Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-06-03
Kate's Punishment.

A Proud, imperious girl was Nate oou'ncr-
| land, but alas that we have to record 1t
| most inveterate coquette. Reared in luxury,
the only child of fond and loving parents, who
granted her every wish, tits not to be wondered
at that she grew up to womanhood proud
and naughty being.
Nevertheless, Kate was remarkably hand
some girl-tall and symetrically formed, with
long flowing tresses of the richest auburn, and
eyes of the deepest blue, that sparkled like
diamonds and shot forth bewitching glances
when their owner willed.
All things must come to an end, and it was
so with Kate's coquctries-th came to an end
at last.
One bright afternoon there came to the city
tall handsome young man of perhaps fvc
and twenty years of age, bearing letters OF re-
commendation from some Of the most infiuen-
tial residents of a neighboring city. The new
conner took lodgings at a common but respec-
table boarding house, rented and fitted up
neat and substantial Office on one Of the prin-
cipal streets and hung out the following sign;
MORTON VANE,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT Law.
Being of good department and pleasing man
ners, the young lawyer was at once introduced
into the most fashionable circles of society
At fashionable party he met for the first time
the reigning belle of the season, Kate South
erland. From the very first they were pleased
with each other. Kate who had always scorncd
the idea Of love, and whose heart up till the
moment she met Vane had been free and un-
trammeled, mentally acknowledged him to be
her conquering hero, and that he was her fate.
And he In vain did the stars Of lesser note
outvie each other in their attempts to gain
from him look or word-he had neither
eyes nor ears for aught else but Kate and when
the party broke up he was her escort home
From that time forth the young lawyer was
constant and welcome visitor at her fathers
house and Madame Rumor soon asserted, and
for once truly, that they were engaged and the
wedding day set.
A short time after the engagement between
Morton and Kate, there arrived by the evening
train from Washington the gay and dashing
Charles Lee, Representative in Congress from
that district. The arrival of the honorable
gentleman created quito buzz among tho
fashionaJes of the place and grand ball was
given by Mr.. Crane wealthy citizen, in hon
or as he said, of the Representatives return.
Before his election and departure for Wash
ington, young Lee was one of the many aspl-
rants for the hand of the fair Kate Southerland,
in fact there had been quite desperate iilrta-
ton carried on between the two, and rumor
even went so far as to hint that they were en-
gagged. How that was we will not pretend to
say. but this we do know, that when Kate en-
tered the ball room on the night referred to,
leaning on the arm of her affianced, the e.young
honorable Immediately left the circle OF
charming bellies that had gathered around him,
and came forward extending his hand in hearty
greeting. An exultant smile which she could
not hide. shone for an instant on kates face,
and, dangerous bewitching light cleaned in
her eyes.
Immediately after the ceremony of introduc-
ton between the two gentlemen had been gone
through With, young Lee, " for the sake OF old
ACQUAINTANCE" as he said, claimed kate's hand
/ r. Al. .f h.~hrt hon
forming on the floor. Without word she
took his arm, AMI they glided to their places.
1t was soon apparent to the most careless OBJ
server in the room that Hates old habit OF
flirting, which every one thought had been laid
aside forever, had returned with all its olden
yigor. She did her utmost TO keep young Lee
chained to her side, and she succeeded. Her
conduct was the general theme OF conversation
throughout the room, carried on in whispers,
to be sure. but of which young Vane could not
bclp catching an occasional observation. 1t
reused his pride and anger; yet by no out
ward sign did he betray the fierce storm that
RACED within his beart-calm and collected nc
was, as though the utter neglected. his betroth-
ed was merely previously arranged farce
One there was in that fashionable throng,
whose heart was far away from the glitter and
pomp that surrounded her and whose mind
wandered back to the grand old mansion on
the homestead farm, where had been passed
the happy gleesome years of her girlhood. OF
a timid unobtrusive nature was, Ettna Ray
mond Beautiful she really was, with nat
ural and unstudied grace in all her movements;
and something beyond mere beauty shone
from the depths Of the clear blue eye, revealing
the pure and spotless life within. Her mother
had died when she was quite small, and year
previous to the commencement Of our story,
her father had followed the mother to the iand
of spirits, leaving Ettna sole heiress to all his
vast wealth, and it was in accordance with ber
fathers last wish that she was now in the city
finishing an education not yet complete.
yane was somewhat acquainted with Miss
Raymond, having previously met her, and TO
her it was that he turned for partner, after
bearing for while the utter neglect OF bis be-
,ro,hed AS we said. his pride was reused for