The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-08-04
KATE wARFIELD'S CHOICE.
II WISH I knew what to do p

- WISH knew what to do p
Il Kate War6eld, sitting on knoll
in the cool, shadowy orchard, on warm
and pleasant summer afternoon, gave ut
terance to the wish.
She was in a quandary. She had two
lovers, and she wondered which it was best
to choose.
John Rainsford was young, and had alife
full of promise, and great possibilities be-
fore him. But he was poor. Kate War
field knew that he loved her as strong
man can love, but could she, used to the
luxuries of life, give up that which seemed
necessary to her comfort, and marry poor
man?"
Philip Leith was old and rich. And he,
in this letter which she had just been read
ing, made her an offer of his heart-sup-
posing such an organ to be in existence
and hand. He could give her the things
she longed for, the glitter and show she
coveted.
She heard some one whistling down the
road, and looking down that way saw John
coming. Something seemed to tell her that
she must decide between her lovers now,
and in swift way she looked the matter
over. On one side wealth and fashion, and
all that heart could wish for in the graft
fication Of its selfish, worldly enjoyments.
On the other hand, an humble life, and
struggles to climb to that position where
wealth could place her at once.
But then? Did she-could she love
Philip Leith, man old enough to be her
father? Would his wealth make up for
what her life would have If love was in it
AS she asked herself that question she felt
twinge which told her that, after all, she
cared for John Rainsford as she had never
cared for any other man, and for moment
she wondered if life with him would not be
preferable to life with Philip Leith and
all his wealth.
But the glitter of gold blinded her, and
she shut her eyes to the purer vision which
passed before them for moment, and in
that resolute crushing down of the better
impulses of her nature, John Rainsford's
answer to his wooing was made, before he
asked for it.
He came up the orchard path, and sat
down upon the knoll beside her. He had
learned, in the summer gone by, to love
this woman as he thought he could never
love another. She was all that was pure
and true and womanly in woman to him.
81 have had letter from the city," she
said. 81 am going back next week."
:" So soon ?" he said, slowly, and looking
thoughtfully off to the blue hills. She
know well enough what he was thinking
about.
" Yes; have fingered here too long al
ready. This summer has been very pleas
ant one to me. One of the pleasantest
summers of my life, think"
"Can you guess what it has been to
meP" he asked suddenly. "Ihave learn
ed lesson in it that l have never tried to
learn before. ] have learned to love-to
love your .r.
His earnest eyes were on her face. His
words were full of passionate strength and
tenderness. Beneath his gaze, she felt
how unworthy she was of such love as he
gave her.
"I am sorry" she said, slowly.
He started, growing pale.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because--this letter is from the man |
am to marryr'
He answered not word, but his eyes
were on her face in strange, half-doubting
gaze. Could these words of hers be true
Could it be that the woman he had thought
to be SO true and womanly, and who had
let him go on learning to love her, knowing
all the while to what he was drifting, was
the promised wife of anotherP How he had
been deceived in his estimate of her. 1
think the shock which John Rainsford's
faith in woman's truth received was, at
that moment full as strong as that which
her answer gave the love he held for her.
To him she was the ideal woman the type
of womankind, and, proving her untrue, he
doubted all, because he had been so cruelty
deceived in her. .Dulal .s3I
She saw the lines of pain about his
mouth.
~ am sorry" she began.
But he stopped her. .3 aaU |
"Don't ~ he said. Leave the matter
as it is. 1t is better so. No words of yours
are needed to soften the blow. shall
get over it, in time, / think, without
them"
"If had known-' she said, but again
he interrupted her.