Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-08-11
THE EVENING STAR.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IL. 1879,
THE UNWILLING BRIDE.

THE UNWILLING BRIDE.
The northern part of Georgia is wild, pic
turesque country. The gold found In this
region had, In earlier days, drawn to the vicin-
ity adventurers from nearly every civilized
land.
Thirty years ago. many men OF broken-down
fortunes from other States came to northern
Georgia with the hope that the tickle goddess
would prove kinder to them In this new avenue
70 wealth than she had deigned to be In other
vacations.
Among these was family named Loser, who
na9 become much reduced In circumstances
and were as unsuited to their present surround
lhgs as IL was possible for people to be. Luis
a LOSER was middle aged man, OF singular grace
wife was faded, helpless woman of fashion.
torn from her native sphere, and transplanted
TO this uncongenial land against her own con-
sent A WA
Mrs. Loser had married twice. Her first hus
bands name was Leslie, and a daughter of
eighteen, named Kate, and one OF fourteen
seaIs, naLeo Edna, were her children by her
At the time our story opens, Mrs. Loser. a
uellcate-looklng woman with peevlsn ex-
radiant with the ephemeral beauty of lilies and
roses, lay on an old-fashloned sofa in the spa
cious hall Of the dwelling.
ingS-a much-worn morning dress of dark SIX.
with frayed trimmings, was finished at the
throat with tie Of cotfee-co lored lace, and a
pair OF Weli-Worn satin slippers covered the
small feet, thrust out as IL their owner was
PR I'd to display them.
Ter slender, useless looking hands were Or
namented with glittertng rings, and In one OF
tht 10 she held worn looking volume which she
seemed to be reading with some interest.
Suddenly rush was heard, and Kate Leslie,
Ter daughter, came swiftly across the veranda
ard entered the hall, carrying In one hand a
package OF papers and letters, and swing
ing from the other large straw hat simply
more striking contrast to the inert creature
on the sofa could hardly have been found
The girl was full Of life, energy, ambitious
TO those who knew her that she did not intend
to be disappointed In her aspirations ii the
contamination OF her wishes depended on her
self.
Kate was In the heyday of youth-a brilliant
sparkling brunette, the roses OF health on her
cheeks and lips, and the light OF hope and Joy
suit OF dark brown hair with CLINT Of red In Il
gave character to her bright face.
AS Kate rushed across the floor toward her
mothers place OF indOlent repOSe she exclaimed
In clear, ringing tones:
"Such lot of papers and letters never came
10 this house at one time before. I've been to
tie Office myself on Flyaway. Here is a letter
and by that token, If / did not recognize the
writing, l should know that it is from Dick
Staunton. Time indeed that he should write,
Tor IL Is TWO years since we had line from him.
ana we were all SO good to him tOO."
Mrs. Loser flushed slightly as she took Staun-
tons letter, opened IT and eagerly read its con-
tents. She seemed to be both interested and
surprised, and her daughter furtively watched
her while she pretended TO arrange the rest OF
the mail on side table.
few moments. 81 wondered what Dick had
TO say to me, but suppose 1t was best to write
10 me under the circumstances"
what can you mean, mamma, and what
Goes Mr. Staunton say? Am to conclude that
Dick has become millionaire, and wants me to
help him spend his money!"
''Well, do declare! II you haven't hit on the
very thing itself. He doesn't say that he's
worth million, but he gives me TO understand
that he Is very rich and getting better Of every
gay, and hes coming back here after you: II
you Will marry him, he will stay In the East
and let his partner manage his mining interests
There! That's about all; and think it is quite
enough to settle your destiny. 1t would mine,
While her mother spoke, Kate had flushed
scarlet, ard then grown pale as death. She
asked, In GREATNESS sort OF way:
"Do you believe 1t is quite true? Do you think
DICK can really be In earnest?"
81 have no doubt he believes what he says
M himself ana see no reason why It should not
must be all right, for you liked him wen enough
when he was staying here with us, and he made
20 secret OF how much In love with you he was
Indeed, till lately, 1 thought there was some
sort OF promise between YOU"
Why till lately?" asked Kate, hoarsely.
"Wen, l do declare! as ii you couldn't an
did not think You would carry e on With HAIRY TE
Conrad as you have done since he came among
u.s. It's regular Irritation, and he's awruily
| In earnest, CHILD, though he hasn't foot or
and he can call his own, nor money ia the
bank either. OF course. you will send him
| adrit now; you ought 10 have done 1t when he
| first presumed to speak to you of love-"
. But liked him then, and more than like
him now" said Kate abruptly. al made a
sort OF bantering promise to Mr.. Staunton, but
had no idea he would ever be In a position to
| claim 1t. He asked me the day before he left
| us II would remain single two years to give
| him chance to make a fortune that would
enable MN to place me In such position as
was born to I'LL. He had tried so many things
| and failed at them all, that thought ft quite
safe to reply that would wait ten years if he
wished 1T. He could not have believed that |
| But he evidently did, my dear. as you will
see when you read what he says. BY this time
DICK Is on his way back, and he may walk In on
the girl for whom he comes with fortune In
his hand. Read his letter and you win see that
he does not mean to give you up"
WIN an ar OF listless detection Kate held out
| Ler hand and accepted the letter offered by her
| mother. AS she read the lines color came back
! TO her face, and her eyes sparkled with aroused
temper. She crushed the paper In her grasp,
ana scOrnfully said:
"What does Dick Staunton mean by saying
| that belong to him-that he Is coming to claim
his own? That he will tolerate no interference
| on the part or any one, and IL l have INDUCED
| in any g1rlish fancieS must put them aside and
prepare to welcome my true lord and master
| Wnen ne comes 10 take me to himself? | ,leper
| bound myself to him in any way, and won't
| | ,eon't be dictated to by him in this manner"
Accustomed 10 her daughters mode OF eX-
| pressing herself when greatly excited, Mrs.
Loser sank back on her seat and TRANQUILITY re-
| Piled:
lit is natural to Dick to be masterul, and he
| says no more than you have given him right
| TO express. You admit that you consented to
| walt for him, and, to man like him, that
meant everything that such promise can I'M
Ply
w But IT. neyer meant it. On. what shall do?
81 can easily tell you. Send Harry Conrad
| away at once, and make him understand that
his dismissal is final. Think OF the magnificent
future opening before you. and prepare to
! receive with cordial welcome the lover who
GENES to shower his hardly earned gold upon
| YOU"
| POOR Kate left her mothers presence in a
| tempest OF feeling ii would be Impossible to
| portray. A fierce battle was raging Within her.
! and she also trembled before the dread that she
would never be permitted to reject the lover
| who came With the power In his hand to release
these she tenderly loved from the homeless
| dIeariness OF their present existence
young, bright face, With nobility OF soul
| stamped upon every Gneament, arose before
| her, and she covered her face with ner hands
| ana moaIed IN her anguish:
Iney VIII tear me from my Harry-my
NM rib r.