River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-10-01
MISCELLANY.
KATE,S LOVERS.

Kate Talbot was q beauty. One OF
those superb dazzling biunettes, with a
classical contour of head, and raven black
hair and eyes. Her father was man OF
wealth. He loved and patronized art,
and his house was adorned with every
thing calculated to render a home at.
tractive. Kate was his only child, and
was nineteen years of age. She had re.
ceived an excellent education, and pos
sessed judgment, discrimination and taste.
She, moreover, had rich Imagination
which cast its rosy hues over all she saw
and hoped for; and made her live, as it
were, in spiritualized world. Mr.. Tai
bot loved his daughter with fond en-.
crossing affection, and Kate repaid him
with devoted attachment. If he ever
grew respondent, she was ever near to
cheer him. If he were sick she would
soothe and tend him, and her merry
laugh chased away many dark cloud
from his bosom.
1t is unnecessary to remark that Kate
Talbot was admired. She counted her
suitors by scores. Though she was not
insensible to the praises of her loneliness,
she never sought or courted admiration.
Mr.. Talbot, in his younger days, was
known in the literary world as the au-
thor ofseveral popular works, and though
he no longer INDUCED flor it was an in.
diligence, he being born to Wealth. in
these pursuits, he nevertheless kept an
open house, where the most gifted writers
in the land had their seat at his board.
Early in life Kate had been deprived of
her mother, who died suddenly one day
while walking in the garden. A maiden
aunt, every way fitted for the purpose,
was called upon to watch over and rear
Mr.. Talbot's daughter.
Thrown as she was among tie entbusi.
astic spirits who thronged her fathers
table, it was no wonder that Hates mind
early became imbued with spirit Of
romance. She was an admirable musician,
good artist, and some Of the verses she
wrote were considered very meritor ous.
Among those who visited Mr.. Talbot's
house was a certain Monsieur D'0rley.
French wit, writer and politician, all COM
bined. ID 0rley was handsome man,
whose superb physique and captivating
manners were almost sure to win him an
enviable position among the fair sex.
Kate Talbot shared in the general enthu.
siasm for the Frenchman, and he soon be-
gan to pay her the most devoted and sla-
wish attention. There was another, how
ever, who stood very fair in the opinion
Of Miss Talbot-a certain Rodney Yates, a
gentleman Of literary taste, good family,
and, withal. wealthy. Yates was Ger.
tainly handsome man, and had travelled
extensively in Europe, always minghng
with the best of society, and always hav-
ing the good fortune to be a favorite
wherever he went.
When Mons. D'0rley appeared upon
the scene, Rodney Yates was considered
to stand the best chance of winning Kate
Talbot for wife, but matters altered a
little with the Frenchman' S advent.
Between D'0rley and himself the most
studious politeness and urbanity were
ever practiced ; but never did two gladi'
ators in q Roman area measure each other
with more jealons eyes than did these TIVE
men. That they cordially hated each
other was no great wonder; but never by
word or look did they betray the least
luminosity. but met and parted from each
other at Mr.. Talbot's house with gay
words and smiling lips, while hidden away
in their blossoms was deep rancor thai
only required the time and occasion fol
manifesting the hatred they really cher
ished.
D'Orley succeeded in filling Kate's minC
with disire to travel abroad. He toll
her of the beauty and wonders of gal
Paris, Of the thousand and one sights AM
sounds that city presents each day. Ill
A III 81 n
esque wales of la belle France, and of tn
antiquity that fingered about the quain
old castle in his native Province.
Kate listened as became one interested
and finally made up her mind that sh
would induce her father to make tri
across the ocean Mons. D'Orley was i
ecstasies when he heard her express he
resolution of visiting France. He woul
meet her there, and would show her th
glory and beauty Of Paris He woul
have the honor and peaure Of expainin
the rich treasures Of art that the goriou
city contained. All Mons. DOre
was very happy man in anticipation an(
when the time came for him to bid adio
to his American friends, he fingered so lon
over Kate's clasped hand that she wa
forced 10 suddenly withdraw it from III
admirers grasp.
RodneyYates only smiled and curled hi
lip just to the smallest possible dcgre,
when Mons. D'0rley bid farewell to IN
Talbots. Kate waved a last adieu to th
Frenchman, and then turned to Yates, r,
marking
"well, he is a clever man, and very er
tertainng.'
"You haven't seen the uosksys - Oh
ps-k !" suggested gstst