The weekly ledger., 1857-09-26
{ NUMBER 49.

ded, turning to her. to present You to my
cousin, Mr.. Adams And with perfect COM
posure she saw his awkward bow and scrape.
Emily at once commenced a conversation
with Mr.. Adams, and proceeded to drag him
ont most ridiculously, when Kate came to his
rescue
You forget, Miss Archer said she, that
my cousin has just arrived in town, and has
not yet had an opportunity to see the lions.
He will be better able to give his opinion of
them in a few days, when i shall have the
| pleasure Of acting as his cicerone"
Mr.. Warren, like well bred gentleman as
he was, addressed some remarks to Mr.. Ad-
ans on subjects with which he was familiar,
and shortly after, he, with Miss Archer, took
leave. Kate could have cried with vexation
as she thought of the sarcastic and lndcrous
description Of the scene which Emily would
delight in giving, but she controlled herself
She was a knd-hearted girl, and could not
forget the visit she had paid her dear uncle
and Aunt Adams, or Bens untiring efforts
to make her happy, when at his fathers
She resolved to repay him now, and her gra-
ciousness of manner quite facinated poor Ben,
as she made all sorts of inquiries about the
old farm.
No sooner had Richard Warren and Miss
Archer left the house, than she began, with
all her powers of sarcasm, as Kate had for
seen, to ridicue the scene they had Witness
ed. Mr.. Warren smiled, but seemed very
absent
had no idea the Bennetts had such vul-
gar relations continued Emily, knowing well
that the fastdous Richard Warren would
consider this serious objection to the woman
] of his choice.
Notwithstanding Kate Benefits ele-
gance, there is certain something about the
family that betrays low blood"
+" Yes returned Warren hardly knowing
what he had said; and feeling that she had
gained one point, Emily walked on, in the
best possible spirits internally triumphing
over the discomfeiture of her very formidable
rival
That evening at the opera who should be
at kates side but cousin Ben dressed in
taste, and evidently much interested in the
performance, while Miss Bennett listened
with polite attention to his frank and sensi-
BILE criticism. A parties too, he was her at
tendant; and this open acknowledgment of
her relations quite blunted the point of Emf
ly's satires. Mr.. Bennett assisted the youth
to situation, and very speedily his rustcity
wore of. He had both good looks and good
sense. Under his cousins judieious training
he very soon did her no discredit even among
the crowd Of fine gentlemen that surrounded
her
Emily Archer saw all, and bit her lip in
yexation She could not but acknowledge
the superiority of Kate's strategy, and she
had triumphed in the event which she hoped
would humiliate her.
From that time Richard Warren was her
constant attendant, and ere long he had open
ly acknowledged his preference by offering
her his heart and hand.
Kate he said, shortly after their be-
trothal, 4 shall never cease to thank cousin
Ben for giving me my bride. / admired you
as belle, but his coming, and your recep-
tion of him, proved that you were something
better than mere fine lady-that yon were
a true woman, blest with that greatest of all
attractions, heart. Confess that you owe
him debt of gratitude
Many years have passed In the sober ma
tron, Mrs Warren, one would have hardly
recognized the dashing belle, Kate Bennett.
Best with wealth, cheerful home, a fond
husband and loving children, she had led
happy life, and time had but increased the at
tachment of the welded pair But cloud
less as her life had been, storm was gather
ing. Her husband, always cheerful, grew
moody, restless and unhappy. She tried in
vain TO discover the cause of his gloom, but
he only made evasive replies to her inquiries,
and could not guess at his troubles; that they
were connected with his business she imagin-
ed. Her surmises were correct k.
He entered the room one day where She
was sitting, and excaimed-fiinging himself
on the sofa
Kate, we are ruined. In vain | have
struggled for weeks past; it is useless to at
tempt it longer To-day shall be known as
bankrupt-penness In trying to double
my fortune have lost all You aud my
children are beggars"
Why should loss IF wealth trouble you,
RichardY said his wife tenderly, approaching
and taking bis hand. That is, after all, but
a trifing misfortune. While we are spared to
each other, blessed with health and children,
why should we repine at the mere loss of a
fortune"
The husband groaned.
" All, to be dishonest, Kate he said; fear
to look men in the face because am a bank
rupt-unable to pay my debts. Kate, the
very idea Of this drives me nearly mad To
avoid this, what have | not done? have
passed seepless nights and anxious, but all in
vain"
With soothing words the wife tried to COM
fort him; but alas, he paid little heed to her
efforts.
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