The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-12-30

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brave, and the noble Reginald, had de-
clared his passion, and she had almost
driven him crazy by the confession that
he was lord of her heart. On the tenth
day of her courtship, the enamored pair
stole to a quiet little church in the
suburbs and were married. The bold
signature of Reginald Percy was traced
in the Register book, while under the
trembling hand of Kate was recorded the
name of "Corinda Estella Castlearden. ="
AS she did so, the blood rushed upon
her heart, and she half repented what
she had done, but glance at Reginald,
and the memory of the slight she had
endured at the hands of the said Corinda,
reassured her Her purpose now be-
came as infexible as marble.
81 vowed 1 would wed with the
proudest, and 1 have kept my oath.
Corinda has wealth, l have beauty and
| wonder which is the richest" thought
she, as she took her seat in the carriage
by the silent Reginald, who pressed her
hand gently within his own, and gazed
upon her in mute alteration.
Kate returned to Castlearden House,
while Reginald sought his club in state
bordering on luracy. On the morrow
Kate left the mansion under the prctence
of visiting some friends in the country,
but in reality to accompany Reginald to
Brighton, where they spent the honey
moon, which was somewhat abridged by
an announcement in the morning papers
that Castlearden family would be in town
at the end of three days.
" l had better see your father first"
said he soothingly. ..
=" Oh, no no." uttered Kate, turning
deadly pale, let me return at once"
=" What have you to fear love ;" said
he soothingly, my family is one of the
best in the land-I am heir presumptive
to peerage. Good heavens what is
the matter, my darling love :"
Kate had tainted. A glimpse she had
taken Of the future showed her Lideous
scene. When she recovered she pas
entreated to be allowed to re-
turn. Her object was to postpone the
dreadful expose as long as possible.
Reginal reluctantly gave his consent,
and the same evening found Kate in her
neat little chamber in town, with her
face buried in the folds of her dress, and
herself sobbing as if her heart would
break. u-
"He will despise me, he will hate
me J" she groaned "and to lose him
when l have discovered that love him
to distraction, is horrible. Reginald
will you, can you forgive me-"
Kate was so overwhelmed that she
had a bysterical attack. Her cries
alarmed the house and presently she was
subjected to the torture of shower bath
varied by the infliction of burnt feathers
and brown paper, with copious supplies
of vinegar.
The old house-kcepcr shook her head
the cook covertly shed tear and even
the butler who had seen several genera
tions of lovely women declared that it
was pity, bat men would be men, and
and SO long as the young women gall
wanted they must take the conse-
quences."
"What will my lady say I" inquired
the house-keeper, after she had adjourn
ed to her room, leaving Kate in a re-
fresLing sleep.
Don't tell her anything-mum's the
word. Besides l think we ought to
have dropped her a line when that sprig
of fellow first came"
This advice was too sensible to be re-
sisted, and it was resolved that Kate
should be "cut" and left to herself and
her wrongs, if she had any. In the
morning she rose considerably better,
but pale and stern-looking. She had
evidently prepared herself for Drawing
the worst. Reginald came early to sec
her, and was inexpressibly shocked to
find her so altered. He exerted himself
to reassure her, and succeeded SO far as
to coax q few truant smiles into her
c6untenance. But resolute as her char
acter was, she experienced heavy de-
preston Of spirits. Her absorbing idea
was the dread of losing her husband.
Death, disgrace, any ything but that shock
ing alternative. Kate had immense
courage, but it required opposition to
bring it into play and this she was soon
to have, for the day after her return,
whilst she was sitting in the drawing
room, listening to his hopeful plans for
the future, q couple Of carriages drove
up to the door, followed by pattering