 
 The letter was sent, and this day the work seemed all 
 done. They had ended their afternoon with a row on the 
 shady side of the lake, that dropped presently into a leis- 
 urely floating. They sang old songs, said over half- for- 
 gotten poems, and drifted into a subtle, mysterious sympa- 
 thy. Kathie let herself rest in pure enjoyment : it was so 
 good to be at peace. 
 
 And now they sauntered up the lawn, she carrying her 
 hat full of fragrant pond -lilies, and Charlie holding her 
 blue-lined parasol over her, that seemed to make a bit of 
 azure sky. Mrs. Alston watched them, so young, so 
 pure, and sweet, and a vague desire ended in a soft sigh. 
 
 Charlie waved his hand gallantly. 
 
 " Come, truants," she said tenderly : " supper is waiting, 
 and I am all alone." 
 
 " Where are Uncle Rob and Freddy?" 
 
 "They have driven over to Deerfield, and will not be 
 home to tea ; and I have heard from Rob, he is almost 
 sure to be here early in August." 
 
 "Oh, how delightful!" and Kathie's eyes sparkled. 
 " It will be quite like the old summer. Now if we can 
 hear from Aunt Ruth and Bruce." 
 
 "History repeating itself," rejoined Charlie; and yet 
 would there be any days as perfect as this ? 
 
 "Run up to Fred's room, for of course we cannot dis- 
 pense with you," said Mrs. Alston laughingly. 
 
 He was so much at home here, and " over at the Dar- 
 rells' " was a second home to Kathie.
 
 142 WHOM KATHIE MAERIED. 
 
 She soon returned, looking cool and sweet in her fresh, 
 white dress. 
 
 " Come down here," said Mrs. Alston to Charlie ; " \et 
 us be sociable, if we are few." 
 
 "How queer it seems to have such a small family ! I 
 shall be all impatience until the rest come. I suppose 
 Bruce has changed." 
 
 "I am not to be crowded out of my place," interrupted 
 Charlie ; " mine is the oldest right." 
 
 "As if we could forget that ! " Kathie turned her soft, 
 clear eyes full upon him, and he felt a rift of color mount 
 his brow. 
 
 Afterward they went out on the wide porch, while the 
 summer twilight faded, and the moon came up amid her 
 golden host. They sang two or three old hymns ; they 
 touched upon past memories, from whose simple begin- 
 nings so much had grown, drawing them nearer in the 
 touches of sympathy and tender joy. 
 
 Somewhere along that mysterious kinship Mrs. Alston 
 said " son." All boys were dear to her through her own ; 
 but Charlie Darrell especially. 
 
 It was not the first time she had called him that, but it 
 came with a new and deep meaning. All day the soft 
 light had moved and stirred his soul, until creation, new 
 living, manifested itself to his thought a tender presence. 
 He reached over and caught her hand. 
 
 " Mother," in the full, deep tone of a great emotion, 
 " why should it not be? Will you give me the real right 
 in the days to come ? I have always loved Kathie ; she 
 is the other part of my new life, its completeness. I had 
 not meant to ask so soon ; but now, now I cannot wait. 
 I want to feel certain of my place in your midst. Kathie ! 
 Kathie ! " 
 
 She sat as one in a dream. ' ' The other part of his life, 
 its completeness." She felt it in some mysterious way, aa 
 one may have visions of second sight.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 143 
 
 " Kathie ! " He drew her gently to his heart, and she 
 felt it beat ; his pure, ardent lips kissed the consciousness 
 of his love into her soul. Was this what the happy day 
 had presaged ? She did not shrink from his tenderness : 
 it seemed natural, right. 
 
 " She loves me ; do you not, my darling? I think we 
 have always loved each other ; so there is no strange sud- 
 denness to make us doubt or question. You will keep her 
 for me, mother, safe and sweet, like a cloistered nun, until 
 we can begin our own life together. God knows how ten- 
 der and careful I shall be of her, how we shall go on our 
 way doing his work all the better that he has given us so 
 much ; and, as he trusts us first of all with the best and 
 choicest of human gifts, love, so we must work to win on 
 every side love for him." 
 
 All the tenderness of Kathie Alston's soul seemed to 
 culminate in the high tide that drifted her toward him. 
 She was not thinking of time nor place. That there was 
 anything singular in this confidence before her mother, first 
 of all, never occurred to her. This was not a miser's 
 treasure to gloat over in her secret soul, but something to 
 be shared ; something she could share, and was glad so to 
 do. 
 
 " You give her to me ? " 
 
 He took Kathie's hand in his and laid both, clasped, 
 in Mrs. Alston's lap. 
 
 " She must give herself, Charlie ; I can only ratify with 
 a mother's love. There is no one with whom I would 
 sooner trust her. Kathie, my darling?" in a soft, persua- 
 sive tone. 
 
 Did she love him? Honestly she thought so. There 
 was no shrinking or reluctance. The life by his side 
 looked so safe, so useful. There would be no perplexing 
 questions of duty, how much for God ; how much for the 
 world. She was in a curious state of exaltation, the 
 emotion that makes one heroic in deed ; and yet she felt
 
 144 WHOM KATIIIE MARRIED. 
 
 exceedingly humble, it was so great and sacred a thing 
 to her. 
 
 " O mamma, if I could be good enough ! " 
 
 " The little violet ! " Charlie laughed in that happy, 
 incredulous gladness. "You are good, Kathie ; you 
 always were, better than the lot of us, way back at 
 school. I think no one could ever be quite good enough 
 for you, when it comes to that, but I shall always try, God 
 helping me, to be grateful for this, his choicest gift. Let 
 this be our betrothal, under the solemn stars." And hi 
 reverent tone was tremulous with happiness. 
 
 There was a silence of many moments, the three hands 
 clasped softly together. Presently he said, 
 
 " I am glad it has come about in just this way. \ have 
 been thinking of it for some time, but I had not meant 
 to speak' so soon. I have another year before ordination, 
 and then I must find a home for my bonnie birdie ; so it 
 must be quite a long engagement. But you know it all, 
 mother : we have no secrets from you." 
 
 " I could not give up my darling on a sudden notice," 
 replied Mrs. Alston, kissing Kathie with all the fervor 
 of a mother's love. " I am glad to have it a long engage- 
 ment : you are both so young ; and time will bring you 
 wisdom to make the life what it should be. I think it 
 best " And she hesitated a moment. 
 
 " Whatever you think best we shall do," Charlie said 
 with tender deference. 
 
 " I think it would be better for both of you not to make 
 any public announcement before another year : you have 
 your studies, Kathie has her home duties and young friends ; 
 and the tendency nowadays is to leave lovers very much 
 to themselves. Let me have her yet this year." 
 
 " We will lock our secret in your safe keeping," he an- 
 swered with a trustful inflection of tone ; " and we will go 
 on just the same as before. We have alwaj's been such 
 friends that no one will question. And as I shall be away
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 145 
 
 another year, I should not want my darling embarrassed 
 by the teasing of careless tongues. It serves to make it 
 more sacred : just our own blessed knowledge." 
 
 The sound of wheels came crunching up the garden 
 walk. Fred's soft voice sounded in a gay little laugh. 
 
 Mrs. Alston rose. They all came back from that 
 enchanting love-land, and the summer night was the more 
 beautiful for their sojourn. 
 
 " Have you had supper?" 
 
 ' ' What ! at this time of night, mother mine ? Why, I 
 should have been brought home a victim in my youth and 
 bloom if I had not been duly fed. What a small con- 
 clave ! Why are not the neighbors sitting round ? The 
 porch looks lonesome, melancholy." 
 
 " If they came you would run away," said Kathie, 
 brightly. " But you don't know the most joyful of all, 
 Rob will be home in August." 
 
 ' ' Have you heard ? " There was such a sense of relief in 
 Uncle Robert's tone. 
 
 From this bit of news they dropped into general conver- 
 sation. Charlie was in no mood for ordinary talk. A 
 sweet, sacred spell enveloped him as a cloud ; he wanted 
 to dream over his great happiness in solitude. He rose 
 presently and wished them a quiet good-night. Kathie 
 rose too ; was it the beginning of a new influence ? She 
 had often walked down to the gate with the boys, but now 
 every pulse quivered with unwonted emotion. 
 
 ' ' O my darling ! Can I ever thank God sufficiently for 
 this great happiness ? " 
 
 "You are quite sure I shall make you happy? " 
 
 She could not consider herself in this rush of tumultuous 
 emotion. Indeed, when she came to think of it long after- 
 ward, she learned that she had not considered herself at all. 
 
 "Sure! O Kathie !" 
 
 The gentle reproach pained her and settled her faith. 
 She would never doubt again. 
 10
 
 146 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " We may not always desire what is best for us, but in 
 this matter I think a man understands the blessedness of 
 getting what he does want. There is nothing more for me 
 to ask. Good night. God and his angels have you in. 
 their keeping." 
 
 When she entered the library, whither her mother and 
 Uncle Robert had gone, there was a blessed content in her 
 face. 
 
 " She is very happy," thought the mother, and was for 
 herself entirely satisfied. Doubt and anxiety were over, 
 and she would keep her darling a while longer. 
 
 Kathie could not sleep ; yet it was no nervous restless- 
 ness that haunted her pillow. She lay quiet and serene, 
 wondering that so great a question should be so simply 
 decided. So brief a while ago she had shrunk from Eu- 
 gene Collamore's pleading and declared that she wanted 
 no change, and now for her the current of life had turned, 
 still without any positive desire on her part. It must be 
 the right thing, or God would not have allowed it to come 
 in this way. A noble and serious life lay before her, with 
 companion, friend, and guide, in the heavenly walk. 
 
 But she slept soundly and late the next morning as the 
 result of her unwonted vigil. After breakfast, when they 
 were alone, Mrs. Alston informed her brother of the engage- 
 ment. 
 
 He was glancing idly out of the window, and for the 
 moment felt strangely disconcerted. 
 
 "You surely do not disapprove?" rendered a trifle 
 uneasy by his silence. 
 
 "I am surprised: Kathie appeared so utterly ignorant 
 Of love a few weeks ago." 
 
 "But it seems to me the most natural thing in the 
 world," replied the mother, with some warmth : " they 
 have always loved each other." 
 
 " And yet engagements rarely grow out of that kind of 
 love."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 147 
 
 "It is best and safest, much to be preferred to these 
 iot-headed, imperious, exhaustive passions, that spend 
 themselves in courtship, and make a barren waste of after- 
 life. They have grown into it ; and when the full time 
 came it declared itself. O Robert, it is such a comfort 
 to give her to some one you can trust thoroughly, our 
 dear, darling child ! To see Kathie unhappy would break 
 my heart." 
 
 "My dear Dora, Kathie's happiness is all I ask; and 
 the lover is suitable in every way ; but it seems sudden.' 
 
 " It is hardly to be called an engagement this year. I 
 could not have Kathie exposed to foolish girl-gossip ; and 
 Charlie quite agreed with me. Another year, when he is. 
 ordained, there will be a regular engagement ; but I am to 
 have her two years longer. 
 
 " I really could not think of her marrying just yet." 
 
 " We shall not have to think about it, or to worry over 
 possible lovers. She will be of suitable age, and will have 
 had a pleasant, happy girlhood ; and, although I am not 
 mercenary, I am glad Charlie will never be entirely depend- 
 ent on his salary. Grandmother Darrell's will is made in 
 his favor." And she paused with a slight flush. 
 
 " Yes, I think it is hard to accustom a girl to all the 
 comforts and refinements of one station and then plunge 
 her into a life of poverty and hardship ; still, it has 
 always been my intention to make some provision for 
 Kathie, if it was needed. She should have had an unbi- 
 assed choice." 
 
 " You are so good and generous, Robert," she an- 
 swered, deeply moved. " But I want you to feel quite sat- 
 isfied " ; lingering on the last word. 
 
 " I hate to think any one has a claim on my little girl. 
 I am a selfish old fellow after all," he made answer, with 
 a half-petulant shrug of the shoulders. 
 
 ' ' It would come some time : marriage and a home is a 
 woman's best and highest destiny, her most satisfying life ;
 
 148 WHOM KATIIIE MARRIED. 
 
 and we do keep her a while. Could we trust any stranger 
 as unhesitatingly as Charlie Darrell ? " 
 
 " So that she is happy, my prayer will be answered," 
 he replied gravely. 
 
 " There is every prospect of it." 
 
 He turned to leave the room, then paused. 
 
 "If you are writing to Ruth to-day, just mention it," 
 he said abruptly ; " but with that exception we will not 
 let it go beyond family walls." 
 
 Was he annoyed? Mrs. Alston wondered. Men often 
 hated to give up their daughters, and Kathie was like a 
 daughter to Uncle Robert. It might be that feeling of 
 tender love that held him from welcoming any new tie. 
 And yet she wanted him to rejoice in it as she did. 
 
 When Kathie came down-stairs eager and smiling, the 
 faint misgivings she had been nursing vanished ; so she 
 poured out her full heart in the letter to Aunt Ruth, and 
 felt in some degree satisfied. Surely no one could have 
 Kathie's welfare more at heart, or dread a mistake more 
 deeply than her mother. 
 
 Certainly the lover proved himself no laggard. Uncle 
 Robert bethought himself of an errand as he walked out 
 to the stable, and resolved to set about it instantl}'. He 
 could not meet Kathie just yet, with her new happiness 
 shining in her sweet face, so ho ordered the horses and 
 drove away to settle his mind to the fact. 
 
 He had not gone far when a pleasant voice called to 
 him, and Charlie Darrell stood in his very path. 
 
 " Good morning "; and there was a flush of conscious 
 pride on the fair young face. " I was coming over to see 
 you. Maj- 1 get in? I have something important to say." 
 
 He could not run away from it. Charlie DarrelTs 
 eager, pleading eyes would have disarmed a harder heart. 
 
 "Yes." And the young man sprang in, too happy to 
 notice if the invitation lacked its usual fine cordiality. 
 
 But he was very much in earnest, and stated his case
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 149 
 
 in a manner at once manly and generous. He would not 
 even ask for an engagement at present, but he could not 
 go on a day without confessing his desire and resolve ; 
 his entire assin-ance that they loved each other. 
 
 What was there to do but consent? He made a few 
 stipulations, feeling in his heart that Charlie's fine sense 
 of honor would have led him to observe them, without any 
 promise being exacted. 
 
 When he returned, about noon, the lovers were sitting 
 on the porch in their olden friendly attitude, and Georgie 
 Halford besieging for an afternoon at lawn-tennis, Dick 
 Grayson and several others being promised. 
 
 "You see I mean to make hay while the sun shines," 
 she went on, laughingly. "You young collegians will 
 need plenty of out-door exercise after your months of close 
 confinement. If Kathie shelters 3*011 in this palace of ease 
 and indolence I shall complain of her ; ought I not, Mr. 
 Conover?" wheeling suddenly round. 
 
 " She ought not to frustrate your good intentions," he 
 made answer. 
 
 "I shall be generous with everybody," said Kathie; 
 11 even Rob when he comes, and this afternoon I will be at 
 your service." 
 
 "And I." Charlie Darrell rose and bowed in a most 
 overwhelming manner. 
 
 ' ' Now you ought to stay to luncheon," said Uncle Robert, 
 " and some one will drive you back. The sun is intense." 
 
 "How charming of you ! Kathie invited me, but she 
 held out no such tempting inducement. Ask me no more ; 
 I yield ! " sinking into an arm-chair with indolent grace. 
 
 So they had a gay little meal, and the three drove back. 
 On Kathie's return there was company to tea, and some 
 gentlemen to see Uncle Robert in the evening. As she 
 was lingering about the hall he came out and gave her a 
 good-night kiss, saying with fervent solemnity, 
 
 " God grant you may be happy, my darling."
 
 150 WHOM KATH1E MARRIED. 
 
 So Kathie's engagement settled itself very simply and 
 naturally, and the days rolled on quite as before. Even 
 if Charlie Darrell had not, in some degree, been put upon 
 his honor not to compromise Kathie by ultra devotion, his 
 own fine sense of delicacy would have restrained him. He 
 felt sure of her ; the rest could wait until the proper time 
 of development. 
 
 The Darrells were all delighted, and welcomed the young 
 girl so warmly that her heart was touched anew. 
 
 " But they seem like two children playing at love," Mr. 
 Meredith declared in a rather dissatisfied tone. 
 
 " It is better for the present that they should play at 
 love," returned Jessie. " I have always strongly objected 
 to young men forming marriage engagements while at col- 
 lege ; their attention is so distracted, their time so taken 
 up with letter-writing and dreaming, that they are good 
 for very little." 
 
 " How many college lovers did you have, pray, that you 
 are so well informed ? " 
 
 Jessie laughed. 
 
 " My feeling about it is that a man ought to wait until 
 the right time , and then make a regular business of it, 
 love with his whole heart and soul, even if his body be 
 somewhat dilapidated." And a mirthful light shone in his 
 eyes. 
 
 " I suspeot there was, and is, a great difference between 
 you and Charlie ; and I should not like to see him engrossed, 
 with a headlong passion just now. No, it is best as it is.' 
 
 " Well, I hope they will be perfectly happy when their 
 time of awakening comes, for as yet they are only in a 
 summer dream ; and I am glad to have Kathie in the fam- 
 ily. I feel as if I had some small, undisputed right to her. 
 They have always cared for each other ; consequently the 
 regard is not so apparent. But after all, 
 
 ' There 's nothing half so sweet in life 
 As Love's young dream.' "
 
 CHAPTER XIH. 
 
 " DEAR Rob ! " Kathie cried joyfully as the young man 
 strode down the platform at the station and caught both 
 hands in his. Then she stood still with a touch of strange 
 awe. 
 
 Yes, the old merry Rob was gone forever. This tall, 
 resolute youth, older looking than his years gave him any 
 warrant, with a determination in the eyes, and a com- 
 pression about the lips that had laughed so easily, was a 
 man with a man's future, whatever that might be, before 
 him. 
 
 " O my precious little home daisy, how delightful it is 
 to see you again ! It is really I ; you need not look so 
 gravely questioning, as if you might be tempted to deny 
 me ; and everybody is well ? Has Aunt Ruth come 
 home?" 
 
 ' ' No ; you are the first of the long list of arrivals ; and 
 they will be so glad to see you, though that goes without 
 telling." 
 
 " It is good told, nevertheless ; and here are the ponies 
 waiting for me. O Kuthie, how many splendid drives we 
 have had behind them ! " 
 
 He threw in his satchel and then helped her, taking the 
 reins, while his face softened to a half -smile. 
 
 " We ought to have a good trot, for my blood rises with 
 the occasion ; but they are counting the moments at home, 
 and the trot can wait." 
 
 " How thoughtful of you, Rob 1 " Kathie cried involun- 
 tarily.
 
 152 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 44 You do not take into account that the waif and straj 
 might have a little longing for home and friends. But 
 how Brookside changes, and how we have changed since 
 Uncle Robert came home ; and it seems to me that he has 
 put his impress on the place. Kathie, there is no moving 
 power in the world equal to a true, energetic, high-minded, 
 honorable man." 
 
 Kathie's cheek glowed. If Uncle Robert could hear 
 that tribute ! 
 
 The}' turned into Cedarwood Avenue. 
 
 "Oh, how lovely! Even the very stones look good! 
 It all grows more homelike with the mellowness of time. 
 Oh " 
 
 He reined up the ponies suddenly and sprang out, 
 almost forgetting Kathie in the fond embrace of his mother. 
 But her loyal knight was at her side. 
 
 " Fred wants the ponies presently, so we will let them 
 stand," said Uncle Robert. 
 
 Rob walked up the steps with his arm about his mother. 
 tie was all hers ; she felt it in that clasp of protecting 
 tenderness, that indescribable air of affection. The quiver 
 in his voice as he spoke touched her almost to tears. Yes, 
 she had her boy back again with the man's heart. 
 
 He had not really grown taller, but it seemed so. He 
 had filled out in chest and shoulders, and his voice had 
 deepened, lost the merry ring. There was a little look 
 of care in his face, but his e} r es were clear and honest, and 
 m's whole bearing proud and manly. 
 
 " Hillo, Traveller !" and Fred came flying, through the 
 nail. 
 
 " O mother mine, you have no more boys ! " exclaimed 
 Rob. " I suppose this is the way I used to surprise you 
 in my annual returns. Why, Fred is nearl}' as tall as the 
 rest of us ; but oh, how slim and elegant ! We shall have 
 to send you out on the prairies." 
 
 Fred colored and laughed. " At least, there is a good
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 153 
 
 frame to fat up, you must admit. I have n't your knack of 
 growing both ways at once ; my exceeding intellectuality 
 forbids that. I must run away for a half-hour, and by 
 that time you will have made acquaintance with the others, 
 and may find a few moments for me. Addio." 
 
 " Upon my word ! You have style as well as beauty," 
 laughed Rob to his mother. " I never quite came up to 
 that, did I?" 
 
 Something in the answering look said that whatever he 
 might have been she would hardly have had him changed. 
 
 " I suppose I can go up to ' our room ' ? " 
 
 " You are to have one all to yourself," said Kathie. 
 " Fred has turned his into a sort of museum, and you 
 might find a hospital as well. There are birds and beasts, 
 I believe, in every stage of dilapidation and recovery." 
 
 " ' Pastime ere he goes to town.' Well, that is better 
 than " But Rob did not finish the sentence. Taking 
 his satchel he followed Kathie. 
 
 "Here is dear Aunt Ruth's room," and he paused. 
 ' ' The scent of the rose ; you could n't take out all the 
 crimson tints, if you did bring in new lights. How lovely 
 we thought it at first, and what a gathering place it was ! 
 We studied our lessons and had our talks and puzzles and 
 comforts, redeemed our stray articles from the inexorable 
 pound, confessed our sins, and nursed all our little aches 
 and pains here. Kathie, I think now no set of children 
 ever had a more delightful childhood ! You are quite cer- 
 tain Aunt Ruth won't fail us? I'm wild, too, to see 
 Bruce." 
 
 " We think she is on her way, as she has not written in 
 some time." 
 
 When Rob rejoined them again he looked fresh as a 
 rose. His year of hard work had not worn on his 
 physique, if it told in other ways. They went out on the 
 porch and talked over the boys, for Rob had not outgrown 
 them.
 
 154 WHOM KATHIE MAERIED. 
 
 " Do }'ou remember how eager I always was to set out 
 after them?" he asked. " Now I am going to wait for 
 them to come to me : one of the beneficent results of age 
 and experience. Hillo ! " 
 
 Dick Grayson vaulted over the side fence and came 
 striding up. 
 
 " How good it is to see you, old chap ! I was wonder- 
 ing when you would come." And the two shook hands 
 heartily. "O Kathie, the Collamores have returned; 
 I met Louise down the street; and the Langdons are 
 expected in the next steamer. Now for news about the 
 young lieutenant ! " 
 
 " We have not had any as yet." 
 
 " I shah 1 never forgive him if he fails. I don't believe 
 we ever can have such a summer again. The cares of this 
 world and the deceitfulness of riches will be upon us all. 
 Have you found them heavy, Rob? You do not look 
 deeply careworn." 
 
 "The riches have not as yet proved a heavy burden," 
 rejoined the young man, with a touch of humor. 
 
 Fred returned presently, and they kept Dick to supper. 
 Afterward Jessie and Charlie came over. Mr. Meredith 
 was up to the city for a few days. 
 
 " I don't know but vre ought to give you a party, Rob," 
 said his mother, "and ask all the young people over 
 here." 
 
 " You see, Kathie, my many virtues or my long absences 
 are coming to be appreciated," commented Robert in a 
 sort of humorously confidential tone. " You know, Dick, 
 all the great things used to be done for her. We were 
 bidden to feasts in her honor, we came at her command " 
 
 " Not always," she interrupted gayly. 
 
 " And now you are come at my command. We will 
 not wait for gilt-edged cards, mother dear ; time presses, 
 and a fortnight is soon gone. Neither will we put off for 
 the laggards, though the loss can never be made up to
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 155 
 
 them. Just a jolly tea drinking, and a general state of 
 beatitude, mostly wandering about the lawn and talking 
 OA r er old times. Why can't it be to-morrow or next 
 day?" 
 
 " Suppose we say Thursday, then?" 
 
 " Agreed. Charlie and Dick are invited ; Mr. and Mrs. 
 Meredith and the rest we will look after to-morrow." 
 
 Rob and Kathie went out the next morning and had a 
 very pleasant time. She was secretly glad of this excuse 
 to call on Miss Collamore for many reasons. Fay was 
 delighted, and promised for the three, Louise being 
 absent. 
 
 They drove on silently afterward, Kathie revolving two 
 or three subjects in her mind. When she glanced at Rob 
 again a strange change seemed to have overspread his 
 face. It was stern and set, the lips compressed to a scar- 
 let line. His eyes were bent upon the far distance, yet he 
 was not studying hill nor stream. Some occult link took 
 her back to Rome ; the last night with Bruce. Of what 
 was Rob thinking? Were there some deep mysteries to 
 life that girls and women never knew ? Did they live more 
 on the surface ? 
 
 Rob's party resolved itself into a company of young 
 and middle aged, as informal gatherings were wont to do 
 at Cedarwood. There were a few games of croquet, but 
 that was on the wane, following the career of many dis- 
 placed favorites. The evening was very pleasant, so they 
 interspersed it with singing until it became quite a little 
 musicale. 
 
 Mrs. Alston begged for a duet that Rob and Miss 
 Fay used to sing the summer before. Rob declared he 
 was all out of practice ; but after Fay had played it over 
 several times, he joined her, and they succeeded so well 
 that the company petitioned for more. Fay played and 
 sang exquisitely. Then there were choruses and a few 
 pathetic old ballads, Mrs. Adams's delight.
 
 156 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED 
 
 It was quite evident to Kathie that Eugene had not 
 made a very earnest fight with his fancy. In fact, he had 
 not fought at all. During the journey Fay had gently tried 
 to persuade, but her pity for him weakened her efforts. 
 
 " I must wait," he would answer bravely. " When she 
 is convinced that I shall always love her, she may come to 
 have some faith, some pit}'." 
 
 So Kathie was very glad to shelter herself under 
 Charlie's wing. Eugene watching him and finding none 
 of the heat and petulance of jealousy, none of the impa- 
 tience of possession, decided that it must be merely friend- 
 ship. 
 
 They planned some amusements for the next day, to 
 end with a supper at the Darrells', Jessie's ovation to Rob, 
 she declared. 
 
 " I shall save mine until next week," said Mrs. Adams, 
 " but be sure you do not fail me, Robert. And, Miss 
 Fay, I look for you and Mrs. Langdon to be warm 
 friends." 
 
 Fay colored brightly. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Meredith made their little supper a 
 charming success. There were so many old things to talk 
 about. Rob entertained Fay with a graphic description 
 of the first party at the Darrells', and Kathie's Cinderella 
 dress, as he called it, and of his own boyish admiration 
 for Mr. Meredith, and the episode of his going to war. 
 
 " I think them the loveliest of married couples," said 
 Fay enthusiastically. 
 
 "That was Kathie's match making, 'I am quite sure, 
 though she was such a little girl. And the Langdons ; 
 she was always going about with Emma and admiring her, 
 and somehow, I can't at all explain it, but she always 
 made you see the good and lovable points in other peo- 
 ple, unless you were obstinately obtuse, as I used to be 
 sometimes." 
 
 " And presently her hero will come," ventured Fay.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARKIED. 157 
 
 " Kathie's? She deserves the best and noblest of them 
 all. I hope Mackenzie will get here this summer ; I 'd 
 like you so to see him. I 've always had a half-fancy, 
 and he 's such a fine fellow, strong and brave and up- 
 right ! Somebody said once that Kathie always found 
 such delightful people. She met Gen. Mackenzie in New 
 York when she was a little bit of a girl, and he liked her 
 immensely, as eve^-body did. And that is all mixed up 
 with the Merediths' romance, but the outcome of it wa 
 his marrying Aunt Ruth. She 's just the sort of mothe* 
 for a chap like Bruce Mackenzie. Oh, I remember thrash' 
 ing a schoolmate once who called her an old maid, and 
 she was n't old, either ! " 
 
 Rob laughed at the recollection, and then Fay must 
 hear that story. Mrs. Alston watched them together, 
 and her eyes grew strangely tender. What if this, too$ 
 should come about? 
 
 After they reached home that evening Uncle Robert 
 took a note from his pocket. 
 
 " A disappointment from Ruth," he said. " I had not 
 the heart to spoil our pleasant evening with it. They 
 have decided to go on to California." 
 
 " Oh ! " cried Kathie ; " and Bruce? " 
 
 " She does not say a word about him. She does not 
 even explain what has changed their plans. It is too 
 bad!" 
 
 " I did so want to see Bruce," exclaimed Robert. " He 
 was counting on it so much. Do you know I think Bruce 
 is rather tired of soldiering. There is n't much fun in it 
 now." 
 
 " Spoken like the old Rob," said his uncle. 
 
 Rob flushed and laughed. 
 
 " Or much glory, either," he added. 
 
 " No, we have come to the victories of peace ; and yet 
 sometimes the warfare is harder ; the results more bar- 
 ren, or not so perceptible."
 
 158 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 u And that is to our life's end." There was a sudden 
 lowering in Robert Alston's voice, and, clasping his uncle's 
 hand, he said good night abruptly. 
 
 Sunday was a lovely, quiet day. They " kept the feast " 
 with each other. Even Charlie delicately refrained from 
 coming over, for he judged they would like to have one 
 day to themselves. 
 
 Many a time afterward Mrs. Alston recalled this day. 
 Rob and she seemed to drift together, to get nearer than 
 ever in their lives. Some strange charm woke a new 
 chord whose refrain was tender to sadness. How could 
 she spare him for a whole year when he had just learned 
 to be companionable ? What had brought about this mar- 
 vellous change ? 
 
 Kathie sat at the piano the next day, practising a few 
 songs, when Jane paused in the doorway. 
 
 " Mrs. Langdon has come, Miss Kathie. Mrs. Adams 
 has just sent over. I think they want }'ou." 
 
 " Then I may go at once." And she sprang up in 
 delight, her vague speculations giving way to active joy. 
 
 Mr. Langdon stood in the hall, when she reached the 
 house, barricaded it seemed with boxes. He took one 
 long step and caught her in his arms. 
 
 " My dear Kathie, how good it is to see yon once more ! 
 Who was it said a man ought to take a journey for the 
 pleasure of coming home? He was a rare philosopher. 
 When I have shaken the dust off my feet and gotten the 
 flavor of foreign languages off my tongue, I shall be a boy 
 again. Has the lake dried up? Have the oarsmen van- 
 ished? Rob, I hear, is at home, a young man, and oh 
 you are all men and women ! " 
 
 Some one came flying down-stairs before Kathie could 
 reply. Emma had certainly grown more beautiful. She 
 stood there in her radiant bloom, talking, laughing, glad 
 to get back her girl friend, and charming her with every 
 word.
 
 WHOM KATHIH MARRIED. 159 
 
 " It is enough to make any one jealous," declared Mr. 
 Langdon, " though I can't make up my mind of whom." 
 
 "Well, I shall carry Kathie up-stairs if she can climb 
 over these boxes. I want to hear all about Brookside." 
 
 ' ' What is to be done with them ? And there are more 
 at the station. Kathie, we have ' ransacked the ages and 
 spoiled the climes,' and now we have an embarrassment of 
 riches." 
 
 " We pass by boxes as a minor consideration," disdain- 
 fully. " Come, Kathie ; Georgie has gone out, and Mrs. 
 Adams is lying down, so I can have you quite to myself. 
 Oh, how natural you look ! You can't imagine how home- 
 sick I was after you had gone. I believe I should have 
 begged to come home if I had not been ashamed, and 
 thrown up ' fame and all.' But I went to work in real 
 earnest, and Mr. Langdon was so good. But I am afraid 
 marriage makes you lazy, or you get over the enthusiasm." 
 
 " I hardly think you have lost yours," replied Kathie, 
 archly. 
 
 " Is n't it queer how we all want to come back to the 
 home of our youth ? Fred writes about it. He is doing 
 so well, too, but he counts the months of his stay. We 
 were all so happy, and yet we had our troubles, too," with 
 a piquant smile. " I suppose Cedarwood is still the rally- 
 ing centre for all the forces, with your delightful uncle in 
 the midst." 
 
 "We do not seem to change much, only Freddy is 
 almost as tall as Rob, and goes to college this fall." 
 
 "Kathie, what will your mother do without children? 
 She is the most motherliest mother I ever saw. You will 
 all have to get married and fill the house with grandchil- 
 dren." 
 
 Mrs. Adams entered just then, and greeted Kathie 
 warmly. 
 
 "How much longer does your brother stay?" she 
 asked. * ' We must explain to Emma the cause of the tea
 
 160 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 parties going round. Mr. Robert Alston has been the 
 hero of the occasion." 
 
 " He will have to leave us on Friday evening," replied 
 Kathie. " Why, the fortnight will seem like a dream." 
 
 u You will have to rest up a little " 
 
 " Oh," declared Emma laughingly, " I shall be rested by 
 the time Mr. Langdon gets the luggage stored away. 
 What a house we are making? And I must go and see 
 grandmother presently. I had only a ripple of sea-sick- 
 ness coming over, so I feel none the worse for my jour- 
 ney." 
 
 When Kathie started for home Emma put on her hat to 
 go to her grandmother's ; Mr. Langdon would come to tea. 
 
 "And no doubt some 'spirit in our feet' will lead us 
 through Cedarwood on our return," she said with her 
 good-by to Kathie. 
 
 Sure enough it did. They sat on the porch and planned 
 pleasure enough to fill up a month. 
 
 " Brookside will become noted for its beauties," declared 
 Rob, " and geniuses, too. I expect next year I shall hear 
 of a certain Brookside Club that will immortalize the 
 place." 
 
 " Don't laugh at us, at me," entreated Emma. 
 
 " I 'm not laughing. You will find a rival in Miss Col- 
 lamore, and you will both have to look well to your laurels. 
 Kathie's gift will declare itself next." 
 
 " I think it did a long while ago," replied Emma softty. 
 
 " Do you know," the latter said, a few days afterwards, 
 " I think the one who has changed most of all is your 
 brother Robert. He is so very different, so gentle and 
 almost grave at times. I venture upon a guess, that he 
 is in love with Miss Fay Collamore." 
 
 " I think we all wish it might be," Kathie made answer 
 in a curiously reverent tone. 
 
 Indeed, the young people had been thrown much together. 
 It would have been quite impossible to traverse Mrs.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 161 
 
 Alston's quiet directing of events. But something struck 
 Uncle Robert that the mother passed by quite unremarked. 
 Much as he seemed to prefer Fay, he was more careful 
 than youth is wont to be, than he had ever been. It was 
 not coldness, but distance ; as if there was some cause for 
 keeping himself well in hand, and, cordially sweet as he 
 had been with his mother and Kathie, he had not been at 
 all communicative about his inner life or plans. He was 
 putting away something with an unflinching resolution, the 
 old quality they used to consider stubbornness. He went 
 very little into society, belonged to a debating club, and 
 read a great deal ; was taking quite an interest in some of 
 the political questions of the day. 
 
 He covered all this with a feint of business ambition, 
 but that was not the thing deepest in his soul. And 
 Uncle Robert came to have a misgiving that tete-d-tetes 
 with him were rather avoided, or at least not sought. 
 True, they were all occupied every moment with pleasure. 
 The days were crowded full. Dick Grayson had so many 
 plans to talk over with his old chum, there was rowing 
 after Mr. Langdon came, teas, music, two or three archery 
 meetings, and continual amusement. Yet at times it 
 seemed as if Rob's real soul was not in it. 
 
 The mother was so happy in her son's devotion that 
 Uncle Robert would not have disturbed her faith for 
 worlds. 
 
 What was there to dread? Some miserable entangle- 
 ment, perhaps, formed in college. And yet he evinced no 
 special interest in New Haven ; he had taken no journeys 
 thither during the year, and now was staying at home 
 until the latest moment. Uncle Robert observed narrowl}', 
 but all his penetration was baffled. It was not a happy 
 secret, and it was something he was striving to thrust out 
 of sight, but to which, by some fatal enchantment, he must 
 return. 
 
 Yet it was a joyous fortnight, in spite of the disap- 
 11
 
 162 WHOM KATHJE MARRIED. 
 
 pointment about Aunt Ruth. And now there was a 
 general outcry. 
 
 " You are quite enough to spoil any one," declared Robert. 
 " Why, didn't Kathie go to Europe and stay two years, 
 and here I can come home two or three times a )'ear ! I 
 am not so far away. And here is Fred going to college, 
 and you will see but precious little of him until next 
 year. It is the old marching orders. I don't believe you 
 are as fond of soldiers as you used to be, Kathie." 
 
 Kathie was winking the tears out of her eyes. At least, 
 she was not fond of partings. 
 
 Dick, Charlie, and several others came to see Rob off 
 on his journey. To them it had the heroic side. So 
 Uncle Robert could only say good by with the rest, and 
 go home pondering the subject. 
 
 Ah, how lonesome the house was without him ! Every 
 one came to comfort Kathie, and pleasure flagged a little, 
 but weightier matters started up for consideration. Fred's 
 wardrobe must be gone over, and this would be quite a 
 new parting, as Fred had never been away at school. He 
 was to enter Columbia College, and there would be the 
 " boys " to take him in hand, and Mr. Meredith's house 
 as a second home. But the mother would be left nearly 
 alone. 
 
 "We shall settle down into staid old folks, Dora," 
 exclaimed Uncle Robert, "and we must both set up a 
 hobby. They must be different, so that we can dispute 
 about them." 
 
 "Fancy mamma disputing!" And Kathie laughed 
 heartily. 
 
 Mrs. Alston gave a gentle sigh.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE pleasures fell off a little after Rob went, perhaps 
 because there was so much to do. Everybody was planuing 
 something, or growing toward it unconsciously. Louise 
 Collamore had a drift and a leaning quite plain to see, now 
 that the whirl was a little over. Mr. Hunsdon was gravely, 
 carefully attentive. He was twelve years older than she, 
 the proprietor of a chemical factory, a man of Culture and 
 rather curious tastes, with a great love for old-time adorn- 
 ments, which were now beginning to create a stir in every 
 one's mind. " Fireplaces and candlesticks," Georgie Hal- 
 ford called them, and declared mirthfuliy that Louise had 
 tangled Mr. Hunsdon in her embroidery silks, and would 
 finally wind him up in a curtain and cover him with roses. 
 
 Several little incidents drifted Fay more toward Kathie. 
 She was a connecting link with M*s. Langdon, and the 
 latter took a warm interest in Fay's pursuits, indeed, en- 
 couraged her greatly. Mrs. Alston drew her towards her- 
 self with a delicate, motherly interest, something indefin- 
 able, }*et very tender and winning, as if a thought in her 
 mind was sanctioned and settled, and, the path being clear, 
 she had only to go on to fruition. She was very happy in 
 these days. It seemed as if she could put her arms about 
 the two she would have chosen out of all the world to 
 place at her own fireside. 
 
 Dick Grayson seemed to vibrate between them all, with 
 the longer stroke on Kathie's side. He liked fun-loving 
 Georgie very much, and she managed to attract a crowd of 
 young people around her who were always doing some- 
 thing or going somewhere just for the fun of it. A
 
 164 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 bright, beguiling girl, with no special depth or sentiment, 
 or any defined purpose to life. 
 
 " She is one of the large tones of color," said Dick one 
 da}', as he and Kathie lingered in one of the shady lawn 
 paths at the Adams'. " You want filling in and shading 
 down, and the little bits, accessories, is n't it, to make 
 the picture perfect? and I feel as if we were the little bits, 
 the sort of neutral tints, the sky, and the water, and the 
 hazy atmosphere. So it takes us all to get anything like 
 a complete whole. Did you. ever remark the tendency in 
 so many people to make the world over just their way, to 
 bring all to one method of thinking ? "Would n't it be 
 queer to have no variety ? " Kathie laughed at the con- 
 ceit. They had many trenchant bits of talk together, but 
 when Charlie came, Dick }'ielded the place of honor to 
 him. Why he could not have told, except that it had 
 always been so, and yet Charlie was the least aggressive 
 of any of the boys. And so Eugene fell quite into the 
 background, Kathie always sheltering herself under some 
 half-defined influence. 
 
 Fay and Mrs. Langdon soon became very warm friends, 
 with their s}"mpathetic love between. 
 
 " No one can ever be quite what you were and are,'' 
 she said to Kathie one day ; l ' we seem to have lived through 
 one of the infrequent experiences that never die out. But 
 Fay is very charming, with her serene truth and quaint bits 
 of humility, and, as you are never jealous, I shall take her 
 up, make a protege of her. 
 
 " I couldn't be jealous of her, and mamma loves her < 
 so," returned Kathie. 
 
 " And if some one else comes to love her? One can't 
 always help speculating, and then Kathie, how do you 
 keep fancy free amid all this adoration? Your loj'al 
 knights come ' two and two.' And I fancy not last, perhaps 
 that Eugene Collamore is rather hard hit, but the others 
 do crowd him out."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 165 
 
 " Oh ! " Kathic's face was scarlet, sore against her desire. 
 
 "Then 3-011 have mistrusted? Kathie, you are discre- 
 tion itself. I am sorry for the poor lad, only youth has 
 many cures for heart-breaks ; or they are not quite heart- 
 breaks, I think. I suppose being used to older men ; you 
 know I grew up with the past generation." And she laughed 
 lightly as a soft bloom overspread her lovely face. " Your 
 uncle, and Mr. Meredith, and Mr. Langdon make the 
 boys appear extremely young to me. Eugene and Charlie, 
 and most of Georgie's admirers ; Dick Grayson passes 
 beyond them a little ; he is going to make a fine man, 
 Kathie, one of the kind who carry weight. And Rob seems 
 so much older ; he is not at all what I fancied he would 
 be. I suppose young people are more difficult to guess 
 about than we imagine." 
 
 " Why ? " Kathie asked it in a breathless sort of way, 
 as if a shadowy fear tugged at her heart. She and her 
 mother were so thoroughly satisfied, but how did it seem 
 to a person quite outside of relationship ? 
 
 "Rob used to think always of the good times, of his 
 good time. He had a fancy, unconscious maybe, of mak. 
 ing every one over to suit himself, and now he is growing 
 so like your uncle, trying to fit and suit other people. 
 And how much he reads ! "We had several delightful talks. 
 But why is he staying out there by himself? His heart 
 is n't set on making a fortune, though he does talk about 
 it." 
 
 " It was a very good business opening," said Kathie 
 slowly. 
 
 ' ' And I suppose people can't always keep together ? 
 But that season of youth was so perfect I 'd like to live it 
 over again and have my lover come so by surprise, and tell 
 me he watched me first because I was so much like you " ; 
 and Emma laughed, with a lovely scarlet flush in her face. 
 " Instead, I shall watch for your lover, only he will never 
 compliment me so daintily ; but I shall not be jealous.
 
 166 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Who knows 'out Providence is saving you up for Fred? 
 He will be home next summer, so you need not hurry. 
 You must have your choice of the flower of chivalry." 
 
 Kathie's heart beat with a curiously guilty feeling. It 
 had come over her more than once when some incidental 
 reference had been made to her future. 
 
 Another thought worried her more than she liked to 
 confess. She had been owing Bruce a letter a long while. 
 Ought she to write to him now, and what must she say? 
 There was a great confusion in her mind on the subject. 
 
 She tried to settle it that evening. She stayed to tea 
 with Emma, and several of the young people dropped in to 
 arrange about a sailing party. Charlie walked over home 
 with her. They reached the lawn path before she could 
 resolve upon the manner of presenting her perplexity. 
 Then she paused with a tremulous little ' ' Charlie ? " 
 
 " Well? " in the comforting tone that always seemed so 
 restful. 
 
 " I want to ask you about writing to Bruce. I owe 
 him a letter. He was so sure of coming when he wrote, 
 and I waited to hear " 
 
 " There certainly has been enough disappointment 
 expressed to make your letter entertaining, to say the 
 least." 
 "But " 
 
 " O Kathie, you don't mean that I am selfish enough 
 to keep you from anything ? " And his quick tone made 
 the hurt manifest. 
 
 " I want to do just what is right, proper," trying to 
 steady her voice that would tremble. " It is so strange to 
 think of anything different." 
 
 " But you and Bruce are Well, it is a relationship, 
 after all. Kathie, I think I have been the least bit jealous 
 twice. When I came home last spring, and saw you 
 and Eugene in your phaeton ; by the station, you remem- 
 ber. I did n't understand just what it was. Then mother
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 167 
 
 made a comment one day to the effect that other young 
 men might find you sweet and attractive, and it came to 
 me that my regard was something deeper, warmer than 
 friendship. And then, the night I spoke you had been 
 showing such joy at the news of Bruce's return that I 
 wanted to feel quite sure. And now that I am sure, the 
 little social demands cause me no uneasiness. There 
 always seems to me something cruel and uncalled for in 
 jealousy. If 3"ou have entire faith in a person, as I have 
 in }^ou, surely I can trust you to decide how much is owing 
 to the ' small, sweet courtesies of life ' ; if I had not faith, 
 of course I can't imagine so monstrous a thing, it would 
 be better to give up the thought of love. There must be 
 confidence to hallow it. I could not take the shell without 
 the substance, as love would prove without faith. And I 
 am always at rest about you. Besides, this year I shall 
 be away so much that I want you to go on with all the old 
 friends and have all the happiness that comes to you. 
 Your own soul will teach you what to reject. You and 
 Bruce have been dear friends, and there is nothing to be 
 rudely broken up. You will meet each other at intervals 
 all your life. I should like to count Bruce Mackenzie one 
 of my choice friends, our welcome guest in the time to 
 come. So write to him just as usual, you dear, conscien- 
 tious little body." 
 
 She wanted to ask another question, but was it courage 
 that failed? And yet he partly answered with his next 
 remark. 
 
 ' ' You know we are only half engaged." And by his tone 
 she understood the sweetness of his smile that she could 
 not see in the dusk. " Next year I may claim more, but 
 I hope never to forget how sacred a trust you are." 
 
 He kissed her softly on the forehead, then walked up to 
 the porch steps with her, and said good night. 
 
 And yet the question was not wholly solved. How 
 much, how much? seemed to float through her brain. She
 
 168 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 could tell with Eugene, it must be nothing, for even 
 tender sympathy would be cruel ; she could tell with Dick, 
 for he asked only interest, but what puzzled her so about 
 Bruce ? Ought she to tell him just how matters stood ? 
 How could she ? Delicacy seemed to revolt at the thought. 
 And all the others, Emma, Fay, who were so unconscious 
 of any stronger interest ! 
 
 She was driving up to Middleville one afternoon with 
 Uncle Robert, who watched the shadows come and go on 
 her fair face, and the perturbed little lines that settled on 
 her brow and compressed her soft red lips. 
 
 " Well, what is it?" he asked, presently. 
 
 Kathie colored a vivid scarlet, and her eyes blurred with 
 a weariness near to tears. The utter joyousness that 
 should be in the day and in her soul was not here ; there 
 was a vague sense of disturbance, as if something not 
 quite true in the relative adjustment of atoms had strayed 
 in and the currents were displaced. 
 
 " You know," very tenderly, "that I have always been 
 your father confessor." 
 
 "Yes. I wish you understood without the telling. It 
 is so tangled." 
 
 " We will straighten it out, then. Have you and Charlie 
 found" 
 
 "Oh, it isn't Charlie, Uncle Robert! He is always 
 generous, and sure, and untroubled. It is because I don't 
 know and can't tell how much there ought to be ; where 
 the lines should cross sharply, and where they should run 
 parallel. I wish it had all been left until next summer." 
 
 " I wish so, too, my darling. But you know how often 
 visions vanish when you put forth your hand boldly." 
 And he smiled, with the persuasive light of sj-mpathy in 
 his eyes. 
 
 " I want to be entirely true. No one dreams of my 
 being not quite free. Emma was talking a few days ago 
 of the future, and balancing claims, as it were, and when she
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 169 
 
 spoke of Charlie as one of the the improbable ones/ 
 and Kathie gave a little ghost of a smile, " it seemed not 
 quite fair. "Was it just to him ? No one appears to think 
 we are any more than friends." 
 
 " "Well, what would you like? to have the engagement 
 announced?" 
 
 " Oh, no ! " A little sort of shiver ran over her as if 
 she shrank from that, and her uncle remarked it with dis- 
 may. " I must be unreasonable, am I not? I don't un- 
 derstand myself. And I can't have the un-knowledge, can 
 I ? " smiling again faintly. " But here is what puzzles me 
 most : I want to write to Bruce. Ought I to tell him?" 
 
 "You want to write to Bruce?" Uncle Robert re- 
 peated the works in a curiously emphatic manner, not 
 turning his eyes on Kathie, but noting every movement 
 of her face, nevertheless. 
 
 " Oh, I asked Charlie if he would rather not have me," 
 she answered quickly, but with no show of emotion. " He 
 considers it foolish to to crowd every one else out Then 
 he wants to be friends with Bruce always. He likes him 
 so much, even if he is not as enthusiastic as Rob about 
 him. He likes all brave, manly, earnest men, and he is so 
 earnest himself, so quick to give of his best. And he said 
 we were in a way related, which is true, but I can't help 
 it, I want Bruce to know just how it stands. I am quite 
 sure he would tell me of such an event in his life." 
 
 Was that all her reason for wanting him to know? 
 Uncle Robert studied the fair face, whose color fluttered 
 under his watchful eye. There was "no part of the 
 price " kept back now, or, if so, it was done quite unknow- 
 ingly, in bravest innocence. 
 
 " Yes, I should tell him." 
 
 " But how ? " She blushed distressfully. ' ' It would be 
 so queer to blurt it out " 
 
 "You are not much given to 'blurting out,' Kathie," 
 he answered gravely. " It would be like telling a brother."
 
 170 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " But we did n't even tell Rob. Mamma was afraid he 
 might tease a little or be not quite discreet. But Bruce 
 is so far away, and Aunt Ruth will know. He might feel 
 hurt." 
 
 Was she in love if she did not even know how to confess 
 her lover ? 
 
 " It is best that he should know. About the others, 
 Kathie, I think you had better settle to a wise silence, and 
 then put it quite out of your mind, as Charlie's secret, if 
 you please, which you have no right to make known at 
 present. I think you have been nursing a little ultra con- 
 scientiousness, and the end would be a wretched state of 
 indecision. There are times in life when we just go for- 
 ward, as the children of Israel were bidden to do. It is 
 very reprehensible to deny an engagement, as I have 
 known girls to do, but simply to keep silence when no one 
 questions you is not a matter of deception. I want you 
 to be happy, content. Remember that this is in some re- 
 spects my year as well, that I shall have to give you up 
 in man} 7 ways, hereafter, and so we must take comfort 
 together." 
 
 She smiled through her tears. Yes, there were other 
 duties and loves. Had she not been rolling up a mountain 
 to overshadow herself ? 
 
 They had reached the Strongs' by this time, and Sarah 
 was doubly anxious to see Kathie. The marriage had not 
 been announced, but just suffered to be made known, and 
 had created more than a ripple. Perhaps at the bottom it 
 traversed too many secret hopes to be cordially received. 
 
 The grave, quiet man, rather shy of ladies in general, 
 and shutting himself in his study when meetings were ap- 
 pointed at the parsonage, had so held his even tenor that 
 no one could justly take hope. Even after the surmises 
 there was a great amount of incredulity, and now it was 
 shomi in the utter lack of cordial welcome, except among 
 Sarah's young friends.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 171 
 
 " We are to be married in church, at ten in the morn- 
 ing," said Sarah. " There will be a kind of general invi- 
 tation," and she smiled rather archly, " so no one can 
 really slight us if they desire to remain away. I wanted 
 to be married at home, but Mr. Truesdell was not willing, 
 and I think now his way is best. Then we shall go away 
 and forget all the dissatisfaction for some happy days. 
 After that, trying to do our duty, and living in peace so far 
 as we are allowed." 
 
 Kathie added her little gift to the simple and becoming 
 wardrobe, which had been selected with excellent judg- 
 ment. 
 
 "And I shall have some pretty articles for my new 
 home," said Sarah, with pardonable pride. " I want to 
 make the old house look homelike and enjoyable. James 
 has been making me a really beautiful easel and a set of 
 pretty shelves, a sort of cabinet. Since I have known 
 you I have been collecting pictures and books, and doing 
 needle-work, so it will not seem strange over there to 
 see some of the familiar reminders. It is so gray and 
 barren within, yet I think it might be made a lovely old 
 place. Only once in a while it comes into my mind, what 
 if they should n't want Mr. Truesdell to remain afterward ? " 
 
 " Oh, they could n't be so hateful ! it would be just that ! " 
 cried Kathie indignantly. " Why, if you are good enough 
 to sing and play in church, and to teach their children, 
 and visit them " 
 
 "But all that is not being set over them. It does 
 appear narrow and foolish, does it not ? And yet in country 
 places party lines are very strong. We shall just trust 
 and work, and endeavor to make our lives larger. I am 
 beginning to think the victory worth trying for, at any rate. 
 And what shall separate us from that larger Love ? " 
 
 " Not powers or principalities," said Kathie, softly kiss* 
 ing the glowing cheek ; "or things present." 
 
 " And we must in some degree determine the things to
 
 172 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 come, but not by impatience or self-assertion. Oh, I won. 
 der if I can always ! I shall have to hold close by th 
 great truths, the greater love." 
 
 Cousin Ellen, too, had a confidence for Kathie, when she 
 could be spared. 
 
 " I suppose this all looks like a very foolish fuss to you, 
 Miss Kathie," she began, " this barring out and putting 
 up social fences. I wish it had been Sarah's lot to marrjr 
 differently, but they love each other, and it has so come 
 about. In some other place they might be very happy, 
 but here it will be continual warfare, and no foes are so 
 cruel as those of man's own household or his church. I 
 wonder sometimes how much good religion really does us, 
 or rather how we can take in so much and get so little of 
 the true spirit, the divine wisdom ! But I did n't mean to 
 preach a sermon ; I had a favor to ask, instead. I am 
 afraid there will not be any real hearty welcome for the 
 poor girl when she comes home, and I am thinking of fix- 
 ing up the old place a bit, so it will look cheery. If you 
 could come up one day amd give me a few hints, after her 
 belongings are taken over there." 
 
 " Oh, I should so like to come, even if my hints should 
 not be of great importance ! " Kathie answered eagerly. 
 
 "There's a parlor, study, and sleeping-room on one 
 side of the hall. The paper is very dingy, and James and I 
 have decided to re-paper the study and chamber. I won- 
 der where I 'd be most likely to find pretty paper ! Those 
 two rooms will be so much to her." 
 
 " Suppose I send you the paper? I would like to do a 
 little " 
 
 44 Oh, you are too generous ! "We could n't afford any- 
 thing expensive, but pretty snd cheerful. There is an old- 
 fashioned Franklin in the study, and a high mantel with 
 pictures set round, just as they are beginning to do again. 
 Sarah was reading about it." 
 
 "Tiling," said Kathie. "Why. you make me quite
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 173 
 
 curious to see it. If you would n't mind, I think Uncle 
 Robert could send for the paper, if you will learn how 
 much is needed. And is there anything else?" 
 
 "' You will come up to the marriage, surely?" 
 
 " Of course." And Kathie smiled. 
 
 " We might ge in and see the rooms then. T don't sup- 
 pose the congregation want to do anything ; but they may 
 get up a little home- welcome afterward. It takes away so 
 much of the tender joy to have people cold and indifferent. 
 There, I must not keep you another moment. Sarah will 
 wonder." 
 
 Kathie was quite thoughtful going home, but it was not 
 about herself. Presently she informed Uncle Robert of 
 the plans, and he readily agreed. 
 
 " Mamma," she said, the next day, " we must all go up 
 to Sarah's marriage. I mean to ask Emma, and Mr. Lang- 
 don, and Jessie. We shall be quite an imposing array, 
 and the disaffected at Middleville will see that there are 
 people to do her honor." 
 
 " Mrs. Alston smiled. She was glad to see her child 
 ready to do honor unto " the least of these." In all these 
 things she was fitting herself for the new life. Kathie had 
 always been a little different, and Charlie as well, and in 
 this matter there would be a perfect blending. 
 
 Charlie was very much interested when he came to hear 
 of the plans, and Emma wondered if they could not all join 
 and do something. 
 
 " I shall have to get back in the old ways and works," 
 she said, with a tender, wistful smile. " We have just 
 been existing for ourselves, seeing, hearing, doing for our 
 own pleasure and benefit. But we cannot any of us afford 
 to narrow our lives and crowd out, instead of asking in to 
 the feast." 
 
 " Doubtless no one would take it amiss," returned Char- 
 lie, " and we ought to wind up our glad summer by mak- 
 ing a bit of brightness somewhere ; though it will be the
 
 174 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 old story of the Fair, and Kathie putting the right grac* 
 just where it should be, and so surrounding it with all the 
 little helps that it becomes a large blessedness." 
 
 " And that shows us how much greater one of the ' little 
 deeds' often is than the penetration, and wisdom, and nice 
 balancing of what we consider possibilities, proves. I 
 don't beb'eve an}* of us would have said that evening at the 
 Fair, "Here is a girl who has strength and understanding, 
 a sense of beauty and harmony, who can be made into a 
 teacher, a musician, a potent influence in the world, by the 
 proffer of a helping hand." 
 
 "But I didn't think so at all," said Kathie, between 
 a blush and a little laugh of embarrassment. l ' I hated to 
 have her and her mother made uncomfortable. And I 
 remembered times when some pleasant word had bridged 
 over a trouble for me." 
 
 " The doing unto others. But you see most of us wait 
 to learn what measures others mean to deal out to us, and 
 then make ours conform. You always seem to know with 
 3'our nice instinct when some disturbance in the spheres 
 needs to be adjusted, and to have the wisdom " 
 
 "I wonder," began Charlie, filling in the pause Emma 
 made, "if it is not just this : ' Whatsoever thy hand finds 
 to do, do it with all thy might ' ; not stopping to reason or 
 analyze, or wonder about the end. God takes care of 
 that ' If ye do His will ye shall know of the doctrine/ 
 not the doctrine first." 
 
 " Quite an old-time talk," said Emma presently. " It 
 makes us all feel like children again. I am beginning to 
 get back to my proper self. And now can't we all go up 
 to Middleville, and consult this cousin who has the matter 
 in hand?" 
 
 They drove up a day or two afterward. Cousin Ellen 
 took them over to the parsonage. It did look gray and 
 dingy. New paper and new paint for the rooms, and some 
 modern additions. James and Ellen would see to the 
 work.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 175 
 
 " I suppose," said Emma, as they were homeward bound, 
 " we could find one or two old articles that could be fur- 
 bished up into prettiness, not glaring newness, you under- 
 stand ; that would look dreadful in such a place. I think 
 I know of one old arm-chair that Mrs. Adams sent out to 
 the barn yesterday . A little cretonne would make it cosy 
 and presentable." 
 
 " And I '11 add a study table," exclaimed Charlie. " I 
 know of one that can be altered over to a charm. Perhaps 
 I may find something else." 
 
 Mr. Meredith chose the papers, and sent them down 
 from the city. They were soft tones and appropriate. 
 They took them up to Cousin Ellen on the morning of the 
 marriage, and she was to send word back as soon as the 
 work was done. 
 
 Certainly the Brookside people made quite an addition to 
 the wedding guests. The old sexton showed them to the 
 seats of honor, and they filled the two middle-aisle pews. 
 They were early, and it was quite entertaining, Emma 
 declared, to see the air with which most of the assemblage 
 settled itself. Disapproval was sternly written on many 
 of the elder faces, and yet curiosity had conquered in 
 several instances. The young people and the school 
 children were full of diffident wonder. The minister's 
 marriage was such an unusual occurrence. No one 
 remembered any similar event. 
 
 They came in slowly, gravely, Sarah pale and self- 
 possessed, ladylike in her soft gray silk, her reverent air, 
 her earnest, serious eyes, the refinement in every line of 
 her face. It seemed to Kathie that she looked greater, 
 and richer, and finer than Mr. Truesdell, with all the years 
 of cultivation behind him. 
 
 He was rather ill at ease. He saw the unfriendly eyes, 
 even if they were not facing them ; but she thought of only 
 two things, the vows she was making to God, and her 
 husband, till death parted them. ~**
 
 176 WHOM KATHIE MAKRIED. 
 
 There was a little stir of congratulation afterward, but 
 they did not stop long. Those who carped and questioned 
 would have a fortnight to resolve upon theii course. Mrs. 
 Alston's party paused for a little talk with Mrs. Strong. 
 Did it unconsciously sway opinion ? All these things do 
 with weaker and more calculating souls. These refined, 
 cultured people, with their larger surroundings, had taken 
 up the girl, the whole family. It was not a question with 
 them whether she were worthy, but whether they could 
 afford to go against such a verdict. Man} r of the great 
 things of life begin with worldly reasoning. It is the 
 sowing beside all waters. 
 
 James Strong and Cousin Ellen had it all their own way 
 at the parsonage. The housekeeper looked on grimly ; the 
 little girls were like shy, wild kittens. They did not go 
 beyond the two rooms. James was in a glow of delight. 
 After the paper was on and the painting done he touched 
 up the book-shelves with bits of moulding and an ornament 
 here and there. Sarah had bought a new carpet for her 
 own room, and they moved over her belongings. Then 
 they covered the worn study carpet with mats, and the 
 contributions from Brookside quite amazed them. Four 
 easy-chairs, and a study table, with its handsome ink and 
 penholder, racks for letters and pamphlets, a few well- 
 chosen books Charlie had added with his store, and the 
 place took on a cosy homelikeness, with the ripeness of the 
 lovely September world outside. 
 
 He was very glad to be in it all with Kathie. She was 
 living in the present and for her friend. What Sarah 
 would think, the glad, sweet surprise that would make a 
 sunshine in her face and a mist of tears in her eyes, the 
 hours of delight she would enjoy there. But his fancies 
 ran farther off, another home, a keener, sweeter joy, a 
 time when all things should be given to him richly to en- 
 joy. And he was glad, with a touch of awesome humility, 
 that it was far off, that he should come to it by degrees, 
 as he was made fit and worthy.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 177 
 
 With all this, and the preparations at home for Fred, 
 Kathie was very busy, and she had no time to worry about 
 herself. She put her letter to Bruce out of her mind. 
 Then Charlie and Fred said their good-byes and were off, 
 and Emma and Mr. Langdon were discussing a new home. 
 Everybody seemed to take their plans and questions over 
 to Cedarwood for definite shaping. In the midst of this a 
 note came from Bruce. He had been greatly disappointed 
 at the change of plans, and very busy with some perplex- 
 ing frontier troubles. The two in California were having 
 a most delightful time. Then a few lines called a bright 
 flush to Kathie's cheek. * Mother ' had written to him 
 about her engagement. He wished her all joy, all happi- 
 ness in a brief sort of way, as if at present it was a subject 
 not to be talked of intimate
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THET were not suffered to get lonely at Cedmrwood, 
 hardly to long for the boyish influences gone oat from them. 
 Rob's breezy presence had made a continual stir in the 
 house, and his absence left vacant spaces everywhere. 
 Fred was so much quieter, so full of his own projects and 
 experiments, sufficient for himself, keeping much in his 
 own room, or abroad, diving down into the secrets of 
 nature ; alwaj^s ready and companionable if wanted, and, 
 though tuned in a softer, tenderer key, not so dependent 
 on sympathy and society as Rob had been. Perhaps even 
 now his mother missed her first born the most. 
 
 But Uncle Robert was so identified with all the ways 
 and the welfare of the little town that the house had come 
 to be a sort of head centre ; a cosier place than any hall or 
 room for discussions. Often the ladies came over if their 
 husbands had an errand with Mr. Conover, and then the 
 young folks wanted to see Kathie. So all the larger living 
 was in their midst. She was greatly interested in the 
 talk about mills and factories and what was best for the 
 hands, what was most entertaining and most profitable for 
 the young men, what was to make the best citizens for the 
 next generation. She had hardly time to miss anybody, 
 even dear Aunt Ruth. 
 
 And right after Sarah's marriage came the engagement 
 of Louise Collamore and the talk of a marriage in the 
 spring. Mrs. Collamore had taken her delicate perplexi- 
 ties to Mrs. Alston. Louise was so young, so much less 
 mature than Fay. Mr. Hunsdon was twelve years her
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 179 
 
 senior, and somehow she could not bear to have the young- 
 est go first. But the lover was very much in earnest, and 
 began to build a nest for his bonnie bird. 
 
 Kathie watched them with a great deal of interest. 
 Louise no doubt loved him, but she was not sentimental, 
 hardly as tender as Fay. Certainly there was much to be 
 proud of, and she wore her honors in that wa} r , as if she 
 was not surprised at coming into a sphere of consequence, 
 and, indeed, believed it one of the things she had a right 
 to expect. 
 
 Through this time, when they were all brought into such 
 intimate contact, Kathie's promise gave her a certain 
 strength and decision. She was not her own any more ; 
 she could secretly pit} T and sympathize with Eugene, but 
 when it came to a certain point she could assert her self- 
 reliance. What strange wisdom came with the knowledge ! 
 She used to think of herself with a little awe, of that other 
 self which was not really hers any longer. 
 
 Fay was puzzling over her, still with a hurt feeling. 
 Why could it not have been, she asked of her secret soul. 
 
 " Eugene," she said softly, one evening, " I think she 
 shows that her heart is elsewhere. It may be all unknown 
 to herself. You know she was abroad so long with young 
 Mackenzie, and he is no real relation, but just near enough 
 to give a sort of piquant interest to the connection. If he 
 had come this summer, if we could have seen them to- 
 gether " 
 
 "No," Eugene answered moodily. "I don't want to 
 see ; I don't want to know. I am glad to have her 
 alone again, to feel there is no one very near. I had 
 rather love her all my life, as I shall." 
 
 Fay sighed. Would Louise so love against hope? 
 Would any one else? 
 
 The Langdons had their times of dUtBi&on as well. 
 What was to be done? Where would they go? For 
 Emma's sake they ought to be in a city, but he did not
 
 180 WHOM KATHIE 
 
 love cities, and since he had enough for their humble 
 wants why should he toil, and moil, and worry himself, he 
 asked, whimsically. 
 
 His money had been largely invested in his brother-in- 
 law's business. Emma had been quite surprised after her 
 marriage to find how really wealthy her husband was ; 
 indeed, no one had suspected it from his simple tastes and 
 leisurely ways. And perhaps this was why the pure- 
 hearted 3 r oung girl, with no undercurrent of selfishness, had 
 moved him so strongly in that past year, when many chords 
 of his better nature had been touched. 
 
 " I am sure I could be contented here always," said 
 Emma. " I am not half tired. And we might have our 
 real home here, with holidays in the cities. I am not sure 
 but we could do as much here as anj'where. Mr. Conover 
 is always busy. I don't know what Brookside would be 
 without him." 
 
 So they settled about the real home. It was to be pretty 
 and artistic, so that, when Emma was very famous, people 
 could make pilgrimages hither. They studied books, they 
 drew plans, they talked over Mr. Hunsdon's ideas, and 
 rambled about during the splendid autumn weather, always 
 taking Kathie when they could get her. 
 
 The Merediths returned to the city. Mrs. Alston and 
 Kathie would go up for a good long holiday visit, music, 
 lectures, and other amusements. Aunt Ruth would be back 
 then. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon would board for a while, 
 and it would be home to them with the familiar faces. 
 
 They had not forgotten Mrs. Truesdell with all this of 
 their very own. It was not their way to drop one out of 
 daily living. 
 
 Sarah had come home at the appointed time, and gone 
 quietly to the parsonage. Some sort of home welcome or 
 tea drinking had been discussed, but none of the parties 
 could agree, and the plan had fallen through. It was much 
 more enjoyable to Sarah to come in and take her place at
 
 WHOM mTHIE MARRIED. 181 
 
 once as a wife and a mother. And oh, the glad surprise 
 of the cosy rooms, the joy of the delicate little note lying 
 on the study table, with the best wishes of friends ! It 
 could never be lonely or narrow after that. 
 
 " We will do our duty and our best," Mr. Truesdell saia, 
 " and leave the rest to God. If it should seem tkat my 
 work is finished here, there are other fields. I might have 
 made a change, in any event." 
 
 Was there something real and vital in his Sunday's 
 sermon? Had his own soul been touched with the 
 sights and sounds, the new life he had entered into, the 
 depth and fulness ? Surely there was no fault to find ; one 
 and another pressed his hand cordially, as he came down 
 the aisle afterward, with his wife on his arm, and the men 
 gave him good wishes rather awkwardly. They had noth- 
 ing against this fresh young girl by his side. The women 
 were a little more cautious. And yet it was done. Facts 
 must be accepted. 
 
 There were many little slights to take from "the best 
 people," the ones who considered themselves of most 
 importance in point of wealth and religion. But there 
 were delights on the other side for Sarah. It was not so 
 bad to stand between, after all. Brookside came up, and 
 the}' went down to it, and gathered new friends among the 
 clergy and various others. And when Middleville began 
 to feel itself crowded out, it made haste to assert its own 
 rights, to secure its own footing. 
 
 The most delightful of all was Mr. Strong's Christmas 
 gift to his daughter of a beautiful piano. He had con- 
 sidered it a long while. It was a good deal of money for 
 plain farmer people, but he had no fear now of Sarah out- 
 growing her place or station, or feeling ashamed of the 
 home folks. Hers was a wider sphere, a larger space, and 
 brought an increase, not a narrowing of s'oTW 
 
 He came down to consult Kathie, and was to meet her 
 in New York for the purchase. She and Mrs. Meredith
 
 182 WHOM KATHIE MlERIED. 
 
 accompanied him, and, though he was sadly bewildered, he 
 managed to acquit himself very well. 
 
 " Sarah has been a good girl and deserves it all," he 
 said. "Miss Kathie, if there were more people in the 
 world willing to share their good things with you, we 
 should all get on faster, I 'm thinking. And she '11 make 
 hers go a good way. I think the Lord has put her in just 
 the right place, and He made her good and ready for it. 
 I do believe you and she would convert the world if you 
 started out on a missionary tour." 
 
 Kathie smiled, with a dewy lustre in her eyes. 
 
 Mr. Strong went home with a great many new thoughts 
 in his mind that would bring forth good fruit at the right 
 season. He was not given to hurrying Providence. 
 
 But Sarah's letter to Kathie afterward was one paean of 
 delight, not only concerning the piano, but the " pleasant 
 visit father had with you all." 
 
 Kathie's holidays in the city were full of enjoyment. 
 Something a little larger and deeper than before, new 
 thoughts and opinions, graver questions to take hold of. 
 Mrs. Gamier was forming a little circle where people 
 dropped in two evenings a week, sure of finding her, and 
 generally the doctor, and talked over the questions and 
 ideas that were stirring the world, sifting theories and 
 beliefs. Dick Gra}~son, who was now reading law, was a 
 frequent visitor, and Fred was delighted beyond measure 
 at being counted in. 
 
 Charlie came occasionally. 
 
 "After all," he said to Kathie, " it is the old, old story, 
 the trying on of ideas and beliefs that the world used 
 centuries ago. The conditions only are new, it is the souls 
 that are fresh, and not the ideas, and yet the souls take 
 them up as some new discovery, and try their utmost to 
 disentangle, to find a way out by the many devious paths, 
 quite forgetting that some one said, centuries ago, as well, 
 ' Behold, I show you a more excellent way.' And yet we 
 are so slow coming to the more excellent way." *,
 
 MARRIED. 183 
 
 Fred was quite caught and fascinated by it. He came 
 to listen always, he declared ; yet he would sit with his 
 soft, bright eyes all alert as they tossed their brilliant talk 
 to and fro, giving the differing opinions that had come slowly 
 through the years and been proved as well as disproved 
 hundreds of times. Not because of no truth ; there were 
 fine, solemn grains of truth in it all along ; the stone 
 rejected at one time came to be the foundation stone at 
 another. 
 
 Dr. Markham went a little further than this one even- 
 ing. 
 
 " I wonder," he said, " with all thia science and meta- 
 physics, if they could do just what was done to her?" 
 nodding towards Ada. " If Dr. Garnier had come in and 
 tried to rouse her, and offered her the love of a true man, 
 not gilded over with wealth, would she have gone out of 
 that dismal room for his sake? Why, it would have 
 seemed so much Sanscrit to her ; she would n't have known 
 what to do with it ! Or if they had talked science, and 
 evolution, and brain, and nervous system, taken out their 
 souls, or what they thought were their souls, and analyzed 
 the component parts, would that have helped her? And 
 yet you did it that summer between you all, the little 
 touches of mother love and wisdom which she never had 
 in her own life helping and strengthening. There is 
 something simpler than the old philosophies, after all. I 
 don't know but we 're in danger of losing it again, only 
 it never has been wholly lost these eighteen hundred years. 
 Some one always holds the clew and guides the soul out 
 to day. I suppose it is natural to take a great race out 
 on the highway, but we do get tired of the dust, and the 
 heat, and the stir, and in the afternoon of life are glad to 
 come back to the shade, and the quiet, \id the strength 
 not our own. 
 
 Yet Mrs. Garnier had grown into a very attractive 
 society woman, as one side of society was rapidly becom-
 
 184 WHOM KATHIE l^KRIED. 
 
 ing. She was in the centre again, and this brought out 
 her best efforts. It was not by self-assertion this time, but 
 the tact that had come from a finer breeding, the seed sown 
 in her soul through that dreary time of j'outhful despair, 
 and, though it had not brought forth its best fruit, it was 
 going on unconsciously. But at present it was the readi- 
 ness and grace, the harmony that passes current in the 
 world for deeper wisdom. 
 
 Kathie's stay was not to be all in scientific or artistic 
 realms. The Collamores came clown for Christmas and to 
 buy wedding garments. Mr. Hunsdon and Louise drifted 
 into Mrs. Garnier's circle, Fay and Kathie had lovely, long 
 evenings to themselves, and Rob made a flying visit of a 
 few days, having been sent on business. There were shop- 
 ping, amusement, and gayety, and with Kathie's gift for 
 entering so wholly into the wishes and enjoyments of 
 others she scarcely thought of herself. 
 
 Charlie Darrell looked on, with a curious feeling at his 
 heart. Would she ever have any true life of her own ? 
 
 Rob was very well, and almost restlessly energetic ; a 
 good sign, his uncle took it. being more like the normal 
 state of his youth. It was not well to grow old too fast. 
 Charlie delicately stood aside and let him monopolize 
 Kathie, though it seemed quite odd for him to show so 
 much regard. 
 
 The bright party broke up presently. Jessie declared 
 she had had no good of it at all, and insisted on keeping 
 Kathie a fortnight longer, perhaps with a little sisterly 
 feeling that Charlie had not enjoyed quite his full share of 
 her visit. 
 
 Kathie thought at first she could not stay. Then word 
 came that Aunt Ruth was on her way, but could only 
 spend a few days in New York, as the General had urgent 
 business in Washington. So Mrs. Alston remained with 
 her. 
 
 They were all delighted to see Aunt Ruth again.
 
 WHOM KTHIE MARRIED. 185 
 
 She was looking a little pale and worn, but sweeter than 
 ever, it seemed to Kathie. General Mackenzie took Kathie 
 in his arms and held her in a long, tender embrace, kiss- 
 ing the white forehead again and again with a strange 
 solemnity that moved the child deeply, as if it touched an 
 undercurrent of soul answering to something she could not 
 quite understand. 
 
 " O Aunt Ruth," she began, one morning, "why was it 
 Bruce could n't come last summer? Would he have felt 
 awkward without you and uncle? It was such a lovely 
 time. Rob was dreadfully disappointed. I think every- 
 body missed him in a way, or wanted him." 
 
 " But you had so much on your hands, and there was 
 the newness about Charlie," Aunt Ruth said very gently. 
 
 " I do not think it made very much difference, Aunt 
 Ruth," was the slow answer. 
 
 " You know it is not quite an engagement, and Uncle 
 Robert was n't willing ; but then Charlie thought it right, 
 too," she went on rather incoherently. "We were to go 
 on just the same, and, indeed, I did n't have time for any- 
 thing else," she continued, smiling through a rising flush. 
 
 The love of youth and association ; was it anything 
 deeper? Aunt Ruth wondered. Yet her heart ached for the 
 other one, withheld by the finest sense of honor, a chain 
 that could have no flawed link, that would hold anoth- 
 er's right sacredly true through any pang. " It might as 
 well have been," she cried in her secret heart, woman like. 
 
 Dr. Markham took her to task for languor. 
 
 " You have quite overdone the matter," said he. ' ' When 
 I consented to your dancing on the lawn I did n't mean 
 you to turn into a fashionable tourist, and go galloping all 
 over the world. The next thing we shall hear of will be a 
 volume of travels." ^k 
 
 "I think I shall leave the volumes and toe experiences 
 to younger people. I have been quite content to enjoy, 
 and am fully satisfied with my rambles. The General
 
 186 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 expects to resign his commission this spring, and we shall 
 settle down into quiet old people." 
 
 "Not so fast! not so fast!" cried the doctor eagerly. 
 "You women run to extremes. There ought to be some 
 grand middle life before one begins to go down the hill. 
 The young folks must not crowd us out of everything." 
 
 " How lovely it will be for you to have a real home ! " 
 Kathie said afterward. " Only it seems as if Bruce ought 
 to be in it." 
 
 Aunt Ruth's answer was a gentle sigh. 
 
 Kathie dreamed a little. If Bruce came, and married ; 
 everybody did sooner or later, and there were children 
 growing up in the house. There was Fay and some of 
 the new girls at Brookside, as well as several charming 
 ones in the city that she had come to know, but out of 
 them all she could not choose any one to her mind. For 
 an instant she was back in Rome, saying her good by. If 
 he could have stayed with them ! A strange tide seemed to 
 carry her swiftly out to unknown depths, a broad oceae 
 she had not traversed before. 
 
 They went home presently and took up the old wide- 
 spread living. Mr. Hunsdon's house approached comple- 
 tion, and the marriage took place. The Collamore house 
 was full of cousins and guests, and Louise oddly enter- 
 taining with the importance of her new position, ruling 
 Fay and everj'body with bits of superior wisdom that were 
 as new to her experience as if they had never been ut- 
 tered. There was much gay talk, and jesting, and innu- 
 merable discussions on the aesthetics of house-furnishing. 
 Queen Anne houses were coming in, and the old things 
 were going out. 
 
 Even Eugene was drawn into it. Kathie could not help 
 relaxing a little of her carefulness. It seemed quite ab- 
 surd that one should go on caring with no hope. And 
 soon everybody would know. 
 
 But he said to Fay, " If the Mackenzies are here this
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 187 
 
 summer the young lieutenant will be sure to come on if 
 he cares for her. And a year will certainly convince 
 Kathie that I do not mean to forget." 
 
 Fay had known so few unhappy loves in her short life. 
 There were times when it seemed to her that this must 
 come out right by the very force of its fidelity. 
 
 When Louise was gone, Fay and Kathie seemed to 
 draw closer together. The spring daj'S were growing so 
 long, and there were bits of lonely evenings. They liked 
 so to have her at the Alstons'. Then Aunt Ruth came 
 home, and to Kathie it was a breath of the old-time 
 sweetness. 
 
 " She is quite worn out," said the General, " and you 
 must nurse her back to bloom and strength, Kathie, or we 
 shall hear from Dr. Markham. There has been so much 
 society in Washington, so much going about everywhere, 
 that we shall be very glad of a little rest." 
 
 It was so natural to have Aunt Ruth, to see her lying on 
 the sofa, to take her to drive in the pony carriage, to tell 
 her little bits of the happenings and changes, and yet at 
 first it seemed to Kathie as if they had drifted so far 
 apart. The little heart things, the deep tendernesses, the 
 real intimate life did not seem to glow within, although the 
 outside was unchanged. Was it because childhood was 
 over and maturity was coming? When one could walk 
 alone one was on longer held up by watchful hands. She 
 was left to hold herself up, to decide many things, to grow 
 stronger by the exercise. If there was any other reason 
 she could not see it then. 
 
 At Easter Charlie Darrell was ordained. Kathie and her 
 mother went down for a few da}-s' stay. To her it was a 
 very solemn service, bringing before her ^he life and the 
 work that were to be hers presently. SaralrRad made it so 
 large, and sacred, and was working it out in her sphere 
 with an energy that seemed like inspiration in its wisdom, 
 its tenderness. What could she do? In the shelter of her
 
 188 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 own home she might be brave, but in the great world 
 Well, there were times when she had taken up the cross 
 and borne witness, only now it seemed to be from outside 
 pressure rather than any of her own choosing. Could she 
 make it her soul's earnest desire ? 
 
 They had one little talk about it. They so rarely talked 
 of their own selves that Kathie stood tremulous and 
 abashed, as on the verge of a strange experience. 
 
 "I am almost afraid," she cried softly. "What if 1 
 should fail and mistake the way ! O Charlie, it seems 
 now as if }'ou needed some one larger of soul, more in 
 earnest, wiser " 
 
 "'He giveth liberally.' It is not our strength, }'ou 
 know, and we are not to come to it all at once ; that is, the 
 blessedness. You must not worry over it ; as you are I 
 want you. And when we take up the work together, shall 
 I not be there to help you bear any burden ? We shall 
 have the long, lovely summer to talk it all over, and 
 you will be glad, Kathie, you will rejoice in my joy. Love 
 could not do otherwise." 
 
 It was love ; it must be. Kathie drew near in great 
 awe, as to a sacrament. 
 
 " Mamma," she said, a day or two after, " when Charlie 
 comes down to Brookside, would it not be better to tell 
 the truth about ourselves, or at least let it be known. I 
 cannot bear to be in a false position. It was very well 
 last year, but now I want to think of it, to make myself 
 ready for my future life." 
 
 Mrs. Alston pressed her to her heart. After all, it 
 would come hard to give up her darling. 
 
 " Yes," she made answer softly. " It would be as 
 well. But there need be no hurry about the marriage. I 
 was to keep you two years, you know." 
 
 "I should like to stay always," and there was a little 
 sob in her voice. Oh, vfhy had she promised? 
 
 " ' For this cause they shall leave father and mother,' *
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 189 
 
 Mrs. Alston returned in a tender tone. " It is right and 
 natural, Kathie, and } r etit seems a great parting, when you 
 have always been so much to us. But you are sadly ner- 
 vous and excited. You have had too much on your mind 
 of late." 
 
 Charlie had promised to take some mission duty for 
 a friend who was going away for a brief rest. But his 
 first summons to Brookside was not the glad mission of 
 
 joy- 
 
 And yet it was a peaceful sorrow. Grandmother Darrell, 
 full of years and good works, went fearlessly over the 
 swelling river. She had been rather poorly all winter, fail- 
 ing imperceptibly. Her great desire had been to know 
 that her darling had been consecrated to God's work, and 
 when this was done the silver cord seemed gently loosed. 
 From afar she would see and know. Kathie's visits were 
 a great pleasure, even to the last. Jessie and her husband 
 and Charlie were sent for, and watched the tranquil death 
 that was only another word for translation. 
 
 The funeral was a great tribute of respect paid to an 
 honorable and useful life. They covered her grave with 
 flowers, and wended their way back to the duties and 
 responsiblities of the living. 
 
 To Kathie it had been a great shock. No one very near 
 or dear to her had died since she could remember. She 
 kept so pale and nervous that Uncle Robert insisted she 
 should take a little journey with him, quite away from the 
 cares of e very-day life. 
 
 " It seems to me that I am going all the time," she 
 made answer. " Perhaps, like Aunt Ruth, it is quietness 
 I want." 
 
 " It is a little wholesome indolence, I think. We will 
 leave everything behind us, and have one mire rare holi- 
 day together." 
 
 They were gone a fortnight, and she came back much
 
 190 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 improved. She had obeyed Uncle Robert to the letter and 
 dismissed all her little perplexities. 
 
 "You are always so good and strong," she said. " I 
 wonder what I shall ever do without you." 
 
 Why did she never count on the other strength that 
 awaited her, that would be glad to serve ?
 
 CHAPTER XVI, 
 
 ** I SUPPOSE we shall get used to the thought of her go* 
 ing away," Uncle Robert mused to himself, as he walked 
 down to the post-office. There had been a little family 
 talk on the subject. Somehow Ruth had not been at all 
 enthusiastic, even though Charlie was one of her warmest 
 favorites. 
 
 " We could not choose more wisely for her," Mrs. 
 Alston had said with some decision. 
 
 " I suppose she chose for herself," Mrs. Mackenzie 
 remarked, with the least emphasis of a rising inflection. 
 
 " Why, of course. And the life will suit her so per- 
 fectly." 
 
 Then it was agreed that the young man should come 
 henceforth in the light of a lover. There would be no 
 talk of a marriage until he was settled to his liking. 
 Already the fervor of the young divine, and his extreme 
 purity and sweetness, were making him a name. 
 
 Uncle Robert took his letters out carelessly, glanced 
 over the unimportant ones, and paused at his nephew's. 
 It had a small mark in one corner, ' Personal,' written very 
 fine. No one ever opened his letters, and he smiled a 
 little at the conceit. 
 
 But his face grew grave and pained as he read. It was 
 very brief. 
 
 " DEAR UNCLE, Can you come to me without orating any great 
 surprise at home? I am in a terrible trouble, and neeqpuch a friend 
 as you have always proved. I can only say it is no real crime on my 
 part ; at least nothing that transgresses the well-known laws of honoi 
 and honesty.
 
 192 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Then the trouble, whatever it was, had reached its cul 
 mination ! Yes, it would be an easy enough matter to go. 
 He need not mention any destination. Poor lad. When 
 all outside surroundings were harmonious, even then chere 
 could not be peace. 
 
 " Dora," he said, walking up the broad steps, " I am 
 compelled to go away to-night on some special business. 
 I should not wonder if I took a run to Chicago and saw 
 Rob." 
 
 " Oh!" The mother's face lighted up. "I wish you 
 could bring him home with you." 
 
 " I suppose it is hardly his time for vacation," was the 
 studied, careless answer. " Give me a little supper while 
 I pick up a few articles." 
 
 It was not that he wanted to eat, but the curious impulse 
 that leads us to observe little habits in any intense stress 
 of feeling that must be kept hidden. Kathie came and 
 chatted ; he said good by to them all cheerfully, and took 
 the evening train to the city. 
 
 It was evening again when he reached his destination. 
 He had gone though with many phases of feeling during 
 the journey, and settled at last to a tender pity. He could 
 almost guess the secret of the trouble. Keeping it alone 
 had become unendurable. Rob never could bear to be 
 long shut on the outside of everything. It would be a 
 great shock to the fancy his mother was cherishing. Ah, 
 if they could have these children of their love back again 
 to childhood ! 
 
 As he stepped out on the platform in the gathering dusk 
 of the summer night a hand was laid on his arm, before 
 he could see the face. 
 
 " Rob," in a sympathetic tone. 
 
 " Dear uncle ! I knew you would come. I was down 
 to meet the other train, lest I might chance to miss you." 
 
 As they emerged from the crowd the elder drew the arm 
 of the younger through his. There was something of com- 
 fort and confidence in the pressure.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 193 
 
 u Let us go at once to the hotel ; I have a room there," 
 said the nephew. 
 
 Uncle Robert caught sight of the face then. It was 
 very pale, and his eyes were heavy from lack of sleep. To 
 the old resolute look there was added something stern, 
 bitter. 
 
 " You are so good to come. There was no one else. I 
 am always laying burdens on you." And the voice was 
 tremulous with emotion. 
 
 "Since it is no disgrace like " Dishonesty he was 
 about to add, but Rob interrupted vehemently. 
 
 ' ' I am not so sure of that ! I have thought it over 
 until I have gone almost wild." 
 
 " Rob, let us have done with the mystery. Something 
 has been on your mind a long while. I think now you 
 have married, unwisely, unhappily, but better that than any 
 flagrant sin." 
 
 " Uncle Robert ! it brings back the errors of my boy- 
 hood to have you guess so unerringly. Did you mistrust, 
 last summer or before ? " 
 
 ' ' I fancied at first you had contracted some debt that 
 you resolved to work out of honorably. But last summer 
 there were little things, and you kept so away from me." 
 
 " Yes, I was afraid. Wrong or sin always does make 
 a coward of one." 
 
 " And your wife ? " 
 
 " We are here. I will order a little supper for us both, 
 sent up to the room. It is a long story." 
 
 Uncle Robert asked no further question until they were 
 seated at their meal, and he had a little time to study the 
 face. There was something beside the ^bitterness, a cer- 
 tain vindictive force, long repressed. V 
 
 " Rob, you have done her no ill? " he cried in sudden 
 alarm. 
 
 " She has worked us both enough. Any one else would 
 have paid the penalty with her life." 
 13
 
 194 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Hush. Such a feeling is terrible. Rob, remember; 
 did you not choose her ? " 
 
 He leaned his arms on the table and hid his face in them 
 for several minutes. 
 
 " I was such a blind, idiotic fool ! " he began presently. 
 " I was warned, and it traversed all my plans, only I 
 hardly knew it until it was done." 
 
 ' ' While you were in college ? " 
 
 " Let me tell you from the beginning. I wonder now 
 how I could have kept it so entirely away from you all ; 
 but I was ashamed, and it seemed such a poor return for 
 what you had done. I did n't seem to realize until it was 
 all over what I might have been to you at home. Are our 
 eyes always opened by these horrible contrasts, I wonder? 
 J feel as if I had cut myself off from everybody. No," as 
 his uncle offered him the plate of toast, " I don't want to 
 eat. I '11 talk while you are having supper. It is so good 
 to confess after this dreary time of secrecy. 
 
 " The last winter at New Haven I used to go to a house 
 where there were two bright, pretty girls, jolly and ready 
 for an} T kind of fun. Quite a number of the boys went 
 there ; it was a regular free and eas}', the mother seeming 
 about as young as the girls. They pla} T ed and sang, and 
 were beautiful dancers. Some of the fellows used to send 
 wine and various things, and have gay little suppers. I 
 made up my mind not to be bantered into drinking, though 
 I did now and then take a glass of wine. Adclie, the 
 younger girl, was very sweet to me, that sort of half-hid- 
 den, secret fondness that makes a mystery of a thing and 
 deepens its interest. I suppose she had gone through with 
 such fancies dozens of times ; but I thought it was an en- 
 tirely new regard that, somehow, she couldn't help having 
 for me, and that it was n't possible for her to entertain for 
 anyone else. Then she possessed one of the sweet, plead- 
 ing, baby faces, and I suppose after a little, with all her 
 kissing and caressing, I did lose my head. I despise my-
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 195 
 
 self so for it now, that I could not be sure no really pure, 
 high-minded, honorable girl would so throw herself at a 
 man's head, or a boy's, for I was nothing but that. Two 
 or three of the young fellows uttered warnings, but I set 
 them down to jealousy 
 
 "Then Mrs. Weeks and Frances went to New York 
 and were gone about a month Addie was at home with 
 the girl, and she used to beg me so to come, and as I 
 always found her alone it was very bewildering, fascinat- 
 ing. One evening she insisted on my drinking some wine 
 with her, and when I refused the second glass she seemed 
 so hurt, and cried a little, and said I did n't care for her 
 while she cared so much for me, and would do anything to 
 please me. So I drank a little more. We had fallen into 
 the habit of saying silly things, making love without 
 really meaning affection. I was a little startled at first by 
 her way of uttering them, but she seemed so sweet and inno- 
 cent about it ; and you know I had never been spoony on 
 girls," with a sad little smile. " I had never really cared 
 for them, and I had no more thought of marrying Addie 
 Weeks than of any one I knew at Brookside. Other boys 
 were carrying on flirtations, and having no end of fun out 
 of them. Yet I don't know as I ever settled it in my mind 
 as a regular flirtation. She bewitched me when I was 
 with her, and I never thought of any ending at all. 
 
 " Well, whether it was the wine or my own mad folly, 
 or a something like love, or, as I have thought since, hei 
 deliberate aim to make me do it, we began to talk of 
 marriage. I must have asked her to marry me, for she 
 proposed that we should go to the house of a minister 
 she knew and get married. How could^E have been so 
 crazy, you wonder ! I can't understand % myself now, 
 only then I was wild with a curious fascination, and I did 
 it. It was two years ago last April. 
 
 " I felt strangely frightened after it was over, but I 
 was not disenchanted. On the contrary, then I would
 
 196 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 have owned her as my wife anywhere in the face of the 
 whole world. I thought her the prettiest, sweetest, dear- 
 est being upon earth. I was ready to do anything for her. 
 For a week or two I was in Fool's Paradise. Then her 
 mother came home. We were going to keep our marriage 
 a profound secret until after I had graduated." 
 
 There followed quite a long silence. Rob was waiting 
 for some word of condemnation or surprise, but presently 
 his uncle uttered a soft, persuasive, inquiring, "Well?" 
 
 " The rest is so shameful, Uncle Robert ! " And his pale 
 face blazed crimson. " There was a little rumor that 
 Frances Weeks had gone abroad with a rich New-Yorker 
 in a questionable position. It made me furious when I 
 first heard it. Addie denied it and cried over it, then ad- 
 mitted she had sailed, but that she was going to try the 
 stage or do something for herself. But other ugly stories 
 came to light about her, and there were hints concerning 
 the mother. They lived prettily, dressed well, and always 
 seemed to have plenty of money and quantities of pres- 
 ents. 
 
 "After a while my marriage grew to be an appalling 
 certainty to me. I had to study hard to make up for a 
 little lost time, and Addie went to Albany with her mother 
 for a visit. I resolutely staved off the conclusion. She 
 was pretty, and with a little toning down or refining might 
 be made presentable. I was so glad to have them away 
 over Commencement. I did have a nice time with you 
 and mother, and I was glad to see you so pleased and 
 proud. 
 
 " Of course I could not bring a wife home to you with- 
 out any means of supporting her. I felt she was not the 
 kind of girl you would approve ; that it would half break 
 mother's heart. That made me resolve to go quite away, 
 to get in some business so far distant that much visiting 
 would be out of the question. When Addie had been 
 transformed into something a little more ladylike I would
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 197 
 
 own what I had done. It was a horrible secret, and when 
 I first came home I threw myself into all the pleasures and 
 excitements with unwonted zest. I could n't comprehend 
 all at once that I had really banned myself out. Of 
 course Addie wrote to me. From Albany they had gone 
 Co Lake George, from thence to Saratoga, and she was 
 having such a splendid time. I wonder that I did not feel 
 hurt or jealous. If I only could get away before the time 
 for explanations. 
 
 " Then you know I went to New Haven. They had re- 
 turned, and Addie had admitted the marriage to her 
 mother. Mrs. Weeks pretended to a good deal of indig- 
 nation, and insisted that I should at once take Addie to 
 my people and put her in her proper position before the 
 world. She seemed to feel quite shocked that she had 
 been taking her about as a marriageable girl. It was an 
 extremely silly step, and she did not see how I could have 
 thought of marriage, and blamed me pretty generally for 
 it all. And then I found they believed, or affected to, 
 that Cedarwood was in some sort mine, as I was your heir. 
 
 " I suppose I had come to my senses a little. Mrs. 
 Weeks's talking appeared to me very much done for effect, 
 and I could see what they thought of the money and po- 
 sition. When I said I would have nothing but what I 
 could earn, and that it was my determination to go into 
 business immediately, and that I would care for Addie to 
 the best of my ability, she was desperately angry, and de- 
 clared she would not have married me if she supposed that 
 was to be her fate, and a great many other things that 
 opened my e}'es to her selfish indifference. They tried to 
 compel me to bring her home to you, bitf I stood resolute, 
 and when Mrs. Weeks said she and Add^jwould go with- 
 out me, I declared then that I would go quite away, that 
 I would never see her, never own her as my wife, and that 
 from my own people she would get nothing. I was des- 
 perate enough for any step. But I did promise to take
 
 198 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 her out to Chicago, and to keep her as my wife if she 
 would consent to that. 
 
 " I do think they were quite crestfallen when they found 
 I would not go to you for any money, or take Addie to 
 Cedarwood as a sort of quasi mistress. We had two very 
 stormy days, and my enchantment came to a dismal ending. 
 It is a desecration to call such a sentiment love ! " And an 
 expression of wearisome disgust crept over his face. " In 
 less than five months the romance or madness was ended, 
 and I was tied to a woman for whom I did not care, and 
 who would cling to me only for a support, or because the 
 law had given us to each other. I meant then to get a 
 divorce just as soon as possible, and bury the shameful 
 secret in my own soul. I came back to Cedarwood ; 
 you know we were all so happy about Kathie's return, 
 and there was to be the party and all." 
 
 " Oh, my boy ! " Uncle Robert began, " I don't know 
 how you did endure it so bravely." 
 
 " I can't decide whether it was courage," and a wan smile 
 crossed the face that was growing rigid with conflicting 
 emotions ; " but don't you remember I always had a good 
 deal of what the boys call pluck, endurance, obstinacy, 
 and the sort of feeling there is no help and you must go 
 through with the matter in hand. And I had to do it 
 without awakening any suspicion on your part, so I went 
 into all the pleasures heartily. I did n't even want to think 
 it might be the last glad time. There were hours when 
 I felt wild, crazy, realizing bitterly how much of it I had 
 thrown away. Home never looked as lovely to me. 
 Mother and Aunt Ruth were such sweet and gracious 
 ladies, and the girls so pure, and refined, and wholesome. 
 Kathie was so enthusiastic over Miss Collamore, and I 
 liked her very, very much. All the delights took a 
 higher tone ; there was a repose and sweetness, a meaning 
 to it all that came to me with a sudden, blinding light. 
 And I was going out to eternal exile, it seemed to me.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 199 
 
 There were moments when I wanted to put my arm around 
 your neck in the old boy fashion and tell you how grate- 
 ful I was for everything you had ever done for me, for the 
 great effort you had made to keep me in the right way, 
 but I did not dare indulge in any sentiment. I should 
 have broken down, and the truth would have come out. 
 
 " So I went to Chicago. Addie and her mother gave 
 up their house in New Haven, came to New York for 
 a while, and I lived in a state of horrible suspense lest they 
 should appeal to you. They went to Baltimore afterward, 
 and did not reach Chicago until January. I had secured 
 a quiet boarding place in the suburbs. It seemed at first 
 as if Addie was quite glad to see me. She appeared tired 
 and worn out with dissipation, and looked so much older ; 
 and I learned then she was some five years older than 
 she had claimed to be ; that instead of being eighteen at 
 the time of our marriage she was twenty-three. All these 
 months I had been studying how I could get free event- 
 ually ; but her coming rudely dispelled my plans. In March 
 her baby was born." 
 
 "Your child, Robert? Oh, my poor boy, what a dreary, 
 dreary time ! It would have been better to have confessed 
 it all in the beginning. Where is the. child ; alive ? " 
 
 "Yes," he answered moodily, "it is. It cried a 
 great deal, and she insisted she was not able to take care 
 of it, so we put it out to nurse. She did not get well vei;," 
 rapidly, and I found she had made no improvement in 
 mind or character. The habit of using liquors had grown 
 upon her, and there were times it is shameful to say it 
 when she was not herself, but silly and disgusting. She 
 had quite made up her mind to stay with me now. Her 
 mother went off somewhere. I was iad of that. My 
 plans, therefore, must be changed. I comd not shake her 
 off so easily. I had a strange feeling, too, about the child, 
 and whether I would be quite right to get free from the 
 mother, if I could.
 
 200 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " I redoubled my efforts to make monej', doing copy- 
 ing at night, and keeping an extra set of books, and look- 
 ing after expenses every way. She realty seemed to have 
 no idea about money. After the hot weather came in she 
 grew stronger, and the last of July she wanted to go away 
 for a month with some friends she had made, and I con- 
 sented. I came home in August, you know. 
 
 " All this time I had been fighting with im-self. Bruce 
 and I corresponded frequently, and, without knowing the 
 story at all, he seemed to understand that something was 
 wrong, and his letters were so brave and comforting. I 
 could see the right through his eyes, and all my own weak- 
 ness and foil}'. I do believe if he had been at Cedarwood 
 I must have told him. You know it would not have been 
 as keen a sorrow to him as to you ; it would not have 
 touched him so nearly. 
 
 " Uncle Robert, I wonder if I was weak in so giving up 
 my whole heart to the pleasure of home ? I really had not 
 made up my mind to anything until that first night ; then I 
 resolved to shut out my own misery, to be as happy, to 
 make } r ou all as happy as I could. And in a few days a 
 curious knowledge or revelation came to me." And Rob 
 turned his face a little, while he tried to steady his voice. 
 " I may have misunderstood, but it seemed as if mother, 
 Kathie, and every one had a secret feeling that that 
 Fay Collamore might be brought in our midst, and would 
 be warmly, fondly welcomed. Suddenly, as if in a blazing 
 light, I saw what it might have been to me." 
 
 Rob sprang up and began to pace the floor. Oh, what 
 words could comfort ! Mr. Conover rose, too, came and 
 put his arm over the other's shoulder, but was silent. 
 
 " I knew then that I had admired Fa}* Collamore from 
 the very first, that I had been pleased when Kathie wrote 
 about her, that if all things were fair and right, I could 
 bring such a complete happiness in the family ; I could 
 be happy myself. Here was a girl worth loving and hon-
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 201 
 
 oring, and I had promised my soul and body to the other. 
 While she lived I had no right to put her away except for 
 some great and awful crime. And if I did put her away 
 on any weak, flimsy pretext, a girl like Fay Collamore, 
 with so high and fine a sense of justice, would not marry 
 me, ought not. And so the training of my whole life, that 
 oftentimes seemed thrown away, I dare say ; the compan- 
 ionship of such men as you, and Mr. Meredith, and Mr. 
 Langdon, of such boys as Charlie, and Bruce, and Dick, 
 and women like mother and Aunt Ruth, joined to save me. 
 I had gone into this thing by my own mad folly, and I 
 must bear it myself, not thrust it on other people's shoul- 
 ders, not cry out for the joys I had missed by my own 
 heedlessness. And I vowed, with God's help, that hence- 
 forward I would be to you all it was possible for son, or 
 brother, or friend, and keep my own soul clear of any new 
 stains. I could not help being thrown with Fay, but I did 
 try utterly to give no look or word, to hold no thought de- 
 rogatory to her. Mother's delicate little plans were hard 
 to traverse, and I fancy Fay wondered at times. Yet dif- 
 ficult and painful as the path was, I hated so to leave you, to 
 come back to my own wretched life. I would not mar 
 your delightful hours with such gray shadows." 
 
 " But you might have told me," the elder cried, with a 
 touch of upbraiding in his tone. 
 
 " No, I could n't. My strength was in keeping still. 
 Sympathy, tenderness would have finished me. We should 
 have betrayed our secret." 
 
 " But now?" Mr. Conover asked in a tone of something 
 like relief. " Have you come to the end ? " 
 
 Rob made a passionate gesture, as if he could crush 
 something out of sight. " If it could be^J^e end," he 
 cried. " If you can decide " 
 
 " Go on, then." 
 
 " I came back to Chicago, and she joined me a month 
 later. We had a new boarding place of her choosing,
 
 202 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED 
 
 among the kind of people she liked. They were polite 
 enough to me, but I fancy they considered me a young 
 fool, and the}" were right enough," bitterly. " I did try to 
 awaken some desire of better things in her, and remon- 
 strated, as I had times before, about her drinking, but it 
 always ended in painful disputes. There was absolutely 
 nothing I could do. She still kept her voice, but she used 
 it to charm her favorites, with her other blandishments. 
 I was not jealous ; it is strange, but I never had been 
 jealous of her from the first. I had to be awa}- evenings 
 with extra work, for the money was a necessity, but when 
 I remained at home she was as likely to go out. And so 
 we went on our way, the bond growing harder and harder 
 to bear. I think she was really sorry she had married me ; 
 she did say now and then she was a fool for having done 
 it. Oh, why did she ? There was nothing in a home to 
 satisfy her, and she might have taken some one older, 
 richer, more like herself. 
 
 " 1 went home two weeks ago and found a note on the 
 bureau directed to myself. Come to the light and read it, 
 and you will hardly say that I have been bitter or unjust 
 in this terrible story." 
 
 Mr. Conover took the crumpled missive and spread it 
 out. It was poorly written and misspelled, and betrayed a 
 sort of scornful animosity in every line. She had been al- 
 together disappointed in the marriage, and she could en- 
 dure it no longer ; she had been a fool for ever trying to 
 live with him. She had gone with some one who cared for 
 her beyond a boy's silly regard ; she would have all she 
 wanted, and he need make no search for her or trouble 
 himself in any way about her. She had never cared for 
 the child or wanted it ; so he might take the child, and get 
 a divorce as soon as he pleased ; it could not be too soon 
 for her. 
 
 " There is no question, then, about freedom " 
 
 The young face was turned to him with a strained, des-
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 203 
 
 perate longing, and yet a peculiar awe. His voice was 
 hoarse with emotion as he cried : 
 
 ' ' That is not all. There was a terrible accident right 
 in the beginning of their journey. He escaped unharmed. 
 She was terribly injured about the head, and taken to a 
 hospital. After a few days the doctors decided she might 
 recover, but that she would never have her senses again. 
 Then the word was sent to me. The lover, you see, could 
 not take her at so great a sacrifice. Uncle Robert, 
 is n't it horribly hard ! What can I do ? " 
 
 He flung himself on the sofa and buried his face on the 
 cushioned arm, while hard, dry sobs shook his frame. His 
 uncle paced the floor in great distress. All this young life 
 that should have been so bright, and glad, and promising, 
 marred and blighted by one fatal deed. 
 
 He sprang up suddenly, his eyes fierce with despairing 
 passion, his voice clinging to a last ray of hope. 
 
 " Ought I to keep to her, Uncle Robert? She went 
 away for her own pleasure. She did not even care for her 
 own little child. She has broken God's law, man's law, 
 and a horrible, swift punishment has overtaken her. Is 
 there any justice in making me suffer for it, years, per- 
 haps?" 
 
 " O my boy, we cannot decide this in a moment ! You 
 are worn out with excitement, and must have a little rest ; 
 and I must think it over. Can I see her some time? " 
 
 " Yes. She has been sent here. She is in the hospital. 
 Every care and attention will be paid her." 
 
 " Then we will not settle that point to-night. Sit down 
 here and rest."
 
 CHAPTER XVH. 
 
 IK spite of Robert Alston's splendid physique and buoy- 
 ant temperament, his night's vigil and the anxiety of the 
 past week had begun to tell upon him. He looked worn 
 and haggard ; his lips seemed compressed to a thin, bluish 
 line. His uncle had tried to make him sleep some through 
 the night, but the greater part of it had been spent in 
 restlessly pacing the floor, even if he refrained from 
 impatient questioning. He had asked for leave of absence 
 from the counting-house, so he could have the day to 
 devote to his uncle and the sadder errands. 
 
 There were many little things that had not been related 
 in the hurried story of the evening before. The young 
 man did not spare himself, and yet it seemed as if the 
 foolish girl had made fully as great a sacrifice, unless she 
 had counted on the possible wealth of the youth. It was 
 quite evident she had taken no special interest in any of 
 his pursuits, neither had it been from any ardent regard 
 for him. 
 
 They went together to see her. There was one cut at 
 the edge of her hair, and the discolor from bruises had not 
 quite disappeared. Seen there, in that strange life-in- 
 death state, the face had come back to a curious, youthful 
 beaut}-, the beaut}' put in marble when a soul is not needed. 
 The skin was fine and soft, full of sinuous blue pencillings, 
 the rounded chin had a deep dimple, the full, curved lips 
 were closed even now with a coquettish half-smile, and the 
 long bronze lashes shadowed the pale cheeks. Once, she 
 opened her eyes. They were of that infantile, purple blue,
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 205 
 
 and Mr. Conover, well versed in the ways and wiles of 
 womankind, could readily understand how dangerous their 
 snares might be for unwary youth. Yet it had seemed as 
 if that would be the least of all temptations to Robert 
 Alston. 
 
 They saw one of the physicians presently. It was merely 
 an iteration of the verdict. There was no reason why she 
 should not live ; her physical injuries had not been severe, 
 but the brain had suffered beyond an}- repair. 
 
 " She will be harmless," he said in a gentle tone ; 
 " never violent, and probably sink into mild idiocy. Of 
 course she will need continual care. I think I should 
 advise an asylum, unless she has friends, such as mother 
 or sister. Even then it is a tiresome charge to one unused 
 to such cases." 
 
 "Do you know anything about her mother?" Uncle 
 Robert asked afterward. 
 
 Rob gave a shiver of disgust. "No," he answered; 
 " they quarrelled bitterly the last time she was here, and 
 they are not people one would care to hunt up, even if we 
 could." 
 
 " Of course," the elder said gravely, " there is only one 
 thing to do at present. When she is discharged from here 
 she must be placed somewhere in safety, and provision 
 made for her. An asylum will be the best." 
 
 If she had died ! They could not but think of that sim- 
 ple ending to the tragedy, and yet God had not chosen 
 so to make it. And how to take the next important step 
 rightly and truly for this young soul wasla matter of 
 grave consideration to Robert Conover. 
 
 As they emerged from the hospital he said to his nephew, 
 " Rob, will 3'ou take me to see the child? " 
 
 The young man flushed vividly, but assented Uncle 
 Robert made no comment, but presently his nephew broke 
 the silence. 
 
 " I suppose you will think me heartless," in a kind of 
 
 15
 
 206 \VHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 justifying tone, " only you can't see all at once, Uncle 
 Robert, and understand how pressed I was on every side. 
 She did not want the child at home, and it was very trou- 
 blesome at night. Then I needed my strength and ener- 
 gies for business. It was much cheaper to put it out, a 
 consideration I could not afford to despise, and it seemed 
 to me much better. I do suppose it weakened the tie ; I 
 never can make it my child. I feel as if I had no busi- 
 ness with a child." 
 
 ' ' And you surely have not, Robert, at your age. It is 
 a sad commentary on early marriages. I never imagined 
 you could be beguiled into such a step, and so this was one 
 of the points never discussed. There is too slight a 
 responsibility attached to it nowada} r s. I am not sure 
 but among our other studies we ought to educate young 
 men for marriage, train them to the gravity, the sacred- 
 ness of the step, the awful solemnity of the vow, ' for 
 better, for worse.' " 
 
 " How could I have done it? I ask myself the question 
 over and over again. I had been drinking a little wine 
 that night, but that did n't take away my senses. And I 
 did n't care for marriage, either ; I had not been thinking 
 of it " 
 
 "Just what I said. If it had been held as a solemn 
 sacrament, more important than joining a church even, or 
 any secular step in life, you could not have done it. 
 Did n't you say last night you were warned." 
 
 " Yes, two or three of the fellows talked about them in 
 a rather sneering manner, which always made me feel as 
 if I wanted to get up and fight. And yet they were 
 received in society, in some society, for Addie's music 
 made her a great favorite. And no one quite knew until 
 the sister went to Europe ; then a great deal of gossip came 
 out about them. But it was too late for me." 
 
 Uncle Robert understood more clearly than his nephew 
 how it had happened ; how a few moments of inconsiderate
 
 WHOM KATHEE MARRIED. 207 
 
 jnprudence had wrecked, if not a whole life, at least sev- 
 eral years of it. A beautiful, designing girl, vain, selfish, 
 with no thought beyond her own present pleasure and 
 advancement, fancying, no doubt, this would be a road to 
 wealth and indulgence. While he could not absolve the 
 lad from a great share of the responsibility, he still felt he 
 was not all to blame. 
 
 " It is remarkable how you kept her from making any 
 overtures to the family," he said, a little astonished that 
 it had been done so successfully. 
 
 " When her mother threatened so, in the summer, I took 
 my stand boldl}'. I said you and mother would not receive 
 them. Honestly, I did not think you would, and I declared 
 if they did it I would go entirely away and take some 
 steps to have the marriage annulled. I am not sure but I 
 should have then and there, only the trouble and disgrace 
 seemed so horrible ! Then Addie suddenly changed and 
 went at her mother in a fury. She loved me and she was 
 not going to give me up, and she would wait until I was in 
 some position to take care of her. She seemed so sorry 
 and begged me to forgive her, and cried, and I did n't 
 know what else to do. I thought something might happen 
 to open a way out of it for me ; she might get tired and 
 obtain a divorce. I was almost crazy." 
 
 " You hid it very successfully." 
 
 "Isn't it strange how we can live such double lives? 
 But there was everything to help. Kathie was the great 
 interest, you know, and I tried to act natural, not to 
 overdo anywhere. It was for such a little while .9 1 could n't 
 have kept it up very long. I think now Mrs. Weeks found 
 during her stay in New York that it would be unwise to 
 appeal to you. It was n't even as if you were my father. 
 The law could not compel you to care for my wife. I made 
 up my mind if they did I would fight it out to the end. 
 They had relatives in Baltimore, some quite wenlthy peo- 
 ple, and it was not wisdom for them to remain in New
 
 208 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Haven. It was rather odd, but in a month I had found some 
 quite profitable copying to do evenings. Uncle Robert, 
 you would have laughed at my rigid economy " ; and the 
 boy smiled, even now. "I did not waste a penny, and 
 had quite a little hoard when she came, although I think I 
 had been saving it with the hope that she never would 
 come. And then everything was changed." 
 
 "Yes." There was such an infinite tenderness and 
 sympathy in the one little word. 
 
 " Bruce and I had been writing letters. I don't know 
 why he seemed nearer to me than any of the boj-s through 
 this time, but he was so strong, and manly, and earnest, 
 that it did me good. I could n't have written to you that 
 way without telling you the whole story. I think he fan- 
 cied I had a leaning or temptation for intemperance, and 
 I let it go at that. Uncle Robert," and the 3'oung man's 
 face hardened into marble-like resolution, "I think you 
 know why I shall never touch even a drop of wine again 
 in nry life. Ma}-be, too, my rather solitary living and con- 
 stant work had given me a sort of force and tone, and if 
 Addie had loved and kept the child I should have felt 
 quite differently. Afterward I realized that it was cheaper, 
 and better for the child. Here we are." 
 
 A cleanly row of frame houses with tiny flower gardens in 
 front, and at the open window of one sat a pleasant-faced 
 young woman, sewing, who glanced up and smiled, then 
 came to open the door. 
 
 Robert inti-oduced his uncle to Mrs. Fleming. 
 
 " The baby is asleep," she said, smiling with a soft, 
 motherly fondness. " She was late with her nap this 
 morning. Will you look in and see her? " 
 
 In the next room the little one lay in her crib. There 
 was not much in the baby face to remind one of its mother. 
 A wholesome, chubby face, merry and cheerful, rather than 
 specially handsome. 
 
 " She is the best little thing 3-011 can imagine," Mrs.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 209 
 
 Fleming went on, with true motherly pride. " And I wish 
 you could see her eyes. They are something the color of 
 her father's, hazel, but just full of laughter and sunshine. 
 I think they are the prettiest eyes I ever saw. Shall I 
 wake her? She will not be cross ; she never is." 
 
 " Oh, no ! " Uncle Robert stretched out his hand sud- 
 denly, and glanced at the child as if his soul had gone 
 past that to something else, a thought of her future, may- 
 be. In his young-man days he had been fond of bright, 
 pretty, chatty, questioning little girls. His friends de- 
 clared he always spoiled them. After the years of wan- 
 dering he had come back unexpectedly to family cares and 
 sympathies, and the child Kathie had taken the love that 
 might have grown into something for an older woman. 
 True, he was not beyond marriageable age, but he was 
 settled in his habits, satisfied ; nay, more, interested in his 
 work, suited with the home comforts. Yet one side of his 
 soul went out so tenderly to little children, especially girls. 
 He was the man to father a great house full of them, to 
 love, to direct, to enjoy their frolic and happiness. This 
 desolate little baby, not really wanted by either parent, 
 appealed to him powerfully, but he was thankful it looked 
 so little like its mother. Indeed, it was Rob over again in 
 his baby days. 
 
 He turned softly, as if a move might waken it. " We 
 will come in again, " with a pause, as if there were more 
 to say. I 
 
 Mrs. Fleming glanced from one to the othe^, and a sud- 
 den anxiety crossed her face. You could see the real 
 mother love had been touched. Ah, that did not always 
 come with relationship. 
 
 " You are not thinking of taking it away?" 
 
 Her voice trembled, and there came a humid fear and 
 softness in her eyes. 
 
 " No," stammered the father, startled by the question. 
 
 "It would be better for me to keep her until fall, you
 
 210 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 gee. The summer is trying for such a little one, and she is 
 used to my care and ways. It would be a bad time to 
 make a change." 
 
 " Yes," was the satisfactory response. 
 
 They emerged to the street again. 
 
 "Robert," his uncle began presently, "how much of 
 this disgraceful story is known or suspected. Have you 
 been able to keep it within bounds ? " 
 
 " It is very little known," and he gave a somewhat bitter 
 laugh. "You can hide almost anything in a great cit}-. 
 You understand now that I have not gone into much com- 
 pany. I did allow myself one little luxury, the member- 
 ship of a debating club. I could not afford to get rusty in 
 everything. Last year we lived quite in the suburbs, and 
 the people with whom we boarded have gone farther west. 
 Our other home was most uncongenial. Whether any one 
 there was in her confidence I do not know. I said noth- 
 ing the night I found the note, and had all arrangements 
 made for a change when the accident occurred, two days 
 later. Consequently I have not seen them. Even the 
 most exciting stories do die out soon." 
 
 They went back to the hotel for lunch, and then retired 
 to their room. Rob threw himself on the sofa. The reac- 
 tion from the terrible strain had come. Giving up the 
 secret, he had also given up much of the tense strength 
 that had borne him successfully so far. 
 
 "Try to get a little nap," proposed his uncle, kindly, 
 " though if you will answer me one more question? " 
 
 " You have only to ask it." 
 
 There was a sad little touch of penitence in this ; the 
 tone that implied all manner of reservation was forever at 
 an end. 
 
 " Robert, have you gone through all this without get- 
 ting in debt? Your expenses must have been beyond your 
 salary, it seems to me ; beyond anything you could earn." 
 
 " But I have earned it, or nearly all. A week ago I
 
 WHOM KATHIE MAERIED. 211 
 
 took up a hundred dollars. I have been deadly economi- 
 cal with myself," smiling faintly. " I put some of the les- 
 sons of my boyhood in practice. I was resolved not to 
 come to you, and not to get in debt. Uncle, it was almost 
 like fighting with wild beasts at Ephesus, if I may be 
 allowed to use the simile." 
 
 " You have shown a great deal of bravery through it 
 all." And Mr. Conover felt really amazed. 
 
 "Thank you." There was a wistful pleasure in the 
 heavy eyes. 
 
 The quietness of the room, the drowsiness of the warm 
 summer air, and the fatigue of weary days and nights had 
 their influence presently. 
 
 Robert Alston fell into a light slumber, and his uncle, 
 watching him, revolved many points in his mind. He was 
 too experienced in the world's sad wisdom to blame un- 
 reasonably, and the vague suspicion of the past year had 
 in some degree prepared him for the blow. Had there 
 been any negligence or wrong in the lad's training ? Could 
 there have been a warning, counsel, anything to save him ? 
 Yet what availed going over the past ? The blindness and 
 madness of the hour had wrought their terrible woe, and 
 the cure was not looking backward and picking out a hun- 
 dred different courses that would have saved it all. 
 
 And withal he gave thanks fervently, devoutly, that it 
 had not hurried him on to ruin. He knew how swift and 
 easy the path could be made in a moment of Morrible dis- 
 couragement. Yes, the good seed had sprung up and 
 borne fruit ; manful endurance that an older soul might 
 have wavered in, a clinging to truth, and honor, and right, 
 in spite of adverse circumstances. The clean and whole- 
 some boyhood, the pure ideals, the graces of higher life, 
 the training of all those years, were not without a certain 
 recompense. He was glad to have his boy back again, un- 
 stained by any gross vice, unpolluted by an association 
 that might have dragged him down to shameful depths.
 
 212 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 The thought of home and friends had held the wavering 
 balance. In time there might come something higher, the 
 greater strength, the perfect peace. All wisdom was not 
 in youth, not even in middle life. It was going on, 
 stumbling and yet rising, imperfect, and yet being made 
 perfect in the end by the divine love and patience. If 
 that could so forgive, so stretch out a helping hand, were 
 we to judge, and weigh, and condemn? 
 
 And 3'et he hardl}' knew what step was best. The shock 
 would be very great to Mrs. Alston, with her clinging, 
 tender fancies that had grown into other plans. And there 
 was a path out of it. Worldly wisdom and prudence 
 would approve of it. 
 
 When Rob stirred the afternoon was almost gone. He 
 woke with a sudden start, as if he could hardly remember, 
 but his uncle's face reassured him. 
 
 " Suppose we put by the perplexing questions for 
 a while," he said, " and go for a pleasant drive. I have 
 just written a note home that I shall stay with }-ou several 
 days. We will begin our visit now." 
 
 " How good you are ! " Rob pressed his uncle's hand, 
 and the tears of gratitude shone in his eyes. 
 
 " I thank God that he has kept your love and trust for 
 me through it all " 
 
 Rob started a little. Had there been, unconsciousl}', a 
 higher power ruling, guiding him? Many a time in his 
 agony he had cried to God, feeling himself so helpless, so 
 despairing ! Had there been an answer ? Was this what 
 was meant in the text that flashed suddenly into his mind, 
 "My grace is sufficient for thee" ? Not take thee out 
 of the depth, or set thee up on high, but just " suffi- 
 cient." Not even any left over to glory about, or for the 
 days to come ; to-day and here, that was all of the 
 promise. But when we get at to-morrow, is it not to-day 
 already ? 
 
 They had a delightful drive out through the suburbs and
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 213 
 
 by the edge of the lake. The sun dropped down in his 
 gold and crimson splendors, and the moon, a silvery bit of 
 crescent, floated along on the edge of a blue-rimmed cloud. 
 They talked in bits and snatches of old times, of the boys 
 and their aims, of the past pleasures, now doubly dear. 
 
 " I ought to tell you about Kathie," Uncle Robert 
 said in a soft tone. They had been discussing Charlie 
 Darrell's pure and gracious youth, with its refined and 
 exalted ideals. " It was spoken of last summer, but they 
 were so young. The faith has been kept, however, and 
 your mother is extremely happy. It is now an acknowl- 
 edged engagement." 
 
 "Not Charlie?" There was a peculiar unwillingness 
 in Rob's face 
 
 "Why not?" Why could there be secret dissatisfac- 
 tion here ? 
 
 "Oh, if Kathie cares loves " And Rob glanced 
 away. 
 
 " She could not have done it without caring." 
 
 " I suppose not," lingeringly. Yet it seemed to him he 
 held a clew to another " caring." " Did no one know of 
 it last summer but just you and mamma? I never sus- 
 pected." 
 
 "No one. It was hardly more than a fancy. At least 
 Aunt Ruth was told, and Charlie's family on his part. 
 You must not feel hurt ; we were afraid you might tease 
 her." J 
 
 " Oh, I was not thinking of myself." Some sudden 
 impulse checked him, and he understood then he had grown 
 finer and more considerate than in that heedless boyhood. 
 
 It was another's secret, guessed at, and he had no right 
 to betray it. But he held a clew to sentences in Bruce's 
 letters that had puzzled him as greatly as the sudden 
 resolve of not coming East. 
 
 " And have you no word of approval? " Uncle Robert 
 was a trifle perplexed.
 
 214 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " O Uncle Robert, it seems so queer for Kathie to be 
 engaged ! Yes, I suppose it is just the life for her, and 
 they have always been such friends. I do believe Charlie 
 has loved her from very boyhood, and he is good, and 
 noble, and tender. Any one cold or hard, or even care- 
 lessly indifferent, would break Kathie's heart." 
 
 And yet Rob gave a little sigh. How lonely it must be 
 out there, with nothing to keep the heart warm and glad. 
 Robert Alston seemed drawn to Bruce at that moment with 
 a deep and wordless tie, a sympathy no one else could feel, 
 he thought, not knowing of the bitterer disappointment in 
 the two older hearts. 
 
 " Dear little Kathie, I hope she will be very happy," 
 he said after a while. ' ' She has been such a comfort to 
 you and mamma, while I have brought nothing but sorrow 
 and disappointment." 
 
 " Yes, Rob, many hours of pleasure as well." 
 
 ' ' You are very generous to say so ! " he cried with deep 
 emotion. " It would be just right, Uncle Robert, if you 
 gave me up altogether." 
 
 " No, not just right." 
 
 He understood the allusion. It was divine love that 
 went after the one sheep astray, and meted out a tenderer 
 mercy than worldly justice. 
 
 The following day Rob went back to business for several 
 hours, promising to get off early. Uncle Robert visited 
 Mrs. Fleming and made acquaintance with his little 
 grand-niece. A bright, cunning baby she proved, begin- 
 ning to run about, and saying pretty little sentences, with 
 her glad, laughing face in an eager glow of interest. Full 
 of mischief, too, and winsome ways that were not allowed 
 to degenerate into disagreeable habits. A wiser, tenderer 
 foster-mother could hardly have been found, though she 
 was a plain body and a poor man's wife. Her vague ex- 
 planations corroborated what Robert had said, that the 
 mother cared little for her child.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 215 
 
 il It seems a pity for God to send them to fashionable 
 young folks who only care for dressing, and company, 
 and pleasuring," exclaimed the honest woman. " They 
 waste their health and strength on other things, and have 
 nothing left for their children. She was such a poor little 
 baby when I took her, and she fretted all the time, they 
 said ; but no one knew how to take care of her, and she 's 
 the best little thing now you can imagine. I should 
 be sorry for them to take her back now ; not for the 
 money's sake, either, though that comes good, but I 'd 
 rather care for her for nothing the rest of the summer. 
 I 've lost two little ones of my own, and it seems almost 
 like having one of them lent to me a while again." 
 
 Uncle Robert smiled and assured her there should be 
 no change made for the summer. 
 
 But some step must be settled upon. After a conscien- 
 tious talk with the hospital physician he decided upon the 
 asylum. It was physically impossible that she should 
 recover her senses ; indeed, there might come presently a 
 gradual paralysis. 
 
 " It seems a hard fate for a handsome young woman like 
 that, and with a fine fellow for a husband. There is many 
 a sad romance in a hospital ward, and sadder ones still 
 shut inside of asj'lum walls," the grave doctor said slowly, 
 thinking to comfort his hearer. 
 
 The days passed so quickly that Robert Alston grudged 
 them, as if the sunshine were grains of gold^ He almost 
 forgot the keen edge of wretchedness in having this tender 
 friend with him again. Oh, how was he ever to spare 
 him? 
 
 " Robert," the elder began, one evening, " we ought to 
 make some plans about the future. You are content, 
 satisfied with your position in a mercantile house ? " 
 
 Robert was silent. 
 
 " It was your choice, you know." 
 
 "Oh, Uncle Robert!" he cried vehemently, "it was
 
 216 WHOM KATIIIE MARRIED. 
 
 the result of that miserable, mad folly. I could not make 
 you suffer for the misdoing, and so I gave up my choice. 
 And now," his face settling into resolute lines, " there is 
 nothing but to go on for the present." 
 
 " You did have another fancy? " 
 
 ' ' Well, I may tell you now ; chemistry always inter- 
 ested me so much. Maybe I should not have had the pa- 
 tience, and it is too late to wish about it. But I would 
 like to ask one favor, if you think it best." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 "That I may come back to New York some time. 
 You see," with a sad smile, " I have not taken root here. 
 The place will always be full of miserable memories for 
 me. And I have learned to care a great deal more for the 
 old friends." 
 
 There was a lingering tremulousness in his tone that 
 touched the elder deeply. 
 
 /' We must also decide upon your standing with them. 
 Robert, how much of the truth are } r ou willing to face ? " 
 
 There was a great struggle in the j'oung man's mind. 
 A mad desire to leave it all behind, to start afresh, pos- 
 sessed him. 
 
 " How much must I face ? " he cried passionately. " Un- 
 cle Robert, I kept my truth and honor under temptation ; 
 you must confess it was that. I did not love my wife, and 
 yet I did ever3 r thing. I would not be pushed or thrust out 
 of any right line. I tried, yes, I think God will bear me 
 witness that I did try faithfully to give her all the happi- 
 ness in my power. Her ways were not mine. I could not 
 drink and carouse, even to please her ; but she openly, 
 flagrantly transgressed and outraged all laws. There is 
 the proof, her own admission. Am I bound to her? She 
 had decided her course before this fearful accident. I 
 should have been free." 
 
 It was man to man now. The tender regard, the peni- 
 tence and sorrow, were put aside. He was ready for a
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 217 
 
 desperate struggle. The matter had been brooding in his 
 brain for days, though it had been so quiescent. 
 
 Robert Conover's sympathy was on the side of freedom 
 as well. His affection for the young life just coming 
 to understand itself and its needs ; his admiration for 
 the brave manner in which he had taken up the sad 
 results of his great mistake, his boyish unwisdom rather 
 than flagrant sin, worked powerfully in his behalf. And 
 yet, just here would be the turning-point of character, the 
 firmness of truth and higher living, or the volatile desire 
 of what was most pleasant, after a brief repentance. Yet 
 it was so hard and bitter to remand him back to the old 
 chain. 
 
 " Robert," and the voice was unsteady with conflict- 
 ing emotions, " I do not think either of us is in a con- 
 dition to decide so important a question ; we cannot take 
 in all its bearings." 
 
 " But we can take in its main points. Uncle Robert, 
 you have never toned down or softened sins that I commit- 
 ted, even when you loved me best, and no one could have 
 loved me better ; now why can you find palliation for her ? 
 It is not even as if she were going to realize any disgrace. 
 The punishment came swiftly to her ; why should that, 
 the result of her sin, be made to reach me ? I have been 
 over and over the ground. I don't see any right, any jus- 
 tice " 4 
 
 Rob bowed his face in his hands. Tyhavc all things 
 remain the same ; why, he might as well die at once ! 
 
 "Yes," returned Mr. Conover with grave sweetness, 
 " all this seems the side of justice. It is too wide in its 
 significance to be hastily settled. There is another life to 
 consider. There is a little child that did not ask to be 
 born to a blighted heritage. Robert, suppose I was to tell 
 you to-day that the husband your mother loved so well, 
 the father you children had been taught to revere and 
 honor, even after he was in his grave, had been a forger, a
 
 218 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 thief, dishonored his name and that of a family, and just 
 by death escaped a prison cell ! Could you ever throw off 
 the terrible shadow? Thank God there is no such thing 
 to say. He was the soul of honor and integrity, and I am 
 not sure but his example, though I used to think him a lit- 
 tle rigid on some points, has made me more thoughtful, 
 led me in some doubtful cases to see the finer right. It 
 seems to me here is an opportunity to come out of the 
 affair without any open disgrace . A boj'ish imprudence 
 can be excused, forgiven. You are not the first lad who 
 has made a secret and unwise marriage. Some women, 
 well loved and sheltered, have lost their reason and spent 
 whole lives as she must spend hers. Your share in it can 
 step now from a fault to a misfortune. The people who 
 know or have known her may never connect her with }'ou 
 or your child. When you have gone over all this ground 
 patiently you can decide whether you will suffer a wrong, 
 or do a wrong and harm to right j'ourself." 
 
 " Then there is no hope for me ! " He sprang up and 
 began to pace the floor with passion in every step. " All 
 my life I am to be bound to her ! I can do nothing, be 
 nothing for my very self. Why," with a bitter laugh, " it is 
 harder than if she had not gone. The punishment is 
 greater for me than for her, since she is relieved from all 
 mental suffering. There will be no use trying for any 
 future." 
 
 " Robert," his uncle said kindly, u this is why we older 
 men try to restrain and advise youth. We know of so 
 many snares and pitfalls, and the disastrous consequences. 
 This is why I have so desired to keep your confidence ; It 
 seemed as if you could not take any fatal step if you came 
 and discussed it first. Did I make the terms too hard? 
 Where did I fail?" 
 
 '" You are not to blame," Rob said sullenly. " It is my 
 own doing and I must bear it, that is all. I suppose I 
 have been a blind fool and thrown away all my chances.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 219 
 
 There are only the husks left. It is hard to be condemned 
 to them years and }-ears, perhaps always." 
 
 " As I said, we cannot decide the matter now. There 
 are some legal aspects ; in any event you will be answer- 
 able for her maintenance, I think, and we had better see 
 what must be done and what can be done." 
 
 " It will not matter much to me now. Good night," he 
 said abruptly ; and, going to his room, threw himself un- 
 dressed on the bed, and, burying his face hard in the pillow, 
 gave way to bitter, desperate tears. He had dared to 
 dream of freedom, of being in the old home just the same, 
 of having a new chance for right living, happiness. He 
 was so young, so young ! He had tried to be just, and 
 fair, and honorable ; she had never tried for anything but 
 her own enjoyment, and to-night her fate looked the best, 
 he said, in his sullen misery.
 
 CHAPTER XVin. 
 
 ROBERT ALSTON was gravely quiet the next morning, 
 with that baffling, polite reserve that shut him out as 
 effectually as the obstinate determination of his boyhood. 
 He made a pretence of eating breakfast and went to busi- 
 ness, leaving his uncle sore at heart, puzzled, and anx- 
 ious. It certainly was a critical time in the young man's 
 life, and on this decision would depend much of his future 
 character. Home and love were such strong ties, Uncle 
 Robert knew well. The lesson was a bitter one, and it 
 was hardly likely any other great temptation would assail 
 him in an active, contented life. But dissatisfaction, un- 
 rest, no safe anchorage, the gloomy despair of youth ; 
 what then ? 
 
 " Robert," he said that evening, " I must return home 
 for a short time, and make some explanation of matters. 
 Your mother ought to know. Some safe and proper home 
 must be provided for the baby. The poor thing at the 
 hospital will remain a few weeks longer. I have visited 
 two asylums, and find she can be kept very comfortably at 
 no very great expense. In the mean while you must con- 
 sider upon your course. I have resolved not to attempt 
 to bias you. I only ask you to take plenty of time to de- 
 cide." 
 
 "Uncle Robert," the young man replied in a cold, even 
 tone, "suppose you lay down the burden of it? I have 
 always made you trouble and sorrow ; give me up now, 
 cast me off. I have a good situation, and Addie will not 
 cost as much in an asylum as elsewhere. I will look after 
 the child."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 221 
 
 " O Robert ! After the years and confidence ! What 
 have I done that you should cast me off? For it is thrust- 
 ing aside love, sympathy, help. Are you so strong you 
 can stand alone ? " 
 
 " If I can't I deserve to go under, that is all. I shall 
 always be grateful to you for what you have done, only 
 I am not worth any more." 
 
 " If God thinks we are always worth more love and pa- 
 tience, if he is willing to take the wrong and evils upon 
 himself, to deliver us, to strengthen us, can we not do 
 something for one another? Or must his grace be in 
 vain ? " 
 
 " But the evils are there ; no one can remove them," 
 the young man replied, with stubborn apathy. 
 
 "If it were best, He could. Rob, I am not going to 
 preach to you. I think you know so many of these truths 
 yourself ; but if your eyes are blinded, a more powerful 
 hand than mine must give them light. There are so many 
 things to stumble over. I cannot see why God did not 
 take her out of the world when he deprived her of all men- 
 tal power and responsibility. She can never repent, she 
 can never be conscious of any retribution, hardly of physi- 
 cal suffering. It would be so much easier to have it all 
 ended here." 
 
 There was a sudden gleam of interest in the stoical face. 
 
 " Yes, that is it. If " 
 
 " Rob, did you ever wish her dead before? " 
 
 "No, Uncle, God is my witness that I never did. I 
 never even thought of her going away as she did. It was 
 a desperate living on day by day, wishing for you, for 
 some friend, some comfort. And, when it came so near, 
 oh, why, why was n't there an end?" And he studied his 
 uncle's face with feverish intensity. 
 
 " That is one of the things we cannot tell. I have 
 learned to leave it just there, with God. He has not made 
 us our own pardoning or condemning angels. He gives
 
 222 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 ns states and conditions to live through, the sort of out- 
 come of something that has gone before, some mistake, or 
 negligence, or failure. Out of it may come redemption. 
 The why is his, the work is ours. We get confused and 
 transpose them ; but he never gives us up, and as he loved 
 us, so we are to love the brethren." 
 
 " It is very hard." 
 
 Rob's lip quivered with the suppressed sigh, but he 
 could not keep the shiver from running through his frame. 
 
 " You can make it harder. You can have help to bear 
 the burden." 
 
 There was a long silence. 
 
 " You feel that you must make some explanation at 
 home?" the young man inquired presently. 
 
 "It is not absolutely necessary now. You can make 
 your decision first, if you like. There is one thing I want 
 to say ; nay, I shall ask it as a favor. You will have 
 heav} T enough burden on 3'our hands. You are very young, 
 and the mere fact of parentage does not always bring wis- 
 dom or love. "When it is best to make the change, I want 
 you to give the child to me. She will need oversight, 
 training, and home tenderness. When Kathie goes we 
 shall all need a new interest," with a faint smile. 
 
 " You are very generous." 
 
 " You will write every few da}~s and keep me informed 
 of any change. For the rest, I can only commend you to 
 your own patience and God's wisdom. I can trust you 
 not to take any rash or desperate step. When this matter 
 is decided, we will attend to other plans and changes." 
 
 Robert Alston sat in silence by the open window, very 
 heavy hearted, very despondent, shut out of everything 
 that would make life worth having, home and love such as 
 he could fancy now. There was just endurance. He felt 
 secretly that he should accept his uncle's views and act 
 upon them, not from any high motive of expiation or res- 
 ignation, but because he would be ashamed, partly, to ill-
 
 WHOM KATHIR MARRIED. 223 
 
 requite such tender devotion. They must know at home, 
 and the least disgrace the better for them all. 
 
 The parting was not as warm and tender as the meeting 
 had been. Rob seemed frozen into utter indifference. 
 Nothing could hurt him ; there was no further struggle ; 
 he had nothing to gain. His life was wrecked ; that was 
 all of it. 
 
 At home Uncle Robert found them going on much as 
 usual. There was a promise of less absolute gayety, 
 Georgie Halford, the moving spirit in all this, having suc- 
 cumbed to woman's destin} r , her troop of admirers settling 
 itself to one lover. The Langdons were busy and inter- 
 ested in their house, as they had decided upon the summer 
 residence at Brookside and winters wherever they chose. 
 Emma had disposed of several pictures through the winter 
 and taken orders for others. Mr. Langdon was very 
 proud of her success. 
 
 The new bride, Mrs. Hunsdon, was quite a central figure 
 already. They had little intellectual clubs and gatherings, 
 and discussed progress and the new phases of art, the true 
 and the beautiful, leaving the good to get crowded in. 
 There was music, and talking, and research* It made 
 Kathie think a little of Ada Garnier's evening!, only there 
 ever}- one was desperately in earnest about the great ques- 
 tions, the vital pith of life ; here it was culture and grace, 
 ease and pleasantness, harmony ; the kind of living that 
 a little knot of people in a pretty country place invariably 
 settle into when there is education and refinement, instead 
 of ostentation and striving to outshine each other. There 
 were some who voted these things a bore, and could only 
 be roused on the subject of new gowns, dinner parties, 
 and diamonds ; but this class was apt to seek the conge- 
 nial society of fashionable watering-places in the summer. 
 
 When Kathie wanted something plainer and more stir- 
 ring she went up to the quaint old parsonage at Middle - 
 ville. It seemed now as if Sarah must have been there
 
 
 IOM 
 
 224 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 always. The sour-visaged housekeeper was gone, and in 
 her place a cheerful young girl, stout and strong, who held 
 her mistress in a kind of wondering awe and joy. The 
 little girls were still shy of strangers, but they made friends 
 with Kathie, and clung to their new mother as if they were 
 afraid some untoward fate might spirit her away. 
 
 Mr. Truesdell was much changed, improved. He 
 seemed to have gone into an ampler, more generous and 
 vivifying way of living. He read and talked with his wife, 
 they visited together, they studied the wide out-of-door 
 world, and his sermons showed the added breadth and 
 vigor. The narrow animosities and objections were dying 
 out, as such things invariably do when left to themselves. 
 For the }-ounger people the parsonage was a rallying point. 
 There were music, books not too good to lend, pictures and 
 photographs that whetted one's mental appetite to know 
 more about the great world outside. 
 
 " I can S3"mpathize with them so," Sarah said. " There 
 is a side that cannot be quite satisfied with the every-day 
 work of clearing up a house, washing, ironing, and mend- 
 ing. It is the ' clause,' the ' making things divine,' the 
 more than raiment, the unfolding of the seed implanted by 
 a divine hand. It is what He puts the husbandmen in the 
 world for, to watch, and care, and tend, while he jour- 
 neys." 
 
 Kathie always wondered a little. This was to be her 
 life. How could she grow into it, to be a very part as 
 Sarah was ! 
 
 The}' were very glad to get Uncle Robert home again, 
 and asked questions innumerable about his namesake, 
 easily enough answered, since none of them trenched on 
 the main point. And then he was so busy with town 
 work, streets, and mills, and drainage, temperance and 
 sobriety, and schools, that Kathie seemed left altogether 
 to Charlie in his frequent visits. 
 
 It seemed the most natural thing in the world to be
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 225 
 
 engaged. They talked about the kind of place they would 
 like, they planned church music, and services, and ser- 
 mons, gatherings that should include rich and poor, work 
 and worship, and the lovely, saintly life, the larger holi- 
 ness that would grow out of it. 
 
 " If I only can be good enough," she always said, and 
 he invariably replied : 
 
 " But you are. It is only your exceeding humility that 
 makes you fearful." 
 
 She used to pray in these days, and was careful about 
 a great many things, questioning with a very tender con- 
 science, trying to shape her soul in a satisfying mould, and 
 never quite succeeding. Perhaps it was so everywhere. 
 God did not mean that here on earth there should be per- 
 fect satisfaction. 
 
 Mrs. Langdon expressed som-3 surprise at the admission. 
 
 " Are you really in love, Kathie? " she asked one day. 
 " You take it all so much as a matter of course. It does n't 
 seem to be strange or wonderful in any way. Why, it 
 appeared to me at first as if I had gone into some en- 
 chanted country. In the morning when I woke up I was 
 sure it was a dream, that nothing so entrancing, so ab- 
 sorbing could ever come to me. I was so afraid, yes, I 
 really was," blushing at the remembrance, " that Mr. 
 Langdon would come in and say it was a mistake, that he 
 had changed his mind. And oh, I was afraid he would die 
 or something happen to take him away from me, and when 
 he did come I was all in a tremble and hardly knew what I 
 said. I suppose you think it all very silly," with an ex- 
 pression of piquant deprecation. 
 
 " Perhaps we are different," hesitatingly. 
 
 " But you are a young girl with a first lover. And love 
 is ever a ; sweet madness.' Only, you and Charlie have 
 known each other always, and, well, I was going to save 
 3 r ou for Fred, you know ; so no wonder I am a little dis- 
 appointed." 
 
 15
 
 226 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Fay Collamore had appeared surprised as well. Kathie 
 felt the awkwardness ; there had always been a secret con- 
 sciousness between the two, a curious little rough place 
 now and then in spite of the tender friendship. It never 
 was allowed to work any harm. Indeed, the two girls 
 were quite inseparable. Mrs. Alston had a way of claim- 
 ing Fay that was irresistible. 
 
 Eugene rebelled passionately at first. 
 
 " I don't believe it. I can't make it so," he cried vehe- 
 mently. " They look just like friends, not lovers, and I 'm 
 sure she does n't know. It is just because they have been 
 together all their lives, and girls are always foolish over 
 ministers." 
 
 "Kathie isn't foolish over anything," said Fay, " and 
 Charlie does love her. O Eugene, if you had not cared ! " 
 in a distressful tone. 
 
 ' ' But I have cared ! I shall always care ! There is n't 
 another girl in the world like Kathie Alston ! " 
 
 Eugene was very thankful for another business trip, this 
 time a long one, westward. 
 
 Dick Grayson had rejoiced warmly with the young 
 couple. 
 
 " I half envy you, Charlie," he said, wringing the slen- 
 der hand in his own broad palm ; " I 've had a suspicion 
 now and then, and you are both so much alike. But for 
 you I think I should have tried nr^self ; I always had a 
 fancy that way," laughingty. "I've envied you Kathie, 
 and Rob his uncle. There never was such a bright, en- 
 joyable place as Cedarwood, or such delightful people." 
 
 General and Mrs. Mackenzie smiled on the young 
 lovers. How could they help it? but both were sore at 
 heart. It might have been but for a little punctillio of 
 honor. And yet would Bruce have been satisfied with 
 so calm a regard ? But it was done past recall. The brave 
 boy had uttered no word of blame to his father, but ac- 
 cepted the loss, the shadow that stretched gray and des-
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 227 
 
 olate in his path, and without knowing Rob's sorrow 
 he had been tenderer from the pain of his own grief. 
 
 Bruce and Kathie had kept up an infrequent correspond- 
 ence. There were a great many impersonal subjects to write 
 about. Once Kathie had repeated Charlie's hopes and 
 wishes. Bruce had answered cordially, yet he supposed 
 their lives would alwa} r s be widely apart. 
 
 Uncle Robert waited for some sign of relenting on his 
 nephew's part, but the weekly notes were brief and cold. 
 Once he apologized. "I know it is hateful in me," he 
 admitted with boyish impulse, '-'when you have always 
 been so tender, but I cannot write what I do not feel. I 
 am stranded on a rocky shore after a shipwreck, and the 
 waves have even refused to drown me." 
 
 Uncle Robert had made arrangements for his nephew's 
 wife to be removed to an asylum, and he received tidings 
 from the physician in charge as to her health, which was 
 now quite restored, except that a slight paralysis of the 
 spine had been remarked. She would have the best care 
 and treatment, and he felt nothing more could be done for 
 her. It afforded a certain sense of relief to know that in 
 this money could do all, and there was no occasion for 
 deeper anxiety. 
 
 The lad, for Robert still seemed so, was never out of his 
 mind a moment. Sleeping and waking the pale, defiant, 
 despairing face haunted him. He longed for a word of 
 recall, for even the faintest sign of the need of sympathy. 
 
 "Robert," Mrs. Alston remarked one day, "you have 
 quite too much business on hand. You look worn and 
 worried. Can no one else attend to these matters ? " 
 
 "Am I really pale and thin? " he asked, with a poor 
 attempt at a smile. 
 
 " Yes ; Ruth has remarked it as well. If home was not 
 so delightful, we might take a trip somewhere. Robert, 
 you must not put the whole strength of your body and 
 soul into the joys and cares of other lives ; think a little of 
 yourself, of us."
 
 228 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 u It is pleasant, and I believe home becomes dearer to 
 us as we grow older ; jaunting around is not a perfect 
 panacea, and Ruth has improved greatly." 
 
 " Kathie is so thoroughly satisfied that it seems the 
 wisest and happiest course to remain at home. Is not Rob 
 coming ? When have you heard ? " 
 
 ' A few days ago." 
 
 " I must write to him myself." She gave a tender little 
 sigh that did not signify care. She was so prettily im- 
 portant in her motherly ways with young people, and 
 beginning to live her life over again as mothers do when 
 the care and the responsibility of childhood is at an end, 
 and the little jealous feeling of not being first, is overlived. 
 A new phase was opening before her, new claimants, new 
 interests, a higher heart-to-heart communion ; a sympath} T 
 dearer, finer, in that all the young souls, in their reaching 
 out, were glad with a great joy to meet hers. 
 
 How would she, how could she bear what was to 
 come ? Robert Conover used to ask. 
 
 In this summer lull, when ever} r thing was tranquil, Gen- 
 eral Mackenzie had gone up to the city for a few days. 
 He could not settle readily to his new life ; the vital energy 
 and interest had gone out of it. His son's sorrow, his own 
 secret misgiving that he had turned the branch aside to 
 blossom for another, gave him a. restless, questioning 
 mood. As he watched Kathie, bright, ardent, and so 
 purely innocent, a coveting pang would sweep over his 
 soul. Aunt Ruth tried to minister gently, but she could 
 not dismiss the belief that it might as well have been. 
 
 Fred came rushing breathlessly into the breakfast-room 
 one morning, after his constitutional on horseback, his 
 eyes startled, his face indicative of strong agitation. 
 
 "Where is Aunt Ruth?" peering cautiously about. 
 " O Uncle, there is some terrible news here in the paper." 
 
 " Hush, Fred ! " And Mr. Conover came forward with 
 his hand raised in entreaty. " Be careful ; is it the Gen- 
 eral?"
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 229 
 
 "Oh, no; come out here. A telegram ; another In- 
 dian massacre, and Bruce badly wounded. Dick saw it 
 first ; the news had just come in." 
 
 Uncle Robert had not been very eager of late for daily 
 news. He took the paper, but Aunt Ruth and Kathie 
 came down the stairs at that moment, and the breakfast 
 was brought in. 
 
 Kathie was devoting herself to Aunt Ruth, with pretty 
 delicate attentions, " For," said she, " it is so seldom that 
 I have you to myself that I mean to make the most of it." 
 
 " What makes you all so queer and still?" she asked 
 presently. " Fred, what has happened?" 
 
 The young man flushed redly and turned a half-fright- 
 ened face to his uncle. 
 
 " It is Fred's secret and mine," said his uncle, coming to 
 the rescue. 
 
 Mrs. Alston gave her son a hurried, questioning glance. 
 
 "You have n't lamed Hero?" cried Kathie. "I want 
 to take Aunt Ruth out. I can count on this day without 
 a rival." And she smiled. 
 
 "Try and be back by ten. Will that give you long 
 enough drive ? " asked Uncle Robert with gentle gravity. 
 
 " Oh, yes ; will j r ou want the horses? " \ 
 
 He let her think so. They must have had the news last 
 night in New York. There was a train at ten, and he felt 
 sure that would bring General Mackenzie. 
 
 When they were gone he told Mrs. Alston, who was 
 greatly shocked. 
 
 " Oh ! " she declared, " Ruth will want to go unless the 
 General started last night. It is very real motherhood to 
 her, Robert." 
 
 " He would not go without seeing her. It is an exquis- 
 itely tender marriage bond as well," smiling gravely. " I 
 hope the real news may not be as sad. We are so little 
 used to anything of the kind now. I shall walk down to 
 the station and meet the train."
 
 230 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 As he supposed, General Mackenzie came. The two 
 grasped hands in heartfelt sympathy. 
 
 " You have seen the word ? My poor boy ! " 
 
 " Just the briefest telegram." 
 
 " Badly wounded in the hip and the lung. Conover, 
 these outbreaks are a disgrace to civilization. They must 
 be fought out in a different manner if ever we are to have 
 peace. Ruth " 
 
 " She does not know." 
 
 " Let us hurry home. Of course I must start at once. 
 Every moment seems an age to me." 
 
 As they reached the gate they saw the phaeton winding 
 up the drive. 
 
 " I am afraid we have grown cowards," General Macken- 
 zie said, with a sad, absent smile. " How will she bear it? " 
 
 It was a high tribute paid to her motherhood, real only 
 in the diviner part, love. 
 
 She saw at once that something had occurred. After 
 her tender greeting, the}' went up to the chamber of con- 
 fidences, Aunt Ruth's room. 
 
 " What has happened? Oh, you do know, Uncle Rob- 
 ert? " And Kathie studied him with painful interest. 
 
 " Bruce has been wounded in an Indian skirmish, very 
 badly, they fear." 
 
 Kathie turned and went quietly up-stairs. Some time 
 after it seemed an hour, but it was not more than ten 
 minutes she heard Aunt Ruth's voice and went to her, 
 to them, standing tenderly in the midst of their sorrow, yet 
 oh, sad irony of fate, quite outside, sheltered in another 
 love ! 
 
 They were going "West immediately. The one comfort 
 in his cup was the exquisite wifely sympathy. 
 
 By noon they were gone. How sudden and strange it 
 seemed ! Kathie read the papers and then wandered about 
 in a lonely mood, until she bethought herself that she owed 
 Rob a letter.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 231 
 
 In the evening's mail came one for Uncle Robert, that 
 caused him anxious study. 
 
 "I wish I could see you," the young man wrote. "I feel 
 sometimes as if I should go out of my senses in this blank, 
 dreary loneliness. I have given up fighting, everything ! 
 Let fate take its course. For the child's sake it is best to 
 keep the wretched secret. Have I shut myself out of 
 home, all love, all sympathy, all trust? When I think of 
 mother and her bitter disappointment in me, harder to bear 
 than any that have gone before, I feel as if I ought to stay 
 quite away from you all. What shall I do ? I am so tired 
 of thinking. Decide for me. Whatever way, I shall be 
 quite content. I am not sure but that I can bear the bur- 
 den better when I know exactly what it is to be." 
 
 It was not the yielding Robert Conover had wished for 
 him. Perhaps that was asking too much. It was not pen- 
 itence in the greater sense, only sorrow and weariness. He 
 must go to him at once, for hours like this were subtly 
 alive to temptation. It was not full salvation, but it 
 is a long way from the city of destruction to the heavenly 
 city. 
 
 It would be better to tell his mother now, and let her have 
 the intervening time to get over the shockjjpet that would 
 commit Robert to a course without his own volition. He 
 wanted him to choose for the sake of after years. It was a 
 sad puzzle, and he could not sleep, thinking it over, so 
 when morning dawned he rose unrefreshed. 
 
 The papers came with fuller details of the massacre, a 
 cruel, cowardly, planned affair, in which several brave lives 
 had been sacrificed. Lieutenant Mackenzie was reported 
 dangerously wounded. 
 
 " I am going out to Chicago," Uncle Robert announced. 
 " 1 think our boy is homesick, and may bring him back." 
 
 " Let me go with you," cried Fred eagerly. 
 
 " But we cannot leave the house alone." 
 
 ' ' Why not take us all, then ? " inquired Kathie. " Some- 
 how we should be nearer Aunt Ruth."
 
 232 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " I don't know that I could just now," pausing as if to 
 consider. 
 
 In old times Mrs. Alston would have been quick to take 
 alarm. Now, she seemed to turn the matter over in her 
 mind leisurely. 
 
 " I could n't go on so short a notice," she said. 
 
 "And I shall travel rapidly. "We may go somewhere 
 else, Fred, before the summer is over. Cities are not 
 alwa}'s at their best in heat and dust." 
 
 Kathie alone appeared to have a misgiving. 
 
 "I hope nothing will happen to Rob," she said. "It 
 seems to me the world has turned gray with trouble."
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 CERTAINLY these few weeks had wrought a great change 
 in Robert Alston. The bright complexion had grown pal- 
 lid, the eyes were heavy with purple shadows underneath, 
 and the eager, joyous vigor changed to a kind of stolid 
 apathy. 
 
 " O my boy ! " Mr. Conover exclaimed in genuine dis- 
 tress, " have you been ill?" 
 
 " No." But the grasp of the hand was lifeless. "That 
 is, I don't sleep much and have wretched headaches. I 
 haven't given up business, though I have been offered a 
 month's vacation." 
 
 The tone indicated an impending change, even if he had 
 no distinct plan in view. 
 
 " You have never been out of my mind for a moment," 
 said the elder in a tone of warmest sympathy. " I have 
 wanted to come, but I did not know whethw I should help 
 or hinder. Robert, you must know by this time that noth- 
 ing can change our love for you. It may be wounded by 
 coldness, it may stand silently aside when thrust out of 
 confidence, but it is always waiting for you. We can give, 
 but we cannot force you to take. That is your own part, 
 your own work." 
 
 He gave his head a little impatient toss and frowned. 
 " Shall we go to a hotel?" he asked. " I have changed 
 my boarding place and have only a little box of a room." 
 
 "Yes, that will be better. I am afraid you have not 
 been taking very good care of yourself." 
 
 " What does it matter," wearily, " when everything has 
 gone out of life?"
 
 234 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 "Robert, you are making a fatal mistake," began his 
 uncle in a decisive tone. " Life is just opening before you. 
 You are too young to give up in this hopeless way, to 
 wreck yourself for one sad misstep. You made such a 
 good, brave fight at first ; you kept in the right path so 
 steadfastly that I can hardly understand how you have let 
 yourself drop down to this level. It is unlike you." 
 
 " I had not come to the dregs then," bitterly. 
 
 " I do not think you have now, or, if you have, remem- 
 ber there is, or should be, a wholesome tonic in the bitter. 
 If you had loved her I could see how horribly dark and 
 dreary all the years to come might look, unless you turned 
 to God's light and strength for grace. But here we are. 
 Let us take a room, and while I am freshening up a bit 
 you may order supper." 
 
 Robert Conover felt that human wisdom and strength 
 were vain, and he cried to the Lord for that diviner grace 
 to guide this young soul aright, to save him from immi- 
 nent wreck and perishing. For he must come out of it 
 rightly, or all the after life would be weak and flawed, ren- 
 dered dangerously susceptible to other temptations. 
 
 The young man ordered the supper and glanced over 
 the evening paper. 
 
 "Of course you know all about Bruce," he began. 
 "Isn't it terrible? And his father and Aunt Ruth have 
 gone out to him. He loves her so ; I don't know as he 
 could love an own mother better." Then a flush quivered 
 over the pale face, thinking of his mother, and how he had 
 never seemed to know quite all the sweetness and depth 
 between mothers and sons until last summer. 
 
 " How did Kathie take it?" he asked abruptly. " She 
 and Bruce were such friends ; but I suppose the new love 
 crowds out even'thing else." 
 
 " She wanted to come out with me. I think she has 
 been deeply touched and stirred, but your mother needed 
 comforting." Uncle Robert's thoughts were not in what
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 235 
 
 he was saying ; a new idea had crossed his mind, perhaps 
 a path out of this dreary tangle, a little way, at least. 
 
 " It is rather critical." 
 
 " We have had no direct word, although I suppose there 
 is some at home now." 
 
 Their supper was an extremely silent meal. Evidently 
 Robert was not in a communicative mood. 
 
 " Have you seen her since she went to the asylum? " his 
 uncle asked. 
 
 " Yes, once." A shiver of repugnance crossed the pale 
 face. 
 
 "How is she?" 
 
 " She goes about and is well, I suppose, but is like a 
 silly child. She does n't remember anything, or any one, 
 and is not much trouble. But it is all horrible ! I almost 
 feel as if it were quite another person ; she looks differ- 
 ently, even, and is handsomer, except the strange expres- 
 sion in her eyes." 
 
 " Have you formed any plans?" was the gentle inquiry. 
 
 There was a long silence. Rob was resting his elbow on 
 the table and his chin on the palm of his Jiand, while his 
 eyes seemed fixed on the far corner of thewoom, yet were 
 seeing nothing. To Uncle Robert it brought back some of 
 the old pictures of boyhood, when he had tried to bring the 
 lad to confession, and waited patiently, as he must now. 
 
 There was a low, husky answer presently. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " "Will you tell me? " in a tender, persuasive tone. 
 
 " I can't stay here ! " Rob broke out suddenly, with the 
 force of along smouldering flame. "It will kill me or 
 drive me crazy ! It would n't be fair to shift all these bur- 
 dens on you when you have done so much," pausing to 
 steady his voice. " I can get empk>3 r ment elsewhere. I 
 will do my best and care for her. You spoke of the 
 child ; I would rather have her nearer home and you." 
 
 " Where will you go? "
 
 23C WHOM KATHTE MARRIED. 
 
 " I don't know," drearily. " I thought of trying CaK* 
 fornia. You see m}- life can never be anything again." 
 
 "It can, Robert, unless you wilfully throw it away. I 
 think 3'our manhood so far has been honorable. You have 
 allowed yourself to drift into one sad mischance, but I 
 dare sa} T you know of others who have gone madly into 
 flagrant sins. You should have kept away from Miss 
 Weeks if you did not want to marry her. Still, I do not 
 hold the marrying an irreparable sin. You did not love 
 her ; }'ou did not really know what love was, and you 
 yielded to a dangerous fascination. Since then 3'ou have 
 honestly tried to repair your mistake. I think 3"ou have 
 been unusually prompt, brave, and decided. Your course 
 through that hard time goes far to redeem it all with me. 
 Now 3'ou throw away all the patience, experience, and 
 steadfast virtue of that time, just when God has opened a 
 wa} r to still higher living, to a manliness and honor greater 
 than any that went before. He has given you one chance 
 to come out of it without absolute disgrace. The fact of 
 her travelling under an assumed name at the time of the 
 accident happily shielded her from any scandal as your 
 wife. The little talk and surmise here will soon die outi 
 as you have said. I, too, believe a change is best. I want 
 you to come out of this with your real manhood unscathed, 
 your soul pure and honest, and 'of good report.' Do not 
 look at the long years to come, but the to-day, in which 
 you must act. God gives the strength like the manna of 
 old, for to-day only, and never fear but he will provide for 
 to-morrow as well. It is a hard thing to learn. The Israel- 
 ites in the wilderness saved it up and found it useless." 
 
 There was no answering light in thej'oung eyes, no soft- 
 ening of the tense lines about the face. He replied 
 coldly : 
 
 " I told you I had given up the struggle. Whatever 
 you think best " 
 
 It was not the concession Mr. Conover wished. He was
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 237 
 
 patient, remembering his own youth, and too wise to lose 
 his opportunity by striving to convince. One must act in 
 many cases and wait for the justification of time. 
 
 " Thank you from the bottom of my soul, Robert. I 
 believe you will never regret this. The awful secret we 
 two will keep ; rather, we will put it in God's keeping. 
 That the marriage was unwise, infelicitous, it would be 
 wrong to deny. I think you will find love and sympathy 
 awaiting you at home." 
 
 " But I can't endure any of it just now," he answered 
 passionately. 
 
 " No; it is best that I should make the explanations. 
 You have gone round in the little circle, girt by fire on 
 every side, and see no escape ; but God holds it out, and 
 I think you will accept it in time. And now, suppose you 
 go out to Aunt Ruth ? That will take you quite beyond the 
 depth and despair of your own soul, and not leave you 
 alone." 
 
 A sudden flash illumined the young fage. Then he said, 
 "Suppose they should not want mer They may bring 
 him home." 
 
 1 ' They will be glad to have you in either event. And if 
 they return }'ou must come home with them." 
 
 " Uncle Robert, I " And a flush mounted the very 
 edge of his forehead. 
 
 " You have given the matter into my hands, and until 
 my method fails you have no right to take it back." 
 
 There was a quiet decision that had always gained the 
 victory in the old boyish days. Perhaps, too, he was weary 
 of his fruitless wandering through tangled ways, physically 
 weak and rather liking the proffered strength. It was not 
 what Robert Conover desired, and yet he accepted, with 
 a grateful prayer to God, and resolved to use his utmost 
 efforts for the larger result. 
 
 They retired quite early, and for the first night in a long 
 while the young man enjoyed some refreshing slumber. It 
 was visible in his face the next morning.
 
 238 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 It had not fared so well with his uncle. His soul was 
 full of anxious questioning. Had he taken too much 
 responsibility in his fear for the lad ? The buoyant tem- 
 perament, the ease with which he laid down burdens, the 
 almost forgetfulness of past suffering, might be doubly 
 dangerous here. He could but watch and pray. 
 
 The baby was well and gleesome. Mr. Conover went 
 alone to the asylum, and found Robert's statement entirely 
 correct : the poor creature was in the best of hands. 
 
 Then they discussed business, and it was decided that for 
 the present, at least, Robert would relinquish his position. 
 His employers spoke of him in terms of highest praise, 
 and would welcome him back at any time. They tele- 
 graphed to General Mackenzie, and received word that Rob- 
 ert would be most welcome. When the lad was started on 
 his journey, Mr. Conover turned his steps wearily home- 
 ward. Robert had thrown off so much of the burden 
 already. True, he had been deeply grateful, affected even 
 to an unusual show of tenderness ; but what would be the 
 result, any clearer sight or greater strength? 
 
 They were all glad enough to get him back at Cedar- 
 wood. The news from Aunt Ruth was not encouraging. 
 Charlie Darrell had gone to Connecticut to take a month's 
 duty for a friend, ordained the year before and now absent 
 on a bridal tour. He had spoken tenderly and sympatheti- 
 cally of Bruce and tried to cheer Kathie with bright hopes ; 
 then his heart had gone back to his own dreams. This 
 pretty little town, with just business enough to give it a 
 brisk air, framed in with mountains and outlying farms, a 
 small church, ivy grown, a cottage near tiiat had been 
 modernized into a gem of beauty by the taste of its pos- 
 sessor ; a quaint, artistic study, with pictures and a well- 
 chosen though not large library ; rooms cos}', inviting, 
 peaceful . Charlie Darrell read and dreamed , mused through 
 lovely, soft evenings, with a vague shadow at his side, 
 of the time that was to be. And to Kathie, whose ten-
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 239 
 
 der heart was full of another's sufferings, these things 
 seemed to speak of self, of a narrowness in life, instead of 
 the generous sympathy she craved. She could not think 
 now of beautifying rooms, or discussing the respective 
 merits of Palmer's or Thorwaldsen's " Night and Morn- 
 ing," or the most exquisite tint for photographs. 
 
 "Dear Uncle Robert," she cried, "we have been so 
 lonely without } T OU. I shall never let you go away again." 
 And her soft arms were folded tightly about his neck. 
 
 " But you " There was a suggestive inflection in the 
 tone. 
 
 " Oh, I do not know ! " with a weary little sigh. " Sup- 
 pose I never did go? What if the boys were married, 
 and I stayed right along here with you and mamma? " 
 
 He kissed her gently. 
 
 That night, after the rest had retired, Uncle Robert had 
 his sad confidence with his sister. Mrs. Alston was 
 shocked, incredulous, kindlecfcto a fire of passionate un- 
 reason. Nothing could be too bitter, too harsh to say of 
 the girl who had tricked and inveigled her son into such a 
 marriage. 
 
 He let her anger spend itself. From indignation she 
 frent to tears, and this mood was still harder to relieve. 
 He had been through the bitter hurt himself, and was 
 patient. He, too, had seen the large and perfect possibil- 
 ity awaiting the youth, but not with a mother's heart. 
 
 She came round to this presently. 
 
 "Robert," she said, "it was shameful to be keeping 
 such a secret last summer. Think of the pleasant times, 
 of the love he seemed to show as never before, of Fay, 
 I can't understand ; he does like her, and we should all be 
 so glad ! And yet he is bound to that thing ! Can he not 
 get free, Robert? "she cried in an agony of grief and 
 desire. 
 
 " Not to marry Fay Collamore, much as we all love her. 
 Think, Dora ; human laws are made for the preservation
 
 240 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 of society, divine laws for the preservation of the soul, and 
 we have no right to help another to overstep the bounds, 
 no right to lift him out of the gulf of his own folly and set 
 him in a large room where he shall not suifer or miss any- 
 thing." 
 
 " Then he had no right " 
 
 " He had no right to keep the secret, but it was a diffi- 
 cult place to be in. I can imagine that if she had been 
 different it would have been easier to tell. And yet I am 
 glad he did not bring her home. He saw the utter incon- 
 gruity, and that is something for him, for any man who 
 goes beyond the pale of propriety in marriage. There is 
 this to be said in his behalf, she was dangerously beautiful, 
 utterly unscrupulous, older and wiser in the world's ways 
 than he. Still we must not forget that he had no right to 
 throw himself into temptation ; and I think he was very 
 brave and discreet last summer. To have avoided Miss 
 Collamore when she was brought in our midst would have 
 been rude, but the many delicate little evasions he prac- 
 tised made me fear there was some entanglement, though 
 I did not suspect a marriage. And when he had in a 
 measure shut himself out of home sympathy and love, I 
 think he began to realize how sweet a thing it was. I only 
 wonder that he kept it so rigidly,^/ 
 
 " O my poor darling ! My boy, my bo}' ! Must he 
 always wring our hearts? O Robert, what a heavy bur- 
 den yours has been ! " And her tears flowed afresh. 
 
 " There ought to be something after thirty odd years of 
 selfish living," he replied in a tone of deep emotion. 
 "And, Dora, I have a hope for him. His sins have not 
 been those of viciousness or real weakness, but that head- 
 long thoughtlessness. And, my dear, God takes so much 
 from us all, even the best, that we must be patient and 
 long-suffering with these our brethren." 
 
 "Yes," she answered drearily, "we shall be patient 
 with him, how many times ? "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MAERIED. 241 
 
 " "We have not reached the full measure, the gospel 
 measure." And he gave a tender little smile. 
 
 She buried her face and wept softly. It was such a bit- 
 ter disappointment. The mother's pride, and love, and 
 trust had been cruelly slain just when it believed all dan- 
 ger past. Other mothers had sons who never brought 
 them a pang, and she thought of Charlie Darrell, of Dick 
 Grayson. Why had this come upon her? 
 
 She said this presently to her brother. 
 
 " I wonder," he returned in a soft, vague tone, " if there 
 is not sometimes a sacrifice, a sort of slain right in these 
 things that brings a remission, a bearing of the cross for 
 another, rather than any judgment for ourselves. The 
 innocent suffers for the guilty to teach us all that no sin 
 or weakness is ever quite alone in its consequences, that 
 ours may react on another. And when we do learn it 
 we shall have the care for others that brings us up to the 
 divine love." 
 
 " Robert," she asked, after a long while, " what about 
 the child and her relations ? " with a shiver of disgust. 
 
 " Robert will never be troubled with them, I fancy. 
 After all, people of that class have a tendency to sta} r 
 where they belong ; they do not enjoy higher and purer 
 air. We can and shall dismiss them forever. The child 
 I shall care for." 
 
 " You will not bring it here ! " she cried suddenly, in a 
 tone of distress. 
 
 " Certainly not, if it would pain you. It is very well 
 cared for with a good woman who is fond of it." 
 
 " And as long as that creature lives, Robert must pro- 
 vide for her ? " 
 
 " We could hardly turn her over to charit}-." 
 
 Mrs. Alston rose with a kind of grave, injured dignity 
 that showed how deep the wound had gone. 
 
 " You must excuse me any further talk," she exclaimed 
 brokenly ; " I feel half crazed with all this. If I have not 
 16
 
 242 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 borne it as I should, pardon me, for it ia so hard, so 
 hard. Good night." 
 
 Oh, what of the boy? Would he be saved, as by fire, 
 if the flames scorched even here ? 
 
 Kathie was not long in guessing that something had 
 transpired. She helped Fred get ready for a little fishing 
 party, then she went up to Mrs. Alston's room to find her 
 mother weeping passionately. 
 
 " O mamma ! Is Bruce " 
 
 u You can think of nothing but Bruce," said the mother 
 in a wounded tone, that filled Kathie with dismay. 
 
 " O mamma ! " with a long, quivering breath. 
 
 ' ' My darling ! " the mother's arms were about her. 
 " Kathie, my heart is neany broken. Go to Uncle 
 Robert, he will tell you ; you must know sooner or later. 
 Let me remain alone with my sorrow." 
 
 Kathie stood quite still a moment, in utter amazement ; 
 then she turned slowly. The comfort with her was that 
 she obeyed without stopping to discuss reasons. 
 
 Uncle Robert was slowly pacing the wide hall ; her awe- 
 stricken face startled him. 
 
 " Mamma said I might come to you. O Uncle Robert, 
 what great sorrow is it Aunt Ruth ? " with a strong, 
 apprehensive shiver. 
 
 " It is a sorrow time may mend. Put on your hat and 
 let us go out under the trees ; I can tell you better there." 
 
 Many a time in after years Kathie recalled the scene 
 like a picture. The soft, wandering air, the sun sailing 
 through fleecy drifts that toned its blazing rays, the little 
 nooks of shade made by the wide-spreading spruce and 
 firs, the tasselled larch, where a tiny wren came and sang 
 its song, flew away, and returned with the same dainty 
 little burden that it must unfold to sun and air. It 
 seemed at first quite as if it could not be their own Robert, 
 but a story about some one else. But her mother's grief; 
 ah, yes, that made it all real
 
 WHOM KATHIE MAKRIED. 243 
 
 Her tears dropped silently 
 
 ' ' O Uncle Robert ! " she said, with a great, pitiful sob, 
 " can she never come to sense and memory again? May 
 be she might have learned to love and to care. And the 
 little baby, Rob's baby ? " 
 
 He knew then it would have one friend ; but he almost 
 grudged the tender tears for the other, knowing well the 
 worst part, that would have shocked them with horror, and 
 perhaps entirely rehabilitated Rob, had been withheld 
 Was it right and just? For an instant he felt quite un- 
 certain. 
 
 There followed a quiet interval at Cedarwood. Kathie 
 spent her time in trying to comfort her mother. She was 
 glad in those days that Fay Collamore had gone to Lake 
 George with Mr. and Mrs. Hunsdon. Emma was her only 
 friend, and they two drew nearer in a tender spiritual 
 communion. 
 
 Once Kathie had spoken of having the baby, but her 
 mother had answered with a sharp, sudden pain. Charlie 
 came home full of joy and hope, but he tempered it sweetly 
 to the sorrow he found. Every day or two they heard 
 from Aunt Ruth. Robert had come, and they were so glad 
 to have him. Bruce lived, but it was a doubtful question. 
 They ah 1 hoped, they could not give him up. 
 
 The whisper floated about that Robert Alston had made 
 a secret, unfortunate marriage, and that his wife through 
 an accident had lost her mind. 
 
 Dick Grayson knew more about her, though he made no 
 comment to any one save Mr. Conover. 
 
 " They were a bad lot," he said ; " I don't see how Rob 
 could have been fooled, by them ; but the girl was very 
 pretty. And, somehow, I 'm not sure but I would rather 
 have her in an asylum, out of harm's way, than to do as 
 her sister has done. But poor Rob ! We must all try to 
 make it up to him."
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE very brooding over her sorrow worked a partial 
 cure in Mrs. Alston's case. She saw the suffering, the 
 shame, the fear, the brave resolve to eat the bitter fruit he 
 had gathered, to make no outcry at the sting, since he had 
 grasped the nettles of his own will and pleasure. She 
 longed for a first word from him, and yet she admired the 
 strength that could wait and accept the sentence. 
 
 Yet he was hers, and nothing could weaken that bond. 
 She could recall so many little remorseful touches of the 
 summer before ; once when he had stood with his arms 
 clasped about her neck, and said, to some little word of 
 hers. " I wish I were more worthy of your love, but the 
 duty of my coming years must be to make myself so." 
 And the little thoughtful courtesies that had never been 
 much in his way before, how they touched her now. 
 
 So she wrote a brief note, blotted by tears, and he an- 
 swered. They knew it had come, but its contents were 
 sacred to her. Then he wrote to Uncle Robert : 
 
 " During one of the long night-watches, when the Gen- 
 eral was quite used up, I told Aunt Ruth my story, all that 
 we decided had better be known. Uncle Robert, I think I 
 must have behaved brutally to you during that last visit ! 
 I was almost crazy with loneliness and despair, and fight- 
 ing for the thing I wanted. I see some of it now. Aunt 
 Ruth has been so sweet, so lovely, and, though I can 't 
 accept it all now as you would like me to, I have come to 
 my senses a little. I can never make amends for your 
 love and patience, and I have broken poor mother's heart.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 245 
 
 O Uncle Robert, why don't we have a little sense, a little 
 sure faith in the inexorable laws of right and wrong ? We 
 cannot overstep them and go scot free. Every wrong way 
 has its penal ty. 
 
 " Comfort my mother. I shall not ask you to forgive 
 me until I have in some sense earned it by my endeavors 
 in the future : as if I ever could earn it or repay you for 
 what you have done." 
 
 Bruce was better. The wound in the lung was under 
 control, but the hip was not doing as well as the}' wished. 
 There was a great deal of anxiety lest it should settle to 
 permanent lameness, but they were all coming home. 
 Jessie Meredith and Kathie had orders to find a cosy fur- 
 nished house for winter quarters. Aunt Ruth was anxious 
 that Dr. Markham should have her boy under his care. 
 And again she said : " I hardly know what we would have 
 done without Robert. I think him truly brave and noble. 
 He lacks only the ' one thing,' and I am not sure but the 
 discipline of living out of this sorrow will lead him to it." 
 
 Fred returned to college and the family went to the city 
 for a visit. Hunting a house was a new and perplexing, 
 as well as absorbing interest. There were enough of them, 
 as Jessie said, but some were all up stairs and down, others 
 all style and show. Mrs. Gamier came to the relief at 
 last, with a pretty home, whose owner, a } r oung widow, was 
 going to Cuba for the winter. The lower floor had a cosy 
 reception and dining room, with a spacious kitchen, and 
 up stairs a lovely parlor, taking in the whole front, with 
 two alcoves, and two sleeping-rooms beside, and apart- 
 ments farther up in abundance. 
 
 " This will do admirably," Jessie decided. " Bruce can 
 have the range of this floor, and there will be very little 
 going up and down for Aunt Ruth. Then the furniture 
 and adornments are neat and harmonious, which is a great 
 thing for an invalid, and is just far enough from the ave- 
 nue to afford quiet."
 
 246 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Mrs. Alston had brought Jane Maybin with her, and 
 engaged a nice tidy country woman for housekeeper. 
 
 They had just completed all arrangements when the tel- 
 egram came. The party would reach New York the fol- 
 lowing morning. 
 
 Mrs. Alston had meant to accompany the family to 
 receive them, but at the last moment her courage failed, and 
 so the four went without her. Mr. Meredith had planned 
 everything for the invalid's comfort, so there would be no 
 confusion or delay. They watched eagerly as the long 
 train wound its way slowly in. 
 
 Kathie and Jessie stood a little back, and the crowd 
 kept surging between them and the gentlemen. Then Rob 
 stood on the car step and grasped his uncle's hand, and 
 General Mackenzie followed him. 
 
 "Jessie and Kathie are here," said Mr. Conover. 
 " Bring Aunt Ruth and let us send them home in a car- 
 riage, and attend to the rest afterward." 
 
 It was a good plan. Rob had just a moment to come 
 and clasp their hands, and see that Aunt Ruth was safe 
 between them all. 
 
 " Wait a moment ; I think I will go in the carriage with 
 you," said Mr. Meredith. 
 
 While the horses stood still Jessie asked a few questions. 
 It seemed to Kathie she could only look at Aunt Ruth and 
 wonder. 
 
 "Bruce stood the journey very well," Aunt Ruth was 
 saying. " Until last night he did not show any special 
 signs of fatigue, but he is extremely weak. He does not 
 gain strength as we hoped he would, and his father is 
 afraid the hip may settle into a permanent lameness. We 
 were so anxious to see Dr. Markham." And she smiled 
 over to Kathie. " I am not sure but it would have been 
 better if we had brought him at the very earliest possible 
 moment ; but we had to guard against the strain and hem- 
 orrhages."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 247 
 
 " How dreadful it has been ! " Kathie sighed softly. 
 *' And we thought the war was all over. You know Bruce 
 used to laugh about being a peace soldier." 
 
 " The war never seems quite all over," Aunt Ruth 
 returned gravely. 
 
 "Now," exclaimed Mr. Meredith, springing in, "the 
 rest of the procession is under way. Kathie, do you 
 remember what a lank, white fellow I was when Jessie 
 brought me home? There will be some nursing for you, 
 to keep your hand in. I think we can both answer for 
 her, Mrs. Mackenzie?" 
 
 Aunt Kuth smiled faintly again as she pressed the hand 
 that clasped hers so fondly. Then the carriage rattled 
 over the stones and there was no more talking. They 
 reached home a long while the first, and Aunt Ruth had 
 time to lay off her wraps and take a view of her new dom- 
 icile. 
 
 " Oh, how very pretty ! " And a soft pink flush over- 
 spread her face. 
 
 Mrs. Alston held her in her arms many moments ; then 
 there was a stir in the street. 
 
 ' ' Send Robert in here to me when you have done with 
 him," she whispered, and disappeared in the adjoining 
 room. 
 
 The strong arms formed a litter, and bore Bruce up to 
 the parlor, where Mr. Meredith had arranged a large and 
 comfortable reclining chair. But as they laid him down 
 they saw he had fainted quite away. 
 
 Kathie looked on curiously, awe-stricken. She had 
 never seen Bruce but in the highest state of physical health. 
 She could not remember that he had ever complained of a 
 pain. He had gloried so in walks and climbs up danger- 
 ous mountain-sides. He had rowed and driven like an ath- 
 lete. And always the splendid coloring of youth and vigor, 
 of ambition and hope, hope in the seen and unseen ; and 
 now the dark edge of hair framed in a thin, transparent face
 
 248 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 that bore the marks of high suffering, a heroic struggle 
 somewhere, that at the first moment dazed and confused 
 her, when it seemed as if she ought to hold in her own 
 hand the clew. She could only think of one thing dis- 
 tinctly. 
 
 He opened his eyes suddenly, and drew a long, shudder- 
 ing breath, as little shadows of returning animation quiv- 
 ered through the translucent veins. His lips moved, his 
 hand was outstretched, and a tender light gleamed in his 
 eye. 
 
 " Kathie ! " 
 
 He had seen her for an instant, as in Heaven. When 
 she clasped his hand, when she stooped over and kissed 
 the marble brow, he had lapsed into forgetfulness. 
 
 " Kathie," Eob touched her. " Mother," and there 
 was a tremulous quaver in his voice. 
 
 She led him to the door and opened it softly, just utter- 
 ing " Mamma " in her gentlest tone. 
 
 They went straight to each other's arms : the one, know- 
 ing how it must be, because he understood the great love ; the 
 other, having found her lost piece of money, was content. 
 Not the prodigal who had gone down to the depths of the 
 husks and swine, but the one who had squandered and be- 
 trayed love, who had gone astray and was found. 
 
 Kathie wandered around in a strange state of awe and 
 loneliness. Mr. Meredith had gone for Dr. Markham. 
 Uncle Robert and the General were trying to make the 
 invalid comfortable and picking up the travelling wraps. 
 
 " Jane," Kathie exclaimed, " I think there ought to be 
 a sort of breakfast luncheon for them. I dare say they ate 
 very little this morning. Make some tea and coffee, and 
 I will arrange the table." 
 
 That gave her a connecting interest with the world again. 
 It seemed as if she had been in some strange country, had 
 half known or seen something she ought to know wholly, 
 and now she was on the outside rim again.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 249 
 
 " It is the excitement and confusion," she thought. 
 " And oh, poor Bruce ! " 
 
 Dr. Markham had been holding himself in readiness for 
 the summons. The General and he were closeted a long 
 while with the invalid, but presently they rejoined the 
 others at the table, where he gave Kathie numberless orders, 
 and teased her a little about donning a black gown and 
 white cap and becoming a regular Sister of Mercy. 
 
 " Of course the poor fellow is dreadfully worn out by 
 the journey, and weak from loss of blood," explained Mr. 
 Meredith. ' ' Markham thinks the treatment of the hip 
 has n't been quite the thing, but the other was all right, 
 and, though the lung may require a little carefulness, there 's 
 no trouble to be apprehended from it. People rarely get 
 over these things in a day or two. I did n't myself." And 
 he smiled humorously. 
 
 " But it's a kind of fight for life, after all," Rob said, 
 later on, to Kathie. " There was one night that I 
 wished I could die in his stead, and I understood then 
 what a comfort it was to pray," with a low, reverent 
 intonation. "And I know how he feels; he wants to 
 get entirely well. He 's so young, and he has always 
 been so strong. Kathie, I don't know but Bruce is the 
 bravest hero of them all. It was a good thing in Uncle 
 Robert to send me out there. And when I found him 
 bearing a life-long sorrow " 
 
 " Oh, he will get well!" cried Kathie in a passion of 
 tender pain. 
 
 Rob stopped and colored. This was not the fidelity he 
 had promised. 
 
 " We all hope so. But he may never be as strong, 
 and possibly have to change his whole career." 
 
 " Rob, I do not think Bruce cared altogether for mili- 
 tary glory, or as much as he used at West Point," Kathie 
 answered, with a vague consciousness of some change. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Meredith left them in the afternoon. 
 Bruce had been put in the middle room, and was quite
 
 250 WHOM KATHIE MAHRIED. 
 
 comfortable, but, oh, so ghostly wan, and white, even to 
 his hands ! 
 
 "Quite fine, is n't it, old fellow?" he said to Rob. 
 " Civilization has its advantages, we must admit, and it is 
 extremely pleasant to the eye. Ought we to class these 
 among the pomps and vanities? " glancing around. 
 
 " Not a bit. The best of all things could never be too 
 good for you, and }*ou '11 never hoard them up or crowd 
 out any one else ! " was the earnest rejoinder. 
 
 " And I made quite a Miss Nancy of myself fainting 
 away and all! " with a wan little smile. " I did get so 
 horribly tired last night, and then jolting over the stones 
 was excruciating. But Dr. Markham thinks it may all 
 come out right in the end." 
 
 "It will, it must," declared Rob vigorously. "God 
 won't give you anything harder to bear, when you 've been 
 so brave, so " 
 
 "The thorn in the flesh! St. Paul suffered all his 
 life long. And coming nearer home, mother is a little 
 lame, and it adds a sort of piquancy ; she never com- 
 plains." 
 
 " But Aunt Ruth always was an angel ! " 
 
 " And a six-footer without petticoats might make a guy 
 of himself. It does n't add any romance to a man, does 
 it ? Where is mother ? " 
 
 " Gone to lie down." 
 
 " Poor, sweet mother. O Rob, I 'm so thankful for 
 my share of her." 
 
 " And how like a brute I 've been all my life to an own, 
 real mother ! " Rob said in a remorsefully passionate tone. 
 " O Bruce, I thought of your grand verse to-day, about 
 the heights and depths, and powers and principalities, and 
 I could n't help saying a little of it to mother, for nothing 
 ever can separate us again. It has been so horrible these 
 years, when I had the bitter realization that I had put such 
 a gulf between."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 251 
 
 The thin hand stretched out and found the other so 
 plump and warm. 
 
 " And if that love is so great, what about the other, 
 Rob ? If it is so sweet to get home to the heart of human 
 affection, what of the Divine? " 
 
 " I can't see it all " 
 
 " I believe you will presently. The mistake is, we do 
 not any of us see it all, or all the time. There are 
 clouds, and storms, and wanderings. And in our slothful- 
 ness we are not looking out continually." 
 
 "Rob," he said again, after a long silence, "did I 
 see her?" 
 
 " Yes, no ; you had fainted away." 
 
 " And I dreamed she came and kissed me." 
 
 ' ' Oh, she did ; that was n't a dream ! And she is 
 frightened half out of her wits." 
 
 ' ' Do you know if she is going to stay ? " 
 
 " She is here yet. Dr. Markham said she was to 
 help Aunt Ruth nurse you. I don't know what mamma 
 thinks, but it shall be just as you wish. No one shall 
 make you suffer a needless pang." 
 
 Several changes passed over the pale face. He thought 
 he had fought it all out, given her up, but the renunciation 
 was one thing out there, alone, and here quite another. 
 
 ' ' Bruce I don't think and Kathie she does n't 
 know," incoherently began Robert, but the hope in his 
 face pieced together the broken sentences. 
 
 " Oh, Rob, hush," the feeble voice entreated. " You 
 are so strong, so full of vigor, and life, and health ; let me 
 lean on you a little now, and do not tempt me to covet 
 my neighbors' joys. If I cannot see her without desiring, 
 longing, I have no right to see her at all. I must take a 
 coward's place and skulk in the rear, along the hedges." 
 
 " But" 
 
 " He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done 
 evil to his neighbor "
 
 252 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 "O Bruce, you think of it all." And he hid his face 
 repentantly on the pillow. " I never can, and that is why." 
 
 "We must do a little pulling in the same boat, old 
 chap!" And the words came with a quivering sigh. "Don't 
 3 - ou remember how He lay and slept in the boat until they 
 came and called him, and he is always there to say 
 ' Peace.' You know we settled the other matter." 
 
 " But you never had a chance, at least not a fair chance, 
 and that is what bothers me so. If she had seen you to- 
 gether. Oh, forgive me, Bruce, I never will pain you so 
 again ! Oh, don't faint," besought the lad, pitifully, his 
 eyes swimming in tears. 
 
 " No, I am not going to faint ; but I am so weak to-day. 
 Suppose you read a little, Rob, the dear old ' In Memo- 
 riam.'" 
 
 Rob found the book ; he had put it in his satchel. He 
 had read a good deal to Bruce in the last fortnight, and 
 found it very soothing. There was so much in the poem 
 to comfort them both. 
 
 They heard Kathie's voice presently in the adjoining room 
 talking to Aunt Ruth. 
 
 " Rob," he said, in the little pause, " suppose we have 
 it over ; I must see her some time." 
 
 Rob opened the door. " You have not been in to visit 
 our invalid, mother," he said, as he caught sight of her by 
 the window. " And you, Kathie, unless he frightened you 
 out of your stately composure." 
 
 "Oh, no, indeed"; and Kathie smiled. "Come, 
 mamma," holding out her hand. 
 
 "How is he, Robert? " asked Aunt Ruth. 
 
 " He wanted to see them," Rob made answer, includ- 
 ing his plural with a slight hesitation, for though the sub- 
 ject had never been spoken of between them, he under- 
 stood the fear implied in Aunt Ruth's tone. 
 
 Mrs. Alston was much shocked. It hardly seemed that 
 one could change so greatly. Kathie came around and 
 took the thin hand*
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 253 
 
 " It does n't look much like fighting now," she said, 
 " or climbing Alps." 
 
 " No." He smiled faintly. " I am glad we had all that, 
 and our grand winter in Russia, and all the delights. 
 But you have all been very good to me to-day ; and Rob 
 here thinks I behaved quite like a baby." 
 
 ' ' Because he had been such a hero ! See what it is to 
 exalt one's opinion." 
 
 " I think you have managed to tone down my boisterous 
 boy a good deal," said Mrs. Alston. " I never fancied 
 nursing his forte before." 
 
 "Rob and I have been good comrades." And the 
 look told the rest. 
 
 " Oh, you have drifted in here," said Mr. Conover, enter- 
 ing the room and casting a quick glance at Kathie 
 " Well, Bruce, my lad ! " 
 
 " I expect to be the centre of attraction ; I shall feel 
 quite hurt if any one slights me. Will you all sit down ? " 
 
 " We must not disturb you. It has been an exciting 
 day, and rather hard on your little strength." 
 
 " I think," began Rob, " that I might be spared. I 
 want a good walk before dinner. Will you go, Uncle? 
 and we might hunt up Fred." 
 
 ' ' We shall not have far to hunt ; both boys are making 
 their home with the Merediths. I am quite ready for the 
 walk. We might go down there to dinner, unless you are 
 wanted." 
 
 " I '11 be generous and give Rob a holiday," declared 
 the invalid. 
 
 There was so much to say between the two who went. 
 Rob had recovered his strength and elasticity, much of his 
 bright coloring, although thinner than of yore. What if, 
 after all, that deep anguish was evanescent and bore no 
 real fruit. 
 
 But the effort Rob had been compelled to make in Bruce's 
 behalf had brought him out of his gloomy despair. He
 
 254 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 was able to see something beside all the long stretch of 
 years, how they were to be lived ; and the use he was to 
 make of his one talent or many. He was beginning to 
 learn that the austere Master exacted something beside not 
 losing. There was a growth and work, and if he had plunged 
 himself into the slough of despond he was not to lie there, 
 not to disdain the help of friendly hands, not to feel that 
 the great aims had dropped out because he had lost for 
 a while the right clew. He could live out of, but he could 
 not go back and begin again. The flawed and spoiled must 
 be taken out patiently. 
 
 He had learned a little of it, dimly, wonderingly. The 
 truth had always been there, but in the heedlessness of 
 youth he had leaped quite over it, and now he must retrace 
 these steps that he hated, that shamed him, that had cut 
 him off from so many things he was beginning to desire. 
 
 They had a delightful time at dinner. Charlie and Fred 
 gave him the warmest of welcomes, and unfolded so many 
 plans. They sympathized with Bruce as well, and hoped 
 all things in the future. Only it seemed to Rob they were 
 very young, and he felt old beside them. 
 
 " Uncle Robert," he said, as they were walking home, 
 " I have about made up my mind to one of two things, if 
 you are willing. I should like to go in the Merediths' bus- 
 iness house or some other here in the city." 
 
 " Rob, do you remember what you said about chem- 
 istry?" 
 
 " O Uncle ! " Rob's heart gave a great leap of joy, 
 then he sternly brought it under control. "You are so 
 good to think of that. You have all been so good to me, 
 but I have incurred some expenses that I ought not to 
 lay off on any one's shoulders. If I could n't think when I 
 was crazy enough to to marry, I must think now. I 
 must earn sufficient to take care of the two whose com- 
 fort, to say the least, I became responsible for. I shall 
 make that myself, beside my own living. Why, I need not
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 255 
 
 work as severely as I have. Then if I have any time, or 
 energy, or money left over, I shall feel free to spend 
 that on myself. I was talking a little to Mr. Meredith to- 
 night ; he thinks it can be brought about." 
 
 " Robert," his uncle said gravel}', tenderly, "I honor 
 your resolve. It is simple right and justice. It will do 
 more toward strengthening your character than any assist- 
 ance from friends. I think you can be trusted, and I 
 shall be glad to have you here." 
 
 " And I must learn to be my mother's son. After all, 
 she may have me more years than she ever dreamed." 
 And he choked down the sigh for the chain he must wear. 
 " And I want to say," a little tremulously, " that for the 
 child's sake, for the family's sake, your proposal was best. 
 In any event I owed it to you to accept it. It is my bus- 
 iness to render my life the better for it." 
 
 He felt the approving pressure on his arm. 
 
 They found Bruce comparatively comfortable. He did 
 not need a watcher, so Rob brought in the reclining chair 
 for his bed, to be at hand at a word. General Macken- 
 zie seemed quite worn out, and the promise of a night's 
 sleep was extremely refreshing. 
 
 ' ' I don't know what we should have done without your 
 boy," he said, with his good-night to Mrs. Alston, " and I 
 think very few would have passed through such a terrible 
 ordeal as well. Poor lad." 
 
 The mothers eyes filled with tears. 
 
 The house grew quiet presently, and all the lights were 
 out save the one turned low in the parlor. The door was 
 left open, for Bruce liked the shadowy suggestiveness bet- 
 ter. Rob uttered a happy good-night, he was so at peace, 
 and in a few moments Bruce heard the regular breathing of 
 healthful slumber. He could not sleep, partly for pain, 
 bravely borne while the others were looking, partly be- 
 cause there was a tumult in his soul. 
 
 He had come into her life again, so differently from any-
 
 256 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 thing he had planned. He was to wait until they were mar 
 ried and in their own home, and she was hedged about with 
 pretty wifely and parish duties, the bright, generous, out- 
 flowing woman, infusing the spirit of her Master in ever- 
 widening circles, taking in the poor in heart, the weary 
 and worn, and feeding them with some living bread 
 of holiness and redemption. Like a pilgrim journeying 
 on to the same far country he might stop and break bread, 
 and exchange greetings of cheer. He would have over-lived 
 the pain and longing ; the comfort she could have given 
 would have been held out by a higher hand. He should 
 see her there and rejoice with her in her work, diviner than 
 any he could have brought her. 
 
 But it was not so to be. He had met her to-day, rather 
 she had come to meet him, with the old friendly fondness 
 he once fancied meant love. The same sweet, generous 
 graciousness, the pure, upward look. Yes, he had been 
 mistaken. Even if he had won that, it would not have 
 brought supreme satisfaction ; he would have wanted more, 
 a depth and richness, a woman's love, such as Aunt Ruth 
 was giving his father daily. Could girls love like that, or 
 was it the larger awaiting of full womanhood ? 
 
 And now he must see her daily and keep himself from 
 any coveting, from any envying. He turned to God for 
 strength ; there had been man)" times in his young life when 
 he would have fainted but for this help.
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 IT was a lovely, glowing autumn, full of long, dreamy 
 {lays, with Indian summer skies ; just the time for delicious 
 country rambles, and yet the city seemed to hold the most 
 interest for Kathie. Mr. Meredith had offered Rob a very 
 fair position, and he had gone to work with all his olden 
 energy. There was one heavenly precept that would never 
 have to be instilled into the young man. Whatever his 
 hand found to do he did with all his might. Ned Mere- 
 dith often smiled, recalling the Rob of old days at his 
 play. 
 
 He was to board through the winter with Aunt Ruth. 
 Bruce wanted him ; that was sufficient. 
 
 ' ' But I have made an arrangement to spend every other 
 Sunday with you," Rob 'said to his mother. " Mr. Mere- 
 dith offered to give me off the Monday morning, but I 
 shall make it up. Only I shall have the house astir catch- 
 ing the early train. Shall I prove a nuisance?" 
 
 She kissed him to hide her tears, touched by the devo- 
 tion. He had begun in the path of duty. If he did not 
 understand, if he could not see the certain evidence, still 
 he would not abate, but persevere to the end. 
 
 And while she was holding him to her heart another 
 thought entered it. The little child alone was an innocent 
 outcast from their love and sympathy. They had forgiven 
 him ; why should they be so cruelly hard to her ? 
 
 " Rob," she said, w.ith a soft tremble in her voice, 
 "your uncle once spoke of the the baby. I am not 
 sure but we ought to have it. I was so surprised and 
 hurt then, that my heart was steeled against it." 
 
 " Oh, no ! " he cried, with sudden shame and repugnance. 
 
 " Do not bring it here ! " 
 17
 
 258 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Your child, Robert ! " She thought of the warm wel- 
 come her own little ones had received on every hand. 
 
 A deep flush suffused his face. 
 
 "It seems so strange," half impatiently. "I have 
 never known much about it. I never had Kathie's fond- 
 ness for babies." 
 
 " I think it had better come," in a tone of grave reproof. 
 
 " As you like," he answered quietly. 
 
 She discussed the matter with her brother, and they 
 decided to go out to Chicago. Perhaps, too, she had a 
 half-confessed curiosity to see the woman who had made 
 such havoc of her boy's life, 
 
 Kathie was left with Aunt Ruth. She was such a bright, 
 useful, and entertaining body. Her very face, full of 
 exquisite hope and tenderness, said so much without a 
 word. Perhaps it was because she was so free from the 
 platitudes often used in a sick-room, well meaning, but 
 frequently extremely trying to sensitive nerves. She 
 breathed patience and fortitude in her very aspect, she 
 brought hope in her quick smile. Then she had so many 
 expedients ; the comfort and solace of to-day was a little 
 changed to-morrow by some added grace. 
 
 The " boys " came in to see Bruce when he could enjo}* 
 company. Charlie had some of Kathie's ways, Bruce was 
 forced to admit, almost unwillingly. He brought in a 
 handful of flowers, not a regular-made bouquet ; or a paper 
 that had a fine article Kathie must read aloud ; another 
 day it would be some deliciously ripened fruit, or a set of 
 fine photographs, borrowed from a friend. Bruce schooled 
 himself to watch them together, to think of the time when 
 their lives would be irrevocably blended. 
 
 After two weeks of suffering patiently borne, Dr. 
 Markham found that, in spite of all his efforts, an abscess 
 was forming. Dr. Gamier did not take the matter so 
 seriously ; the patient had }'outh, a good constitution, and 
 excellent habits for the groundwork of hope. And when
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 259 
 
 he recovered from the fatigues of the journey he really 
 made some improvement. If he could get through without 
 any permanent injury ; to save him from that would be 
 their work. 
 
 Dick, and Charlie, and Fred were glad to have Rob back 
 in their midst. Ada Gamier welcomed him, too, but he 
 was a little shy of her at first. 
 
 "It is as good as a school," declared Dick, " to meet 
 the people at her house and hear them talk." 
 
 And but for the child Robert might have almost forgot- 
 ten the miserable episode of the past. 
 
 Mrs. Alston went on her journey with a half-sense of 
 unwillingness, although she considered it her dut} r . The 
 many changes and the brilliant autumn scenery interested 
 her and diverted her mind in some degree from the sad 
 aspect of affairs. They would see the child first. She 
 was not quite certain she could take this alien to her heart, 
 even if she did pity its lonely condition. 
 
 They found Mrs. Fleming bright and tidy, and her little 
 charge in riotous health. She stared at the new-comers 
 with her large, laughing brown eyes, and then half shyly 
 hid her face in her foster-mother's dress. 
 
 " This is Mr. Alston's mother," Mr. Conover an- 
 nounced. 
 
 "Bertha, Bertha, you must not be naughty," said the 
 gentle voice. " She is not usually afraid," in apology. 
 
 "And she has quite forgotten me," declared Uncle 
 Robert. " We became very good friends in the summer. 
 Bertha." 
 
 The child peeped out in such a pretty, piquant manner, 
 showing a face strange \y h'ke, yet mysteriously unlike her 
 father. There was a great struggle in Mrs. Alston's soul, 
 and perhaps it was more from duty than love that she 
 stooped and held out her hands. 
 
 " Little Bertha," she said softly, " will you not come to 
 me?"
 
 260 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 The child studied her a moment with grave intent, 
 then, breaking into a merry peal of laughter, ran to Uncle 
 Robert to be caught and lifted in his arms. Her satisfac- 
 tion was but momentary, however ; the next instant she 
 struggled to get away. 
 
 " I want my mamma ! " reaching out her dimpled hands ; 
 " I want my own, own mamma ! " 
 
 Something in the bright, bird-like tone touched Mrs. 
 Alston's heart, brought back the by-gone years. 
 
 " She is a little strange," said Mrs. Fleming, coloring. 
 " But she is very good, so merry and cheerful, and I think 
 quite forward for her age. She can say nearly everything, 
 and has so man}' cunning ways. As for her health, that is 
 perfect. Don't you think she resembles her father?" 
 
 " Yes. You have seen her mother? " 
 
 " She came a few times. She owned that she did not 
 care about children. I can't understand why the Lord 
 sends them to such people, when there is many a hunger- 
 ing soul that would welcome a baby. But young people 
 rush into marriage without thinking of the sacred respon- 
 sibility." And Mrs. Fleming checked herself suddenly, 
 coloring. " Is the poor thing any better? " she asked. 
 
 ' ' She can never be restored in mind ; otherwise she is 
 well, " Mr. Conover made answer. 
 
 There was a brief pause, and then Mrs. Alston said in 
 a low, gentle tone : 
 
 " We have decided, my brother and I, that the proper 
 place for the child is with us, since its mother will never 
 be competent to care for it. But she is so fond of you, I 
 hardl}* know how we will be able to get her home. Robert, 
 it will tax your ingenuity." And she smiled. 
 
 " I should like to keep her always." The tears came in 
 Mrs. Fleming's eyes. " If the parents had been very 
 poor, I should have proposed it, but I could only bring her 
 up plainly." 
 
 Mrs. Alston felt self-condemned. Not that she should
 
 WHOM KATIIIE MARRIED. 261 
 
 ever grudge the child anything money could procure, she 
 was not selfish in that respect, she was even sympathetic, 
 but she could not instantly open her heart to love. In her 
 soul she had blamed her son for this hardness, and she 
 must struggle to overcome it. Simple duty was not all 
 that was required ; there was a higher point. And how 
 teach Robert to see it if she evaded it herself? 
 
 " It is right and best that the child should be brought 
 up among her relatives," she answered kindly. " I think 
 we shall be able to manage. When will you be likely to 
 return ? " glancing at Mr. Conover. 
 
 " Oh, you will want to see the city before you leave it ! 
 There is no hurry. We can come in and visit the little 
 one again." 
 
 He managed to coax a kiss out of her before he went 
 away. 
 
 Then they started on their sad and distasteful errand. 
 It was one of the poor creature's quiet days. She sat by 
 a sunny window turning the leaves of a child's picture- 
 book in gaudy colors. There was a lovely flush on her 
 cheek, yet hardly the tint of health, and her vacant face 
 had a curious, unearthly beauty. 
 
 Mrs. Alston looked and turned away with a sigh. 
 
 " Poor thing ! " said the nurse. " She gives very little 
 trouble. My opinion is that she 's not so long for this 
 world as they think, though some of them do live beyond 
 everything ; but that 's more likely when they go insane 
 naturally, without any accident, I mean . There 's some- 
 thing wrong with her spine, the doctors say. Mercy 
 grant that she may not lie helpless years and years ! " 
 
 They both echoed the prayer. Mrs. Alston turned 
 away and her brother followed. 
 
 " I think," she began, after they were in the carriage 
 and driving slowly along, ' ' that in some respects we can 
 excuse Rob. He has always been hasty and impulsive. I 
 can imagine the fascination this girl's beauty exercised
 
 262 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 over him, and no doubt she did lay a trap for him, if she 
 fancied him the heir to a fortune. Evidently there was 
 some object in marrying him ; it was not merely the love 
 of flirtation. Still, it seems to me she might have done 
 better, taken some one whose fortune was secure." 
 
 " She had no doubt seen a good deal of the world, and 
 on her part, I fancy, there was no very deep sentiment. 
 But in the first place Robert should have kept away from 
 such people. It serves to lower any young man's respect 
 and regard for womanhood. He had been taught better, 
 nay, he knew better. Then, as Mrs. Fleming said, there is 
 too much careless taking on of the most solemn vows of 
 life. Marriage seems so easy, so delightful, that our 
 3'oung people take it up with about as much deliberation 
 as going to an opera. They do not ask if it is the thing 
 they want for thirty or fifty years, that they are not to 
 thrust lightly aside, but endure with patience, realizing 
 that it is an obligation of their own choosing, or their own 
 haste and unwisdom. Then the ease with which these ties 
 are sundered seems to offer a premium on thoughtlessness, 
 and does weaken the sense of responsibility." 
 
 " It is a bitter lesson. I fancy Robert will feel it more 
 keenly as time goes on. But you thought he accepted it 
 bravely," as if she could not bear to have him so 
 severely blamed. 
 
 " Yes, I think he displayed a great deal of courage and 
 true manliness in his course, even to keeping the secret. 
 He might have come to us then with his burden, and I 
 shall always respect him that he bore it in silence as long 
 as it was possible. The true test now is his living out of 
 this, the kind of man he makes under this discipline. He 
 has always been thoughtless as to consequences ; the pres- 
 ent want has dominated him. He will have tune now to 
 ponder over the impatience of youth." 
 
 "But, Robert, if she " 
 
 " Hush, Dora, we must not allow ourselves to think of
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 263 
 
 that," he answered solemnly. " With God alone belong 
 the issues of life and death. It is the now that we are in, 
 the present, and our work is to do the duty of the 
 present." 
 
 She did not make any immediate answer ; but after a 
 considerable silence, said in a low, awed tone, " There 
 is one thing that I shall feel thankful for always, that she 
 did not openly disgrace her child. A misfortune can be 
 borne with dignity, but a scandal is never entirely over- 
 lived." 
 
 Robert Alston had saved his mother this bitter sorrow. 
 
 They spent several pleasant days in going about the 
 city that Mrs. Alston had not seen in years. Uncle 
 Robert managed to make quite friends with Bertha, but 
 at the last they took the little thing away in the evening, 
 asleep, to spare the sad scene of a violent parting. Mrs. 
 Fleming was deeply moved at separation from the little 
 one who had become so like her very own. 
 
 Their first day and evening were exceedingly trying. 
 Bertha could be amused for a brief while ; then her sense 
 of loss and strangeness would overwhelm her. Uncle 
 Robert proved an admirable nurse, and before the jour- 
 ney's end Mrs. Alston's heart had gone out to the little 
 one, who displayed so many reminders of her father. She 
 was large of her age and brimming with vitality, piquant 
 rather than beautiful, and so little like her mother that it 
 was a positive relief. 
 
 They were watching for the travellers at Aunt Ruth's. 
 Kathie saw the coach stop and ran down. 
 
 " Oh ! " she cried with eager delight, " is it reaUy Rob's 
 baby? How pretty! O mamma, how wonderfully like 
 Rob ! Why, she hardly looks like a girl." 
 
 Bertha was growing accustomed to strange faces. 
 Something in Kathle's glad voice attracted her, and she 
 stretched out her hands at once. 
 
 *' you sweet little darling 1 "
 
 264 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Republics are ungrateful," declared Uncle Robert, 
 with an air of injured dignity. 
 
 Kathie took her up to Aunt Ruth's room, and stood her 
 on the floor while she was unfastening her cap and cloak. 
 Bertha glanced around surprised, then startled, and 
 stretched out her small hands with unforgotten longing. 
 
 " I want my own mamma ! " in a pitiful, quivering tone 
 that went to each heart. 
 
 " O baby, we will all try to be your mamma." And she 
 kissed her with tender fervor. 
 
 Bertha leaned her head on Kathie's shoulder and gave a 
 few sobs. They were fast friends then. 
 
 It made a great diversion in the house, and baby soon 
 settled to two prime favorites, Kathie and Uncle Robert. 
 In a few days she recovered her wonted equilibrium, and 
 proved herself a bright little mischief. Rob studied her 
 with a curious feeling of awe, and secretly confessed to 
 Kathie that he could not make her seem his, but he was 
 deeply grateful to his mother for the love she gave her. 
 In fact, the advent of the baby made Rob more of a hero 
 than ever with the boys. He had a pathetic history, an 
 unusual misfortune, and even at this early stage he felt his 
 uncle's wisdom had proved invaluable. 
 
 Among the baby's many gifts and graces Kathie discov- 
 ered one quite charming. Her laugh was like the ripple 
 of softly shaken bells, but she had a quick ear and unus- 
 ual voice, and could sing the melody of her little cradle 
 songs in a remarkable manner. 
 
 Bruce, too, was much interested in the little creature. 
 
 " I find I have a powerful rival," he said to Kathie one 
 day, quite in the old tone. 
 
 A quick color came to her cheek. Bruce had accepted 
 the state of affairs quietly. He had even congratulated 
 Charlie in one of their pleasant talks, but to Kathie he 
 made no reference to the tie between them. 
 
 " Mamma thinks she must take her home ; she is getting
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 265 
 
 rather spoiled, but to me she grows lovelier every day. I 
 shall hate to give her up.'* 
 
 " Give her up?" 
 
 " Yes. Mamma and Uncle Robert will return the last 
 of this week." 
 
 " And you " His heart seemed to throb up in his 
 throat, and he felt the flush in his face, but he could not 
 quite ask the question. 
 
 " Don't you care to have me stay?" she inquired, with 
 girlish frankness and honesty. 
 
 " Oh, you must know, only I may be keeping you 
 from some greater pleasure ! " 
 
 " No, it could not be a greater pleasure if it was a com- 
 fort to you." 
 
 " It is." Then he tried to think that her staying would 
 give her more of Charlie's society. 
 
 " Dr. Markham thought I had better, on Aunt Ruth's 
 account. You see he does not consider me of paramount 
 importance to you," laughing brightly. " But I shall hate 
 to give up Bertie." 
 
 And Bertie proved almost inconsolable again, going 
 back to the longing for her " own mamma." 
 
 " The little thing has a most affectionate memory," said 
 Uncle Robert, as he comforted her. 
 
 There was quite a stir at Brookside at the advent of 
 Robert Alston's baby, and much sympathy with the unfor- 
 tunate marriage. 
 
 " My dear Mrs. Alston," Mrs. Adams said one morning, 
 during a call, " I think one has need to feel more anx- 
 iously on the subject of sons' marriages than of daughters'. 
 The girls can be counselled and restrained, and their own 
 desire to do well helps a little. I used to feel so anxious 
 about Maurice, and if ever I saw a designing girl la} r ing 
 out her charms to entrap him I was in a fever. I can 
 never be thankful enough that he found the flower of all in 
 our own little place, for Emma does make the loveliest of
 
 266 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 wives. And, though I have no children of my very own, I 
 can understand from Maurice and Georgie how anxious 
 one may feel." 
 
 Mrs. Collamore, too, proffered a delicate sympathy. To 
 Mrs. Alston, Fay's presence brought a great pang of self- 
 condemnation. She had coveted her. She had brought 
 her into intimate contact with her son, and showed her in 
 many tender ways that she would be welcome to the 
 mother's heart, as well as the son's. What if she had 
 learned to care, allowed herself to dream? True, she could 
 remember no overt act or attention on Robert's part. 
 They had all been young people, having a good time 
 together, and oh, how devoutly grateful she felt that Rob's 
 sense of honor and manliness had restrained him from 
 foolish freedoms he would be ashamed to remember, from 
 an}' dangerous intimacy that would call a blush to this fair 
 young cheek. Yet, if it could have been ! Ah, did other 
 mothers often covet sweet, lovely girls and find the wrong 
 ones in their places ? 
 
 ' ' How very much the baby is like its father ? " Fay said 
 at length. She had been studying it ; Miss Bertie, by 
 some rare condescension, coming to sit on her knee. She 
 did not make friends with everybody, or in a hast}' man- 
 ner, with some notable exceptions, and evinced quite a lit- 
 tle discrimination. 
 
 " Yes," Mrs. Alston answered, with a smile ; " and I 
 find a few traits of disposition, though she has Kathie's 
 sunny nature." 
 
 'I suppose she will almost be a second Kathie to Mr. 
 Conover." 
 
 Then they talked a little about Louise and her pretty 
 home, and Eugene's prospects now that his father had 
 taken him into business. 
 
 "You must come over often," Mrs. Alston said, hold- 
 ing Fay's hand at parting. She could make no difference 
 now, retrace no steps, only guard the future. " I shall miss
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 267 
 
 Kathie very much, but I suppose I must learn to do with- 
 out her some time." 
 
 " Mrs. Alston, there is no such happy time as when 
 our children are grown into companionship and we have 
 them around us ! " exclaimed Mrs. Collamore. " Only," 
 with a sigh, " it is so brief." 
 
 Fay Collamore walked home beside her mother, answer- 
 ing trifling observations. It was a late October day, and 
 the strips of wood over beyond the lake were all aflame 
 with autumn splendors : scarlet, brown, gold, and the mas- 
 sive green of the firs and spruce. There a long arm of 
 Virginia creeper flung out a defiant banner that the sunset 
 only would dare match. Barberries were hung with coral 
 bells ; sumachs were in the glory of brown and crimson, 
 and the deep wine tints ; while golden-rod was turning 
 pale and grayish bronze. There were purple asters and 
 late cardinal flowers with sentinel spikes, courageous, dar- 
 ing. How beautiful it all was ! To-morrow she must get 
 Mrs. Langdon and go for a walk. Presently this splendor 
 would fade, the trees would be bare and brown, the little 
 shrubs shrivelled up, the grass dry, and the wind blowing 
 dismally. Winter always came, everywhere, in every 
 life, an echo seemed to add to her thought. 
 
 It was rather chilly in doors, and a cheerful fire was 
 burning in the grate. 
 
 " How blue and cold you look, Fay ! " her mother said. 
 " Sit down here and get good and warm, while I look after 
 the dinner." 
 
 She dropped into a low rocker and shivered with some- 
 tiling more vital than cold. For a long while she did not 
 think at all ; there was'only a formless, slow-moving con- 
 sciousness, a vague pain that she would not let come to light. 
 Some " might have been" had gone out of the world for 
 her, something she must grope after or long for, a part of 
 herself set aside to be passed by quickly and quietly as one 
 passes a little child one must not take up. lest the small
 
 268 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 hands might be too soon outstretched. The}' had been so 
 happy, she had been so happy since their first coming to 
 Brookside, two summers ago. The neighbors proved so 
 generous with their friendly living, Mr. Conover among 
 the very first. And Robert Alston, with all his new col- 
 lege honors and his bright, fascinating ways, his vigor, and 
 joy, and gayety ; Kathie's return, and the lovely ball, 
 and all the rich friendship in which the year had sped 
 away, bringing him again, curiously changed, she had 
 noted, but with a depth, and tone, and gentleness, a touch 
 of some subtle experience. 
 
 This was what it had been. An unfortunate but per- 
 haps not altogether an unhappy marriage. She had made 
 a terrible mistake. She had come so near a thing not in- 
 tended for her that its glory, all wrongly translated, had 
 illumined her for a brief space, lulled her into a sweet, 
 happy content. She must gather it up and put it quite 
 out of her life, this half -joy she had watched so tenderly. 
 It was not meant for her then, it never had been, never 
 would be. She must not even recall any day that had 
 been the happier for the something akin to hope, the glad- 
 ness to meet him, the remembrance of a graceful little 
 turn or a flower, or a walk when he and she fell a little 
 behind the others. 
 
 She was thankful as only a pure, right-minded woman 
 can be that there were no stings in memory placed there by 
 his thoughtless enjoyment. No word, no look but of 
 friendliness, yet she knew if such a thing could have been, 
 she of all the girls would have had it for her very own. 
 The mother's preference and her own leaning had made a 
 sad mistake. If she could go away somewhere, if he were 
 to be alwa} r s absent ; but they must meet all along the 
 years to come. The sorrow had given the mother her son 
 again, and made between them a wide gulf, over which 
 she must walk now and then, sure footed, clear eyed, and 
 unflinchingly. She could not stay away without giving
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 269 
 
 pain to the mother, without betraying her own mistake ; it 
 must all go on just as before, that was the hard side of 
 it. Eugene, in his hurt, had wanted to- linger about, to 
 watch, to gather some little gleam of hope, but with her it 
 was quite different, from nature as well as necessity. How 
 strange they four should have come so near, just to miss 
 and wound ! She could not understand the tangle. 
 Eugene had given up to a stony despair when his loss be- 
 came certainty, and yet he was growing out of it, over it, 
 coming to a man's fortitude and sense. Some other sweet 
 heart would cure his wound in days to come ; and for her ? 
 
 There was a cure, but not that way. She should never 
 want that, she said with an indignant protest. She must 
 gather up her self-command and go straight onward, living 
 out of it in the daily duties, taking earnest hold of the 
 " next," the work set her to do by a greater will than her 
 own. She must make no confused lines or tangled paths ; 
 she must not linger near the flame for her garments to 
 even have the faint scent of the burning, and yet she must 
 stand in the light. 
 
 They talked of the matter a little at the tea-table. 
 
 " It is a shame for a young life like that to be thrown 
 away," declared Mr. Collamore. "The girl may live 
 years ; insane people often do. And he seems such a fine 
 fellow ! Fortunately, he has the best and noblest man in the 
 world for his uncle. They are all delightful people." 
 
 " She may live years," Fay Collamore said to herself 
 under her breath ; ' ' and in all that time it will be a sin for 
 a woman to think of him in any way but that of the 
 merest friendship."
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 KATHIE missed her u little darling " greatly. The baby 
 had been such a source of amusement, and the night after 
 it was gone she felt almost homesick for them all. But 
 she had to rouse herself and do double duty, as Aunt 
 Ruth had a slight touch of fever. 
 
 In spite of the doctor's efforts the abscess had formed. 
 There had been days and nights of constant and excruciat- 
 ing pain, relieved occasionally by morphine when the 
 sleeplessness went beyond bounds. Bruce bore it bravely 
 and with very little complaint. The silent heroism touched 
 Kathie almost to tears, and was not without its effect upon 
 Rob. Sometimes he would start in the night, hearing a 
 soft sound, half groan, half sigh, and rising, use his best 
 efforts to alleviate it. Or he would read half the night, 
 until Bruce bade him close the book. 
 
 " You are such a dear, generous fellow, Rob ; but you 
 must not forget the work of to-morrow." 
 
 "Why, you see I thrive on it," Rob would exclaim 
 laughingly. "I have actually grown fat under the regi- 
 men." 
 
 And so he had. Regular living and duties not very 
 onerous, social life and enjoj'ment, and the horrible 
 burden he had borne so long rolled away ; safe without 
 any further questioning of duty or harassing secrecy ; his 
 old, blithe buoyancy returned. The ringing laugh of the 
 boy, toned and mellowed a little, was good to hear. The 
 gleam of merry mischief in his eye was so exactly like the 
 baby's, that Kathie could not but smile at it.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 271 
 
 She, too, had her hands full ; but they would only let her 
 ao day duty. And even then Dr. Markham took her out 
 for an hour's airing, or she ran around to Jessie's, and had 
 a romp with Robin and Marjorie. During the most trying 
 hours General Mackenzie remained with his son, who 
 bore his suffering with much patience and fortitude, and a 
 courage that fascinated Kathie. It did seem at times as 
 if he could easily let himself drop out of life. 
 
 Kathie spoke of this one day to the doctor. " Well r 
 why should he want to die ? " asked the doctor a little 
 gruffly. " Seems to me you young peopl^ nowadays 
 make a great mistake about this dying business. God 
 puts you into the world to live, and to make a fight for it. 
 It is the survival of the fittest, after all ; but your work is 
 to make yourself fit to survive, fit, even, for some other 
 ife, some other world. It looks cowardly to me to give 
 up at the first hard blow, to want to get out of the pain 
 and suffering to ease, and call that resignation. What 
 does your old apostle say? 'Having done all things, to 
 stand.' Not to cry to be taken out of the world when 
 you have n't done more than half the things. There 's 
 too much weakness, too much irresponsibility, too much 
 fear about using one's will. They talk a lot of stuff down 
 there at Ada's ; but there is strength and substance in it, 
 after all. They go back to the seekers in the dark, igno- 
 rant ages, when the little knots of philosophy lighted a few 
 feet from the centre, when the strong, earnest, pure-minded 
 men interpreted the secrets of nature, and came so near 
 to the other grand secret. We have been losing them 
 both, throwing out the ballast and calling on a curious, 
 soft, sweet mysticism to save us, and when the mysticism 
 has failed, cry out that there is no salvation. It is a grand 
 old fight, and it is sheer indolence to be swept out of it. 
 So my hero," with a little twinkle in his eye, " is making 
 the fight for life, quite confident God wants him to live 
 until he sends the other message. He has his father and
 
 272 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 your sweet aunt, and a work to do when he gets about it 
 again ; and he is going to get about it, though it may not 
 be soldiering in the future. But," and Dr. Markham's 
 voice fell to a reverent tone, "if he was called, I think we 
 should all see how a hero could die." 
 
 The tears stood in Kathie's eyes. 
 
 " You know, my child," he continued, " it is not always 
 the great deeds that make a hero. The fine, pure, whole- 
 some, ever3*-day living has something in it as well. We 
 can squander that, but extravagance of vital or spiritual 
 forces is not courage, but waste. I go over these things a 
 good deal now, and wonder why we are so willing to throw 
 awa}' the best of our lives instead of living them out in a 
 true and honest fashion, or moaning that the days have 
 no pleasure in them. It is our rightful business to find 
 the pleasure." 
 
 Dr. Markham was correct about his patient. There 
 were several daj T s when the balance almost trembled, when 
 there were fears of various kinds, but the}' proved fears only. 
 The abscess had not touched a vital part, and it was 
 nature's way of casting out useless matter. By Christmas 
 the young hero was out of danger and on the high road to 
 recovery. He would be weak and perhaps a little lame at 
 first, but there was no permanent injury to the joint. 
 
 It would be a glad, joyful Christmas. Where to keep 
 the feast was the next consideration 
 
 Mrs. Mackenzie wanted them all to come to the city, 
 and not be divided, since Cedarwood must be shorn of 
 some of its members. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon were down 
 for a month or two, so the holiday in the city was most 
 promising. 
 
 Rob had kept his word to his mother steadfastly. The 
 alternate Sundays had been hers alone. No restless roam- 
 ing around for companionship, no outward show, at least, 
 of the daj's being long. Thej T were, sometimes, in spite of 
 his best efforts. He missed the stir and interest of the
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 273 
 
 every-day life. He went to church with his mother and 
 his uncle, he pla} r ed with or oftener teased the baby, who 
 was a source of amusement. Mrs. Alston had come to 
 love it devotedly. For a long while Bertha had been rather 
 shy of her grandmother, as if in some way she understood 
 the want of perfect accord, but both had outgrown that. 
 Mr. Conover had made known to her his intention of ulti- 
 mately adopting the child. 
 
 "We shall need something when Kathie goes," he said 
 gravely. " Bertha will keep us from growing old too fast." 
 
 Kathie was a most important personage in the Macken- 
 zie household during this time. She lifted half the burden 
 off of Aunt Ruth's shoulders ; she infused strength, and 
 brightness, and sunshine eveiy where. Bruce once said 
 there were no cloudy days or storms, at which she laughed 
 
 " Well, there maybe in China," he answered. "But 
 when we get around to China it has cleared away." 
 
 He was so sure he had over-lived the passionate want 
 and longing. She had been lent for a little while to bridge 
 over this time of pain and suffering, but she belonged to 
 another ; so he let himself rejoice and be glad with a 
 greater joy, a possibility of satisfying and peace, a height 
 which lifts one above the desire for self and rejoices truly 
 in the happiness of another, and all heights bringing one 
 nearer the great glory. He was so thankful, too, that he 
 should get entirely well. 
 
 " I think we often have good tidings of great joy," he 
 said to Kathie, "if we could only stop and view them 
 rightly." 
 
 So " the feast was set, the guests were met," and no 
 one enjoyed it more than General Mackenzie. He had 
 rather envied Mr. Conover his many occasions of playing 
 host, but now he had the full glory, with Kathie at his side, 
 almost as a daughter. Oh, why could it not be?" 
 
 Charlie, and Fred, and Kathie had hung the house with 
 18
 
 274 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 evergreens. Rob had scoured the city and ruined himself, 
 he declared, in holly berries, and brought up from Cedar- 
 wood some trails of glistening bitter-sweet. They had 
 emblems and flowers ; the whole house was fragrant with 
 them. The parlor looked lovely in its adornments. It 
 had been a great enjoyment to Bruce as he lay in bed and 
 saw them at their pretty work through the open door. 
 Then they had invaded his room with the fragrance of 
 spruce, and pine, and hemlock. They were to have a little 
 Christmas-eve service there. 
 
 Mrs. Alston and the baby came down the day before, 
 and then Kathie's heart was quite divided, but brimming 
 over with happiness. She kissed Uncle Robert tenderly. 
 
 "Do you know," she exclaimed, "I feel almost like 
 Tennyson's little May queen, as if to-morrow would be 
 not the merriest, perhaps, but the happiest of ' all the glad 
 new year ' ? There have been so many times in my life 
 when I have not had anything more to ask, and now it 
 has come over again, and I shall have all the people I want 
 together. 
 
 Yes, she was very happy. There was no need of doubt- 
 ing, wondering. 
 
 Their dinner was at four during the short winter days. 
 Aunt Ruth went up to keep Bruce company during his 
 meal, leaving Kathie free for her mother and baby Bertie. 
 
 Bruce had not much appetite yet. His mother fed him 
 the dessert, with a playful smile. 
 
 " Two babies in the house at once," he said. " Mother, 
 I think God's best gift to my father and me has been 
 your tender love, yourself. What would my life have 
 been without it? And with it his is so blest." 
 
 " I am glad, thankful. And you are quite resigned, 
 Bruce?" 
 
 There was such a soft, sj'mpathetic falter in her voice 
 that he was much moved. He pressed the hand he held 
 to his lips.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 275 
 
 " Resigned ; that is just the word, mother. I don't know 
 as we are expected to be glad to give up our greatest hap- 
 piness. I can never imagine being glad that I have not 
 Kathie, but she is another's, and I can see her now without 
 coveting. I can even rejoice that she will make another 
 life happy, that she will do a noble work and be in all 
 things a helpmeet for her husband. It was very hard 
 when I first came." And his voice dropped to soft, slow 
 inflection. 
 
 "Oh, I was afraid of it!" 
 
 ' ' Mamma, dear, I was not educated for a soldier to 
 shame the profession. I shall always be thankful that my 
 father was a Christian gentleman, as well as a soldier. 
 And now, though we can't quite see the haven, we are 
 coming to it. You and father will have your son, no poor 
 lameter," with a smile ; " and as the years go on he will 
 try to comfort and cherish. I think we shall never be 
 very much separated again. I have been considering a 
 new calling, and if my plans should work, but that will 
 keep. And to-morrow will be a white daj r , I was going to 
 say the happiest of my life. I have more, really, you 
 know." 
 
 Just what Kathie had said. 
 
 He drew some short, quick breaths. 
 
 "You are tired," she said apprehensively. " Will not 
 the service be too much to-night?" 
 
 " No, dear. It will not be until quite late, and I can 
 rest between, you know. You may even keep Rob away, 
 though he will be too busy to come, I dare say. I may 
 fall asleep ; I often do at the edge of evening. 
 
 " Thank God } T OU are so happy ! " And she kissed the 
 brow, pale to transparency. 
 
 They were busy, though they would all have rushed to 
 his room but for Aunt Ruth's prohibition. 
 
 But baby went to sleep, Uncle Robert sauntered out to 
 make a few purchases, Kathie added some finishing touches,
 
 276 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 and then came down in her white cashmere with its swan's- 
 down trimming, that all the bo}-s liked so well. Fred and 
 Dick Grayson dropped in. They had been helping to 
 adorn Charlie's mission chapel, and reported that the young 
 man would soon be on hand. 
 
 Bruce was rested and awaiting them. A reverent group 
 of young people who had passed so much of their lives 
 together, who had been drawn into the great chain of fel- 
 lowship by little links of pleasure, enjoyment, and pain, 
 and cemented by love, standing on the threshold of life 
 with high ideals and brave purposes. 
 
 Charlie entered in his white robe. Bruce seemed to 
 realize the exceeding spirituality of his refined and ideal- 
 istic face as he never had before. True, and gentle, and 
 tender he had always thought him, but this placed him in 
 a new light ; the soul, strong in the might of a high work, 
 strong in the faith of the living Christ. Tho man and his 
 work centralized suddenly, and Bruce bowed in uncon- 
 scious reverence. 
 
 Kathie sat at the piano and played. To Bruce her face 
 was the face of an angel. Her soft white robe fell about 
 her in billowy folds, and the light made a halo around her 
 fair head. One sentence went floating through his mind 
 with the recurrence of tide beating up on the shore, 
 "Whom God hath joined together." Was it designed 
 from the beginning? 
 
 They had their carols, their reading, their prayers. 
 They all kept the feast in peace and good-will, in new 
 resolves and purer faith. Last of all they sang the even- 
 ing hymn and listened reverently to the greater benedic- 
 tion. 
 
 Charlie and Fred were going out to a midnight service. 
 They all gathered about Bruce's bed for a little chat of 
 good wishes and gratitude, and then dispersed. 
 
 Bruce was calm and tranquil with heavenly peace, and 
 yet he could not sleep. There was a stir in the street
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 277 
 
 after the house became quiet. Then the bells pealed for 
 midnight, and the chimes rang out their message : 
 " Peace and good-will, good-will and peace." 
 Yet there lingered last of all one verse in which the 
 remembered sweetness of Kathie's voice haunted him : 
 
 " Teach me to live, that I may dread 
 The grave as little as my bed ; 
 Teach me to die, that so I may 
 Triumphing rise at the last day." 
 
 Christmas morning dawned gloriously. Kathie and 
 Uncle Robert went to early service while their souls were 
 still " unvexed by care." The Merediths and the two 
 children came, but Bertie stood her ground boldly and 
 bravely. 
 
 "Kathie, I believe ever so long ago you promised to 
 endow Robin with half your fortune and all your love, 
 wasn't it?" and Mr. Meredith shook his head with a half- 
 comic gravity. " I begin to fear for his undivided estate." 
 
 But Robin seemed very much taken up with the second 
 of the name, and relegated Kathie to the girls, in his 
 imperious boy fashion. 
 
 They had almost persuaded Aunt Ruth to let them bring 
 Bruce down stairs for dinner, but Dr. Markham quenched 
 their project. They might wheel him out in the parlor on 
 the reclining chair, but he was on no account to sit up. 
 
 He thought that a great treat. They had dinner rather 
 earlier and a pretty tea up-stairs, Kathie making it over 
 the spirit lamp, and the boys passing the plates and 
 refreshments. The gifts had all been ranged on a console 
 in the alcove, in lieu of a Christmas tree, and in the even- 
 ing they had another delightful time singing. 
 
 Dr. Markham said to Bruce, " Now you can address 
 yourself to the task of getting well ; there is nothing in the 
 way." 
 
 The young man went at it with great vigor and earnest- 
 ness. It was good to live. There were many things to
 
 278 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 do. The whole fascinating realm of science lay before 
 him. Di. Gamier, young, enthusiastic, and fervent, used 
 to drop in for a talk ; Dick and Rob brought him news of 
 the outer world and its progress ; he had long discussions 
 with his father on philanthropical problems ; and when he 
 was too tired for these there was chess and music. Kathie 
 used to sit at the piano and play " songs without words," 
 until his soul was stirred to waves of rapt melody. She 
 had taken her brother's place in the poetry reading, and 
 they went over volumes together, culling the choicest 
 flowers. 
 
 Then he could begin to walk about a little with a crutch, 
 for the hip joint had still to be tenderly guarded. The 
 days were bright and pleasant, sometimes with a hint of 
 spring in the air, and occasionally they spoke of the sum- 
 mer days and Cedarwood. 
 
 Kathie went home for a little visit. 
 
 " I Ve about half adopted Fay," said Mrs. Alston. " I 
 don't know what I should have done but for her. Georgie 
 Halford is to be married presently, and Mrs. Adams wants 
 you and Emma. I think she is afraid things will go wrong 
 if you are not here." 
 
 Fa}* had made no positive difference, nothing to remind 
 Mrs. Alston of any little mistaken hope that had sprung up 
 too soon and been nipped by an untoward frost. She 
 came over frequently. Rob was never home on week days. 
 She played with and petted the child, she listened to little 
 fragments of the sad story until it seemed she had it all 
 by heart, and pitied profoundly the life that had been 
 so wrenched out cf proper symmetry. 
 
 And then Kathie must go up to see how Mrs. Truesdell's 
 life was widening out and bearing fruit, the fruit of the 
 spirit, patience, gentleness, and charity ; to note how 
 much richer the man at her side was growing with the stir 
 and freshness of her soul. 
 
 Aunt Ruth wrote every day or two : " Bruce went down
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARBLED. 279 
 
 stairs " ; " Bruce went out with Dr. Markham " ; and one 
 evening they ventured to Mrs. Garnier's, where they found 
 Ada quite a little queen, set about with brilliant stones, 
 that flashed, and sparkled, and emitted strange lights as 
 they were rubbed and stirred by the friction in the atmos- 
 phere. But to Bruce there came anocher vision, a fair, 
 sweet girl, a Una, not with her lion, but with her loyal 
 young knights. 
 
 He thought of her daily, nightly, I was going to say, for 
 she often was his last remembrance. All her sweet, un- 
 selfish joyousness, her out-giving, her never saving up bits 
 and choice delights, and oh, never finding an}' lack. 
 
 Charlie Darrell was sitting by his reclining chair one 
 evening, while the General and Aunt Ruth had gone to 
 hear a famous singer. 
 
 " Don't you miss Kathie terribly? " asked Charlie with a 
 sudden irrelevancy. ' ' The house seems so strange and 
 still without her ! quite like another place. Kathie is n't 
 ever noisy, but there is a curious sort of pervasiveness 
 about her. She seems to fill ever} r place. She is like the 
 scent of heliotrope. You can tell from ever such a little 
 bit that the real bloom is there." 
 
 "Yes I miss her very much," Bruce answered 
 slowly. 
 
 "Is she coming back, do you know? If not, I must 
 take a run to Cedarwood ; I have something of importance 
 to lay before her. Do you mind my telling? Lovers 
 prove bores so often that I have resolved never to be 
 obtrusive." And a bright color flushed his face. "It is 
 about a call. You know I have been doing mission 
 work here in the city and waiting. I promised her mother 
 I wouldn't really ask for her in two years, and that will be 
 next summer," with a softened, lingering accent, and 
 a dreamy flush of anticipation. ' ' But I have received a 
 call to one of the prettiest towns up the Hudson. The 
 salary is very fair, the society above the average, the
 
 280 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 church beautiful, and the loveliest rectory imaginable. A 
 Mr. Dinsmore, one of the wardens, does business here in 
 the city. I went up once and exchanged with the clergy- 
 man, and now he is going abroad. I think Kathie ought 
 to have a voice in her future home." 
 
 There was a long silence. Her future home. She had 
 come into his life, but she must go out again. She could 
 not remain the bright, eager friend and companion ! 
 
 " I should think it might be very delightful," Bruce 
 made answer slowly. 
 
 "It is a lovely place. I wish you were well enough to 
 take a day's journey up there. Perhaps you will be before 
 long. You know we have counted on you for a steady 
 friend, and this episode has brought us all so much nearer 
 together. But for all the terrible suffering to you, I should 
 rejoice that it had happened. And that is just the sphere 
 Kathie could grace so well, though she would be charming 
 anywhere." 
 
 " You like it ; the work, I mean? " Bruce's voice was a 
 little husky and strained. 
 
 ' ' It will be delightful in many ways . but there is some- 
 thing See here, Bruce, you are not the one to shirk a 
 square ordeal ; help me with a little clear sight. I ought 
 to do this for Kathie. No doubt I shall soon be content 
 and satisfied. But, oh, what of the perishing souls here? 
 "What of the young men with no homes, no hope, rushing 
 madly to ruin on every side? There is enough to save 
 them if they would come, but they will not ; the way is a 
 strange path to them. And just here comes the Divine 
 mandate, ' Go into the highways and hedges.' They will 
 listen sometimes to youth when they would laugh and jeer 
 at an older person. There are so many ways ; and I 'm 
 not sure but a man who has had a clean, wholesome, love- 
 appointed home knows better what these have lost. My 
 heart aches for them. My whole soul goes out in strong 
 crying. And yet it is hardly the place or the work in 
 which to take a sweet young girl like Kathie Alston."
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 281 
 
 Bruce placed his hand softly on that of the other, but 
 his face was parti}' turned away. There was the ring of 
 the true soldier. He could never think Charlie rather 
 weak and idealistic after that certain sound of the trum- 
 pet. He had undervalued him. The poetical ideas, the 
 exalted reverence, the diviner life of self-consecration 
 that seemed to stand a little out of the common work, the 
 extreme purity and almost girlish sympatlry and tender- 
 ness : if it could take its white robes down to the mouth 
 of that seething pit, if it could hold out its clean, dainty 
 hands unshrinkingly to that wretchedness, there was the 
 truth and strength of the Almighty in it. The brave 
 young soldier felt humbled, self-condemned. He longed 
 to ask pardon, to show the other how high he did truly 
 exalt him. 
 
 " I must think a little of her. There is work to do in 
 the other place as well, and sometimes I believe the rich 
 are as much in -need of devoted missionaries. They make 
 their lives narrow and cold, and wrap themselves up in 
 indolent, dream} 1 - music and fine preaching. So I would 
 not need be idle." 
 
 " Dear friend," and the clasp tightened, " can any one 
 answer for another? Ask her. Tell her truly." 
 
 " There, I have quite stirred you up by all this vehe- 
 mence. I forgot }'ou were not as strong as Dick or Rob. 
 I feel the excitement in your voice, in j*our hands. I '11 
 go and play a little while. That is a trick I have caught 
 from Kathie." 
 
 He seated himself at the piano. He was very fond of 
 improvising, and now it was something in the soft minor 
 chords, tranquillizing rather than saddening. Bruce lis- 
 tened. He did not want to think just then. He would 
 wait for that until the lights were out and all was still. 
 
 They said good night after Rob came in, and, as the 
 young man had not quite given up all his duties, he saw 
 Bruce safely in bed.
 
 282 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Seems to me you look a little pale, old chap!" he 
 said gayly. 
 
 And then, in the silence of the night, Bruce confronted 
 the phantom he had thought laid forever. He had been 
 fancying, feeding his soul with friendship, and out of it 
 had arisen the old love. But if ever there had been a 
 dream it must be put away, sternly, wholly. The covet- 
 ing regard was a snare and a delusion ; he had called it by 
 another name, but now he dragged it out to the pitiless 
 light. His soul should not be stained with it ; even if it 
 took a lifetime of effort, it should be done. He had not 
 designedly gone into temptation. He did not see how any 
 of this could have been helped, but he had overrated his 
 own strength and discipline of mind. The fancied secu- 
 rity had been built upon false premises. All the rich and 
 sweet associations, all the deep and tender memories, the 
 past and the present, had been leading his too willing feet 
 over into his neighbor's beautiful fields until he desired, 
 with the mad, passionate desire of covetousness, to gather 
 the fruit, to pluck the blossoms, and carry them quite 
 away. A little more and he might have spoken, or smiled, 
 or looked, and told the whole sterty. Her infinite pity 
 would have been touched, perhaps won, for people in a 
 moment of mighty temptation do not always consider if it 
 is the true, unflawed pearl they are reaching after. Always 
 there would have been a shadow of wrong and stain on 
 both lives, an uneasy sense, a hiding away in the garden 
 at the voice of the Lord. 
 
 He prayed a little by snatches ; it was so hard just then 
 to desire to be saved, even though he knew it was the right 
 thing. Now and then the other course seemed so possible, 
 so plausible. What was in her soul ? If he could know ! 
 Had God really joined them together in that completest of 
 all love ? 
 
 "Save me," he cried. " I am weak and worn with the 
 tempest, but do Thou bring me to the haven where I 
 would be."
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 THERE followed a week of warm, rainy, and foggy 
 weather, and with it a pause in the vital forces of Bruce 
 Mackenzie. He could not sleep ; his appetite fell to a 
 mere nothing. Yet in his patient submissiveness no one 
 could guess the wearying inward strife, the temptation 
 resisted so silently that its existence was not suspected. 
 He compelled himself to speak of Kathie in the most cheer- 
 ful of tones ; he allowed himself to be lulled and soothed 
 by his mother's playing, so like hers. He fought Rob at 
 chess with no outward diminution of valor, but inwardly 
 it was weariness of soul. 
 
 " We shall have to send for Kathie again," declared 
 his father, " and compel her to disclose the secret of her 
 unfailing panacea." 
 
 Upon this hint Rob wrote, in a funnj 7 , melodramatic 
 manner, quoting from ' ' Lord Ullin's Daughter," on the 
 very first line, with a change of pronoun : 
 
 " Come back, come back, they cried in grief 
 Across the stormy water." 
 
 The house was desolate ; Bruce was sinking fast. 
 Charlie was in a state of awful uncertainty about some- 
 thing or other, and he, Rob, would expect to bring her 
 back with him next Monday morning." 
 
 He said nothing to the others, so again Bruce had no 
 choice. 
 
 Kathie laughed over the letter. There would always be 
 some fun cropping out in Rob. The healthy buoyancy 
 of nature would assert itself.
 
 284 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " I suppose I shall have to go," she said. " Charlie 
 spoke of something, but he has two very sick people on 
 his hands, and it does seem as if I never stayed at home 
 any more. Bertie is so fond of me, too," with a remorseful 
 touch to her tone. 
 
 " You might go for a little while," rather reluctantly. 
 
 " Mamma," eagerly, " I 've just had a bright thought. 
 Dr. Markham says Bruce must have change of air ; that he 
 has exhausted New York." (" Just imagine the immense 
 receiver," Rob had appended.) "Why shouldn't they 
 come down here for the summer? We have this great 
 house and lovely grounds, and only so few people now ; 
 then Brookside is really cultivated and artistic. And, 
 oddly enough, Bruce begins to design such pretty little 
 things. Emma says he has a real artist's eye. She will 
 be here." 
 
 " I am sure I would be only too glad to have them do 
 it," returned Mrs. Alston. 
 
 " Then I should n't be running hither and yon forever. 
 It would be terribly lonely for Rob, though." 
 
 Always read}' to think what any change might bring to 
 another, and desiring the other's happiness. 
 
 The Mackenzies were surprised and overjoyed by hav- 
 ing Rob march in Monday noon with Kathie on his arm. 
 General Mackenzie kissed her tenderly, and Aunt Ruth 
 seemed to lay down a burden at her entrance. 
 
 She was a good deal surprised at the change in Bruce ; 
 indeed, for days an unseen something baffled her. He was 
 gentle, grateful, ready to be entertained, but he seemed 
 holding back a secret pain or resolve, as one does a 
 breath in a moment of agony. He would not let himself 
 enjoy the full, long respiration of relief. 
 
 Then a little cloud shadowed the exquisiteness of 
 Kathie's flawless sky. It brought back the sort of pain 
 and secret shame of Eugene Collamore's love, though why 
 it should unconsciously connect itself with that she could 
 not understand.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 285 
 
 They had the pretty reception-room at Aunt Ruth's to 
 themselves one evening, and Charlie explained to her the 
 call and its many advantages, and the necessity for some 
 kind of a decision. 
 
 " Rob went up to Mr. Dinsmore's with me one evening 
 to dinner : I suppose he told you ? He was wild over the 
 rectory and the grounds. This Mr. Copeland is quite a 
 middle-aged bachelor, and very artistic, over much, I 
 fancy," with a little smile. " But it made me think of you 
 and Emma. We never could find anything so near our 
 ideal." 
 
 ' ' I am afraid I have n't had any much of an ideal," 
 Kathie said hesitatingly. " And it seems so sudden. 
 Must you give an answer immediately? " 
 
 " I ought to have told you before. Mr. Dinsmore spoke 
 of it a month ago. I thought it over a little myself, then 
 there were so many things, and this poor fellow who had 
 just died ! Kathie, there was some similarity in his his- 
 tory to that of Rob's. He belonged to a wealthy family, 
 and married a coarse, designing girl, and his people 
 would have nothing to do with him. He must have been 
 very much infatuated, for after his wife showed him how 
 utterly heartless and unprincipled she was, and left him 
 for evil wa}-s, he still clung to her. I dare say he had 
 drank some before, but then he threw himself into the 
 awful gulf of intemperance, and became worse than a 
 brute. I found him in all the horrors of delirium tremens, 
 and had him nursed and cared for, but it was too late to 
 save his poor body. That was worn out at the age of 
 twenty-seven. I think he saw at the last, but he was so 
 afraid to face God with the broken fragments, and he 
 could not bear to have me leave him. Kathie, we must 
 all be thankful that there was enough true manliness and 
 true godliness in Rob to save him. I think he will see 
 some day just where the strength lies. Everybody does n't 
 come to the full knowledge at once."
 
 286 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Kathie drew a long, shivering breath. " Oh, if It had 
 been Rob " 
 
 u There, do not think of the dreadful picture. God 
 kept him for us all, especially, I think, for Uncle Robert. 
 He always had a rather curious, honest, rough courage. 
 Perhaps God has given him just the measure he needs. 
 But, my little darling, we must think of ourselves." 
 
 "Oh, is it right, when there is so much work in the 
 world? " she cried hastily, but with the utmost fervor. 
 
 " To a certain extent, }'es. You know our Saviour 
 said, ' The poor you have with you always ,' and I believe 
 he designed to teach us patience as well as sj'mpathy, 
 patience for ourselves, that we should not rush at the great 
 work with superhuman efforts, and fall away discouraged 
 because we could not accomplish it all, cure all the harm, 
 and sin, and wrong. Mine is only a very little piece. 
 And beside, He made homes, He set them in families, and 
 showed them ' the better part ' ; He bade them love one 
 another. I shall not be idle in the other place." And there 
 was a certain bright hope in his voice. 
 
 " But " How explain the strange unwillingness ? "I 
 do not like to be hurried into an}-thing. I like to look it 
 over, to consider. Must you decide soon ? " 
 
 " Yes, I ought. It is not fair to keep them waiting." 
 
 ' ' Which would you rather do ? " She asked it with a 
 great fluttering of soul. 
 
 " The work here interests me deeply. Still, it will not 
 give me the home I want for you, the place where we may 
 work together. It would break your tender heart to see 
 the sights, to hear the groans and cries, that remind me of 
 Dante's Inferno, here upon earth. And it may be a long 
 while before an}' home as lovely as this comes to us again." 
 
 " I am not a coward," she said bravely. "I am not 
 thinking of the fine raiment, or the high seats, and some- 
 times in parishes like that there is pride, and coldness, and 
 obstacles of all sorts. You can't get to people's hearts,
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 287 
 
 you can't do any real work, and if it was this way would 
 you be satisfied ? " 
 
 He was silent. It had been his one fear. 
 
 ' ' And " Her bravery was all gone now. There came 
 a white flickering in her face, a great tremble seemed to 
 shake her very soul. "Oh," she cried, "are you quite 
 sure we are right? that I ought to have taken what I 
 did that summer night? For it seems so strange to go out 
 of my own life into another's. After all, I have been so 
 little with mamma, and to go away from them all ! " 
 
 She paused, with a piteous sob of excitement in her 
 breath. She stretched out her hands as if she would cling 
 to some sure anchor. 
 
 He caught them, clasped them in his own, and held them 
 firm and strong. 
 
 " My dear Kathie, my darling, you are so excited. I 
 suppose it does seem sudden to you, but we ^ould not 
 come to the real separation until next summer or fall. 
 And there may be other chances." 
 
 " There will be. I don't know why, but that seems so 
 cold and far off, so finished, and hemmed about, and polite, 
 as if one would never get out of the polished rims. It 
 catches my very breath. How foolish ! " with a sudden 
 gesture of disapproval. " Charlie, promise to do what 
 you would like as if I were not in it at all." 
 
 " But you are in it, even here." And a smile of heavenly 
 content illumined his face. " You are always with me, in 
 my soul, so you cannot escape. I am not sure, however, 
 but that I would rather stay here a while longer. So we 
 will let it go for the present. When I have served my two 
 years we will plan for it. And I should be sorry to go 
 away from Rob." 
 
 " Stay," she said then. Some flashing inner conscious- 
 ness impelled her. 
 
 He kissed her reverently. He was more than content 
 She would never strive for the gauds of this world, tin 
 pride of life.
 
 288 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Rob was surprised at the decision. Aunt Ruth won 
 dered and discussed it a little. 
 
 " I am afraid it would be like getting among the patri- 
 cians at school." And Kathie smiled faintl}'. 
 
 Bruce said, u You were very brave to give it up." 
 
 " I am of the opinion it would have required bravery to 
 go," she made answer simply. And he asked himself if 
 she understood all that it meant. Try as he might to put 
 it out of his mind, some vague questioning would creep in. 
 
 The weather came off oppressively warm, May instead 
 of March. Bruce went about a little, but he did not gain 
 strength. He would not confess to suffering any intense 
 pain, but there was a worn and anxious look in his face, 
 and his e}"es were heavy. 
 
 So the}' began to talk in good earnest about a change. 
 Brookside was discussed ; then more bracing seaside 
 places, as it was rather early for mountains. " A sea voy- 
 age," said Dr. Markham. That set them all to think- 
 ing. There was Europe and the Mediterranean, Egypt. 
 
 Bruce settled it at length, as he and Rob were poring 
 over the map. 
 
 " I should like to go to the Azores. Fayal is said to have 
 such a perfect climate. Since I am to live I should like to 
 get thoroughly well." 
 
 They considered a little and then agreed, since Dr. Mark- 
 ham thought they could not do better. 
 
 " I'm not going to have any sad good-byes," said Bruce 
 one evening. " I want all the boys to come in as for any 
 other call, and wish me l bon voyage,' and you and Mr. 
 Conover may see us off," nodding to Rob. 
 
 " Thanks, old fellow, for being remembered in your 
 will." And Rob made a funny face. 
 
 " It is n't as if I was in the last stages of consump- 
 tion " 
 
 " With the sands of life nearly run out," interrupted 
 Bob. " The Indian bullet missed its deadly mission."
 
 WHOM KATHIB MARRIED. 289 
 
 " O Rob ! " 
 
 It was Kathie's tender, upbraiding voice. 
 
 " Well, if he will not let me be pathetic, I must be 
 tragic. Tkere is a great fund of unused material lying 
 about my massive brain." 
 
 " O Rob, it would be jolly to take you." 
 
 " As jolly as our first tour together to the camping- 
 ground of the brave red men of our school days." And Rob 
 laughed. 
 
 They settled about giving up the house. Mrs. Alston 
 came up for a few days. Bruce held receptions and took 
 the good wishes and love. The boys were not over-senti- 
 mental, yet it had been a kind of glorious winter, after 
 all. 
 
 So they came to the last evening. Kathie had been 
 playing some old songs, and Bruce was stretched out in 
 the reclining chair; Rob was looking over several little 
 matters, and the three were by themselves. 
 
 Kathie rose presently. 
 
 " Oh, we shall all miss you so much ! I should not want 
 the suffering over again, but " And she came nearer 
 Bruce. 
 
 " It will be sweet to remember the sympathy and ten- 
 derness all my life long. Yes, it has been a happy time " ; 
 as if he had to convince himself of the happiness that 
 should have been there. 
 
 Then he suddenly held out his hands. 
 
 " This is our good by," he began, taking both of hers, 
 and drawing her to him. 
 
 She bent over, and there came a strange light in her 
 face, a little flush, a swift tremulousness that she felt in 
 her very finger ends. 
 
 "No " He would not let her say anything, but the 
 
 sweet face came nearer, the lips touched his, pure as a 
 
 child. He could not even kiss his parting that way ; 
 
 every pulse was in a flame. He moved the face a trifle, 
 
 19
 
 290 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Mid the brow received the secret of the lifelong love. 
 Then he just murmured : 
 
 " Say not good night, but in some future time 
 Bid me good morning." 
 
 She went quietly out, as in a trance. He lay back on 
 the pillow, and a sound like that of waves surged in his 
 ears. 
 
 " Bruce, old fellow, dear old chap ! let me call her back ! 
 You have n't learned to unlove her all this time. Oh, it 
 has been this " 
 
 " Hush, I shall be better ; I am better," rising in an ex- 
 cited manner, his eyes burning with an intense light. " It 
 was miserable cowardice on mj- part " 
 
 " No, it was n't ! " vehemently. " And I don't see why 
 you should not have your chance ! I don't believe Kathie 
 knows, or thinks. Let her compare the two loves and 
 choose between them. Come, that will be only fair ! " 
 
 " She has no right to compare his love with that of any 
 other ! She must take it or leave it, but to balance or 
 weigh, to anatyze " 
 
 " I don't mean that," passionately. " If there is any- 
 thing greater, tenderer, better " 
 
 " Not even then, Rob. If I had not known of this I 
 might plead for my chance. But it would be the one little 
 ewe lamb over again, the friend treacherously supplanting 
 the friend. I can't help loving her, but I can help being 
 false and selfish. And I think we undervalue Charlie 
 He has a grandly simple nature, the unconsciously noble, 
 the tender sweetness and truth of a woman. I don't won- 
 der that a man would love to have him near when he came 
 to die ; and if God gava her to him, no one has a right to 
 tempt her away. It would be a sin." 
 
 " But if God did not give? If you are all wrong? " 
 
 Rob was confused and troubled, and his eyes were filled 
 with fear.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 291 
 
 ' ' It has the semblance of giving. Neither you nor I 
 have the right to remove the seal. Jf there is any mis- 
 take," and his voice shook visibly, " I think God will bring 
 it to light, and I am going to stay until there is nothing 
 more to tempt me, until I can come in and sit down by their 
 fireside, a true, strong friend, and look them both in the 
 face with clear eyes. I have been weak." 
 
 ' ' I could n't do it if I loved a woman as you love 
 Kathie." The words seemed almost wrested from Rob. 
 
 " When you come to love a woman placed out of your 
 reach," and then he remembered the chain that might last 
 for a lifetime, " you will go to God, then, Rob, for noth- 
 ing else will be strong enough to save you." 
 
 Bruce dropped back on the pillow, deadly white, and 
 shivered as if chilled through. Rob chafed the hands. 
 
 " You are a loyal friend, Rob," said the other, ' and you 
 must be true to the end. Promise me that you will never 
 disturb Kathie's faith, their faith. Keep my secret ; oth- 
 erwise you may hurt and hinder some fine, choice work of 
 God." 
 
 Rob winked the tears out of his eyes, but did not speak 
 until Bruce said again, " Promise." 
 
 Then he bent over and kissed him, and was still sit- 
 ting quietly beside him when the General entered. 
 
 The ladies said their good-byes at the house the next 
 morning, but Rob and his uncle went down to see the 
 travellers off. Mrs. Alston had a few articles to pack up, 
 and some boxed to send to Brookside. Rob was relegated 
 to Mr. Meredith's care. Charlie was to go on with his 
 work, and when Kathie was quite rested up they would 
 talk over matters. 
 
 So Kathie returned to Cedarwood with her mother. 
 There seemed a little lull in merry-making. Georgie Hal- 
 ford was married and gone. Mrs. Hunsdon had a won- 
 derful baby. Eugene Collamore was coming to a graver 
 and higher manhood, and, like Bruce, putting away the
 
 292 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 joy that was not for him. A more serious tone seemed 
 settling over the young people. Kathie had hours of quiet 
 revery, long walks by herself, from which she sometimes 
 came in with a curiously disturbed face. It seemed as if 
 there had never been time to think of herself until now. 
 
 A very quiet summer it proved. They heard from the 
 voyagers, and all was well. What was to come next?
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 THE period had at length reached Kathie Alston when 
 the personal responsibility of living could no longer be 
 evaded. The happy childhood, full of love, the bright, 
 radiant youth, with friends and counsel on every side, ten- 
 derest care bridging over the rough places, wise thoughts 
 smooothing out little perplexities, until now, when she 
 must make the great decision for herself. 
 
 What had changed the placid current, what troubled her 
 with importunate asking? Why she should not go forward 
 gladly to the new life ? The ' l girls " each in her time had 
 been so happy, so full of little palpitant joys that shone 
 in their eyes, trembled on their lips, and fluttered up and 
 down broken, incoherent sentences. She was grave and 
 calm when she talked with Charlie about his work ; they 
 jo}-ed over the pleasant happenings to their friends ; they 
 took pride in Rob. In all these things they could stand 
 side by side. But when it came to the more intimate life, 
 the " thou and I," she drew back with a shiver as if some 
 phantom looked out at her with fearful eyes. 
 
 One summer night, when she sat holding Bertie asleep 
 in her arms, loath to lay the sweet little thing in her bed, 
 they talked about Rob. 
 
 " Uncle," she said, " if it had been merely an engage- 
 ment, would Rob have been right in giving it up ? ' 
 
 "I think he would, if his family had advised such a 
 thing. I am not a believer in very young engagements. 
 A fancy can take time to grow into strength and richness, 
 to reach out to a glad and hopeful awaiting of all that is
 
 294 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 best, even where all is right and proper. But it seems to 
 me a young man owes it to his famity not to choose or 
 bring any one in their midst who will make disunion, or 
 shame, or sorrow. And the same with a girl. I am not 
 speaking now of unreasonable objections. If Miss Weeks 
 had been a proper sort of person to marry, we should 
 have received her, and still thought Rob unwise or injudi- 
 cious. If he had been engaged and learned any shameful 
 secret about her or her family that had been purposely 
 kept from him, he would have been justified in giving her 
 up." 
 
 " Suppose she had been suppose he had tired of her, 
 and she had loved him very much ? " 
 
 " Those are hard cases, little Kathie. /should give up 
 a woman who did not love me, no matter how much I 
 cared for her, but if the case were reversed I think she 
 would have the right to hold me to my promise. It would 
 be my duty to love her all I could, to honor her, and make 
 her life happy. I would have no right to throw back a 
 heart I had tried to win, and I ought to accept the result 
 of my thoughtlessness." 
 
 She made no answer, but presently rose and carried 
 Bertie up-stairs, laying her softly in her daint}- crib. If 
 she could stay here always and watch this little girl as her 
 mother had watched her ! Why did she not want to go ? 
 
 Did she love Charlie Darrell with the great, true, honest 
 love of womanhood? She would have to answer the 
 question to him shortly ; she must ask it of herself. 
 
 There was no moon, but the stars were coming out 
 slowly, rims of gold in the pure blue ether. How wonder- 
 ful the world was ! How strange it was to live, to do, to 
 suffer, and make others suffer. She leaned her soft chin 
 on her folded arms and glanced out as she knelt at the 
 window, and the fragrant air toyed among her soft curls 
 and soothed her throbbing temples. What was love? 
 She had read about it in romances, she had seen its fruit
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 295 
 
 in real life. Could anybody make a palpable thing of the 
 grace of God ? And had not the mystery of human love 
 been likened to that great mystery? " If a man love not 
 his brother whom he hath seen, how shall he love God 
 whom he hath not seen ? " 
 
 Did she love? Yes, in a relative sense. She could 
 go out in any field and work side by side with Charlie 
 Darrell, she could even keep his house as a sister might, 
 but all that sweet interchange of heart, no, she had not 
 been shown the mystery. Wiry not, when she had prayed 
 and striven to learn? Not endeavored to win, she was 
 guiltless there. She had not dreamed that night of what 
 he was going to say, any more than she could have 
 imagined Eugene Collamore's love. Why was she so sure 
 in the one case, and so at fault in the other? And having 
 promised, would it be her duty to go on, to honor him and 
 make his life happy? She could make him happy, a bitter 
 knowledge. If both were tired, or had outgrown it, but 
 there had never been anything to outgrow. She remem- 
 bered back in the old school days, when all the children 
 were telling what they were going to wear to Charlie's 
 party, and she had nothing but her simple Sunday dress, 
 how he had taken her part in their teasing, and cared for 
 her, and how in her mind he had surpassed the rest. There 
 was something that held him higher than all others now, 
 he would always be the Sir Galahad in the quest of the 
 Holy Grail. Perhaps this was wiry he seemed above every- 
 day fancies ; but why, then^could she not reach up to his 
 height ? 
 
 Could she not learn ? Ah, if she had not learned in two 
 years, was there not some fatal blindness or hardness of 
 heart ? 
 
 She had never been used to trying on loves. She had 
 never speculated how it would seem to be dear to this one 
 or that one. She had been dear to everybody. Was it 
 because she had had so much love? She felt humbled, 
 gelf-rebuked. The slow tears gathered in her eyes.
 
 296 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Kathie," called the kindly voice, "do you want to 
 walkover to Mrs. Adams's with me? I promised youi 
 mother I would come for her." 
 
 " Yes," she answered down the stairway, and went for 
 her hat. 
 
 She seemed to be growing so womanly in these days, 
 Uncle Robert thought ; yet he was not quite at ease about 
 her. He had wondered a little when Bruce first went 
 away. Everybody had kept the secret well, yet some- 
 times he had fancied there was a secret. Not with her, 
 though. The clear, untroubled eyes could not have hidden 
 that. 
 
 He meant to continue the talk about Rob, but she took 
 up quite another topic. Her voice had a clear coolness ; 
 she was not in the stress of agitation. The trouble was 
 that she did keep so outside of it. 
 
 Rob and Charlie came down on Saturday, the latter for 
 a brief vacation, as he was quite tired out. Was it her 
 fault, she asked herself, that he was in all this depth of 
 misery, and care, and suffering. The pleasant, restful 
 home he had given up, and yet this work was nobler. 
 
 Rob seemed a little restless, too, some wa}', and rambled 
 off by himself Sunday afternoon. Fred was planning a 
 journey to the White Mountains. 
 
 " Can't } T OU get a week off and go with him, Robert? 
 asked his uncle. " Would n't you like it? " 
 
 "Like it! Why, it would be royal. You think I 
 might? " And he gave a quick, delighted glance. 
 
 " I dare say you. will have years enough for work." 
 
 " But I should like to go on Wednesday," said Fred. 
 "How will that suit?" 
 
 " Well, I can telegraph to you. I think there will be 
 no doubt about my going, though." 
 
 The telegram came in due time. 
 
 ' ' Is n't it odd ? " said Kathie on Monda}' evening ; " Mrs. 
 Collamore and Fay are going to the White Mountains.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 297 
 
 Eugene goes to Boston for several days, and then joins 
 them." 
 
 " Jolly ! " declared Fred, " I '11 see Eugene. He is a 
 capital good fellow for a tramp, and I would like to be in 
 Boston with him. Rob won't mind, I guess." 
 
 They all went, and Kathie was left alone with her lover, 
 without even Fay's brief calls to break the daily round. 
 Bertie was a bright, winsome little mischief, and she 
 amused Charlie greatly and seemed to take away any 
 sense of awkwardness between him and Kathie. But 
 there were long evenings, there were walks she could not 
 refuse, there were talks, coming nearer and nearer, that 
 filled her with a blind, dull terror, as if she had no strength 
 to fly, and could not see the way if she had. And then 
 she tried to make herself quite content. She had taken 
 the life in her hands hoping, meaning honestly to do some- 
 thing with it, and now had she any right to thrust it out 
 of hers after having allowed it to grow alongside ? 
 
 It came to him presently that she was not her olden, 
 joyous self. She had been so bright and happy all winter, 
 and now, when nature was all astir with life, her gravity 
 seemed amiss, the little distance such a wide, wide thing. 
 
 "Kathie," he said one evening, "let us talk of our- 
 selves, our own lives. Are we coming nearer the time 
 that should be to us a great joy ? I am not impatient, but 
 yet it is something to think of. I should like to know 
 where } T ou would choose it, what kind of a home or work. 
 Have we lost our first glad ideal? " 
 
 He reached over and took her hand. It was cold and 
 trembled in his. 
 
 " Kathie?" There was a vague wonder in his tone. 
 
 She must speak. She could not go on without trying 
 to rectify the mistake, if it were that, or the wrong, if she 
 had fallen into one. 
 
 " You know what I said that night last spring," and 
 her voice had a strained sound, even, " if we were quite
 
 298 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 sure if there was no mistake ? Are our lives the two to 
 be set together in God's sight ? I have been considering ; 
 it troubles me so." 
 
 She wanted to lean her head down on his shoulder and 
 cry. He was her nearest friend, save Uncle Robert. It 
 always had been so. 
 
 "Kathie, you do not mean, you cannot mean that our 
 love " 
 
 " I think that your love is true, and sweet, and strong 
 in its perfect honesty. I feel as if it were too holy a thing 
 for me to take." 
 
 " But it is not. Kathie, you surely have no fool- 
 ishly exalted idea " 
 
 " Let me tell you all," she interrupted, " and you shall 
 be the judge. You only have the right. When you spoke 
 that summer night, two years ago, I only felt that all my 
 life I had loved you, with a child's love, it was true. Some 
 one else had asked me," and her voice faltered, "and be- 
 cause I had shrunk away then, and did not now, because 
 it seemed such a lovety thing, and did not surprise me, I 
 Did I drift into it unthinkingly ? It is alwaj's so vague to 
 me, like the music heard in a dream. Mamma was 
 pleased." 
 
 " Kathie," there was an almost breathless halt in his 
 tone, " was it Bruce? " 
 
 "Bruce! No," she cried sharply, as if some quick 
 pang had pierced her. 
 
 " I can guess ; Eugene. But if you did not love him, 
 and knew it, could you not judge? " 
 
 " I had loved you. I did not know. It is all sore 
 confusion in my mind, as if I had stopped with the 
 child's love, somehow, and never could grow to anything 
 greater." 
 
 " But I will take the child's love. I will trust it to 
 grow, to thrive on the tenderness I shall bring," he cried, 
 drawing her nearer to him.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 299 
 
 It was the same as in years agone. She was as dear to 
 him then in her school dress as in the pretty silk ; she was 
 as dear now in the old love. But how could she pro- 
 fane God's sacrament with it, so poor a thing to be offered 
 on so high an altar? And how could she make him under- 
 stand, without too great a pain ? She was not sure she 
 wanted to be given up ; but to be set straight, some way, 
 to see her duty clearly, to be shown the path wherein she 
 must walk. 
 
 " Kathie," he began slowly, but the tone was one of 
 great, searching inquiry, " is there any other thought, or 
 what might be a half-hidden hope ; any love refused to 
 yourself, that might come with an asking ? " 
 
 ' ' There never was up to that time ; and if anything 
 came afterward, I would have no right " in a tone of 
 unflinching honesty. 
 
 "Was there anything put away between her and Bruce ? 
 He could not ask it quite like that. 
 
 " No word with a meaning, Kathie, that might have 
 been answered differently if you had been free? " 
 
 She could answer clearly, and she was proud to do it. 
 Not a word or look on Bruce's part returned with any mis-, 
 giving. 
 
 " Then I think you have been vexing your gentle soul 
 with some high ideals, and because you cannot make 
 everything fit the pure and perfect picture you feel 
 nothing should be there. But there is a good deal of 
 every-day to life, six days to the one Sunday, you know," 
 with the tender, encouraging smile lighting up his face. 
 " So many plain and common things, keeping a house clean, 
 eating, resting, talking 6ver the A B C's to people who 
 never can get beyond them, to the great sentences. You 
 have been doing this always, and we can't put it out of 
 the new state any more than the old. I suppose it is natural 
 to idealize a clergyman's life, and yet it is not all up in the 
 mountains of joy with God. Are you not desiring to be
 
 300 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 there, to have the assurance perfect, so there shall not. 
 even be a shadow ? " 
 
 Was she asking too much? 
 
 *' I ought to be glad to come to you," she said out of 
 her high, self-judging mood. " I can think of the work, 
 of the trials, and they do not alarm, but to go into an- 
 other life, to hold it reverently, tenderly, so that no bruise 
 or wound shall ever come to it, to desire this " 
 
 " You have not quite come to the desire?" If there 
 was a little ache he kept it out of his voice. " I do not 
 wonder at that ; I can readily understand it. Your life 
 has been so full and rich that you have felt no need of the 
 shelter of love, no lack, and it is hard to go out of this 
 little Paradise. You have been hedged about with all the 
 blooms of care and affection, and you have a mind of such 
 sweet content that you don't care to stray out of your 
 pasture. Kathie, darling, I think it is that you are not 
 quite ready for love. Don't trouble or worry any more. I 
 can wait until the time comes. It will come, I am sure." 
 
 She drew a long breath. She knew how a man felt who 
 had been reprieved from a terrible doom. Yet she told 
 herself she had no right to experience this relief. 
 
 " And we are both young. I like my work ; I am not 
 ure but it would please me best to remain in it another 
 year. We can wait and see. You shall belong to Uncle 
 Robert until you do want to give yourself to me." 
 
 There was a great revulsion in her soul. She loved him 
 with the old love again, and was at peace. He read it in 
 the clear, exultant tone of her voice when she spoke. 
 
 Yet to the man was coming a larger outlook than had 
 been visible to the boy's eyes. There were so many deli- 
 cate mixed motives, so many surprising conclusions to the 
 impressions one had felt quite sure about. The hidden 
 meanings must all prove themselves before one could hold 
 fast. 
 
 The old tranquil happiness returned to them.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 301 
 
 did not worry at the wound to see if it was healing. If 
 there was to be any change from the old interest it must 
 come from clear seeing. 
 
 Uncle Robert understood that the something had been 
 made up or laid aside. There was no word about a mar- 
 riage. 
 
 Once Mrs. Alston said, " Kathie, do you think it was a 
 wise thing to give up that lovely parish of Edgewater? 
 Mrs. Treherne has a sister living there, and she says the 
 church society is delightful, and the house a perfect gem. 
 Charlie is so refined and cultivated that I should fancy it 
 would have just suited him." 
 
 " He decided himself," in a gentle, apologizing tone. 
 " But the home will be a great deal to }-ou?" 
 " I am not homeless, though." And she ran to catch 
 Bertie, who was trailing over the flower beds. 
 
 The boys returned, brimming over with enthusiasm, and 
 for a few days the house was quite as of yore. Even Rob 
 admitted that Eugene Collamore was a capital good 
 fellow, and asked him over to tea, which invitation some- 
 how was made to include Mrs. Collamore and Fay. 
 
 " It was so delightful to have your two boys," Mrs. 
 Collamore said to Mrs. Alston. " I have alwaj'S wished 
 Eugene had a brother. He admires Robert so very much, 
 and I don't see how one could help feeling proud of him, 
 and Fred is a real mother boy. It will do the young 
 people good to be together, for we think Eugene rather 
 too grave for his years." 
 
 They all knew Rob's story. Mrs. Alston, too, under- 
 stood what could never be, and bridged over her longing 
 with delicate, motherly ways that accepted the hard fact 
 of fate. 
 
 Fred Lauriston had stayed four years in South America, 
 instead of three, and brought home with him a pretty, dark- 
 eyed wife, whose gift of music and piquante brilliancy 
 attracted them all. Rob's Sunday at home was the great
 
 302 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 treat of his life, and Saturday evening there was always 
 some social engagement for him. He could not help 
 being very happy, and no one felt quite like checking the 
 exuberance. 
 
 A long, glowing autumn that went almost up to Christ- 
 mas, with little incidents, but no great event. Comings 
 and goings, friendly neighborhood life, musical evenings, 
 often on Saturday night, intellectual gatherings, interest 
 in churches and charities, and homes for the poor ; there 
 were few outcasts in Brookside. 
 
 Fred Lauriston obtained a fine position in the city, and 
 added one more to the group of friends. Emma was de- 
 lighted and happy with the pictures and little son added to 
 her household. 
 
 Just after Christmas another offer came to Charlie Dar- 
 rell : the assistantship in a church whose rector was his 
 warm, admiring friend, and not less earnest in mission 
 work than the young man. 
 
 Rob brought the tidings first. 
 
 " I hope he will take it," was the earnest exclamation. 
 " The salary is very fair, and Charlie has some means of 
 his own, so you won't be reduced to a meal a day, Miss 
 Kathie ; but I do not believe he could be induced to leave 
 the other work. You would be surprised to see the influ- 
 ence he has over those half-drunken wretches'; and he 
 never puts himself down to any lower level. He seems 
 just to draw them up to himself.* I don't understand." 
 
 No, he had not come to the understanding yet. 
 
 Kathie waited for her letter. She had not been to the 
 city all the fall, and, though strongly urged by Jessie to 
 come for Christmas, found herself too deeply engrossed with 
 home affairs. 
 
 Deeply engrossed, also, with herself, searching, asking, 
 comparing, with greai humility. She did not truly know 
 of anything else she wanted, and a less conscientious 
 woman would have resolved once for all, would have taken,
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 303 
 
 and lived it out afterward. Another lover might have 
 urged, hastened. He was too noble to be satisfied with 
 anything less than her perfect giving; he had seen so 
 many mistakes already. He could satisfy himself in mak- 
 ing her happy ; but if he could not satisfy her? And with 
 her the case was reversed. 
 
 She could come no nearer. Sometimes for a few days 
 she said she did, then fell back to comradeship. The very 
 calmness of the awaiting startled her, as if, somehow, the 
 end was planned from the beginning, and she had to go on 
 before she could see. 
 
 Yet it gave her quite a thrill of joy when Charlie wrote 
 that he had accepted, and found much pleasure promised in 
 all that pertained to it. 
 
 He had not appealed to her this time for a decision 
 Something had moved him to a clear certainty. 
 
 She had been reading her letter in the library. Uncle 
 Robert was in his arm-chair beside the glowing grate fire, 
 a little indisposed with a cold. He watched her face light- 
 ing up, the satisfaction that shone a moment in her eyes. 
 
 " It is good news ? " he said in soft inquiry. 
 
 " I think it is good. Charlie is so satisfied about the 
 position. He has taken it. I am glad, for now he seems 
 to have a friend and a home." 
 
 "A home?" There was a grave, questioning smile. 
 Mr. Conover leaned back in his chair, studying the young 
 face. 
 
 " My little girl," he began, " have you no confidence for 
 me ? It seems so long since and I am a rather jealous 
 old fellow. Is there to be a home for two ? " 
 
 The old, grave expression returned. She came and 
 seated herself on the footstool and put both her hands in 
 his. 
 
 " I have been trying to decide," and the voice had an un- 
 dercurrent of tremulousness in it, " what I must do, what 
 is best and right. It has perplexed me sorely, but I have
 
 304 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 been keeping it between God and my own soul. Uncle 
 Robert, is it right to marry a man with anything less than 
 the greatest love ? " 
 
 She did not know how much of her soul she put unwit- 
 tingl}- into her eyes. It was, then, as he had feared. Oh, 
 sad, sad mistake ! 
 
 "Kathie!" 
 
 She buried her face in her hands on his knee. 
 
 " I am not going to blame, my child ; so let us look at 
 the trouble calmly." 
 
 She gave a long sigh, but she was not crying. 
 
 " How did j'ou come to find out this mistake?" 
 
 " I can't quite tell. I feel now as if I had been trjnng 
 all the time to fit mj-self where I did not entirely belong, 
 but where I wanted to belong. And I cannot get in to the 
 very heart of things. It has all been sweet, and tender, 
 and lovely. I think I must be wicked, or hard-hearted, or 
 cold. Do you suppose there ever was any one, a woman 
 I mean, capable of friendship only ?" 
 
 Her face, as she raised it now, was full of such simple, 
 genuine distress, that, though he bowed to kiss it, he 
 smiled. 
 
 ' ' How can she tell if she never compared it with a love ? " 
 
 There was no color, no dropping of the eyes. 
 
 " I don't quite understand," she answered slowly. " If 
 everything had been friendship, and they were all alike " 
 
 She was innocent then of any double meaning in her 
 soul. 
 
 "I am afraid friendship is not quite the foundation- 
 stone for marriage, although excellent structures have 
 been reared upon it. I cannot tell why, yet I have felt 
 afraid of this from the very first, that you did not know 
 your own heart sufficiently. You were too young." 
 
 " Yet, why could I not grow into it? I have tried, so 
 hard. And now what ought I to do? For the heart I 
 have taken is all mine. How can I reward it with a
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 305 
 
 love? And yet how dare I give it up? Will not the pain 
 of his life be as great a suffering in God's sight as any pain 
 of mine? Ought I not use my utmost endeavor?" 
 
 The tears gathered then and beaded her long lashes. 
 
 "My dear," he said gently, " go over it from the begin- 
 ning, the first doubt." 
 
 She had not been much given to introspection. He 
 could see the surprise to herself when the truth had 
 dawned upon her slowly, at no precise epoch, but made 
 itself manifest at length. The tender conscience had 
 striven up to every point of duty. There has been no 
 going after forbidden gods. And, though there was sor- 
 xow and penitence, there was no shame. 
 
 "It is because I know what it will be to him," she 
 cried, with remorseful tenderness. " He loves me so ! He 
 would take the half-love and be content, trusting for it to 
 grow and blossom. How can I make myself fit and 
 worthy ? What must I do ? " 
 
 She asked it in all earnestness. He knew how reso- 
 lutely she would go at her task if he decided it was her 
 duty, but she could do no more than she had alread} T done 
 out of her pure heart. It was a sad mistake for both. 
 He seemed almost unable to counsel. 
 
 " There is only one thing," he said presently ; " waiting. 
 Some light may come. But it would be a sin to marry 
 this way, unless it were an expiation. If you had tried 
 for this love, if you had detached it from some other joy 
 It might have had, you would owe it a solemn duty. Such 
 debts have been paid, and the soul has come to a higher 
 living through sacrifice. But I cannot see that this would 
 be your duty." 
 
 She was weeping softly now. What havoc these young 
 people had made with their lives ! 
 
 But he comforted her and bade her be patient with what 
 was to come. The way would be made plain. 
 
 Charlie DarreU waited as well. If this would bring her 
 20
 
 306 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 nearer ; if the outgrowth of it all could be such love as a 
 man had a right to expect! But her answer, touching 
 and tender as it was, gave him no thread for a nearer 
 hope. 
 
 What if it was a greater thing than a love to hold for 
 his own comforting and delight, a love to give away some 
 time? 
 
 He said at first, as youth is prone to cry out in the dark- 
 ness and sense of bitter loss, that he could not, that God 
 would not have placed this lovely blossom in his garden 
 only to be transplanted. Some other thing, some other 
 cross to bear ; another duty to test his ready obedience, 
 not the sacrifice of the first dear object. 
 
 But she gave no sign of drawing nearer. Tender, sym- 
 pathetic, interested, saying so many comforting things to 
 make up for the loss of the one thing she could not say in 
 highest truth to herself. He read through the lines as 
 well, missing keenly what was not there.
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 * ROBERT," Mrs. Conover said one evening, as she sal 
 sewing some dainty trifle for baby Bertie, who had come to 
 be a gieat favorite with her grandmother, " have you any 
 idea that matters are not quite as they should be between 
 Charlie and Kathie ? " 
 
 Mr. Conover glanced up from his book, then down again, 
 rather perplexed for an answer. 
 
 ' ' I fancy something is wrong. Kathie will not talk 
 about it, but seems to evade it at every turn. I think," 
 in a slightly wounded tone, " I am entitled to my child's 
 confidence in this matter. Has she said anj'thing to you ? " 
 
 " We discussed a few points of duty, one morning," in 
 a slow tone. It was a delicate matter. He could see just 
 the lack of fine agreement on which Kathie and her mother 
 would miss. 
 
 " She has grown so so different ; I should say grave, 
 only she is bright and interested in all other matters. Yet 
 a young girl's marriage one would think might be a great 
 event to her, touching, as it does, all the deep chords of the 
 soul." 
 
 "It will be to her." 
 
 He was thinking how he could smooth the way for his 
 darling, for he could fores.ee there would be rough places. 
 
 " Has it been put off for any cause? " 
 
 " I do not know, Dora, that they have come near the 
 real thing, the marriage." 
 
 " But Charlie is settled, as one may say. And he could 
 have been before if Kathie had cared."
 
 308 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 It must come some time The mother would be sadly 
 hurt, angered, perhaps. Since the engagement, and the 
 coming of baby Bertie, she had held her own child with 
 a loose clasp, so to speak, ready to transfer her rights to 
 another, the other she loved so well. 
 
 " I believe the young people have made a mistake, and 
 time only can right it. I was a little afraid from the 
 beginning." 
 
 "The engagement is not broken?" Mrs. Alston let 
 her work fall, and her hands held themselves nerveless, 
 while varied expressions seemed to flash over her face. 
 
 " The engagement stands just as it did, for aught I 
 know. But it seems to me Kathie is coming no nearer 
 the vital joy and anticipation. I doubt if she is as near as 
 on that first night. I suppose the question with her, with 
 any thoughtful person, would be whether this is the love 
 with which to prove a lifetime, to make the sum of all joys 
 come right." 
 
 " You never did cordially like it, Robert, and you will 
 encourage her to give it up. Why, T wonder? " And the 
 tears stood in Mrs. Alston's eyes. 
 
 "My dear Dora, you are mistaken in some points. I 
 was surprised, and a little afraid that it might be nearness, 
 the tender feeling of the boy and girl who had always been 
 friends, and whose hopes, beliefs, and aims were much 
 alike. I think she could choose no better man if she 
 searched the world over. And if it had gone on to com- 
 plete fruition " 
 
 "You don't think the winter with Aunt Ruth, with 
 Bruce, changed anything?" she interrupted. 
 
 " I do not think it consciously changed anything. J do 
 not believe Kathie has any thought of Bruce in her heart 
 that she could not show the whole world, and if Bruce 
 cared deeply he kept his feelings well under control. 
 Besides, he grew very fond of Charlie ; but we will let all 
 that alone. The only point to be considered is, whether
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 309 
 
 Kathie loves Charlie sufficiently to maKe a happy, con- 
 tented marriage." 
 
 " But, Robert, are these feverish, extravagant loves to 
 be preferred ? Look at poor Rob's sad mistake ; yet I sup- 
 pose he thought he loved Miss Weeks madly." 
 
 " I have no more faith in mad loves, certainly." And a 
 rather sad smile crossed his face. 
 
 "What do you want, then? What does Kathie want?" 
 she asked rather sharpty. 
 
 " What Kathie wants is to love with her whole heart and 
 soul, which she has not done yet. Think a little of all this 
 time of probation. Even that first year a girl in love 
 would have found many shy, sweet ways of seeing her 
 lover alone a moment." 
 
 "But they were both very true and honest. I liked it 
 in him," she answered decisively. 
 
 "It was extremely honorable in him. Yet we should 
 have forgiven Kathie some little aside, a quick blush, or a 
 girl's longing. This troubled me, I must confess. And 
 when they came to the time of declared lovers it was just 
 the same. They are near and tender friends, but her heart 
 does not beat or her pulse quicken when he comes. No 
 sweet, tell-tale blood flushes her face. There is no steal- 
 ing away into corners for a word, no lingering as if the 
 moments were precious. Dora, go back to your own girl- 
 hood and remember what it was to you." 
 
 Her face softened and a delicate flush stole over it, while 
 the eyes drooped almost girlishly. 
 
 " But Kathie is different." 
 
 " What should make her so different? She is a sweet, 
 fond, ardent girl, quickly' moved by her emotions, tender, 
 responsive, capable of much that is highest and best in 
 life, in joy, in enduring happiness. Why should she not 
 taste the brimming cup of that sweet satisfaction ? " 
 
 " And if she should be deceived in her ideal? In Char- 
 lie she cannot be deceived. His life is open, and pure, and
 
 310 WHOM KATIIIE MARRIED. 
 
 sacred. Why can she not love him when the life with him 
 would suit and satisfy ? " 
 
 " I suppose a woman must love a man for what he is to 
 her, not what he is to other people. Kathie has loved her 
 friend all her life, and loves him still. We give to others 
 the measure of love they are capable of creating in us. 
 Why is it that some will kindle in you a fine and exalted 
 enthusiasm, and } r et you never quite fuse spirit with spirit. 
 I think Kathie's entire nature has never been kindled. She 
 misses in some dim way the sacred fire on the altar. Yet 
 so slightly does the balance vibrate that if she was advised 
 to make herself content, to believe this were all, I think 
 she would act unshrinkingly. It would always be beside, 
 never within the holy of holies." 
 
 " But if she had married him? " 
 
 " She would grope about pained and confused awhile, 
 then settle herself to duty, and leave the perplexing mys- 
 teries to be cleared up at the last day, when all crooked 
 things are made straight. It is just here where she 
 stands. She has a vague, beautiful vision of something. 
 Shall she follow it until the angel really does appear, or 
 shall she give up the intangible thing here and now, and 
 take the duty work that comes first." 
 
 " But Charlie, does no one think of him? " cried Mrs. 
 Alston, with a pang. " Has he, too, made a blind and 
 ignorant mistake ? " 
 
 " She thinks of him constantly. Instead of going for- 
 ward in joyous anticipation natural to one so 3'ouug, she 
 halts in fear lest she shall pain him as much if she takes 
 the life as if she leaves it. She might sacrifice herself for 
 his sake if it was clearly her duty, but do we dare tell her 
 that it is?" 
 
 Mrs. Alston gave a long sigh. 
 
 " Then I think the engagement might as well be givea 
 up if she feels this way about it. It is a great disappoint- 
 ment to me, and certainly to us all. The Darrells have
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 311 
 
 been so perfectly satisfied with it, and they always were 
 so good to her. I do not understand why she cannot love 
 him when she likes him so much, but it is unfair to 
 him." 
 
 " I am not certain but the settlement of the affair 
 ought to be left to him. He is sufficiently clear-judging 
 to understand, and he is daily witnessing the issue of so 
 many mistakes as well as sins. We have no right to hurry 
 either of them." 
 
 Mrs. Alston wiped away a few tears and took up her 
 sewing again, but it was only a pretence. She was bit- 
 terly disappointed. Her son's fate had its tragic side, 
 but in her estimation there was nothing to redeem this. 
 A simple confession that a foolish girl had not known her 
 own mind, and accepted a wrong love. 
 
 And, though no word was exchanged on the subject, 
 there was something in her mother's wounded demeanor 
 that pained Kathie and filled her with a peculiar sense of 
 shame. Why could she not make this matter seem right 
 and joyous, as Emma's marriage had been, or as Sarah 
 Strong's ? She should never shrink from the work. She 
 was in some measure fitted for it by all her life-long ex- 
 perience. 
 
 She went up to spend a few days with Sarah, who was 
 always so glad to see her. She could not drag her soul 
 out for her friend's inspection, or ask if any one knew why 
 this must be so. But in the simple, truthful atmosphere 
 she did gain some strength. They two were growing in 
 knowledge, in tender, reverent wisdom, and exquisite hap- 
 piness. One day the friends spoke of this. 
 
 " I think it is because we just suit," said Sarah, with a 
 bright glow in her eyes'. u I can take his best without 
 any misgiving because I can give him mine without any 
 reserve. It is the one perfect soul that marriage should 
 be, the faint, imperfect type of the other great love.' 
 
 Could Kathie compare hers with the other great love? 
 No, it was blurred and imperfect.
 
 312 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 After this there was quite a diversion. Fay Collamore 
 went to the city to be bridesmaid for a cousin. Jessie 
 came up on a brief visit to her mother, and insisted that 
 Kathie should return with her. 
 
 " I think I had better go," she said, with a curious decis- 
 ion quite new to her. For her duty must be plainly and 
 clearly settled. She could not go on living between, with 
 the ache and misgiving so near the surface that every 
 little touch made her shrink. 
 
 Everybody was glad to have her back. She and Fay 
 went to one of Mrs. Garnier's evenings, Rob had told 
 Miss Collamore about them, and out of this grew other 
 little meetings, and a grand concert for which Rob bought 
 tickets. He was so ready to take her anywhere, and some- 
 how she always found herself inviting Fay. 
 
 Charlie saw it in his quiet way, and yet it had no real 
 meaning for Kathie, being mostly of Rob's planning. She 
 was thinking of him always. How could she give back the 
 life that had so shaped itself to hers ? how could she go 
 on and perhaps mar both ? 
 
 The friendliness was still friendly. The grief was that 
 she could come so near and not belong, heart and soul. 
 Her very trying gave him an exquisite pain, the blended 
 joy and bitterness of a possibility he had taken to his 
 heart, a live and real thing, and watched it growing dim- 
 mer, not dying, but living by some high, self-judging 
 resolve. 
 
 She should not so torment and vex her soul. He would 
 set her quite free. If any late regret or repentance should 
 blossom into a new trust for him, God would surely return 
 it fourfold. 
 
 He told her this one evening, one of the rare times 
 through the visit that they were quite alone. She was 
 not to speak of it to Jessie ; he would make that all 
 straight and pleasant. They would go back to the old 
 friendship, and have no break or coldness. He had schooled
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 313 
 
 himself to this for her sake. Only a high, passion- pure 
 love could have done so, but his soul was too purely noble 
 to be satisfied with anything less than a perfect self-for- 
 getting. 
 
 She sobbed out her sorrow in tender, broken sentences, 
 but he would not listen to her condemnation. There was 
 a better ordering in it than they could see to-night. God 
 had some true lesson and meaning in all this that would be 
 made manifest in the years to come. She was not to 
 shadow her life with vain regrets, but to go on with her 
 duties and her pleasures until God should send peace. 
 
 But the first one after her return to Cedarwood was 
 ver}- painful. She must explain all to her mother ; she 
 owed her this respect. 
 
 " Mamma," she began the morning afterward, " there 
 is something I must tell you." And the voice struggled 
 against the great throbbing in heart send throat, while the 
 sweet face crimsoned with abasement and genuine grief. 
 "Charlie and I that is, I mean I have mamma, 
 pity and forgive me for paining you so much, but I did 
 make a great mistake ! I could not go on ; and Charlie 
 gave me back my freedom." 
 
 Her arms were around her mother's neck, and the soft, 
 wet face pressed close against her cheek in fervent peni- 
 tence. 
 
 " Kathie," her mother made answer, " you have pained 
 the noblest, sweetest soul that ever loved a woman. You 
 had no right to treat it so. You should have known," in 
 a tone of remonstrance. 
 
 " But it was so strange and new that evening. Because 
 nothing in my soul warned me then, I thought it was quite 
 right. And he was so good ; you all liked him so well. 
 When I tried with all my heart, why could I not make 
 myself come nearer to him ? " 
 
 The pitiful asking touched the mother. Had sne been 
 blameless ? Had not her satisfaction been one important
 
 314 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 factor in the engagement. Ought she not have guided the 
 youthful heart to its own sure examination ? 
 
 *' I am very sony, and there will be some other judg- 
 ments to meet, Kathie." The mother could not soften all 
 at once. " I don't know what the Darrells will say, and 
 Mr. and Mrs. Meredith will be bitterly disappointed. 
 Think of Jessie's goodness to you, years ago ! Why, it 
 will seem " 
 
 "Ungrateful! Yes, mamma," in her meek, touching 
 way. " I have hurt everybody, and now it seems as if I 
 had better have wounded only myself. But Charlie under- 
 stood. He would not let it be anything but perfect free- 
 dom ; only, if I should see my way clear in the years to 
 come, I have only to go back." 
 
 " I don't understand it at all," said Mrs. Alston, wearily. 
 " Perhaps we had better not talk it over now ; it is too 
 near and too full of pain. Of course I shall always love 
 you, Kathie ; a mother's heart is not easily turned aside. 
 Only I do not seem very fortunate in my children in this 
 respect." 
 
 Kathie kissed her, realizing how deep the pain had gone 
 in the kindty heart. Why must she have given it a stab 
 as well as Robert? 
 
 She turned slowly from the room, but instead of going 
 to her own, walked up to Fred's little den, where Uncle 
 Robert often amused himself with scientific experiments, 
 and she had seen him go thither sometime before. Kathie 
 paused in the doorway, and he caught sight of the flushed 
 and tearful face. 
 
 " O my darling !" he exclaimed in quick, tender sym- 
 pathy, folding her in his arms. 
 
 She had the rest of her cry out on his shoulder. Now 
 and then he kissed her throbbing brow with his cool lips, 
 but did not speak again until her sobs had ceased a little. 
 
 ' ' O Uncle Robert, what shall I do ? I have been so 
 weak and selfish, and made everybody so unhappy ! "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 315 
 
 " We will talk that over presently. I suppose, tnen, it 
 is all settled between yon and Charlie? Of course, Kathie, 
 your mother is sorely disappointed. I think," with a 
 little smile, " most mothers would be. But old-bachelor 
 uncles are in no hurry to have their little girls go away, and 
 are alwa}'s jealous of these attractive young men." 
 
 She clasped him more closely. It was so good to be 
 taken fondly back to one heart, even when she had been 
 so much at fault. 
 
 ' I think we all feel very sorry," trying to soothe the 
 tense, aching nerves with his most comforting tone. " We 
 should have liked Charlie in our midst, and your mother 
 will always love him as a son. No one else will ever be 
 so dear." 
 
 ' ' But suppose there should be no one ? I wonder if you 
 would get tired of me ? " And a faint misgiving trembled in 
 her voice. 
 
 " We should never have tired of Aunt Ruth, you know. 
 Some of the loveliest women I have ever met did not marry 
 until middle life." 
 
 ' ' I cannot see how I could have made such a painful mis- 
 take. And it does seem sometimes as if I should have set 
 nry small self aside, and rested in his love, grown larger 
 and more tranquil of soul. It is not even as if I had loved 
 some one else. That might have been an excuse." 
 
 "I am very glad you did not," was the grave reply. 
 " Such mistakes have been, as well, but I would rather 
 have this clear seeing for you than any pure want for self. 
 I think Charlie came to understand the larger satisfying 
 and peace. And now, Kathie, you must be patient and 
 tender with mamma. Remember you have been carrying 
 the burden quite a long while, but it has newly come upon 
 her, and mothers cherish so many pretty hopes of their 
 daughtev?.' marriages. It is like living over their own girl 
 life." 
 
 ''And Rob, too," cried Kathie remorsefully, quite dis-
 
 316 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 regarding her sentence. ' ' Poor mamma ; we ought to be 
 very devoted to make up all this." 
 
 " It will be made up presently with tender, earnest 
 affection," he said hopefully. " Robert goes on so well 
 that I sometimes think living out of such a trouble is 
 the best discipline he could have had. He has grown 
 more careful of consequences to others, and he has 
 evinced great steadiness of purpose. I do believe his 
 nursing and caring for Bruce brought out the tender side 
 of his nature, the side most boys are ashamed to show, 
 and not infrequently assume a sort of roughness to hide it, 
 quite forgetting what the term " gentleman " includes. I 
 hope we shall have many happy years together." 
 
 "You are so good. Oh, what should I do without 
 you ? " cried Kathie impulsively. 
 
 Uncle Robert smiled. 
 
 It was not an easy task, Kathie found, living out of 
 such a mistake. A less noble lover might have made it 
 harder, but Charlie generously took upon himself much of 
 the burden. She might easily have been over-influenced by 
 circumstances. He remembered on the night he had first 
 spoken there had been simply girlish awe and wonder, no 
 great throb of joy, no exceeding gladness any of the time. 
 He had failed to touch the depth of her nature, to awaken 
 the keenest bliss. For himself, he might be satisfied to 
 do and to give, but her life ought to be wider and more 
 outflowing than in mere passive recipience. 
 
 He explained the matter first to Jessie, who was really 
 hurt and angry. ' It seemed a slight put upon Charlie. 
 
 " No, Jessie," he said ; "it would have been a worse 
 thing for her to have married me and never know of her 
 own sure experience the highest joy of life She would 
 have made herself content, but it would not have been a 
 wholesome, happy life." 
 
 "Are you quite sure she is not In icve with Bruce 
 Mackenzie ? "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 317 
 
 11 She could not love a finer man." 
 
 " You are as good and noble, and more self-sacrificing,* 1 
 cried Jessie vehemently. " Charlie, why should you 
 stand aside for any other ? " 
 
 ' ' If Kathie loves Bruce it is all unknown to herself, and 
 then it would be God's sure seal that her love was not for 
 me. And if he loved her " 
 
 " Let them find it out then," said Jessie resentfully. 
 
 Mother Darreli was the greatest comforter to Kathie. 
 
 " Mjidear," she said, " we all regret it so deeply. I am 
 not sure but we have coveted }'ou. And yet it has seemed 
 to me that you were always too near to be the nearest, for 
 friends do not always make lovers. I want you to come 
 just the same, to be to us what you were before. We old 
 people can't aford to let a pleasure slip out of our lives 
 because it may take^, different turn from what we hoped. 
 God knows best." 
 
 They had all been so engrossed through this time with 
 Kathie that Rob had gone his way, straying in pleasant 
 fields unnoticed. He and Miss Collamore had settled into 
 a steady kind of friendship. Uncle Robert remarked with 
 pleasure the touches of reticence in certain directions, the 
 little fence of propriety she placed about herself and 
 never overstepped, as if she understood what might have 
 been but was not to be. Fred's intimacy with Eugene 
 brought them all nearer together in many ways. 
 
 During her visit in New York Robert had made himself 
 chief cavalier to her and Kathie. Mr. Gartney, who had 
 stood with her at her cousin's marriage, had not proved 
 insensible to her charms, and made delicate advances 
 toward a closer acquaintance. His business standing and 
 character were excellent, and he was received by the Col- 
 lamores with the refined cordiality that told him under Imy 
 circumstances he was a welcome guest. 
 
 His visits startled Miss Collamore out of her wonted 
 tranquillity. The young men of Brodkside had at times
 
 318 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 shown preferences, but these were easily turned aside. 
 This man had a definite purpose ; he showed it in his bear- 
 ing, in the peculiar grace of his attention. He was refined, 
 chivalrous, well informed, quite fit to be set beside Mr. 
 Hunsdon. There was no reason why a girl should not like 
 him, or let herself drift into the swift, pleasant stream of 
 interest and caring until it came to more, and the mean- 
 ing proved itself to both. 
 
 There was another side. Fay Collamore could not, 
 would not look at this when she could help. Sometimes 
 it seemed to get sharply thrust under her notice ; there was 
 a pang and a long, quivering breath, but it was soon over. 
 
 Only of late there had come a troublesome shadow, a 
 secret knowledge that however successful she might be in 
 putting away any thought or temptation for herself, she 
 could not so put it away for another. Now and then there 
 came a flash of a " might have been" in Robert Alston's 
 eyes, a touch of something in his voice that startled no one 
 else, but struck a vague terror to her soul. It would be 
 a sin to let it settle into any unhallowed longing. In her 
 eyes he had been so brave, had borne his sad trial with 
 a fortitude hardly belonging to youth, had made it no 
 excuse for throwing away his bright young life. Even now 
 he was stud}'ing between whiles with the boys, in case the 
 step higher should come to him in the future. Could she 
 let him mar his life a second time with any fondness for her ? 
 
 They were not the people who could keep to the level of 
 a friendship ; she would not blind herself by any specious 
 half-promises. He was ardent, impetuous, strong, and 
 passion might carry him like a whirlwind for a brief space, 
 but if even a word took him over the boundary, it could 
 never be brought back with any repentance. 
 
 And the woman who held his freedom might live years. 
 Every one said so. To wish it otherwise were a crime. 
 
 What if she placed an effectual barrier between. Could 
 she not make herself happy in another life if she knew she 
 had put temptation quite out of his way ?
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 IT was the soft lapsing of the spring day into evening 
 The windows were open, and the fragrance of the ever- 
 greens, the delicate moisture of the young grass that had 
 drank in the sunshine all day and was now giving it out to 
 the dew, made the air sweet with promise. Robert Alston 
 had taken a holiday, partly to attend to a little business 
 for Mr. Meredith, which would have made him too late 
 for a day in the city. He had been out rambling, and 
 returned with a great bunch of wild flowers, Kathie and 
 his mother were so fond of them. Kathie was not in, and 
 Mrs. Collamore sat with his mother in the parlor, so he 
 stepped into the library and threw himself in an easy-chair 
 by the window. 
 
 Uncle Robert came up the path, pausing to look at the 
 hyacinth bed. In his hand he held two or three letters, 
 and, catching a glimpse of his nephew, came across the 
 piazza to the window and stepped in. Mrs. Collamore 
 was taking her leave now. She seemed to pause in the hall 
 and said quite distinctly, though in her low, even tone, 
 
 " We all like him very much, and think it will be a good 
 match for Fay. I shall have only my son left. I think I 
 should rather keep her nearer, but I must comfort myself 
 with Louise and her baby." 
 
 Rob sprang up with a sudden, decisive impulse, and his 
 face was like marble. " It is Mr. Gartney," he said in a 
 hoarse, strained whisper. 
 
 " Yes, Robert." The voice was sharp, decisive. 
 
 The young man dropped back in his chair. In his
 
 320 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 momentary madness he hardly cared how much he had 
 betra} r ed. 
 
 " Robert, you would have no right in any event ; rouse 
 yourself and think a moment." 
 
 "Of what shall I think?" in a passionate, despairing 
 tone. ' ' That I have lost my chance with the only woman 
 who could have helped me to live a perfect life ? That all 
 the years to come " 
 
 Mr. Conover closed the library door, and, returning, 
 stood in front of the young man. 
 
 " Robert," he said sternly, " has it come to this ? Have 
 you allowed 3'ourself to dream over this young girl until it 
 has led to the verge of sin ? Better a hundred times that 
 she should be removed from your reach." 
 
 " You think so ! " in a bitter, hollow tone. "As if I 
 could not dream over her and covet her anywhere ! And 
 if she stayed, if she waited " 
 
 " Rob, ruy boy, " and the voice was infinitely tender, 
 the touch on his arm strong, yet gentle, " you have for- 
 gotten j'ourself and your duty. No madness can quite 
 convince you that you have a right, that you are free " 
 
 Robert Alston sprang up and stood straight, strong, 
 and daring. Every pulse within his body had mutinied. 
 There was a blaze of defiance in his eyes and a white 
 line about the lips. 
 
 ' ' I should have been free ! I can be free ! " he declared 
 in his madness. 
 
 The\- glanced at each other steadily, and neither seemed 
 to breathe. 
 
 " If 3-011 were free," the elder said, " what would it 
 avail, since she will belong to another? " 
 
 " She would not. Uncle Robert, have a little pity on 
 me. I can't tell you how I know it, but I do believe as 
 ly as I can believe anything, that if I went to Fay 
 
 llamore and told her of my love she would wait years, 
 he would not marry. AVhy should I give up my chance ? "
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 321 
 
 " Because it would be a sin and dishonor. It would 
 stain your soul and sully the pure whiteness of hers. No ; 
 you could not win Fay Collamore that way, and I thank 
 God that it is so. Rob, when^you have made such a brave 
 fight, when you have won back respect, honor, will you 
 throw them away in this mad endeavor ? I thought you 
 were to be trusted to the uttermost. And I have news 
 for you. See here ! " 
 
 He lighted the lamp on the table and took the letter 
 from its envelope, handing it to his nephew. A scornful 
 smile crossed the scarlet lip, as if the first impulse were 
 to fling it away. 
 
 " Read it. It is your business." 
 
 It was from the asylum physician, concise yet compre- 
 hensive. *' They had remarked a great improvement in 
 the patient for the last month. Some faint remembrance 
 had returned. She had asked for her child, and seemed 
 gratified when a babe had been brought her. Her youth 
 her good physical health gave them a slender hope 
 that there might be some restoration in time." 
 
 Robert Alston went over and over the letter, though he 
 was not thinking at all. A horror seemed to have posses- 
 sion of him. Moments passed before he spoke, then he 
 said, almost savagely : 
 
 "You believe I ought to have forgiven her? Well, I 
 never, never shall. I might if she were dead." 
 
 "O Robert!" 
 
 He strode up and down the room in a tempest of passion. 
 Then, as if suddenly bethinking himself, he said : 
 
 " It is nearing train time. I must go to-night." 
 
 " Let me drive you down." 
 
 "No, I will walk ; I want to go alone. Say good by to 
 my mother. There is your letter ! " And he threw it con- 
 temptuously on the floor. 
 
 " Robert, we cannot part this way. Stay ' 
 
 But he flung off his uncle's arm and made a snatch 
 21 
 
 at
 
 322 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 his hat from the rack in the hall. His steps echoed on the 
 gravel walk an instant, then all was spring-time silence 
 and softness again. 
 
 Should he follow him? What would he do in this des- 
 perate mood ? There would be the long ride to the city, 
 but the reaching there almost at midnight, the fierce strug- 
 gle within himself. Ah, how would it end ? 
 
 "God help him," he cried. "Save him from him- 
 self." 
 
 It had all been so sudden that now Robert Conover 
 wondered if he had done his best, had acted with wisdom 
 and prudence. Surely the mad boy would not dare to go 
 to Fay. 
 
 When he could reason himself to a state of calmness he 
 went up-stairs. Kathie had just come in. He took with 
 him Rob's flowers and a tenderer farewell than he had 
 left. 
 
 " Oh, how lovely ! " cried Kathie. " Dear Rob ! I did 
 try to get back in time, but old Mrs. Boden had so many 
 last messages." 
 
 " And I have some news for you, Kathie," said Mrs. 
 Alston. " Mrs. Collamore was here. She thinks Fay is 
 very likely to marry Mr. Gartney ; but of course she will 
 have to go to New York to live. You will be left quite 
 alone presently." 
 
 Kathie colored softly ; she never answered when her 
 mother made comments like this. They were gradually 
 coming back to their old love and confidence, and if she 
 could have the tender patience to win all. 
 
 Robert Alston went his way in a mad, blind fury. It 
 came to him with the unreason of youth, what if he threw 
 himself here under the car wheels ! Of what avail was life, 
 and strength, and manhood, only to make the loss tenfold 
 more bitter? She would go away out of his life, and what 
 would be left? Only the hateful reminder of that boyish 
 idiocy ? But no repentance could atone for the wrong she
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 323 
 
 had done. No ; if she came and pleaded on her bended 
 knees, he would never forgive her. She had blighted the 
 man's promising career, she had kept him from the man's 
 dear and tender love ! 
 
 He turned to the image of Fay Collamore and revelled 
 in the vision of what might have been. Not a sweet would 
 he miss, even if it turned to tenfold ashes and bitterness 
 afterward. He let fancy have full play. Up to this 
 time she had been sacred to him ; he had not even dared to 
 dream of her. In this reckless mood he would stop for 
 nothing. And all the years to come he must miss this 
 glowing, enchanting happiness. 
 
 He bowed his head and groaned in his misery. He had 
 the seat to himself, and could indulge in a little weakness 
 without prying eyes. From this mood he went to sullen 
 despair. The night dropped down, and still he peered out 
 in the darkness with hot eyes and throbbing brow. Of 
 what avail had been all the struggle, all the resolving ? He 
 might as well have stayed in Chicago. There he would not 
 have seen Fay. She would be at Brooksicle, in the city. 
 She knew all the friends in the little circle and would meet 
 them. He should see her another's man's wife. That 
 woke all the passion of jealousy within him. 
 
 The tumult went on, fierce, eager, sullen, and despairing 
 by turns. They ran into the station. How strange it 
 looked in the yellow-red glare, and the voices seemed like 
 something heard in another world ! Yonder was a train 
 steaming up. If he were to take it, to-morrow morning he 
 would be far away. "Would it not be better ? Away from 
 temptation ! He laughed bitterly. 
 
 Should he go home to the Merediths' ? They would be 
 sitting up for him, Fred and Mr. Meredith. To go in 
 there, serene and pleasant, and answer questions, ah, it 
 would madden him ! Better roam the streets all night. 
 
 Something came to him suddenly, and he stood quito. 
 still, as if stopped in the way.
 
 324 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " When you come to love a woman placed out of your 
 reach you will go to God. for nothing else will be strong 
 enough to save you ! " 
 
 Bruce had said that to him. He, too, had seen a love 
 placed out of his way. 
 
 At first Robert Alston had a dim, awful impression that 
 he did not want to be saved, that he was in some uncom- 
 prehended way quite strong enough for himself, or that no 
 salvation could comfort him for the tremeudous sacrifice 
 wrenched up out of his life. Not made freely, not given. 
 
 Where should he go ? The night was growing chilly and 
 the streets beginning to look deserted. 
 
 He had tramped around unthinkingly until he found him- 
 self in Charlie DarreU's vicinity. Another who had sacri- 
 ficed all. What a mocking, illusive thing love was, a 
 sweet madness ! 
 
 He glanced up. There was a light in the window. 
 Was this hero calm and tranquil after his fight? Ah, he 
 fancied lie had fought it all out, but he did not think then 
 this might come. Had not some one said in a sermon 
 that it was a life warfare ? Was Charlie Darrell fighting 
 always? What if lie knew Kathie was about to marry 
 another, could he still wear his high, heavenly smile ? Or 
 was there a strength he, Rob, knew nothing about? Life 
 had been so pleasant since that terrible time, and he had 
 gone bravely onward, believing the great storms over-past. 
 Why should this have come ? 
 
 He paced up and down the street. Curious bits floated 
 through his mind in a sharp, electric fashion ; texts heard 
 long ago, it seemed, almost in another life : " God is faith- 
 ful, who will with the temptation also make a wa}- to 
 escape, that ye may be able to bear it." How many had 
 escaped ? how many wanted to escape ? 
 
 The window above him was raised and a figure leaned 
 out a little. Rob dropped his head and drew up his 
 shoulders. He could not make up his mind whether he
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 325 
 
 desired to see Charlie or not, but the light from the oppo- 
 site lamp betrayed him. 
 
 " Rob, wait until I come down," said an entreating 
 voice. 
 
 The young man strode fiercely away, then paused. The 
 door opened and a light step came flying after him. 
 
 " Rob, are they all well at home ? What has happened ? " 
 
 " Nothing," pulling half away. 
 
 " Come back with me ; I am all alone. Let us talk it 
 over, for something has happened to you ? " 
 
 " You cannot help me." 
 
 Charlie was leading him back. The hall lamp was out, 
 but they groped up-stairs, guided by the long ray of light 
 from the open door. Entering, Charlie pushed a chair 
 forward with a cordial invitation, but Rob stood stupidby. 
 His hair was blown about, his face set and pale, and his 
 eyes were aglow with the wild light of passion. Had he 
 been drinking? 
 
 " Sit down and tell me," gently. "Perhaps it will not 
 be as hard as you think." 
 
 "I don't know," Robert Alston said unsteadily, drawing 
 a long, quivering breath. " I suppose," laughing mirth- 
 lessby, " I've been tempted of the devil ; murder, and all 
 the long list of crimes mentioned somewhere. You all 
 supposed I was going on so well." 
 
 " So you were." Charlie sprang up beside him. Some- 
 thing in the pure, high face seemed to touch Rob dimly. 
 " But a soldier may be surprised at his outpost, and it is 
 his duty to be ready. The surprise is not a sin, but cow- 
 ardice or negligence would be. Even there ' Thy hand 
 shall hold me.' " 
 
 " Why does n't it, then? Oh, why should we live at all, 
 Charlie? It seems such a useless, unmeaning, blurred, and 
 wretched thing ! Nothing comes out of it all that you 
 really want." 
 
 He had wanted some denied gift, then. Charlie's intui-
 
 326 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 tions were rapid and sympathetic. A few days ago Rob 
 was gay and glad ; he had been unusually bright during 
 Kathie's visit to the city and afterward. Ah, had he a 
 clew? 
 
 " If anything true, and right, and honorable has been put 
 out of your way, Rob, it is only held in the larger await- 
 ing of by and by." 
 
 " It was the one chance, the one glimpse of a lovely, sat- 
 isfying life, and I think I have a right. You do not know ; 
 as a clergyman, all secrets are sacred to J T OU ; but I could 
 have been quite free from that hateful marriage, that boy's 
 folly ; I can be now. Must I let all the great joys of 
 life slip out for a mere figment of honor? And she is 
 better. We heard this very day. Suppose she recovers ? 
 Would you all send me back to that old existence ? Why, 
 I might better never have left it ! " 
 
 It would be better to go back than to stain any new life 
 with a sin. Rob, you said one glimpse ; was it another? " 
 
 "Yes," he flung out sullenly, " you may as well know 
 all. I did not understand it myself until I heard to-day 
 that she might go to some other love, not knowing, and I 
 could win her, I am quite sure. I believe when I first met Fay 
 Collamore I knew just the kind of woman I needed, high, 
 honorable, gracious, true as steel, and as unflinching. Then 
 I understood the madness I had yielded to and that had 
 blurred all my life. I had no right to complain, and I 
 did not. I kept to my own miserable path, shutting out 
 my vision, making no comparison. When the time came 
 that I might have been free I gave it up for others. And 
 now she, who could so bless my life, will blight and wound 
 her own, taking something less than she might have had, 
 making herself content when there should be a sweet, spon- 
 taneous joy. It ruins both ! Will it do that other misera- 
 ble, negative existence any good? It discrowns love to 
 apply it to any such d/sunion as ours was." 
 
 A strong shudder ran through Robert Alston's frame,
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 327 
 
 and the eyes were heavy, like one half asleep. But in the 
 other face there was a strength and steadfastness not to be 
 gainsaid. 
 
 "Rob," he began gently, but in a firm, ringing tone, 
 that gave no uncertain sound, " you were heroic through 
 all that time. I think God helped you then. Some of the 
 boyhood lessons lingered in your mind. It was a perilous 
 way, and 3'ou came out of it morally unscathed, clearer- 
 eyed, stronger, for every temptation overcome adds 
 strength. And you know this night, as well as I, that 
 yours would be an unhallowed love to offer to any woman. 
 You are not free." 
 
 ' ' Do you suppose I should offer it until I was ? " he 
 asked almost savagely. 
 
 " No, I have that much faith in you. You will not do 
 it until your conscience is clear and clean, until your duty 
 is done, until you can meet the eyes of every one, and how 
 much more the one thus set above all others, in truth and 
 honor. You said, back there, it was murder and all the 
 long list ! You will not stain your soul, Robert Alston. 
 You have not fought your way up to this to slip back ! " 
 
 " What shall I do? " in a hollow, broken tone. " Why 
 does n't God save me ? " 
 
 "Will you be saved? Will you be snatched from this 
 fiery temptation ? Remember there was just one who met 
 the Lord Jesus in the way, and who afterward carried 
 about with him the ' marks ' in his body. To the othera 
 He said, ' Follow thou me.' Rise, you are able. Follow. 
 Obey. Come to me." 
 
 "Then I should save myself." 
 
 " Well, can you? Have you come off victor by youi 
 own might? Are you so strong that you can pass by this 
 thing without a longing ? Will you never shrink when it 
 meets you in the way ? " 
 
 " There is no use," gloomily. 
 
 " There is use. See, Rob, you may have been betrayed
 
 328 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 into a word or look ; you and Fay may have seen for a 
 moment a blinding, dazzling glare, but if you put it away 
 before it has had time really to belong, it is all God asks. 
 He might have made us insensible to all these things, and 
 we should never have sinned, never even have seen the 
 temptation. But it is braver, 3'es, I think it is better, to 
 see and to resist. That, then, is not mei'e negative good- 
 ness. That is accepting, using the divine strength, sup- 
 plementing our weak desire with his greater aid, which is 
 always sufficient if you will try it to the uttermost. The 
 trouble is we so often try it only half or a little way." 
 
 The midnight clocks were striking twelve. Rob dropped 
 into a chair. He was suddenly tired, worn out. The face 
 was ashen gray, the eyes lost their fire. 
 
 " You will not throw away the victories of your life in 
 this evil fashion. When it comes to deliberate choice you 
 cannot." 
 
 Could he do such a thing deliberately? Robert Alston 
 paused to think. In a moment of selfish madness he might 
 rush headlong, as he had been wild to do this evening, but 
 seen here in all its wrong and wretchedness 
 
 There was a long, long silence. Rob's temples throbbed 
 like the blows of ceaseless machinery. He could not think 
 clearly. Was there any ark of safety? 
 
 " You remember our old hero, Rob ! ' It is necessary 
 for me to go; it is not necessary for me to live.' It is 
 necessary for you to be pure, and strong, and resolute. 
 Other men have given up dreams " And his voice fal- 
 tered a little. 
 
 " Oh," cried Rob, " it was cruel to come to you I " 
 
 " No. I think you were led thither to see the salva- 
 tion of God, for he will save you from yourself. And 
 perhaps He showed me it had a wider significance, that I 
 might comfort some one tried and tempest tossed/' 
 
 " Well, let it be given up, all of it. Let me come out 
 ol the horrible slough. For I could have wished the
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 329 
 
 other dead to-night ; I am not sure but I did. How is i( 
 that one can never desire to do right first of all ? " 
 
 " Because life must always be a warfare, to strong 
 natures, especially. It is the old warring of the two 
 natures, and even St. Paul, resolute and earnest, comforts 
 us here. 'That which I would,' 'that which I would 
 not,' and they are always present." 
 
 " I make a poor soldier ! " Robert Alston buried his 
 face in his hands. And then he thought of another sol- 
 dier who had fought as hard a battle, who had thrust out 
 unlawful desire before it became blighting sin. 
 
 " No, Rob, I think it is very fair. We are gauged by 
 the strength of the temptation, and what might almost 
 sweep you away would just touch another, who could not 
 feel it so keenly." 
 
 " Because I am so weak? " 
 
 " No. You have shown j-our strength in many ways. 
 You might have rushed into intemperance." 
 
 A shudder of disgust passed over him. " I shall always 
 hate drunkenness ! " he cried vehemently. 
 
 " And you will come to hate and shun other things. It 
 is not all done in a day. The vow is ' a faithful soldier 
 and servant to my life's end.' You have onl} r begun." 
 
 " Charlie," he said in a low tone, many moments after- 
 ward, " could you have given up Kathie so readily if you 
 had known another stood by to take her, that she was 
 going quite out of your life ? " He must test the temper 
 of this grace. 
 
 " I did not give her up readily," in a lingering tone. 
 " I think I understand. If Miss Collamore can go to 
 another, Rob, it is quite, certain that this is not, could not 
 be the true regard of her life. And perhaps that is the 
 cross for you, and the saving knowledge." 
 
 And then an old thought came back to Charlie Darrell. 
 They so seldom spoke of her in this connection. 
 
 " Rob," he said softly, " did you ever imagine Kathia 
 cared for, loved any one ? "
 
 330 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 "I don't believe Kathie knows, and it is queer, too," 
 brightening up a little ; " but you see you all were so ready 
 to do her honor. I can't understand how you all came to 
 love her so ! She is not wonderf ully beautiful nor regu- 
 larly fascinating as some girls ; but she has been a little 
 queen, with all her knights about her." 
 
 Should he ask the question that he had more than once 
 asked of his secret soul? 
 
 Charlie turned his face away a little, that it might not 
 show its anguish. 
 
 " Did 3'ou ever fancy that Bruce " 
 
 There was a silence that seemed almost deathly, in the 
 room. A color fluttered up in the other's pallid face. 
 
 " Rob ! " He came and stood over his friend, took his 
 hand, studied the shrouded expression. 
 
 It was drawn suddenly away. " Don't make me cruel 
 to you of all others ! " cried Robert Alston, with a pang of 
 remorse. 
 
 " I fancied afterward Do you know when they mean 
 to return ? " 
 
 " Not until But I have n't any right to betray him. 
 He would have cut off his hand or plucked out his right 
 eye rather than have swerved a line " 
 
 " Ah, 3*ou see it there ! " cried Charlie Darrell. " You 
 cannot help honoring it, Rob ! Bruce Mackenzie is a 
 Christian soldier." 
 
 A Christian soldier. That had given the lovely grace of 
 patience and steadfastness through all that trying time. 
 That was what had interposed, when Rob first went out to 
 Bruce, in his own behalf. He seemed to have found the 
 clew, faint, wavering, but not uncertain. These two pos- 
 sessed something he had not. His own strength, manh" 
 and robust, was not enough ; there was a diviner grace. 
 Yes, he must be saved, even if as by fire. His longing love 
 might not desire it 
 
 He rose then, almost overshadowing tlie slenderer figure. 
 His step was uncertain, groping.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 331 
 
 *' I think I have been a madman ! " he said in deepest 
 humiliation. " I have gone to the very brink of destruction, 
 trusting in my own might. But I shall never rest until I 
 have found the greater strength. You need not be afraid 
 to trust me." 
 
 He started as if to go. " No, you will stay with me to- 
 night," Charlie said. "It is late, and I want you to help 
 me. If Bruce knew Kathie was quite free if I wrote 
 they are going to Egypt soon, I believe. But he had bet- 
 ter come home." 
 
 " I wronged you a while ago. I said you did not 
 know." 
 
 " I do know. We both know that a love given away 
 may grow into something higher than a love kept for one's 
 self." 
 
 " But you have the right to give," he cried, bowing his 
 head in an agony of shame. 
 
 There was not much sleep for them that night. Robert 
 Alston's thoughts would have kept MITI awake if it had 
 not been for the almost intolerable headache. And he had 
 been' shown himself the thing he night become if left to 
 his own devices, his human side, with no interposition. 
 But he believed now that Fay Collamore could not have 
 been tempted into any specious waiting, any wrong step, 
 only he knew she had seen, and put away, like these other 
 brave souls. There was a great deal of it to do in this 
 world. 
 
 Mr. Meredith rallied him somewhat the next day on his 
 paleness, little dreaming of the struggle. He had one 
 more duty before the new life could quite begin, and that 
 was a letter to Uncle Robert, who came to answer it, in 
 person. And Robert Alston realized then how easy it was 
 to make the innocent suffer for the guilty. No one ever 
 bore a crime or a shame quite alone. Some other heart 
 was always wrung with anguish, often the one who should 
 be nearest and dearest, first considered.
 
 CHAPTER XXVTI. 
 
 THEY were in the glow and throb of mid-summer again. 
 Kathie Alston stood on the wide balcony, nodding to baby 
 Bertie below, who was making imaginar} r visits and com- 
 ing back for cunning good-byes. Then espying Uncle Rob- 
 ert, she ran like a sprite to meet him, and he caught her 
 in his arms. 
 
 Kathie ran down as well. She was radiant in health and 
 brightness. All the cares and perplexities seemed over- 
 past. She had simply to live, to take up the nearest duty. 
 
 " I am jealous ! " laughingly. " I don't even have one 
 arm any more." 
 
 " But I must have one hand. Stand down a minute, 
 Bertie : I have a load of letters for Aunt Kathie. Docs n't 
 that sound staid and ancient," smiling. "Here is one 
 from Mrs. Truesdell, from Miss Fay ; and oh, what will 
 you give me for my news ? " 
 
 "A kiss used to be sufficient," with a piquant sparkle in 
 her eye ; " but you have so man}- from my rival " 
 
 "Take me up, Uncle Robert, take me up," said the 
 imperious little queen. 
 
 " A spoiled child ! What would become of her but for 
 mamma and me ? And the news ? " 
 
 " It is funny how man}- times we have said it. Aunt 
 Ruth is in New York ; she is coming home to-morrow. I 
 had a telegram." 
 
 "Oh, how lovely ! So they gave up Egypt. Or did 
 Bruce go on alone ? " 
 
 " The telegram says ' we.' "
 
 KATHIE MARRIED. 333 
 
 '* Oh, I do wonder The boys will be delighted ! Rob 
 is fairly homesick for a sight of him." 
 
 " Some letters for me?" demanded Bertie, as they sat 
 down on the wide step. 
 
 " There, this will do ; oh, no, this," giving her the tel- 
 egram. " There was a letter from Chicago." 
 
 " Uncle Robert," said Kathie seriously, " suppose she/' 
 nodding toward the letter, " should quite recover? " 
 
 " That does not seem possible." 
 
 " I have thought of it sometimes. What would Rob do? 
 He has begun to be so curiously conscientious of late." 
 
 " Why curious?" 
 
 " Unusually, then. Do you know I think Rob singu- 
 larly attracted by beautiful women. He always admired 
 Fay Collamore greatly. And you all say she is so hand- 
 some." 
 
 " Her beauty alone could not win him back." 
 
 " But duty might," Kathie returned gravely. " Still, we 
 never could give up Bertie. It always seems to me as if 
 her mother must be dead." 
 
 Uncle Robert stooped to kiss the baby lips. " She is 
 mine," he said, " to comfort me after you all go away." 
 
 Kathie smiled. She had been glancing over Fay's let- 
 ter. Miss Collamore's episode had not culminated in an 
 engagement ; why, she knew best. Just at that juncture 
 Louise had been taken seriously ill with a fever, and Mr. 
 Hunsdon had called on Fay's sisterly offices. On her par- 
 tial recovery they had been sent to the mountains. 
 
 " Mrs. Hunsdon is doing beautifully," Kathie announced ; 
 " and oh, Dick Gray son is up there ! How odd they should 
 stumble over each other !'" 
 
 Then she opened Sarah's letter, and before she had 
 read a dozen lines she uttered another exclamation. 
 
 " Uncle Robert, listen to this. Mr. Truesdell has an ex- 
 cellent call to Westport. The church is quite large, united, 
 and flourishing, the salary very fair, and a house. Two
 
 334 WHOM KATHIB MARRIED. 
 
 of Sarah's pupils are married and settled there. It seema 
 like such a splendid opportunity " 
 
 " Well? " filling the pause. 
 
 " To live a broader life. For, after all, there is just so 
 much of a round in Middle ville, and no more. They have 
 conquered their place and a peace, I might say respect, for 
 I do think Sarah's wise patience has served to unite and 
 raise the very ordinary congregation. I should like to 
 see her at her best estate. And Charlie has a high opin- 
 ion of Mr. Truesdell." 
 
 She could quote Charlie again quite comfortably. He 
 would not let the break make a difference. Mrs. Alston 
 had become quite reconciled, though he had said to her, 
 " I cannot give up my old love for you ; it has in it all a 
 son's reverence." 
 
 Oddly enough Charlie and Rob had been great friends 
 of late. They all discerned a gradual change in the latter. 
 
 " Rob is growing wonderfully like uncle," declared Fred 
 daily. 
 
 " I think Mr. Truesdell well fitted for a much larger 
 sphere. I wondered at first how he could resign himself to 
 the place, though there is a work everywhere." 
 
 Mrs. Alston came out presently, and was delighted with 
 the news. 
 
 " I do think Ruth is very tired of rambling about," she 
 said. " I hope now they have come to stay." 
 
 Kathie arranged the gu/est chamber again, and made it 
 sweet with flowers. Would Bruce come or not? How 
 oddly quiet it would be this summer. Emma was away 
 painting some seaside views that had been ordered. The 
 olden, merrj' group were scattered far and wide ; even the 
 Merediths were going elsewhere, and would not spend 
 more than a fortnight at Brookside. 
 
 Mrs. Alston and Kathie went over in the family carriage. 
 There was dear Aunt Ruth, grown a little older, but sweet 
 as ever, and the General, looking much better than last 
 year.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 335 
 
 " And no Bruce ! " Kathie said. There was not a very 
 keen disappointment in her tone. 
 
 "Oh, the boys took possession of him at once ! I began 
 to wonder if I had any rights in my own son," said the 
 General with an assumption of injury. " I shall have to 
 come to you for comfort, as I have times before." 
 
 Kathie slipped her hand into his. It seemed almost like 
 going back to the happy childhood when she first knew him. 
 And she remembered how he had asked permission to bring 
 Bruce to Cedarwood, that long-ago summer. 
 
 " Am I to be left quite out in the cold?" she asked. 
 " I am learning that the boys can do very well without me ; 
 the end of youthful admiration, I suppose." 
 
 They took up Uncle Robert at the post-office, and Bertie 
 was running about the lawn watching for him. 
 
 "How wonderfully like Rob in his babyhood !" Aunt 
 Ruth said. 
 
 " She is the happiest of all happy children," said Mrs. 
 Alston. " I wonder at it sometimes; but I think much 
 of it is due to Mrs. Fleming's judicious nursing and train- 
 ing. I am thankful she fell into such good hands." 
 
 Cedarwood was so quiet and restful. It had that well- 
 used home look, nothing obtrusive, nothing that had been 
 thrust in, but the general growth of needed things, of 
 beauty thought and planned year after year. The great 
 porch now was rich in vines, that gave shade by day and 
 sweetness at night. They went out in the evening and 
 talked over the many happenings of the j'ear and more 
 since the last parting. 
 
 Bruce was quite recovered in health and strength, but 
 there would always be a little weakness about the hip joint 
 that would need thoughtfulness, if not care, and would 
 not admit of a life of hardship. He h#d sent in his army 
 resignation and turned his attention to literary pursuits, in 
 which he had done a little at the West. They would always 
 have him now.
 
 336 WHOM KATHTE MARRIED. 
 
 Kathie listened with a thrill of interest. She wondered 
 she had not suspected Bruce's penchant the winter of his 
 illness, when they used to read and talk so much. 
 
 He was to be down in a day or two. Rob meant to get 
 a holiday and come with him. 
 
 " I must congratulate you on your fine and manly son, 
 Mrs. Alston," the General said. " If I had none of my 
 own I should want to adopt him." 
 
 The mother smiled, pleased with a deeper joy than mere 
 satisfaction in a handsome presence. 
 
 They enjoyed another day resting up. A telegram from 
 Bruce saying he would be down the next evening with 
 Robert. 
 
 Kathie was in a curious little maze of excitement, inno- 
 cent, glad, and girlish. Their coming seemed to have 
 taken her out of the rather grave present. Everything 
 appeared fresh, and bright, and hopeful. 
 
 They were planning some pleasure the next morning 
 when a messenger came with another telegram for Mr. 
 Conover. He opened it and looked rather disturbed. 
 
 "Not bad news?" said Kathie. 
 
 He hated to damp her joy. " I hardly know," slowly. 
 "There is some change at Chicago. I think I shall have 
 to go, anu it might be better to take Rob. I must go to 
 the city immediately," rising with unwonted alacrity. 
 
 She misunderstood, and he did not correct her, but he 
 told Mrs. Alston the full import. There had been so many 
 little improvements that a partial recovery had been spoken 
 of, and Kathie took this as an indication of it. There was 
 a brief hurry and no time to ask questions. 
 
 Late in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Adams came over 
 to call on the Mackenzies. 
 
 " You will have to drive down for Bruce," said the Gen- 
 eral smilingl}* to Kathie. 
 
 "Yes, I will honor him with my pony phaeton. Oh, 
 can you really believe that Bruce has never been here
 
 WHOM KATHLE MARRIED. 337 
 
 since his return from Europe ? Why, it will seem quite a 
 new place to him." 
 
 A slight flush touched the father's face. He knew the 
 reason so well ; she was so innocent of it. Ah, if Bruce 
 should fail this time ! 
 
 She drove slowly down ; there was plenty of time. As 
 she sat there in the phaeton she wondered if she had bet- 
 ter get out on the platform. If he was watching he could 
 surely see her. 
 
 The train came whistling and crunching on the rails, 
 and all the air was hazy for a moment. Then a confusion 
 of forms and faces, and yes, a wave of the hand that 
 brought the bright color to her cheek. 
 
 " Kathie ! " 
 
 " Bruce ! " 
 
 It was all they said for the first instant. Then Kathie's 
 expectant, uplifted eyes wavered, trembled. She made a 
 pretence of turning aside the robe and giving him the 
 seat. There was a curious rushing consciousness, a sur- 
 ging of blood at her heart, a sort of deep sea ringing in 
 her ears, and her hand trembled. 
 
 He took it in his so fond and warm. He almost knew. 
 Her fingers had never throbbed under his pressure before, 
 and her breath came in a great gasp. 
 
 " How awkward ! " she said. " You are in the driver's 
 seat and must do duty. Every rank in life has its corre- 
 sponding penalties." 
 
 u These are not very severe." He straightened himself 
 up. How brown and well he looked, and how softly 
 bright his eyes were, as if some fire was veiled in their 
 depths. 
 
 " We were all so surprised," she said at length. " You 
 did not go to Egypt." 
 
 " No, my next tour will be straight around the world, I 
 think," laughingly. " But I should like to stay at home 
 five years, at least." 
 22
 
 338 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 Five years. Why should it seem so brief to her? And 
 then 
 
 " Which way? You see I am a stranger." 
 
 " Hero would know, anyhow," with a bright smile. 
 " But it has changed wonderfully since you were here." 
 
 u That was so long ago. What a lovely avenue ! And 
 there is the lake. And Cedarwood ! Why, it is like some 
 beautiful dream." 
 
 "I have brought your son home to }'ou," Kathie ex- 
 claimed as she sprang out of the phaeton beside General 
 Mackenzie. 
 
 He bent and kissed her tenderly. Once he had said 
 almost the same words to her mother. 
 
 " Then Robert went on to Chicago?" Mrs. Alston asked, 
 as she shook hands with the distinguished-looking young 
 man. 
 
 Kathie blushed vividly. How could she have forgotten 
 everything ? 
 
 " Yes," Bruce made answer. " Mr. Conover thought it 
 better, I believe." 
 
 They all walked in together. Kathie ran to her room 
 and tried to bathe some of the troublesome color out of 
 her face. What had happened to her? Surely she was 
 not used to this much excitement over so simple a thing as 
 the coming of a visitor. 
 
 They had a strangely quiet evening. A sense of satis- 
 faction pervaded them all, and, after the first few inquiries 
 about absent friends, Kathie went to the piano and played 
 some of the old things that had been such a rare pleasure to 
 Bruce that remembered winter. Ah, why should she think 
 of them now ? Was it comfort again ? He sat and listened 
 as if in a trance. There was only the light in the hall and 
 the moon flooding the room through the open windows. 
 All was so mysteriously sacred, as if he had gone into some 
 dream country and was listening to the flow of soft, wind- 
 ing streams, of silver bells blown about by the wind.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 339 
 
 She was there. She was free for him. Honor had held 
 her so securely before, that there had been no temptation. 
 And the grand, generous heart that had given her up, 
 the dear friend of her childhood and } T outh ? For an instant 
 it seemed to Bruce as if he ought not to accept the sac- 
 rifice. 
 
 The soft flow of music ceased. She came over to the 
 sofa with a curious, half-unconscious nearness. 
 
 "Havel played you asleep? I used to do that, you 
 know?" 
 
 He took both hands in his and drew her nearer. His 
 love was such an old familiar thing to him, but quite new 
 and strange to her, he could see that. Yet was it awak- 
 ening ? 
 
 " You were so good to me through those days of pain." 
 The voice was tenderly suggestive. She drew her hands 
 softly away again. What was this coming upon her? 
 
 " Let us go out and walk," he said. " The night is so 
 lovely." 
 
 It was stifling here, she thought. The others sat at the 
 lower end of the room, talking in a low tone. They passed 
 them and went out on the porch, down the steps. The 
 wide, warm night lay all about them, the stars glowed softly 
 overhead, and the very grass at their feet quivered as the 
 tender wind swept over it. It was so new to her, though 
 she had seen it hundreds of times before. An enchantment 
 transfixed her. 
 
 " Kathie," he cried suddenly, and his tone seemed to 
 penetrate every pulse with its sweetness, "Kathie, do 
 you know, can you think, why I have come back? I can- 
 not wait for the tardy hours to whisper my secret. I love 
 you ! I have loved you always, it seems to me, and now 
 that you are free I have come to win, if possible, the great 
 joy of my life ! " 
 
 " Oh ! " She uttered a sharp, pathetic cry. " I wonder if 
 I would have the right to take the joy at so high a price ?
 
 340 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 For I have wounded the noblest heart, and it seems as if 
 my life could be none too long a penance " 
 
 " He gave you to me, my darling. His great love was 
 not content with merely setting 3-011 free, he wrote. I 
 can almost guess how he learned my secret, and bade me 
 come back and try. For I should not have come other- 
 wise for years, unless you had been his wife. I did not 
 mean to be tempted with the portion put aside for an- 
 other. I waited at first because my father thought it best, 
 and all that long winter I wonder if I sometimes ap- 
 peared unthankful to you ; but God was keeping me away 
 from the temptation I could so illy bear, on the safe, sweet 
 side. I am so glad I never wronged Charlie in word or 
 deed. But now, now, Kathie? " 
 
 What was this sudden thrill of desire, this great wave of 
 intense satisfaction that flooded her heart like a high tide 
 and floated her toward him with no doubt or question ? 
 She could not ask if it were love, she was simply and 
 supremely content. 
 
 He drew her toward him and kissed the dewy, throb- 
 bing lips. She remembered then so many little events, 
 flashes, something shown and withheld at the same 
 moment. Why could she not have seen ? And if she had 
 seen, would she not have believed it her duty to uproot 
 every fibre of an unlawful longing? Yes, her right to take 
 this love now, lay in the fact of truth, perfect and entire ; 
 she had never made any kind of barter with her own soul. 
 
 " Kathie ! " The tone was so soft, so entreating, so 
 lover-like, impatient. 
 
 She put her hands in his, for she could not speak just 
 then. It was so new, so delicious, so overwhelming. 
 Ah, she knew now. 
 
 The}- walked up and down the path in happy silence. 
 The fragrant wind, the rhythmic stars, the satisfaction of 
 the whole world, told their story for them. Was it 
 moments or a lifetime ?
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 341 
 
 " "We must go in," she said in timid entreaty. The 
 girl's delicate sense was returning. There was a nutter in 
 her face, in every pulse. 
 
 He turned and led her back, up the steps, her hand in 
 his, her face shyly averted with the strange, new knowl- 
 edge, the girlish abashment. 
 
 " Truants ! " her mother exclaimed. 
 
 Kathie was thankful for the shaded lights, the fragrant 
 dusk, the carelessly unconscious tone. 
 
 " Yes, it is getting late," she said in a rich, tremulous 
 voice that missed her mother, but caught Aunt Ruth's 
 longing ear. 
 
 She rose hastily. " I suppose it is time we broke up 
 our conclave," with a little smile. " Kathie, my darling, 
 good night," with a tender kiss. 
 
 She went to her mother, and then held out her hand to 
 the General, but she had no courage to raise her eyes 
 to Bruce. They all went up-stairs together, and said 
 another good-night. 
 
 Kathie hurried to her room. She made quick work with 
 her toilet, for she wanted to be in the dark and the 
 silence to think. She buried her face in the pillow as if 
 to stifle its heat and blushes. Was this great happiness 
 for her? Could she, dared she, feel at home and rejoice 
 in it? 
 
 She lingered the next morning until she heard them all 
 go down. If Uncle Robert were here. 
 
 Bruce was waiting for her in the hall, his eyes luminous 
 with happiness, his face full of grand content. 
 
 "They all know," he whispered ; and then she seemed in 
 the midst of them, receiving approval in their tender 
 kisses. But she could not talk about it. Aunt Ruth saw 
 that and came to her rescue, shielding her from obtrusive 
 demonstrations. 
 
 " I hope you have made no mistake this time, Kathie," 
 her mother said afterward, gently, yet as if she could not 
 quite forget.
 
 342 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " O mamma, I wonder if I have a right to take so 
 exquisite a happiness ! " 
 
 "Yes, you foolish little child." And with the kiss she 
 gave, vanished the last remnant of bitterness. 
 
 " But I do not want to make any real promise until 
 Uncle Robert comes. And oh, if " 
 
 " It will be well with them," Mrs. Alston rejoined hur- 
 riedly. " That must not mar your delight." 
 
 " And so I shall have my little girl," the General said 
 with deep emotion. " Kathie, the first time I saw you, 
 a strange little girl in a box at the opera, you went straight 
 to my heart. I wanted you then, and if you had not been 
 so well loved and sheltered I should have begged to adopt 
 you. But how do } f ou suppose Uncle Robert and I will 
 ever get it settled ? " 
 
 Uncle Robert telegraphed when he reached Chicago. 
 The poor invalid was living. More than that he would 
 not say, for he had a faint presentiment there might be a 
 sacred joy at Cedarwood that he would not disturb. 
 
 But they had found Robert's wife unconscious, slowly 
 breathing her last. There had been two strokes of paral- 
 ysis in rapid succession. Up to the time of the first seiz- 
 ure they had considered her improving, and began to hope 
 for partial restoration. 
 
 One side of her face had been a little drawn, but she 
 lay calm and still beautiful. There was no change through 
 the hours, and death came so silently at last that the trained 
 eye of the nurse hardly told when the little nicker of life 
 went out. 
 
 " It seems very sad," Robert Alston said, when they re- 
 turned to the hotel. " I cannot pretend to any deep grief, 
 for her utter indifference destroyed what might have been 
 affection on my part, and yet to-day I give thanks that 
 God kept me from any wild, desperate act. I might have 
 made myself, in my madness, the very thing I so hated and 
 despised in her. O Uncle Robert, I believe I did learn
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 343 
 
 at last to be patient in God's time, to do the work ap- 
 pointed for my transgression, and until 3-011 came, a few 
 days ago, I had no thought of her dying, of my freedom. 
 I had so resolved to live that I should not be ashamed or 
 confused at the last, to ask for nothing." 
 
 He bowed his head and wept silently. Uncle Robert 
 laid his hand affectionately on the shoulder. 
 
 " It has been a hard fight, my dear boy, but you have 
 come off conqueror." 
 
 " ' Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory.' " He 
 rose as he reverently uttered this. " And, Uncle Robert, 
 I think no boy, no young man, ever had a truer, stronger 
 friend than you have been to me. All that is fine and 
 noble in me I shall owe to you and Charlie Darrell." 
 
 " There was some good soil, Rob." And the elder smiled 
 in his old, meaning way. " It was a rich soil, and the great 
 struggle was which should grow the fastest, the wheat or 
 the tares." 
 
 ' ' And you have been a faithful gardener. My whole 
 life from this time must be an endeavor to repay you. For 
 you took all the burden, all the trouble. What if I 
 had been left alone?" And he shuddered, remembering 
 many bitter hours. 
 
 " God never leaves us quite alone unless we place our- 
 selves outside of help, and reject it because it is not what 
 we want, paying no regard to ou^real needs. But I had 
 my reward the night Charlie Darrell helped you to decide." 
 
 Robert Alston's wife was buried in a quiet corner of the 
 cemetery. The one name on her headstone, "Addie," would 
 tell no story to the passer-by. Her mother had been once 
 to the asylum, but had left no address, and with the notice 
 in the paper Mr. Conover considered their duty ended. 
 
 He had written to Mrs. Alston, but he knew he would 
 reach home almost as soon as the letter. He came by 
 himself and walked up from the station, finding Mrs. Als- 
 ton quite alone, to his great satisfaction.
 
 344 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 " Robert wants you very much," he said after the first 
 news was told. " The boys are all at the Merediths, with 
 the housekeeper, and it would be more agreeable to Rob to 
 have you to himself awhile, if you would not mind going." 
 
 " I think I can be spared, and I must see my boy," she 
 answered with deep feeling. 
 
 It was arranged that she should start the next morning. 
 The others came back from their drive, and the evening 
 was spent discussing graver subjects than those of love ; 
 but Uncle Robert was quite satisfied. His questions were 
 answered by the deep^oy in Kathie's eyes, and the color 
 that mantled her cheek at a thought, the quick flutter in 
 her voice, and the many little signs that told how deeply 
 her heart had been touched. 
 
 " Conover," the General said, as he was pacing the long 
 drawing-room that evening, " you and I of all other men 
 must give thanks for the blessing vouchsafed to us in our 
 boys. I think you can hardly have a doubt about the 
 future. And it is the young men of the present who are to 
 be the statesmen, rulers, and fathers of the next genera- 
 tion Can we, dare we turn them adrift with no firm prin- 
 ciples and ill-regulated wills, no strict sense of honor, 
 integrity, and manliness, no definite purpose of fighting 
 and conquering the temptations on every side ? If we fail 
 in our duty, and what is more, our example, what shall 
 they believe ? And ouif country's future welfare depends 
 upon them. It has a wider significance than our own 
 small lives."
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 KATHIE ALSTON'S marriage was set down for Christmas. 
 She chose the day, because there were so many sweet and 
 sacred memories connected with it. 
 
 " And you know, mamma," she said, " I was reading 
 my Christmas fair}* book the day that I first began to think 
 what I ought really to do, that I wanted to be a fairy for 
 your sake, when we were so poor and Aunt Ruth was ill." 
 
 Mrs. Alston smiled. She was enjoying her daughter's 
 happiness without stint, and surely the fine-looking Lieu- 
 tenant Mackenzie was enough to gratify any mother's 
 pride. 
 
 But Kathie did not lose interest in her old friends amid 
 the new anticipations. She was glad to welcome back the 
 summer sti^s, and find Mrs. Huusdon quite restored to 
 health and Fa}' sisterly sweet. Then, too, Sarah's affairs 
 called for some attention. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Truesdell came down for a day. Mr. 
 Truesdell wished to consult Mr. Conover, for he relied 
 greatly on his judgment. 
 
 " My people are all very united now, and I think would 
 be truly sorry to have me go," he said, " but the social 
 life is narrow, and there can be no great gathering in. 
 Some young man or some elderly shepherd could fill my 
 place, while it seems to me I am fitted for the heat and the 
 burden of the day. I want to do a wider work. And 
 Mrs. Truesdell would be of so much service in the great 
 world. It seems like wasting time and energy, although 
 nothing, I suppose, is really wasted. But I do not want to 
 feel that the larger salary draws me. Although we could
 
 346 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 have as many comforts at Middleville on the smaller sum, 
 I dare say, Westport is wider. There is a class of young 
 people, mill hands and in shops, that ought to be reached 
 find interested. They are too often left out between the 
 wealth}' and the class on which we expend sympathy and 
 charity, and they go to ruin by scores. Mrs. Truesdell 
 could be of great service in such a work." 
 
 " I think there is no question," Mr. Conover returned. 
 " The world needs constant, steady workers, and every 
 man ought to deal his best blows where they will tell. 
 There is too much waste of positive material in your spend- 
 ing both your lives in a little place like Middleville." 
 
 Sarah and Kathie discussed it as well, with the fine, 
 strong conscientiousness of the former. And yet Sarah 
 was deeply interested in Kathie's prospects, a little disap- 
 j>ointed that it had not all come to pass as first planned. 
 
 " You would have been drawn so closely into my life," 
 she said. " I used to think how we would compare, and 
 plan, and strive to the utmost. And yet my first fancy 
 was that you would marry Bruce Mackenzie." 
 
 Kathie blushed brightl}'. 
 
 Fay had said the same thing. The first time she had 
 heard of Bruce she had set the unknown hero beside Kathie. 
 
 They were all well satisfied when they heard, a week 
 later, that Mr. Truesdell had accepted, and would remove 
 as soon as possible, wames Strong had married a nice, 
 tidy, sensible girl, one of his sister's pupils, and his 
 parents were much pleased. 
 
 There was a great deal of planning and going to and fro. 
 After the wedding the Mackenzie family would settle 
 themselves in New York, but in the spring they would 
 return to Brookside permanantly and set up a household 
 of their own. Rob was delighted. No brothers of blood 
 could be nearer or tenderer. His regard for Charlie Dar- 
 rell was something sacred and reverential, and, indeed, on 
 this ground Bruce's warmest sympathies met and blended
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 3*7 
 
 with his. The deeper side of both natures had been stirred 
 by this gentler spirit which had taken fast hold intellects 
 ally and spiritually upon the deeper things of God. 
 
 Robert Alston was a little more grave, perhaps, yet when 
 the first shock was over, of the event he had never allowed 
 himself to imagine since that fearful night, could be. and 
 he was somewhat accustomed to a sense of freedom, he 
 settled readily into the new sphere. He was the elder 
 brother, the stay and comfort of his mother. Out of all 
 the wild waves beating upon the shore this gem had been 
 rescued. He would always have a broad, genial nature, a 
 quick eye, and a keen sense of fun, he would be strong of 
 will and desire, just as he was strong of brain and limb, 
 the sort of man who at middle life leaves an impress on 
 everything he touches, and is always fascinating to the 
 3~oung out of the abundant vitality and sympathy of their 
 natures. 
 
 He had consented that Uncle Robert should legally 
 adopt Bertha. 
 
 " It will be much better," the uncle had said to Mrs. 
 Alston. " Robert may marry ; it is right that he should, 
 for a nature like his needs the tie and interest of a family, 
 the warmth of feeling, and incentive to the highest of all 
 motives, love for others. Bertha would never seem a real 
 child to him, and might suffer a little from being uninten- 
 tionally put aside. I shall like her for an interest in my 
 own life after Kathie has gone." 
 
 "O Uncle Robert!" the young girl cried with deep 
 emotion. " Why did 3'Ou not marry and have a house full 
 of girls? You make such a lovely father that daughters 
 ought to rise up and call you blessed." 
 
 A luminous tenderness filled his eyes. 
 
 " I shall have two daughters," he said softly. 
 
 They approached the marriage gradually. There was 
 a sacred myster}' about it to both Bruce and Kathie that 
 could not be dragged about and inspected, or robed in the
 
 348 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 gear of common talk. It seized and held them with a 
 touch of deep and vital joy, a blessedness that was to set 
 them a little apart from the old life and old friends, to 
 give them an insight into that greater mystery, that living 
 completeness. They were happy with all the joy and 
 sweetness of youth and undisturbed love. 
 
 Cedarwood was made beautiful again. All without was 
 covered with white, new-fallen snow. There was a sacred 
 hush in the very air, and when the sun came out, with its 
 warmth and glitter, the whole earth seemed attired as a 
 bride. 
 
 The bells were ringing Christmas peals as she came 
 down-stairs in her white array, her soft veil falling to her 
 feet, enshrining her in a still, mysterious temple of girl- 
 hood ; her fair hair twined about with lilies of the valley ; 
 and her sweet face a little startled perhaps, but reverent 
 in the unseen sacredness of the blessing to be given and 
 received with a pure, untroubled heart. 
 
 Bruce Mackenzie took her from her uncle's hand. They 
 bowed their heads, the solemn questions were asked, the 
 irrevocable answers given, the blessing pronounced. He 
 put aside the soft enfolding draperies and kissed her, his 
 wife, and she glanced up to the proud, manly figure with a 
 great tremble of awe and content. They were quite still 
 for many seconds, before any one spoke, as if they were 
 silently entering into the profound mystery of the new 
 relation. 
 
 There was much joy and many tender wishes from 
 friends and relatives. Kathie moved around in her wraith- 
 like cloud, her face touched with a luminous radiance. 
 Well that she was not to give up these dear ones forever, 
 that the distance between was only the spiritual sacrament, 
 not any actual separation. 
 
 She kept the feast with them until mid-afternoon, then 
 the two went out to try one small glimpse of the new life 
 with only each other.
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 349 
 
 " It was ,so lovely," Fay Collamore said afterward. 
 " Just that quiet serenity, with no haste or disturbance. 
 Kathie Alston never hurried any sure awaiting, and she 
 has come to the right joy, to the certain peace." 
 
 It was summer agnin at Cedarwood. There was the 
 same wide, hospitable life ; Uncle Robert would not let it 
 flag. Almost before the} 7 knew it Bertie would be grow- 
 ing up to girlhood, laughing, loving, caressing little Bertie, 
 who hud kept them from missing Kathie too sorely. The 
 Mackenzie home was not far distant, and the General was 
 slipping into a delightful, restful evening of life, taking 
 pride in his son's new venture, and ending the praise the 
 world accorded him, and loving Kathie with all. the fervor 
 of a father. 
 
 They had a bright, genial, neighborhood life. There 
 were pursuits and children, joys and anticipations. Mr. 
 Meredith was growing stout, but kept his olden laughing 
 vivacity. There were three babies now, and Jessie was 
 charming in her matronly ways. Emma Langdon had 
 added a lovely little girl to the group, and still found time 
 for her art, as Louise did for her needle-work. Fred had 
 come home a newly fledged physician, but Rob adhered to 
 his old plan of making a fortune before he devoted him- 
 self to science, though he and Fred had many a good 
 stud}' between them. 
 
 But it was not the fortune he was thinking of now. He 
 had been walking along the edge of the small lake that had 
 been such a pleasure and comfort to him in boyhood, and 
 now he had the arm of the 'tall, fair girl beside him linked 
 in his, and was holding her hand in a fond clasp when it 
 was not pressed to his lips. For he had asked and she 
 had answered the great question of his life, of both lives. 
 
 " No, Fay," he was saying, " don't make a hero of me, 
 I do not deserve it." And for a moment his voice was 
 husky with emotion. "It is an easy thing to be brave,
 
 350 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 
 
 and happy, and high-hearted when everything goes well, 
 and there are friends to hold you up, that you dash not 
 your foot against a stone. And I think yon ought to 
 know you have- so much of my life in } r our keeping 
 that there was once when I had no right to think of you, 
 that I went mad with passion, that I could have taken any 
 step for freedom ! It was when Mr. Gartney was coming. 
 I was afraid to lose you." And his clasp tightened. " I 
 did not ask what right I could have in you, whether you 
 would be likely to accept a love flawed and stained with a 
 wrong. It was like fighting wild beasts. We never know 
 the utter barbarism of our natures until in times like 
 these. Uncle Robert put up the first bar, and between 
 him and Charlie Darrell I was saved, after I had been 
 let to see the thing I might become. And then, my dar- 
 ling, I placed you resolutely out of my soul. I would not 
 covet or desire. If God meant that all the rest of my life 
 should be spent in atoning for the other mad moment, thai 
 I might have helped with just one thought of my mother, 
 or Uncle Robert, or my duty, I would accept it. And I 
 did truly. I thank God, who gave the victory," bowing 
 his head reverently. " I did not see you again until I 
 had conquered. I said to myself, ' God bless her with 
 that other, wherever she may go.' Fay," suddenly, 
 " what happened? Why did you not " And she knew 
 by the tremor that shook him how hard it was to put the 
 rest into the sentence. 
 
 " O Robert ! " she cried remorsefully, " I am afraid I 
 made it harder for you, meaning to be true and upright, 
 but in my carelessness, not thinking how I might hurt aud 
 hinder the best. I was afraid. It was while I was in New 
 York at my cousin's. You were so ready and kind, and 
 many little trifles occurred between us that sometimes filled 
 me with wild apprehension. I could see the wickedness of 
 our growing to love each other. I put Mr. Gartney 
 between. I was. a coward to save myself so, but I did
 
 WHOM KATHIE MARRIED. 351 
 
 try to love him. And after a while I saw the wrong and 
 shame of it, so when Louise was ill I resolved it out by 
 myself. I would not take any love for which I could make 
 no fair return ; and if the opportunity never came I would 
 stay single. It would be a horrible thing to put one's self 
 into bonds that would presently become a wearing, drag- 
 ging chain ! " 
 
 It was a sweet knowledge to know she, too, had realized 
 the danger. 
 
 " You shall not take the blame upon yourself. It was I 
 who had no right so to act. And that is my besetting sin* 
 that awful, obstinate wrong- headedness, that trying for the 
 thing I want, right or wrong. I have gotten the upper 
 hand of my ' familiar' a little, I think, and j-ou must help 
 me, Fay. I want to deal justly and walk humbly, but it 
 seems as if Fred and Kathie took the graces, and I have 
 to make a hard fight for the small, sweet virtues." 
 
 "You will conquer." She uttered it proudly. 
 
 " Let us go up to my mother," he said. " Fay, you 
 must not be jealous, but I have a good many years of 
 mother-love to make up to her. What a cub of a boy I 
 used to be in the old times ! No, dear ; there are heroes in 
 the world, but I shall never be one of them." 
 
 She turned and kissed him through her tears. Was it 
 not ' ' the least among these " who should be greatest ? 
 
 They passed the gentlemen on the porch, deep in old 
 army reminiscences, and saw the gleam of Mrs. Alston's 
 dress in the dining-room. 
 
 "Mother," Rob said, with a proud, uplifted look, ! 
 have brought you my love, the one sweet, true love of my 
 life. Will you take her as a daughter? Shall we three love 
 each other and keep to each other as long as we all do live ? " 
 
 It was the sacred solemnity of a troth plight. She had 
 her son and her daughter. God had given her the oil of 
 joy for mourning. A proud and happy mother, she placed 
 her arms around them both and kissed them ; but there 
 were tears shining in her eyes.
 
 
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