Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-02-05
4 Beautiful Story.
KATE YALE'S MARRIAGE.
By ]. T. TRowBRrDGE.

eff ever marry, sKate Yale used to say
half in jest, half in earnest-''if ever l marry,
the happy man, or, the unhappy one if you please
-ha, half-shall be person possessing these
three qualifications: first, fortune; second, good
lookes; and third; and third, common sense"
81 mention the fortune first because l think it |
the most needful and desirable of the three. AL |
though l could never think of marrying fool or
man whose uglness l would be ashamed of stin
think to talk for the one and shine for the
other with plenty of money, would be preferable
to living obscurely with handsome, intellectual
man, to whom economy might be necessary
l do not know how much of this sentiment came
from Kate's heart. She undoubtedly INDUCED
lofty idies of station and sye-for her education
in the aims and duties of life had been deficient,
or rather erroneous; but that she was capable Of
deeper better feelings none doubted who had ev-
er obtained even partial glance of her true wo-
mans nature.
And the time arrived at length, when Kate was
to take that all-important step, of which she had
often spoke so lightly; when she was to demon
state to her friends how much of her heart was in
the words We have quoted
At the exchanging age of eighteen she had ma
many suitors; but, as she never gave serious
thought to more than two, We will follow her ex-
ample, and, discarding all except those favored
one, consider their relative claims.
/ Ii this were any other than true story, should
certainly use an artists privilege, and aim to pro-
duce effect by making a strong contrast between
the two favored individuals. If l could have my
way, one should be poor genius, and somewhat
of hero; and the other wealthy fool and some
what knave.
But the truth is, our genius was not much of a
genius nor very poor either He was by profess
sion, teacher of music, and he could live very
comfortably in the exercise thereof-without the
most distant hope, of ever attaining to wealth.
Moreover. Francis Mnot possessed excellent quail
tiles, which entitled him to be called by discreet,
elderly people, fine character" by his compan-
ions ga noble, good fellow" and by the ladies
generally, ga darling"
Kate could not help loving Mr.. Frank, and he
kew it. He was certain she preferred his society
even to that of Mr.. Wellington, whom alone he
saw fit to honor with the appellation of rival.
i This Mr.. Wellington Chs companions called him
the "duke,'') was no idiot or humpback, as could
have wished him to be, in order to make good
story. On the contrary, he was man Of good
sense, education, good looks, and fine manners;
and there was nothing Of the knave about him.
as far as could ascertain.
Besides this, his income was sufficient to enable
: him to live superbly. He was also considered two
or three degrees handsomer than Mr.. F. Minot.-
Therefore, the only thing on which Frank had tc
depend, was the power he possessed over Hates
sympathies and affections. The s'duke"-atho
just the for her in every other sense, had ne
yer been able to draw these out, and the amiable
= conceited Mr. Frank was not willing to believe
that she would suffer mere worldly considerations
P to control the aspirations of her heart.
However, one day, when he passed her to de-
eide his fate, she said to him with sigh, 'Oh
Frank, l am sorry that we have ever met p
''Sorry p
eyes, for we must part now;"
Part !'' repeated Frank, turning pale.
1t is evident that he had not expected this.
Eyes, yes" said Kate, casting down her he
eyes with another piteous sigh.
Frank sat by her side he placed his arm a
n round her waist without needing her feeble resis
lance; he lowered his voice. and, talked to her un
4 til she, the proud Kate, wept bitterly.
''Katie." said he then, with burst of passion
v 81 know you love me But you are proud, ambi
i tious, selfish Now if you would have me t
leave you, say the word, and go
eco !'' murmured Kate very feebly-"go p
s ''You have decided whispered Frank.
, 81 have p
'tThen, leave farewell p
He took her hand gazed moment tenderl
If and sorrowfuly upon her beautiful, fearful face
then clasped her to his bosom.
10 She permitted the embrace. She even gay wa
: to the impulse, and twined her arms about b
to neck. But, in moment her resolution came
ID her aid, and she pushed him from her with sg
''Shall go 90 he articuIated.
4 feeble ''yes'' fell from the quiverng lips.
" ', And an instant later, she was lying upon Il
IL sofa, sobbng and weeping passionately-a
: To tear the tenacious root of love out of b
heart, had cost her more than she could have a.
ticipated and the certainty of golden life oflu-
= uarv proved but poor consolation, it seemed f
the sacrifice she had made
She lay long upon the sofa l say, sobbing al
TO- weeping passionately. Her breathing became mo
regular and calm. Her tears ceased to flow al
d. at length her eyes and were dry. Her head W
Inl powed on her arm, and her face was half hidd
h lle in flood of beautiful curls.
he The struggle was over. The agony was pa
ns She saw Mr.. Wellington enter, and arose chez
-ch fully to receive him. His manners pleased he
MT, his station and fortune fascinated her more.
err offered her his hand. a kiss sealed the engag
ment-but it was not such kiss as Frank had gl
lay en- her, and she could not repress sigh.
). There was magnificent wedding Splendid
~ attired, dazzling the eye with her beauty thus
dorned, with everything around her swimm
in the charmed atmosphere of fairy land, III
for gave her hand to the man her ambltlon-not
love-4had chosen
But certainly ambition could not have made
mas better choice. Already she saw herself surror
out ded by a magnificent court, of which she was I
the acknowledged and admired queen. The favors
aP- fortune were showered upon her; she foated Ii
:, tho uriously upon the smooth and CLASSY wave o.
I'D charmed life.
nur Nothing was wanting in the whole circle of
INST outward existence to adorn it and make it brI!