Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1886 — MISS KATHARINE LATHAM. [ARTICLE]

MISS KATHARINE LATHAM.

BY ABBY D. BOBBIS.

CHAPTER I. It was just at sunset, s sunset amongst the many one sees through life, that is re■kembered as a peep of glory. Ab they walked together on the beach, each noticed the tropical beauty of the heavens, not with an artist’s eye, btjt as a vivid contrast to the gloom in their hearts. The engagement between them had to be broken. Each knew it, and the silence as they walked along on the golden sands was KcUiug to be felt. She, wontan-like, was hoping he would btenk the spell, and he, ■nan-like, was waiting lor her. At last Kathie Raymond spoke, and he started at the sound of her familiar voice, as one might start when suddenly accosted in a foreign land. “It appears, John, our friendship is to cease. “Don’t say that, Knthie," he replied. “I always want to be numbered amongst ycur friends." Her heart gave a great thump. She had hoped some way, somehow, that it was a mistake, that he did love her; but in that <mc brief, pointed sentence he conveyed all, ■ad she thought he never could have loved her or he would not have spoken in that heartless way. “I don't know as I will need von as a friend, John, but you are kind to offer.” "Was there the slightest tinge of sarcasm in her voice? John wondered, and then thought not. Kathie was not in the habit of using sarcasm. “I am sony. Kathie, your father does not approve of our morn ing.” “Yes,” she replied, calmly, “I small he IftsTeft. and be feels a double claim upon me, and it is his wish that we should part. Hone is the ring yon gave me, John; don't aefaxe to lake it, J cannot keep it. It is getting late; why, see, the sun is out of sight, •nd father will be expecting me.” “Won't you keep thering for the sake of *Anld lang syne?' ” he asked in a low voice. "No; don’t ask me to. Iliad much rather there were no ‘Auld lang syne.’ ” “Don’t talk that way, Kathie. please,” he interrupted, “or I shall blame myself. God knows I do.\ Remember this—it is" your father that' separates us. Were it not for him yon should be mine forever.” 'Yes, 1 will remember,” she said, her voice trembling a little. How fast can a person’s mind travel? Are there not occasional cyclones of the mind, when a dozen thoughts are as one? it seemed to the girl walking on the beach that during the iast five minutes a lifetime full of hid swept through her brain. How she had met him, where she bad met h>m, and the consequences, which could be summed up in the word separation. They had reached the gate of her Jillle home. "I can't ask you in, John, and we had better part here. Me have made a mistake, that is all. You must wed a societybelle instead of bumble Kathie Raymond. I have my father's declining years to brighten, and in our own separate ways we shall both be happy.” It seemed to Kathie that she could not say another word, and yet she dreaded a •ilence. If it came she felt as if she must throw herself at his feetmnd beg for a word of love. But he, too, dreaded another pause, and to ward against it hastened lytr leave-taking. ■' / * “I don’t want you to feel badly over this, Kathie; leave that for me. I will do it for us both. It seems fate or your father is against us. Forget me if you can; it would be best thus'and if another one day wins your heart 1 only' hope he will be to you one-half as much as I thought I should be, and you will be happy.” He reached over ihe gate, and pressing a light kiss on her forehead, turned hastily without another word and left her standing there, “with pleading face turned upward, wild with a great alarm”—and ere daylight had wiped •way night’s dewy tears, John Hasbrouck was in his city home.

CHAPTER 11. ‘Have you met the new heiress. Miss Latham,* Jonathan? She is actually enchanting. lam head over ears in love with her; but don’t suppose she would have a poor dog on a salary when she can probably get you or any other millionaire’s son she happens to smile on.” “Hold. Stanley,” interrupted John Hasbrouck, “don’t be so rapid in your. conversation. The question is. who is Miss La'.ham? I have not heard of her, and probably shall not marry her.” - . d.. : *Th is is what you miss by being out of town a couple of years,” replied Stanley Van Cott, who had to earn Lis good times, and enjoyed them with a wholesale vigor, “fihe is Judge Bandon's niece, is an orphan, *nd has a pile. You will probably meet her if you attend Mrs. Worthington’s‘reception’ this evening. I have already told Hiss Latham of you and she seemed to evince quite a languid interest in your affairs, even went so far as to ask if you were not married yet, so she heard of you in vour infancy when life Was but a dream, etc." “I did not intend going this evening.” «ajd Mr. John Hasbrouck, helping himself to his friend’s mantel-shelf for his feet: “it is getting to be a horrid bore, but if there is to be seen somebody new and actually worth seeing, I will get Patrick to brash the dust off my dress coat and appear OUt,” . - - - - r --.

Mrs. Worthington’s mansion shone brilliautly. and for a block beyond the electric light at the carriage-steps threw a daylight brightness. Friends and acquaintances who were so fortunate as to have had an invitation availed themselves of the opportunity to enjoy Mrs. Worthington’s elegaut hospitality, and get a peep at the new Why is there such a peculiar charm about looking upon one reported marvelously wealthy? If one did not know they would very much resemble Other "people, but cne •most always does know, their moneyed fame is very apt to precede their arrival. Miss Latham not having chosen to be fashionably Ute, was there early. Why it should be considered the thing

to arrive an hopr w two after the time set 1 cannot conceive, unless it be that eocieiy people generally are satiated with gailiea,. and ton I v appear at all out of deference to society’s mandate. “My dear Mias Latham,” Mrs. Worthington spoke affectionately, one is very apt to to an heiress, “I want to introduce you to the son of one of our oldeat and most aristocratic families: his father is a millionaire, anji he is considered the great catch. All the debutants for the past five years have smiled on> him, but be is apparently proof against beauty -and money, but yon, my deaf, have such a large share of both; surely-I may introduce you?" Mias Latham smiled as she answered-, “Yon overestimate my charms. Mrs. Worthington. However, I shall be pleased to meet your friend," That was all Mrs. Worthington wanted at present—her consent to meet Mr. Hasbrouck. It would be so good feeling to have the match made nt her house, and if there was one thing Mi-s. Worthington liked better than another it was to make a match. So moving majestically across the room to where the young man spoken of was standing, she was again quite affectionate in manner. “My dear Mr. Hasbrouck, how very kind you are to favor me with your society this evening. You go out so seldom nowadays, I quite appreciate it I assure you, and as a rewatd I want to introduce you to a most charming young lady, Judge Barston’s niece. She is the one in wine velvet on the other side of the room. Will you come?” “Certainly, Mrs. Worthington, with pleasure,” he replied, bowing low, then glancing across the room where Mrs. Worthington had designated, saw what even to his eyes was a strikingly lovely girl, the old gold satin draperies behind her were n perfect back-ground for the richness of her costume and her almost oriental beauty. His heart stood still a moment as they approacned her. Surely lie had seen that face before, yet he would certainly have rememb?red meeting such a distinguished beauty and heiress. “Miss Latbnm, let me make you acquainted with Mr. Hasbrouck, and pray excused me, I see some new arrivals. They both bowed and Mrs. Worthington left them.

Miss Latham thought she noticed a puzzled expression on Mr. Hasbrouck’s face as she spoke to him. “You have been abroad I hear, Mr. Hasbrouck. Did you enjoy your trip sufficiently to recommend another to take it?” Her voice sounded strangely familiar, but he could not place it. “I scarcely tbiuk it would do for me to say anything contrary to yes,”*Jie replied, but the coming home was the nest part of it. Shall we promenade?” It seemed to John Hasbrouck that he could not remain still until he had fathomed where he had met or seen this beautiful girl. They reached the conservatory almost in silence, and the cool splashing of the fountain seemed a happy change from the “bang bang” of the musicians they had just left. “This is a charming spot, the favorite in The house To me,” "Mr. Hasbrouck remarked as they seated themselves on a little rustic tete-teto by the fountain. “I don’t want to appear rude, Miss Latham, but your face is very familiar to me; one minute it seems as if I had met you before, and yet I certainly have not. I must have seen you somewhere. You see what it is to have a face that leaves an impression.”

She smiled as she answered: “I hope the impression is a good one; it would be so unfortunate to leave any other. Probably in your travels you have seen innumerable young Indies with brown eyes and black hair that have blended mto a commonplace face like mine.” “Alas, no!” he replied; “perhaps it would have been better for me if I had.” He was silept a moment and then asked abruptly: “Would you mind hearing a little of the life of a society young man, Miss Latham? I feel as if somehow yon were not an rrtter stranger to me, as if somehow, somewhere, I had known you before. Am I too presuming to think my past life would be of interest to you?” “A real true story would interest me verymuch,” she replied. “Shall ( promise to ‘cross my heart and never tell,’ as the children say?” “That will hnrdly be necessary,” he said, smiling; "but. Miss Latham, there must be something in human electricity that causes me to want to speak to you of myself. Perhaps I think you could give me some good advice, and perhaps you will when you hear my story; but am I not keeping you from dancing?” “I never dance,” she replied, “and it is quite fortunate that I find some one good enough to amuse me and prevent such a catastrophe as another wall-flower added to the list.”

“You quite encourage me, I assure you. A little over two years ago I spent a few weeks at L. Beach, and I suppose one of the consequences that I might have expected I fell in love; not with a society belle, but with a pretty, dark-eyed girl who lived quietly with her father, m a little vine-covered cottage. She returned my love and we" were happy, and silly, I suppose, for a couple of weeks, when one Saturday a friend came down from the city to spend Sunday with me. I had been so wrapped up in this girl that 1 had scarcely made an acquaintance in the hotel. My friend and I were walking on the beach just at dusk, when he asked me if there were any pretty girls there. I replied: ‘None worth knowing.’ I heard a grunt, and turning, saw my sweetheart’s father walking off. He had heard what I had said, and although I had intended no insult to his daughter, he would look at it in no other light. I told him afterward I was afraid my friend would cut me out and did not want him to see Kathie, for that was her name; but he never forgave me, and told me I 'had no business anyway making love to his daughter when my parents would expect me to look higher.’ I was so annoyed at the time to think he would misunderstand me that I replied: ‘Very likely they would.’ I did not feel hard toward Kathie, but somehow I was less infatuated and thought r her father was too particular for a man in his circumstances. Weil, Kathie and I parted, it did not seem so hard at the time; but she has been in my mind ever since. Six months afterward I went back to tell her I still loved her and wanted to marry her. I found her father had died and she had left with relatives, no one knew where. I went abroad and tried to forget her; but I can’t, and this is the first time I have ever told my story.”

Miss Latham had fainted. He tried to call some one but the musicians were makingdoud as well as merry music? and his voice was not heard. Beaching down he filled one of the shells that surrounded the basin of the fountain with water and dashed* few drops on her pale face. As he supported her slight form it again seemed she was not unknown to him. Could it be Kathie? No, and yet, his heart almost ceased to beat at the thought. Upon opening her eyes the first thing Miss Latham said was “where am I, John?" Then he knew it was Kathie Raymond. The lost color came back in great, waves as she realized what she had said. He , would not have minded prolonging the time that his strong arm was her support; but in a moment she was herself. “I see, John, you have discovered who I am, and I suppose wonder how I bear the name of Latham. A wealthy and eccentric

{ uncle of that name died and left me his property on condition I should take diis name. How could I refaee when my poor father scarcely left enough to keep me ! above want? I deliberated bnt a short time and for the past year I have been the wealthy Miss Latham. Finding I was rich another nncle adopted me and this is my ; story since we parted; but, John, you almost broke my heart when you bode iho i good-bye at the gate, but hearts are sometimes mended.” ~■> ; I “Oh, Kathie, forgive and-.teust me now. I tbiuk you jban “1 will,” she repjied, with downcast face. A* 3he dancers had begun to miss the heirdlss, find soon discovered her tetc-tete with John Hasbrouck, and smiled amongst themselves. Surely John Hasbrouck was not in love at last? Miss Latham >oon pleaded fatigue and her hostess, was most affectionate as che bade her good evening, and followed her to the door, loath to see her depart, forgetting to ask her bow she liked the great catch. What was the astonishment of all the society people the next week when they save printed in the social columns of the Chicago tribune the announcement. “The engagement of Miss Katharine Latham, neice of Judge Bars ton, with Mr. John Hasbrouck, well known in the social circles of this city, is announced.