Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-11-27
KATE YALE,s MARRIAGE.

shall be person possessed of these three quail
ifcations
First, fortune.
"Second, good looks. .... ...'.
"Third, common sense.
IL mention the fortune first because think |
1t the most peedful and desirable quahhcation
Of the three. Although l never could think OF |
marrying q fool, or q man whose uSilness |
should be ashamed Of still think to talk sense |
fer the one, and shine for the other with plenty
of money, would be preferable to living OBJ |
scure with a handsome, intellectual man-to
whom economy might be necessary"
do not know how much Of this sentiment
came from Kate's heart. She undoubtedly in |
duIeed in lofty ideas or station and style-for |
her education in the duties and aims OF life |
had been deficient, or rather erroneous; but |
tA1t she was capable of deeper, better feel |
ings, 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 50 lightly-when she was to demon |
strate 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 suitors but as she never gave q serious
thought to more than two, we will follow her
example, and, discarding all others except
these favored ones, consider their relative
claims.
If this were any other than true story, /
should certainly use artists privilege, and
aim 70 produce an effect by making a strong
contrast between the two favored individuals.
IF L cosld have my own way, one should be
poor genius and something Of hero; the other
wealthy fool, and somewhat of a knave.
But the truth is
Our poor genius was not much of genius
not very poor, either. He was by profession
teacher Of music, and he could live very COM
fortabiy by the exercise thereof-without the
most distant hope, however, OF ever attaining to
wealth. Moreover, Francis Minot possessed ex-
ceIlent qualities which entitled him to be called
by elderly people q s'fne character" by his
companions. "noble good fellow" and by the
ladies generally, a ''darlng"
Kate could not help loving Mr.. Frank, and
he knew it. He was certain she preferred his
society even to that Of Mr.. Wellington, whom
alone he saw fit to honor with the sppellation
of rival.
This Mr.. Wellington, (his companions called
him Duke was no idiot or humpback, as L
could have wished him to be, in order to make
good story. On the contrary, he was man
of sense, good looks, and fine manners, and
there nothing of the knaye about him, as
could ever ascertain
Beside this, his income was sufficient TO en-
able 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
Hates sympathies and affections. The Duke,
although just the man for her in every sense
being blessed with fortune, good looks and
cOmmOn-senSe-had never been able to draw
these out, and the amiable, conceited Frank,
was not willing to believe that she would suffer
mere worldly consideration to control the aspi-
rations Of the heart.
However, one day, when he pressed her to
declare his fate, she said to him, with q sigh ::
'sOh, Frank am sorry we ever met! q"
Sorry
s'Yes; for we must part now"
Part" 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; he placed his arm
around her waist, without needing her feeble
resistance: he lowered his voice, and talked to
her until shs-proud Kate-wept bitterly.
Katie, said he, then, with burst of pas
sion. know you love me; but you are proud,
ambitious, selfish. Now, if you would have
me leave you, say the word and 60"
Co" murmured Kate; go"
Have you decided?" whispered Frank.
81 have"
"Then love, farewell"
He took her hand, gazed a moment, tender
ly and 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 twined her arms about
his neck; but in moment her resolution came
to her aid, and she pushed him from her with
sigh.
'sShalI go?'' he articulated.
A feeble yes from her lips-and an instant
later she was lying on the sofa, sobbing and
weeping alone.
To tear the tenacious root of love out Of hel
heart had cost her more than she could have
anticipated, and the certainty of golden life
OF luxury proved but q poor consolation, /
seemed, for the sacrifice she had made.
She elsy long upon the sofa, say, sebbing anC
weeping psSsiOnatsly. Gradually her grief ap
peared 10 exhaust itself. Her tears ceased 4
nd At length nd eha Ia
dry. Her head was piliowed on her arm, snC
her face was half hidden in food of curls.
The struggle was over. The agony was past
She saw Mr.. ellington enter, and rose cheer
fully to meet him. His manners pleased her
bis station ana fortune fascinat' 4 her more. III
offered her his hand-she accepted it. A kis
sealed the engagemsnt-but il was not such
kiss as Frank had given her, and she coult
scarce repress a sigh.
There was a splendid wedding Splendid I,
attired, dazzling the eye with her beauty thu
adorned, with everything around swimming il
the charmed atmosphere Of a fairy land, Kat
gave her heart to the man her ambitiou-no
her love-had chosen.
But certainly ambition could not have mad
better choice. Already she saw herself sur
rounded by magnificent court, Of which sh
Was the acknowledged and admired queen Th
fayors OF fortune were showered upon her; sh
hoated luxeriouSly upon the smooth and glass
wave Of a charmed life.
Nothing was wanted In the whoie circle OF he
existence 10 adorn it, and make it bright wit
happiness. But she was not long in discoverin
that there was something wanting in her breas
Her friends were numerous, her husband ter
der, kind and loving but all the attention an
affection could not fll her heart. She had ono
felt its chord Of sympathy moved by skillfU
touch-she had not known the heavenly char
Of the deep delicious harmony, and now the
were siIent-motionless, nufied 50 as to spea
in silks and satins. These chords were sti
and soundless. Her heart was dead; none th
less so because killed by golden shot, havin
known and felt the life Of sympathy in. 1t VI
eonsoled by the life Of luxury. In short, Kat
in time became magnihcently miserable, splsr
didiy unhappy. ...
Then change became apparent TO her hu
band He could not remain long blind to tt
isst nn. n sh.ss no. So returned ne sepg,
him to forget the sorrow and despair Of his sou
This shallow joke, however, was unsatisfsctor,