Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 March 1877 — KATE’S ESCAPADE. [ARTICLE]

KATE’S ESCAPADE.

It was a cool, beautiful September morning, and Kate Howard sang blithely as she flitted through the wide hall which ran the length of the grand old house, which was her home. She was passing the library door, when her father called her to come in. On entering, she found bim with an open letter in his hand. “I hare just received word from my friend Seymour, that he will visit us next week,” said he. ,Kate shrugged her shoulders; “papa’s friends” arc not generally very entertaining to young people. “He will be accompanied by his nephew, for.whom he has been guardian, who h&q just returned from an extended foreign tour. He is a young man of excellent family, and heir to an immense fortune. It has long been Seymour’s wish—as, also, mine—that you and his nephew should marry when you had reached suitable ages. You are now twenty, and that is quite old enough. They will be here on Tuesday, and I desire that you look your best, and be as agreeable?**He was interrupted by Kate, who, being possessed of considerable spirit, did not relish being thus summarily disposed of. “Do you think lam going to marry a man I don’t know, and never saw?”she ‘ asked, indignantly, “Do you wish to sell me, as if I were a share in railroad stock, or had no more heart or soul than a lump of coal ?" “Kate,” said her father, sternly, “to whom are you speaking?” “1 don’t care!” she cried, “ I hate Seymour and all his relations; 5 and, if his nephew were rich as Croesus, I wouldn’t marry him! There!” It had been a favorite project of her father’s, and Kate had heard it hinted at ever since she had been out of school. She had only laughed. The idea of things assuming such a tangible shape had not occurred to her. *!* In vain her father coaxed, scolded, threatened. Kate was obstinate and de dared shß’d “ never even speak ” to the obnoxious suitor. Thus the tempestuous interview ended, and Kate wept to her room in a high state of indignation. Throwing herself on a low conch, she gave vent dp her feelings in a flood of angry tears. "She soon dried her eyes, however, and began to think about the means by which she could vanquish the enemy. One thing was certain. She wasn’t going to ptay home to be bored by a conceited swell who parted his hair in the middle, and drawled his words—possibly lisped. . ’No; anything w&s better than that. Why nest go to Grandfather Howard's? They were always wanting her to ' Visit them. ' Why not go now? So she immediately wrote tOmem, saying she was coming, and telling when to be at Stanley (the nearest station) to meet her. Grandfather Howard lived In the country, about one hundred miles from the city. He was a warm-hearted, pleasant old gentlemen, and he, and his wife lived alone in a great stone farm-house. The peaceful quiet of their lives was occasionally enlivened by a visit from grandchildren. These, however, wore not frequent, so when Kate’s letter arrived announcing her coming, it was quite an event to tuem. The spare chamber was aired and rearranged, and an endless variety of good thihgs prepared to tempt her appetite “ For,” said Grandma Howard, “ the clear child is fed on confectionery and French cookery, and good wholesome food will do her good." Monday was the day appointed for her arrival, and at five o’clock that afternoon Mr. Howard got out the falling top and drove to the depot at Stanley. Kate was accustomed to doing as she pleased, so Monday morning found her at ■ the depot awaitiqg the arrival of the train. Her brother Charlie was with her, and when the train came in he deposited her safety in the car,,with the brotherly advice “not to * 3tep from the frying-pan Into the ■ fire’ and fall in lovfe while she was gone, ”, gava her a parting kiss, and sh'e was left alone, without a friend in the crowded car. She opened the new book she bad brougbt, but finding it uninteresting, began to look about ber to see who were her fellow-passengers, for nothing so amused her as the study of T Character. The car was crowded. Near the front Was. a nervous old lady who held her ticket tjgHily grasped In one' hand and her portatnonnale m the othel*—all the while looking Tearfully about her. Evidently she was not much used to steam transportation. Near her a Yankee peddler was trying to convince a stout old gentleman at 4u# side that his “ blacking” was “ the -beet that’s made, sir.” Glancing r down the car the usual number of gentte- , Wen engrossed in their newspapers, and of ladies |n novels, met her eye. These, with a few tired,' dirty chfldren r and an invalid, who Upset her camphor bottle, made up the occupants of the car. “ There sawaone,”' thought she, “ who look as if there was a history connected with them.” She was gazing out of the window as they stopped at the first station, and did not notice any one enter, till a voice at her sice murmured: “ Pardon msumadaine, bat this is the only vacant seat” She moved slightly to make room, and a young gentleman sat beside her. Taking out a newspaper, he was soon appar-

i enlly buried In ita content*, and Kate hail an opportunity to study her new compan ion. He was a gentleman, and quite tfijtintnu, the first glance decided, handsome? Tea, undoubtedly handsome, though rather a peculiar style, for hair, and mustache were jetty black, and , the eyes, shaded by heavy brows, were blue as the sky. r “He most be twenty-five,” thought she, unaware how closely she was scrutinizing him, till the blue eyes were sud denlv raised from die paper and met hers with a trank and rather curious look. Blushing deeply at being caught in such a rune act, Kate drew down her vail and gazed studiously on the passing land, scape. Station after station was passed. Half an hour more and she woujd be in Stanley, free from Seymour and his nephew. The very thought was refreshing. She almost laughed as she thought of the discomfiture her departure would cause both the “contracting parties,” as brother Charlie called her rather and Mr. Seymour. Her reverie was broker? by the stranger, who courteously offered her a book he had just taken from his sachel. Kate accepted his proffered kindness, and, more for politeness’ sake than any other rea son, began to read. A qu.ck jerk, & crash as if the heavens were falling, a sudden stop, and Kate was precipitated into the arms of the gentleman at her side. Everybody was frightened. The ladies shrieked and gentlemen looked anxious. The peddler grasped his sachel containing the “superior blacking,” and the maiden lady still held fast to Her pocket-book as she cried out: “I alius said so! These cars are mighty unsafe!” No one knew exactly how it happened, but the engine had been precipitated down tire steep embankment dragging the bag-gage-car with it. Fortunately no one was injured, though some were considerably shaken. Of course everything was con fusion, thje'gentlemen all"left the cars, and several lpns- inso, Kate knowing the danger, if any, had passed, remained in her seat The stranger, after ascertaining th» extent wf the damage and probable ddfoy, returned. Kate questioned him, eagerly.; “Thereis,” said he, “no danger, the engine has been precipitated down the embankment and it will be several hours before toylirain can move on.” - “ "What it the distance from Stanley ?” “ Only fi mile and a half. As it is my destination, lam going to walk. I shall be glad?’’ )ie added, “ If when I get there I can be of any service to you.” “Thtol£ you,” she replied, “I, too, am only going to Stanley, and as the distance is so short, I will walk, too." He picked up her light hand-bag and his own mfire substantial sacliel, and together they left the car. The ice of conventionality being broken, they conversed pleasahtw on different topics, and 'very entertaining and agreeable Kate found ber strange companion. He, 1 oh reader, is the veritable nephew of Seymour. Having no desire to be married to a simpering boarding-school miss, as he mentally pictured Kate, he had left his fuardlan to proceed alone to the house of is friend, while he went to Stanley to visit qnpld college chum. As he walked and talked with Kate lie thought more thantittteg, if some one as bright and witty as she had been his uncle’s choice, Ins would not have been so terrible sfate aftefi all. / \ The conversation turned on bopks, and they were Ip the midst of an Animated discussion concerning their favorite authors- when tite*-depot at/Stanley was reached, and Kate was wapmly welcomed by her grandfather. Near him stood a young gentleman, to whom he had evidently been talking. This young man seized her companion by the hand, and after a hearty /shake, turned tod introduced him ttr Mr. Howard as Mr. Cecil Ailand. After the usual greetings, Mr. Howard presented his granddaughter to both the young men, and Kate had the opportunity of thanking Mr. Ailand for his kindness to her. She rather wondered at the peculiar smile which pervaded his countenance, ad her grandfather pronounced her name, but it passed away as he acknowledged her thanks, Tiy a graceful bow, and assured her “ ’Twas nothing.” Mr. Howard, after a cordial invitation to Mr. Davids, to bring bis friend to the farfii-house, took Kate' to the carriage, and they rode away. A short drive over a smooth, quiet road, brought them to the farm-house, and Grandma Howard received her guest with open arms. Kate found her visit, as she expected, rather quiet, but the woods were beautiful and she took frequent rambles, bringing as trophies of her search great handfuls of lovely leaves, or a new scene in her sketch-book. Sometimes she would take a book and read an hour in the calm autumnal solitude. Thus the davs fled. True to his promise, Mr. Davids' brought his friend out to call, and after that almost every evening found him at the farm-house, occasionally with his host, but oftenest alone. He knew Kate was the “simpering miss” he had purposely avoided and chance had so opportunely throwh In his way, but she evidently did not identify bim with the one whom he was positive she had left the city to evade. He often laughed in secret over their escapade, and blessed kind fate and the railroad Adcfdent which, contrary to their designs, had thrown them together. Kate had been from home a month, but it did not seem nearly so long. She could not help admitting that looking forward to the evening made the days pass swiftly, for now she" had grown to expect Mr. Ailand with the growing dusk. Her brother had written that “ Seymour had arrived without his nephew,” but she had lingered still. Even after hearing of his departure she was loth to go, but it must be. It was her last evening at the farmhouse. Mr. Ailand came as usual, and Kate told him she wus going homa the 3 ext day. “I have made a tong visit,” le said; “longer than I intended.” Then the recollection of the object of her visit caused her to laugh aloud. Though readily guesting, Mr. Ailand Inquired the reason of her mirth. Kate gave him a graphic description of the stormy interview with her father, and her escapade, adding, “He mast have equally dreaded me, for he didn’t come with his uncle, and! ran away for nothing, after all.” “ For nothing, Kate ?” , A warm hand grasped hers, and a soft voice whispered In her ear the old, old story of love. She must have been a willing listener, for the hoars rolled by unheeded, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard had long been dreaming when he pressed the last good-night kiss on her forehead, and was gone. The next day fonnd them seated In the train Bteaming toward the city. Kate was rather troubled as visions of her father’s indignation fluted through her mind—for he was determined she should marry a wealthy man, and her lover, alasl assured her he was not rich. But as she glanced at his manly form, and thought of the rich graces of his mind, she felt she.

would not give him upfor all the wealth the world contained. • When they reached the city Kate wished him to allow her to ge home alone. i. . . ", I know papa wtR be furious, And he might say something you would not like. Indeed. I’d rather pee him first ahd prepare his mind fur what’s coming, you know,” she said, laughing. But with the same curious smile she had before observed ho Insisted on accompanying her. ‘‘Better have it over with at once,” he [k> it was with secret misgivings she entered her own ‘ drawing-room, and found her father and brother there. The usual home greetings were over, and Kato felt rather than saw her lover draw heir father aside, and in a low tone say somefolngwhich she knew concerned her. Mr. Howard demanded in An icy tone: “Who, and what are you, sir?” To which he answered something that that caused her father to break into a hearty laugh as he seized him by both hahds and led him to where Kate sat. “My dear daughter,”'said he; “here is Cecil Ailand, Mr. Seymour’s nephew. He wishes to marry you, but as you have so emphatically declared you’d never speak to him, I am obliged to tell him his suit is hopeless.’’ iBut Kate was already in her lover's arms. To this day (and they have been married a year) he teases her about her escapade. -—Cincinnati Timet.