Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-09-02
[From the Ladies' National Magazine of semrten.bcr
THE MAIDEN'S CHOICE
BY KATE SUTHERLAND.

person, some by her winning manners. an
not few by the wealth of her family. Bu
though sweet Kate was both belle and
beauty, she was shrewd, clear seeing girl
and had far more penetration into charac
ter than bellies and beauties are general,
thought to possess. For the whole tribe o
American dandies, with their disfgurin!
moustaches and imperials, she had mos
hearty contempt. Hair never made up
with her, for the lack of brains.
But, as she was an heress in expectancy
and moved in the most fashionable society
and was, with all, gay and sprightly girl
Kate, as natural consequence, drew a.
round her the gilded moths of society, moi
few of whom got their wings scorched
on approaching too near.
Many aspired to be lovers, and some
more ardent than the rest, boldly pressed
forward and claimed her hand. But Kate
did not believe in the doctrine that love
begets love in all cases. Were this SO, it
was clear that she would have to love half
dozen, for at least that number came
kneeling to her with their hearts in their
hands.
Mr.. Darlington was amerchant. Among
his clerks was the son of an old friend, who
in dying some years before, had earnestly
solicited him to have some care over the
lad, who, at his death, would become friend
less. In accordance with this last request,
Mr.. Darlington took the boy into his coun-
ting room; and, in order that he might.
with more fidelity, redeem his promise to
the lying father, also received him into
his family.
Edwin Lee proved himself not ungratc-
lul for the kindness. In few years he
became one of Mr.. Darlington's most active
trust worthy and intelligent clerks: while
his kind, modest, gentlemanly department
at home, won the favor and confidence of
all the family. With Edwin, Kate grew
up as with a brother Their intercourse
was of the most frank and confding charac-
ter.
But there came, at last, a change, Kate,
from graceful sweet-tempered, affection
ate girl, stepped forth almost in a day, it
seemed TO Edwin, full grown, lovely wo-
man, into whose eyes ile could not look as
steadily as before, and on whose beautiful
face he could no longer gaze with the
ealmneSs Of feeling he had until POW en-
joyed.
For awhile, Edwin could not understand
the reason Of this change. Kate was the
same 10 him ;sand yet not the same. There
was no distance-no reserve on her part
and vet, when he came into her presence,
he felt his heart beat more quickly, and
when she looked him steadily in the face,
his eyes would droop, involuntariIy, be-
meath her gaze.
Suddenly, Edwin awoke toa full realiza-
ton of the fact that Kate was to him more
than gentle friend or sweet sister. From
that moment, he became reserved in his in
tercourse with her and, after short time,
firmly made up his mind that it was his du-
ty to retire from the family Of his beneiac-
tor. The thought of endeavoring to win the
heart Of the beautiful girl, whom he had al
ways loved as sister, and now almost
worShipped, was not for moment enter
tanned. To him there would have been so
much of ingratitude in this, and so much
involved base violation of Mr.. Darling
toms confidence, that he would have suffer-
ed anything rather than be guilty of such
an act.
But, he could not leave the home where
he had been kindly regarded for years,
without offering some reason that would
be satisfactory. The true reason, he could
not, of course, give. After looking at the
subject in various lights, and debating it for
a long time, Edwin could see no way in
in which he could withdraw from the fami-
ly of MIR. Darlington, without betraying
his secret, unless he were to leave the city
at the same time. He, therefore, sought
and obtained the situation of supercargo in
a vessel loading for Valparaiso.
When Edwin announced this fact to
Mr.. Darlington, the merchant was greatly
and appeared hurt that the young
man should take sucha step without word
of consultation with him. Edwin tried
to explain; but, as he had to conceal the
real truth, his explanation rather tended to
make things appear worse than better.
Kate heard the announcement with no
less surprise than her father. The thing
was SO sudden, so unlocked for, and, more
OVER, 81 siut siiN sou'N hSs e''
derstand it, In order to take away any
pecuniary reason for the step he was about
to take, Mr.. Darlington, after holding
long conversation with Edwin, made him
pliers far more advantageous than his pro-
posed expedition could be to him, viewed
in any light. But he made them in vain.
Edwin acknowledged the kindness, in the
warmest terms, but remained firm IN his
purpose to sail with the vessel.
"Why will you go away and leave us,
Edwin" said Kate, one evening when
they happened to be alone, about two weeks
before his expected departure. 81 do think
it very strange"
Edwin had avoid, as much as possi-
BILE, being alone with Kate, fact which
the observant maiden had not failed to no.
tice. Their being alone now was from ac-
cident rather than design on his part.
81 think it right for me to go, Kate,o the
young man replied, as calmly as ii was
possible for him to speak underline circum-
stances. sand when ! think ii right to
do thing, never hesitate or look back"
"You have reason for going, of course