The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-12-19
Two Dollars a Year.

deeper and richer, and upon this mel.
Ody she aoated out into the world Of
dreams.
That night Augustus LathrOP wrote to
a friend in town:
81 have tanned the little termagant !;
she is as come-at-able as would wish. A
beauty, a genius, wit, and has got the
dimes; what more can / ask2 Keep up
your courage, Ned there's a good time
coming. Tell Bailey I'll take the span Of
grays, and you may keep them in their
PAGES till come. I'll be there about the
first of September, and my little bride with
me, if all goes right.
+. 5. Frank Forester, the old love,
has gone West, it fit Of the sulks."
At the same time Kitty ElwoOd wrote
to her friend Lottie:
Hes splendid, Lottie; quite corsair
in looks, and such a soft musical voice,
and it can whisper such sweet nothings
that it gives me the palpitation of the
heart for an hour afterward. You need
not be surprised to hear any day that /
am engaged"
After filling three sheets Of note paper
and crossing it after the manner of young
ladies epistles of the present day, Kitty
laid her head upon herpillow and dreamed
not of Frank Forester in his new Wes-
tern home, but of Cousin Augustus, at
torney-at-law.
Three weeks more of uninterrupted
pleasure flew by, bringing a soft, dreamy
light into Kitty's eyes, and look Of IA
diant happiness to Mr.. Lathrop. The
day had been intensely warm, so much so
that going out was impossible, 80 Kitty
sat in the shady parlor that long summer
afternoon, her cousin reading aloud one
of those bewitching romances all about
love and moonshine. The evening came
at length, cool and breezy, and Kitty
walked slowly up and down the garden,
leaning on Mr.. Lathrop's arm.
"You are tired, Kitty; let US rest here
So Augustus brushed the dust from the
seat in an old arbor with his perfumed
handkerchief, and Kitty sat down.
"You seem sad tonight, sweet cousin I"
and Kitty's hand received timid pres
sure, then another, and finally was car.
ried to Mr.. Lathrop's lip in an ecstacy Of
rapture.
Kitty sat very quiet during all these
demonstrations, and when at last he sank
at her her feet, utterly regardless Of his
white pantaloons, and poured out his love
in a perfect cataract of sweet sounds, Kit
ty was melted even to tears.
"Give me but one token, dearest,
that may know you love me in re-
turn"
But vows were not needed to express
her great love, so Kitty sank into the out
stretched arms of Cousin Augustus and
spoke no word.
The next morning, when Mr. Lathrop
had seized the first opportunity of pri-
vate conversation with his uncle, and told
him all, the old man said:
"With all my heart, dear nephew, and
may she make you good wife hoped
for this when asked you to visit US, for,
as | limited, things were getting desperate
in another quarter, and all remonstrances
were in vain; Tor, to tell the truth, Kit
TVS an arrant piece Of willfulness as you
will meet with in many day. She was
bound to hate you, and is caught at last"
And Deacon Elwood went off in a fit of
laughter that was dangerous.
From that time there was such a rust
ling of silks in Kitty Elwood's chamber,
such futtering of white muslin, such
numberless packages and boxes arriving
by express at the cottage, that any one
possessed of common sense must have
seen what was to follow. Mr.. LathrOp
absented himself for short time, going
to town to make arrangements for his
bride. Kitty, futtering in and out among
all that bridal paraphernalia was as rest
less as a bird on the wing.
ono wonder she is uneasy" gossiped
the seamstresses as they turned over one
beautiful thing after another. Il know
if [ had treated a young man as shame.
fully as she has Frank Forester,
should never expect another happy hour"
'She's anything but miserable, though;
just hear her singing now; that sounds
as though she was very wretched, doesn't
it?'
Laughter and song may cover many
an aching heart. 1t is my opinion that
Kitty Elwood is a victim"
She looked like it, certainly, with the
laughter breaking through every dimple
in that sunny face, and the love-light
overlooking the glad sparkle in her eyes,
as she stands reading tiny letter, crossed
and re-crossed. 1t says:
''My darling Kitty, only two more
weeks, then l shall be with you, shall
call you mine. The time seems long, but
It will pass quickly, and then no part
ings."
And Kitty folds the precious document
and lays it in her bosom. Yes, Kitty is
a victim, but she goes gayly to. the sacri-
fee.
tits the night before the wedding. The
September moonlight foods the old piazza
and makes the shadows, where sit Kitty
Elwood and Mr.. Lathrop, only the denser
by its brightness.
"And you have never loved but once,
you say, dear Kiltyg'
'FNever. Augustus" and the fair aft
anced looked away into the moonlight
beyond. II have had little preferences,
perhaps, in my lifetime, but never but one
love and that shall go with me down to my
grave, God helping me."
The arm frightened around her at this
assurance, and soon after Kitty went up
to her little chamber, where she was to
sleep for the last time for many months,
and perhaps forever. Her trunks were
already packed and nothing was visible
but her travelling attire.
The morniDs Kitty ElwoOd's
wedding day-g glorious with autumn sun
shine and gorgeous with its richness.
Over the varied landscape, past little
villages just awakening TO another day,
through dark woods that the morning
suns rays have failed to penetrate, over
bridges, rushing and flying like the wind,
goes the bride of an hour, with a smile
of perfect happiness upon her sunny face
turned SO radiantly toward this fresh,
wildwood beauty.
"You must be deaf, dumb and blind,
Frank Forester, to sit there 80 still, with