Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-26

wisely acquiesced in her Aunt's suggestion
that assisting her in her domestic abors would
prove beneficial, as it would give new and
healthy turn to her thoughts and feelings
Nothing will sooner chase away mental
emotion or restore mental equilibrium, than
physical eXertion. Kate tested it thoroughly
and found it so sure n panacea for her woes
that her excessive grief was soon abated, and
settled into that calm sadness, which deep,
genuine sorrow so often assumes, and which
is rather soothing to the feelings than other
wise. And she finally came to like her new
occupation so well, with its cares and fatigues.
from which she did not shrink that she soon
took nearly the entire charge of their domes-
tic establishment into her own hands She
thereby acquired healthful condition of body
which is indispensable to a healthtul tone of
mind.
"Thus passed away six months, during
which time, Ned had not visited home, and in
his letters to Aunt Ruth, or mother as he
called her, he only mentioned Kate in
the most casual manner. But now rumors
began to reach them at home, first that he
was attentive to a young lady soon that he
was very devoted to her. and finally, that
they were engaged, Rumor said the attach
ment was very ardent, and was mutual, and
finally that they were soon to be married. In
preparing his house for housekeeping
"Miss T., who, like others Of her class (she
was dressmaker), seemed privllized with IA
cllltles Tor accumulatng news, and delighted
IN retailing 1t (She was no miScrl-adding a
little interest herself, instead of exacting it
from her listeners Miss p | say, declared
that her brother was an old college friend of
Ned, had seen his place, both house and gar.
den, which were being fitted up in magnificent
,A.lg, IN.
with the taste of the bride intendant, which
Ned consulted in all these matters, and with
whom he was madly in love. Her brother
had never seen the lady, but Ned had confess
ed to him that she was very beautiful, and
dearer to him than all the world beside
GA few weeks more, and these rumors were
all confirmed by the arrival Of a letter bearing
Neds own signature, and the intelligence that
he hoped to be married towards the end of the
following month (June), inviting Aunt Ruth
to attend the wedding and Kate to offlciate as
bridesmaid-in fulfilment of former agree
ment, he said. And she remembered that,
when Ned, many years before, had asked if
she would "stand up" with him at his wed
ding, she had thoughtleSsy promised to do so.
lie added in his letter, she may have re.
garded it only as a joke, and had forgotten it
but he had not and was in earnest in making
the equest-therefore, he hoped she would al
low no hight cause to prevent her compliance
with it,
"This was the drop too much-it caused
her cup Of sorrow to overflow She had
heard the report of his approaching marriage
with apparent calmness, though none knew
the agonzing thoughts which they awakened
In her mind or the pangs with which they
rent her heart. The thought that another
was to posses that richest OF all treasures, his
love, which she had so madly spurned from
her, was torture. She had spurned the offer
ing which was now made to another, and
could she command the resolution to stand
calmly by and see him take another to be the
wife of his bosom Could she drink this bit
ter cup to its dregs Could she see him take
another to his confidence aud companionship
in sickness and in health in sorrow and joy,
while lite should last! The struggle in her
own mind was long and bitter, but at last she
resolved to do So She deserved suffering in
eXpiation for her folly, and she resolved to re.
ceive it unfinchingly.
"Aunt Ruth expressed an almost childish
delight at this resolution. Fortune tavors us
wonderfully, Katie she said. You know it
is just the time we have planned to start for
our summer tour and we can take The wed.
ding on our way, which will be such a pleasant
variety And perhaps Ned and his wife may
accompany us-who knows Would it not
be delightful 2
"'l think not murmured Kate, more
thinking aloud than answering The question,
which the questioner plainly did not exp ct to
be answered, for she went on, not noticing the
Interruption Besides, we shall not need any
extra dresses for the wedding, as we should
be obliged to have some nice ones, any way.
for the journey
"'Ah? said Kate, Il wish there were to be
no new dresses; am tired of the sight and
even he thought of them
every well, my DEAR said Aunt Ruth,
laughingly, leave every thing to me- l shall
like nothing better 1t will furnish me EN-
ployment, in place of that of which you have
robbed me, since you have taken such fancy
to cooking and housework generally
Glad not Kate been so absorbed in her own
sad reflections, she would have wondered at
such expressions from such source they
denoted most extraordinary change in the
usual PLAN, quiet, unpretending Aunt Ruth
However, she was glad to make the com
promise without further questioning, and Aunt
Ruth found constant employment in her new
avocation, during most of the intervening
time, before they were to start on their jour
ney. Kate wondered what it could all be
about, but she had not the curiosity to ask and
only wished she did not even have to undergo
the process of the new dress fitting.
Conclusion tomorrow