Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-08-12

freely around. Her lover saw THIS WIZ
renewed paia, for although he worshpped
Kate almost TO idola,ry, he was not blind te
he. faults. He knew she had many good
qualities, and he had trusted that time would
leach her the folly Of her errors. But, on this
evening he almost despaired. He saw hel
practising all the arts of coquetTy merely fol
The qualification Of the passing hour-smiline
on those to whom tomorrow she would mol
deigi endeavoring to lure admirers to
her shrine only that she might make sport oil
their devotion. Townsend could not restrain
himself when he accompanied her homeward,
from expressing how deeply his feelings had
been hurt. From Kaie's conduct towards him.
especially during the last few days, he was led
10 believe that lie was not wholly Indifferent to
her, and he feltit to be his duty to speak to her
frankly on the consequences Of such conduct.
Kate heard him out in silence; bat the color
faded and deepened constantly on her cheek as
he spoke, although, by leaning back in cor
ner OF the carriage, she concealed her counte-
nance. At length she answered him, and her
tone was cold and naughty, for her pride was
aroused.
:. Indeed, Mr.. Townsend, you take liber-
ty which shall allow no gentleman. however
acceptable he may Think" and she emphasized
the word in bitter scorn, he may have made
himself to me. For my conduct am account
able to myself only-those who DO not like it,
need not seek my acquaintance"
A sigh from her companion was her only
answer, and the next instant the carriage stop
ped. Without word her lover handed her
out. Already Kate began TO repent what she
had said, but pride checked her from retracting
it. Coldly Alfred bowed to her, and coldly
K.to in md
into the house determined angrly never again
to behold her lover. But, in a minute after
wards she hurried to her room, where she burst
into tears. They were tears of mingled regret
and passion.
When Kate awoke the next morning, her
first thought was Of her conduct towards her
lover the night befoIe. She felt that she was
wrong. Her pride had PASSED away, and she
when her lover called, to show
her penitence by her couduct, and il he alluded
to it, frankly to own her error.
But Alfred had received shock such as he
could not speedily forget. He had borne with
Kate long, but her bitter scorn Of his advice
on the preceding evening, had fully convinced
him that her errors were incurable. He re-
solved never again TO enter the presence of one
who had spurned every well meant effort
for her reformation. He fattered himself that
what he said would be listened to kindly
alas how had he been deceived.
All that day. and all the ensuing day, Kate
watched for his coming, until at length her
anxiety became nearly insupportaLle. and her
heart fluttered whenever the bell was rung.-
Still Alfred came not. And when, on the third
day, Kate heard he had left the city for the
south, where he expected to remain several
m onths, she felt that it was TO avoid her pres
ence that he had gone. Never, before that
hour, was she fully aware of the depth of her
love fer Alfred. So long as he had been her
worshpper, and ever, as 1t were, IN her pres
ence, she had been unconscious OF his worth,
sighting his delicate attentions, and wringing
his noble heart with her thoughiless coquetry.
But now he was gone, and forever This con-
vlc,ion was unsupporable to the penitent girl,
and she fell into violent illness, which led
her TO the very brink of the grave. Oh what
wond she not have given 10 have been able to
ask forgiveness of him she h1d so deeply
wronged.
Kate rose from her sick couch an altered be-
ing. She was still beautiful; many thought
more beautiful than ever; for her countenance
now wore sad sweet expression, such as 1t
never had in her happier days--an expression
which i1esistibly interested the beholder in
her. Few knew the cause Of her illness, and
she had as many admirers as ever. But no
one now charged Kate with coquetry. Firmly
but kindly she declined every offer that was
made to her, while the time which she once
devoted to pleasure, was now surrendered to
the poor or the improvement other mind.
Two years had passed ere Alfred Townsend
found himself once more in his native city,
One Of the first persons he met was an old
friend.
"A hearty welcome TO you, Townsend y
said his friend, fevently grasping his hand,
"why, you've been absent so long. that I'm
afraid you've almost forgotten US. There have
been some changes among US since You went
away, as you may suppose !; but we'll be none
the less glad to welcome you back. There's
Harry Smith, and Norton, and Beaufort all
married and myself am about to become a
Benedict. | am very glad you've returned
fer was wishing to-day that l had you here
to wait on me-"
Alfred bowed, and expressed the happiness
he should have in being Of any service TO his
friend, who continu ed
"But YOU little dream who is to by my
bride. You recolect Emma Glendroy!"
SIS she your affianced! Then let me con.
graduate you on having won the sweetest and
most amiable of all our old acquaintance
"Emma will thank you for the compliment
said his friend, but she will be sure to de-
muir to it. Nor can say but what she will
have truth on her side, although certainly
can't be expected to admit that there is any
one more amiable than my sweet girl"
"But surely there is no rival in Emma
why we used to call her, by general consen
the loveliest of the set in which we moved
know of no one even approaching to her."
"But do.''
"Surely you jest, or my memory betray!
me. Who do you mean? !"
"Why, who but Kate Bently, the most a