Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-11-13

From the CornbaW Monthly
KATE YALE'S MARRIAGE.

eIf ever marry" Kate Yale used to say, halt
in jest, halt in earnest, "the happy manor the
unhappy one, if you please, ha! ha shall be a
person possessed of these three qualifications:
"First, a fortune.
| '.Second, good looks.
Third, common sense"
81 mention the fortune first, because / think
| it the most needful and desirable qualification
| of the three. Although never could think OF
| marrying fool, or man whose uginess ]
should be ashamed of, still think to talk sense
OF money, would be preferable to living obscure
with handsome, intellectual man-to whom
economy might be necessary" sage
do not know how much of this sentiment
came from Kate's heart. She undoubtedly in
ldnlged in lofty ideas ofstation and style-for her
education in the duties and aims OF life had been
deficient. or rather erroneous; but that she was
capable OF deeper, better feelings, none ever
doubted who had obtained even partial glimpse
| of her true woman's nature.
And the time arrived when Kate was to take
that all-important step of which she had often
spoken so lightly-when she was to demonstrate
to her friends how much of her heart was in the
words we have just quoted.
At the enchanting age OF eighteen she had
many sutors, but as she never gave q serions
thought to more than two, we will follow her
example, and, discarding all others except those
favored ones, consider their relative claims
If this were any other than true story,
should certainly use an artists privilege, and
aim to produce an effect by making strong
contrast between the two favored Individuals
Ii could have my own way, one should be a
poor genius ard something OF hero; the other
a wealthy fool and somewhat OF knave.
But the truth is ~
Our poor genius was not much of genius
not very poor, either. He was by profession q
teacher Of music, and he could live very COM
fortably by the exercise 1hereof-without the
most distant hope, however, of ever attaining to
wealth. Moreover, Francis Minot possessed ex-
celent qualities which entitled him to be called
by elderly people a ''6ne character" by his
companions, "noble good fellow" and by the
ladies generally, darling. = T.
Kate could not help loving Mr.. Frank, and he
knew it. He was certain she preferred his So
ciety even to that of Mr.. Wellington, whom
alone he saw fit to honor with the appellation of
rival.
This Mr.. Wellington, (his companions called
him "Duke,n) was no idiot or humpback, as
could have wished him to be, in order to make
q good story. On the contrary, he was q man
Of sense, good looks and fine manners, and there
was nothing of the knave about him, as could
ever ascertain.
Beside this, his income was sufficient to ena-
BILE him to live superbly. Also, he was con-
sidered two or three degrees handsomer than
Mr.. Frank Minot.
Therefore, the only thing on which Frank had
to depend was the power he possessed over
Kate's sympathies and affections. The "Duke," ,"
although just the man for her in every sense,
being blessed with fortune, good looks and
nod ol,l TO n
these out, and the amiable, conceited Mr. Frank,
Was not willing to believe that she would suffer
mere worldly considerations to control the as
piratons of the heart. -s4H b4
However, oHe day, when be pressed her to
declare his fate, she said to him with sigh:
| "Oh, Frank! lam sorry we ever met !"
'sSorry2
"Yes; for we must part now."
Part! y repeated Frank, turning pale. 1t
was evident he had not expected this.
"Yes-yes," said Kate, casting down her head
with another piteous sigh.
Frank sat by her side; be placed his arm a.
round her waist, without needing her feeble re.
slstance; he lowered his voice, and talked to her
until she-proud Kate-wept bitterly.
Katie" said he, then, with burst of pas
sion, II Know you love me but you are proud,
ambitious, selfish! Now, if you wonld have me
leave you, say the word and CO."
"Go!" murmured Kate, "go"
"Have You decided a. whispered Frank.
II haven so
"Then, love, farewell"
de took her hand, gazed q moment tenderly
ana sorrowfully, into her beautiful, fearful face,
and then clasped her to his bosom.
She permitted the embrace. She even gave
way to the impulse, and twned her arms around
his neck but in moment her resolution came
to her aid, and she pushed him from her with a
sigh. q ).
''Shal go ~ be asked. s
A feeble yes fell from her lips -and an instant
later she was lying on the sofa, sobbing and
weeping alone. II.
To tear the tenacious root of love out of her