Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1854-06-16


81 like Frank best" said the young ls-ly
eoOlly.
"My dear LOuiS,, have YOU los, your
senses
"No, mamma, bot you may AZ well let me
tell you now, hat for all his fortune, ! would
not marry Clarence Feuers."
"why notw
"Oh, he IL so friphifully sensible, should
never dare to do or say an absurd lhiog for
fear Of seeing those great iamPiHg eyes
looking reproyal at me. BESIDES, he does not
seem inclined to offer himself"
"lIow can you say SO, Louisa ! am sure
he never leaves us at a party, aud seems
never so happy as when sitting near us and
watching your graceful movements while you
are dancing"
4 "Wcll, he can't cxpee, mo To drop into
his arms by the mere fnss.na,isn of his look.
II he were not 80 rich should not think Of
him Tor n moment, while ! really like Frank
lie is fall OF gayeiy and frolic, and with him
| should have merry life. Clarence Fer.
rcrs is too old and grave for me. Don't you
think 81, Kaici"
Kate started al the question, she had cyi.
IDENTIFY been in ono of her dreamy moods, and
perhaps had not heard word Of heir con.
versalion.
Poor Kate she ben, over her sewing. and
seemed nlen, only on placing at proper dis
iaucss the delicate white ro.cs which loopcd
the rauIe dnpcry Of l.ouisa's new drcs', bot
she felt a sudden aininess come over her.
which required an her habi,ual sell fconirol to
subduc Not until the dress Nas finished and
displayed upon the sofa to her mothers criti.
cism, not until the pearl ornaments had been
laid upon the bcau'y's dark cur's by thc skill.
iul fingers of the all.Cnduring katc, not nm.
Ill shc had listened to all her sisters ideas re.
Spcctinr the sash, which was to bc tied At the
side, with long floating ends in short, NO,
until al the important tryialilcs oi bellies
ball costume had been discussed and decided
upon by the AID of Rates taste, was she at
liberty tn retire TO her own room. At last
she was released, and as Louisa sprung up
stairs, humming little opera air,kaic, gath
cring up her sowing materials slowly follow.
ell till she arrived a, the door Of her own
apartment. which, in consideration Of its be.
lug the smallest room in the house, and in
the fourth story, she was permitted to occu-
nv alone. This had long been poor Hates
sanctuary, vhcrc she could think, aud feel,
and act as she pleased. Now she quietly
locked the door, and ,hcn, when she had SC
cured herself from intrusion, she sat down Ia
ihc rocking chair which had been her compa.
Mon from childhood, and gave way to the
tears which we're pressing snpanfully againsl
her ho, oye.lds
Rate had oilcn wcpt-much o0cncr Than
those who called her Indifferent, and cold in
temper. could have imagincd-bul never had
she shed such bitter, burning tears as now
There was grief and shame, and wounded at.
I icction, aud mortified pride, al blended in the
emotion which now arilaled her She could
not have aualyzcd her own feelings; she
only knew she was very unhappy and very
lonely.
Thl, evening Kate was too unwell to &C.
company her sister To ,hc ball. \ severe
headache, arising from an attack OF influenza,
which accounted for the humid eyes iha,
would weep in spite ofall POOR Rates efforts
was suricicn, apology. So Mrs. lorimcr.
s,h her tall son and beautiful daughter were
whrlcd oil to the gay scene, leaving Kate to
read the paper and play backgammon with
her rheumatic father, who never went out al.
ter sunset.
But the old ccn,lcmans evenings were
generally short. Dy nine o'clock be vas com
lor,ably fixed in bed, and Kate sat alone in
the deserted drawing room, Nhcn she was
startled by the sound Of the door bell 1t was
too late Tor visitor, aud Kaie's first thought
was that it might be a message for parcel
. fJr her brother. She did not alter her post
tion, therefore. but she sa, with her head bent
her hands listlcssly living in her lap, and her
whole attitude one Of the deepest detection.
| 4 gentle foo,stop, and the torres OF well
known voice, startled her from her painful
dream, and as she looted up her eyes fell on
the stately form OF Clarence fouers.
81 heard you were kept at home by indi'-
position, Miss I.orimcr," sad he, "will you
pardon me if have ayailed myself OF this
opportunity Of seeing YOU alone
Kate was little bewidcrcd, but she
murmurcl something about =" the pleasure
of seeing him, )" etc., like well bred young
lady.
"Katc-Miss Lorimor-will you answer
the rrankly' have lately INDUCED the hope
lha, We NAV be united in closer bond than
even the friendship with which YOU have ho"-
orca me have deceived myself with vain
lancies
Rates heart seemed to stand still for mo-
ment, aud an icy GOODNESS ran through her
veins. She saw it all in moment. Clarence
Ferrcrs wanted 10 leam from her his chance
Of success with her beautiful sister. What
should she do ! Louisa lid not love Clarence
but il was a desirable match. Should she
sacrifice the prospects OF her sister, or should
she betras the noble confidence Of him who
called her his friend How could she de-
e,do when her own hean was JUS, awakened