"Um-hum! I have heard of him. But what made you feel so bad at seeing him, honey?"
"Oh! uncle, I used to love him, and expected to marry him; but, alas! that is all over now," sighed the young girl; and there came into her mind some of the words of Laura Jean Libbey's sweet, sad song:
"Lovers once, but strangers now,
Though pledged by many a tender vow;
Still I'd give the world to be
All that I was once to thee."
She leaned her bright head lovingly against the old man's kindly shoulder and sobbed out all the pain in her heart.
"Tell me all about it, dearie," said the old farmer, gently.
But Kathleen's heart was too full. The sight of her handsome, perjured lover, fascinating Ralph Chainey, was too much for her. Her tears flowed unrestrainedly until Mrs. Stone's house was reached.
But here Kathleen's uncle decidedly declined her invitation to enter.
"No, honey; not just now. I'm shabby looking by the side of fine city folks, and I'll go and buy me some better clothes—a new hat and a white shirt—then to-morrow I'll come back here and see your friend and yourself," he replied, and left her at the door.
Kathleen told her friend all about the morning's events, and received her very sincere sympathy.