The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-12-23

the door, poor John sighed heavily.
"Who can have sent Kate that dress p
he said ~ shall never hear the last of ii
Yet lam glad some one cares for the child.r
''She should marry a neighbor," said
''then you could take refuge with her some.
times"
John had ceased all pretence with me.
He kne,o that knew he was henpecked
and tyrannized over in no slight degree.
John was, ike myself, very anxious to
see Kate in her brave attire We contrived
to send for her to the library when she was
dressed; +; and know not who was the most
startled, John or l.
She looked magnfcently lovely. Tie
slender, girlish Ggure, robed in flowing
dress of white, shining silk, shrouded in
costly laee-the graceful head, with its fair
hair wreathed with lilies and clusters of
scarlet verbena-every detail was perfect !;
the white SATIN shoes, the dainty white
gloves, the costly fan, the boquet Of lilies
and verbeaas- the bright, sweet face shone
out from the silk and lace so fair and sonsie.
"Well done, Katel" cried John. "You
will be the belle to night"
swell done, somebody ~ said Kate.
"Whcevor sent me this dress, did well,
uncle.n
Jsen she looked wistfully at me. | saw
she was wishing that l, toe, had been pre-
sented with box.
81 hope you will enjoy yourself, Kate"
said John, wistfnlly. Who shall you dance
with ?"
"Mr. Hylton," replied Rate, frankly /;
''and | dare say Mr.. Horfrey will ask me,
| as WE'LL"
John looked at her. Hisold Indian friend.
and the young doctor asked out of civiity
NOT brilliant selection of partners, Ger.
tainly.
"Yoa are good girl, Kate,n he said.
"Gve nae kiss and then run away"
She raised her sweet face. and kissed
him. No, | could not stand that
"Kiss me, tool" cried. sian not yo ur
uncle, but l ana his Oldest friend, and here
is piece Of mistletoe--see p
"Yes; give rim kiss, Kate" said John.
"Poor PAUL. he has no one in the wide
world"
Bat, seeing how the fair face flushed and
the lips quivered, was content to kiss her
hand, reverently, as though she had been
young queen.
1t was a very brilliant ball, and Kate en-.
joyed it TO her hearts content. More than
| once | saw Johns eyes following her,
proudly yet sadly. He knew she would
have to do bitter penance for this tempo.
rary sovereignty.
A few days afterwards there was great
excitement at Lynedale, for some one
brought the news that Hylton Grange had
been purchased by stranger, and was TO
be altered, enlarged, and fitted up in mag
nifcent style. The place was already full
of workmen, superintended by clever
London architect.
Who was the purchaser? No one knew.
A stranger and wealthy man, who intend.
ded residing there himself. listened to
all the remarks, the conjectures, and felt
delighted that had kept my secret.
As twas, my supposed poverty had given
me an insight into their real character-it
had taught me how to appreciate Kate's s
virtues and Johns noble character.
There came day when my old friend
called me into his library, his face white,
and his hands trembling ng-when he asked
me what were my plans for the future.
knew, as well as though he had told
me, that Lady Clara had been complaining
Of the length of my stay.
Remember" said John, "my purse Is
yours Paul--use it as you will. II there
should be any way in which you would
like to start, do not hesitate for want oi
capital. We are brothers, you know. II
| were bachelor"-and poor John sigh ed
deeply-''if l were bachelor, you should
share my home; but married man cannot
do as he would"
81 understand. Lady Clara thinks
have been here long enough, John. But
there is one thing must beg frcm you,
John, before leave. Give it to me, and
| shall be the happiest man in the world,
said.
Anything l have" he replied, his hon
est face Frightening.
'Give me your niece, Kate, to be ny
wife ~ | said.
| He literally gasped in astonishment.
"My niece-Kate '' he cried
"Your niece--the sweetest, truest, best
and fairest girl in the worldl'' l replied.
Willingly" he said "most willingly
But, Paul, my lear boy, what will yor
keep her on? Kate cannot I've on air
you know.
''I will find the ways and means, if you
will use your influence for me-" was my
reply.
~ am SO glad |" he cried. '.There is nc
one care for SO much as you, Paul.
would rather give Katie to you than to 1
prince Go and ask her yourself; Sc,
what she says, and bring her to mt"
| went, knowing pretty well about tha
time Kate would be out for her morning
walk.
| Far down among the leaaess treess l saw
the glimmer of her dress. TWAS bright
clear, cold winters day. The snow hat
vanished, and the frost set in. The ground
was cold, hard, and white, the holly tree.
and laurel bushes frozen, the sky deep
dark, blue, and the sun shining.
| overlook KATE as she entered the Ion,