Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-12-01


comic song for you
With her woman's tact she had chan
ged the subject, and had the Judge
laughing heartily over Captain Jinks."
Alone in her room she murmured:
''HOw strange! just the reverse of
what papa says l am the one who
loves, and he the one who is flirting -
Yes Kate was in love, and with whom
The man whom she had declared she
detested, and had set at defiance. Well
enough she remembered the silly vow
she had made, and how, the night Of
Mrs. Dents party, she had laughed to
seorn the idea Of his touching her heart.
And now she despised herself for this
weakness; and yet she could not deny
that she loved him with all the strength
of her passionate nature. She felt, too,
that there was nothing true and sincere
about him; he was only a tiirt. She
knew that really he cared nothing for
heTT that when he whispered tender
words, and bent upon her loving looks,
had any one else been in her place, it
would have been all the same.
With him it was merely pastime, to
be left off at pleasure; while with her
it was something yitally important, and
would influence her whole future ca
reer.
She wondered if his conscience never
reprOached him for thus Willing away
tedious hour at the expense of anOth-
er's lifetime-happiness. Kate's love
was as strong Us death, but her WOman's
pride was stronger even than this; and
she had vowed in her inmOst heart that
Audley Ashton should never know that
he was anything more to her than O
passing acquaintance.
She had acted her part to perfection,
too, for Audley had Well-nigh given up
the idea Of ever winning her, and had
almost come to the conclusion of his
friend Charles Barton-that she had no
heart.
1t was a fine bright morning in the
latter part of May. The ladies of Glen
vile were preparing for a strawberry
festival for the benefit of the church.
They had met in the town-hall and
were arranging the tables for the eve
ming.
1--WE must have some more flowers" :"
remarked q gay little matrOn. 1--WE
cannot get along without them. Mrs.
Ashton promised we could have as many
as we wanted from there. Who'll go?
Here, Kate HaUghtOn, you are the very
one; take this basket and run down to
e
go Mrs. HarwOOd can't you possibly
excuse me? 1t is such a long walk, and
the sun is so warm.n
"No, indeed! We must have the
flowers, and you are the only one of the
girls at leisure"
i'Perhaps,u put in a handsome bru-
nette, who, Madam RumOr declared,
would fain have mOnOpOliZed AUdley's
attentions herself, "Kate is afraid of
meeting Mr.. Ashton. She need not be
however, for l saw him pass here only q
few minutes ago."
4 flush of anger mounted 20 kate's
cheek, but she chOked down her wrath,
and even smiled quietly as she took up
the basket; and there was a slight
twinkle of mischief in her merry eyes,
as she said:
"Yes. 1 suppose if Mr.. Ashton is any
where visible, you have seen him, and
know his whereabouts"
The girls all laughed, and u flash of
anger darted from her rivals eyes, ma
power of annihilating Kate complete
ly.
''Do 90 on, Kate; and hurry back, for
I'm waiting" said Mrs. HarwOod.
When our heroine reached the gate,
Mrs. Ashton was just starting out for a
morning drive. On perceiving Kate,
she ordered the driver to stop.
NO, Mrs. Ashton do not let Inc de-
tain you. I merely came on an errand.
The ladies have sent me begging flow
ers to adOrn the tables for the festival
this evening""
"Of course you can have them my
dear" Audley's stately mother had ta-
ken quite q fancy to Kate. just as
many as you choose; the gardener will
gather them for you. Here, ROdeTick,
take this basket. You yourself, Kate,
step into the conservatory and get some
fine flowers for the centre of the table.
Do not stop to ring, you know the way.
Excuse me for not staying, but l am
compelled to do some shopping this
morning. l will stop at the hall as I
return, TO see if I can be Of any assis-
tance.'
And the carriage rolled Of.
Kate was III unusually high spirits
this morning, and looked unusually
well. Her eyes and cheeks spaTkled
and glOwed from her walk, while a
dainty little hat rested on the bright,
tumbled curls.
Remembering Mrs. HarwOOd's in
junction 'tO hurry back she hastened
passed through the hall into the parlOrs,
and on to the conservatory. The latter
she entered most UnceremOniOusly, and
in great haste.
To her utter establishment She found
herself face to face with AUdley Ashton;
in fact, she had run right against him
almost into his arms. She started back
confused and blushing.
Pardon me, Miss HaughtOn,' he said
cOurteously, stepping aside, and smi-
ling down upon her most prOvOkingly
and with the utmost GOODNESS. This is,
indeed, an unexpected pleasure, 4 de-
lightful surprise; really had not look
ed for such company this morning.
Kate bit her lip with vexatiOn.
4 did not mean to intrude, Mr.. Ashton |
your mother told mel thought was
not aware that any one was here she |
Pray do not think of it, no intrusion /
whatever. You could not in
"AIr. Ashton" interrupting him, re-
gaining her COmpOSIUe and gathering |
up her scattered dignity, 4 came, to get |
flowers for the festival. Your mother |
directed me i'll here to get some fine ones !
for the centre bouquet,
20, certainly, and it is TO this that I .
owe the pleasure Of your company. Al
low me to assist you in the selection
He proceeded to gather some of the
most beautiful flowers. Presently they
came to an accommodating plant
with a cluster of delicate white blossoms
Upon it.
This he remarked lis an exceeding
y-rare exotic and has just blOssOmed.'
He stopped, cut the flower off and ere
Kate was aware Of it, was fastening it
away among her Curls.
TT is pure and beautiful like yourself,
1arling; wear it for my sake, Kate.
Keep it ifyOuloye me-
He was bending over her, his cheek
almost touching her hair, a tender pas
jiOnate leok i'll his eyes, For one fleet
ug moment her foolish heart tluttered
wildly, and Love whispered, He does
are for you, believe i'll him. but Rea-
On came to the rescue. He is merely /
rifling with you; it is an insult; take it ,
Us such.'
She drew back, and hard, naughty ,
came over her face. :
At that moment in ran Fleeta.
why Miss Kate, did not know you ,
we're here. I am glad to see you {
Her eyes caught sight of the blossom. {
%, uncle Audley, you know I begged
'ou half an hour for that flower this
and you would not let me !
AVE it; you said you wanted it for an
ther purpose, and now you give It to {
disE Kate q
Her face wore q decided look of child :
7h disappointment.
Were you Very anxious to have it9' | y