The southerner., 1852-06-12

ever metz
"Sorry?' :,
| aYes-for we must part now"
"Part. repeated Frank, turning
pale.
this.
"Ycs-yes," said Katie, casting down
]her eyes with another piteous sigh.
! Frank sat by her side; he placed his
arm, around her waist, without needing
her feeble resistance; he lowered his
voice, and talked to her until she-the
proud Katie-wept-wept bitterly:
"Katie," said he, then, a burst ofpas-
1sion, 81 know you love me, but you are
proud-ambitious-selfsh! Now II you
would have me leave you, say the word
and I go!'
-a'go! :
"You have decided!' whispered
Frank.
81 havc!"
| He took her hand, gazed a moment
tenderly and sorrowfully upon her beau
tiful, fearful face; then clasped her to
his bosom.
She permitted the embrace. She
even gave way to the impulse of the in
slant, and twined her arms about his
meek. But in a moment her resolution
came to her aid, and she pushed him
away with sigh.
"tShoU Igo?" he articulated.
A feeble yes fell from her quivering
lips.
! And an instant later, she was lying
upon the sofa, sobbing and weeping pas
sionately-alone.
TO tear the tenacious root of love oat
of her heart, had cost her moro than
she could have anticipated, and
the certainty of golden life of luxury
proved but poor consolation, it seemed
for the sacrifices she had made.
She lay long upon the sofa, sobbing
and weeping passionatcly. Gradually
, ner grief appeared to exhaust itself.
Her tears ceased to flow, and at length
her head was pilIowed on her arm, and
her face was half hidden in food of
beautiful curls.
The struggle was over. The agony
was passed. She saw Mr.. Wellington en-
! ter, and arose cheerfully to receive
E him. His manners pleased her; his sta
ton and fortune fascinated her more
A kiss sealed the engagcment-but it
was not such kiss as Frank had given
her, and she could not reprcss a sigh!
There was a magnificent wedding:
splenddly attired, dazzling the eye with
her beauty, with everything around her
swimming in the charmed atmosphere
of fairy-land, Katie gave her hand to
the man ker ambition-not her love
had chosen!
But she was not long in discovering
that there was something wanting in
her own breast.
Her friends were numerous; her hus-
band tender, kind and loving; but all
the attentions and affections she enjoy
ed could not fill the heart.
She had once felt its chords Of SYM
pathy moved by a skilful touch; and
they were silent-motionles ess-muffed,
so to speak, in silks and satins. In
short Katie in time became ma significantly
miserable, splendidly unhappy.
Then change became apparent in
her husband. He could not long re-
main blind to the fact that his love
was not returned. He sought the COM
e pany of those whose gaycty might lead
him to forget tie sorrow and despair of
t his soul; and impolled by powerful long
\ ings for love, went astray to warm his
7 heart by strange fire.
a Katie saw herself now in the midst
}. of gorgeous desolation. She reproach.
t ed her husband deserting her thus; and
he answered her with angry taunts.
"You do not care for me," he cried
a -"then why do you complain that
J. bestow elsewhere the affections you
d have met with coldness?"
:. "But it is wrong-sinful," Katie re.
r. monstrated,
eyes; I know it!'' said her husband
k Gercely> "It is the evil freit of an
r evil seed. And who sowed that seedt
# Whc gave nae a hand without heart
it who devoted me to the fate eff loving
unloved husband? Nay, do not weep
l. and clasp your hands, and sigh-for j
i say nothing you do not deserve tc
/ hear"
=. every we'll" said Katie, calming her
G, self; 81 will not say your reproaches
s. are undeseryed. But granting that
1t am the cold, dcceitful thing you call mt