Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-08-12
From the Lady's World Of Fashion.
KATE BENT LEY.
BY ELLEN ASHTON.

By ELLEN ASHTON.
"Why do You firt with Alfred :" said
Emma Glendroy to her beautiful friend as they
sat one afternoon a, the house Of the former.
"What question ~ replied her companion,
"and how en- earth could it have come into
your head! Here we have sat for half an
hour, without a word being spoken, and just
when though, you were lost in abstraction,
you look up and ask me why f1irt with Al
fred" And Kate Bentley laughed mcrriy.
''But that is not answering my question:
Why do you fiirt with Mr.. Townsend -
ooh! since you. will have an answer, III be-
cause like TO test the dear man. What's the
use Of being young and called pretty without
one can worry The beaux :"
"But surely, Kate, you would not thus
treat the man you intended to marry?"
"And who, my dear little preacher. said
was going to marry Mr.. Townsend Surely
| never said So"
mo, Kate, l admit that; but thea you knoar
you think more Of him than any one else-for
that you can't conceal from one who knows you
as intimately as do.'
"Pshaw! But suppose do, what then =
Can't one torment a man before marriage 3
We all have TO be teased enough after II. Lake
my revenge beforehand, aud even if love MIR.
lOWuSeUu, SnOuiu PidSoO mn "o'"''J w
| fore consented 10 have him. But what have
YOU seen in nv conduct towards the gentleman
that induces YOU to say Airt with him"
"Lsten to me, Kate" said her companion.
"Every body knows that Alfred loves you
his attentions are so marked that they cannot
be mistaken-and your friends give you the
credit to believe that you feel his WORTH
here Kate looked langhingly at her compan'
ion, who paused and added" at least do not
despise him. You certainly, at times, give
him encouragement such as no lady ought &c
bestow on a gentleman she would not be will
| ling to marry. But, at other times, you are as
cold as an icicle. Again you smile on him
and then you fiirt with others. Now, as you
know that Mr.. Townsend is serious, YOU
ought, if you intend to marry him, at once
cease tor,uring him; but if you cannot love him
then it becomes your duty 10 show him, witt
all maidenly reserve, but still in decides
; manner, that his suit is hopeless. Condemn
him, dear Kate. at once to despair, or els'
scorn further ,rihing with the man you love-
But TO smile on him to-day only to frown OF
him tomorrow, is-disguise 1t as you will
! the part Of heartess firt.
Rates color had come and gone more thar
once during this plain address, and her com
panion had trembed at every word lest she
should give offence by what she felt bound te
utter. But when Miss Glendroy had finish
ed, Kate remained moment silent, and then
rising up, she said with merry laugh.
"Well, however, you deserve medal
Really you preach better than nine-ten'hs OIL
the modest young men one hears in pulpit
Surely aunt Mary must be right in saying thai
you lost your heart 10 the handsomest young
minister at the Springs last year-and sup
pose you are practising on your friends in the
way Of exhortation in order to be an fat at the
business when you become the Rev. Mrs
Newell. and have to hold forth monthly1o The
Sunday School, Isn't it SO my pretty preach
er - and Kate put both her hands on Emma
brow, and locked into her eyes, until the fai
girl blushed in spite Of herself. The CONVEX
sation was not resumed, for the tide had beef
turned, and Miss Glendroy's well meant expos
tula'ion was, as she tho't, forgotten.
But il was no: so. Kate Bentley, although
gay, wilful creature, had good heart ant
her companions structures made an impress
ion on her which she was not willing TO admit
Hates character was striking one. Prid
was one OF her dominant faults. She had ais
constant flow of spirits; was young, beauti
full and witty. She was courted and caresse'
by all. She was naturally therefore wilful
and perhaps too much given to what she hat
thoughtlessly considered innocent firtations.
A few days after this conversation, bal
occurred, whose projected magnIhcence ha
been the theme of conversation Tor severa
weeks. Kate was the belle Of the night
Never had her wit seemed more sprighly, Q
her beauty more dazzling. Admiration attene
, on her every movement. In spite OF the res
olutions she had formed after parting wit
Emma Glendroy, she gave WAY to her Of