The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-08-13
THE UNWILLING BRIDE.

northern Georgia with the hope that the
tickle goddess would prove kinder to them
in this new avenue to wealth than SIZE had
deigned to be in other vocations.
Among these was q family named
Loser, who had become much reduced In
circumstances and were as unsuited to
their present surroundings as it was posi-
BILE for people to be. Luis Loser, was a
middle aged man, of singular grace OF
person and elegance of manners; and his
wife was faded, helpless woman of fash
ion, torn from her native sphere and
transplanted to this uncongenial land
against her own consent.
Mrs. Loser had married twice. Her
first husbands name was Leslie, and
daughter of eighteen named Kate, and
one of fourteen named Edna, were her
children by her first marriage,
At the time our story opens, Mrs.
Loser, a delicate looking woman with
peevish expression on the face which had
once been radiant with the ephemeral
beauty of lilies and roses, lay on an old
fashioned sofa in the spacious hall of the
dwelling.
Her toilet correspondent with her sur
roundings-a much worn morning dress
Of dark silk with frayed trimmings, was
finished at the throat with tie of coffee
oolored lace, and pair of well-worn satin
slippers covered the small feet, thrust out
as if their owner was proud to display
them.
Her slender useless looking hands were
ornamented with glittering rings, and, iu
one of them she held worn looking vol
ume which she seemed to be reading with
some interest,
Suddenly a rush was heard, and Kate
Leslie, her daugeter, came swiftly across
the veranda and entered the hall. carry
ing in one hand package of papers and
swinging from the other a large straw hat
simply trimmed.
A more striking contrast to the inert
creature on the sofa could hardly have
been found. The girl was full of life,
energy, ambitious TO run brilliant ca
reer, and il was evident to those who
knew her that she did not intend to be
disappointed in her aspirations if the
contamination Of her wishes depended or
herself
Kate was 10 the heyday of youths
brilliant, sparkling brunette, the roses oil
health on her cheeks aud lips, and the
light Of hope aud joy in her dark expressive
eyes. A magnificent suit of dark brown
hair with CLINT of red in it gave charac
ter to her bright face. AS Kate rushed
across the floor toward her mothers
place of iodoent repose, she exclaimed il
clear ringing tones:
Such lot of papers and letters neveI
came to this house at one time before
I've been to the Office myself on Flyaway
Here is a letter for you mamma, all tn
way from California, and by that token,
did not recognize the writing, | shout
know that it is from Dick Stauuton Tim
indeed that he should write, for it is tw
years SINCE we had a line from him, an
we were all so good to him tool
Mrs. Loser flushed slightly as she too
Staunton's letter, opened it and eagerl
read its contents. She seemed to /
both interested and surprised, and hi
daughter furtively watched her while 81
pretended to arrange the rest of the ma
on a side table.
well do declared" cried Mrs. Lose
after a few moments. II wonderC
what Dick had to say to me, but | suppo
it was best to write to me under the CT
cumstances."
What can you mean, mamma, al
what does Mr.. Staunten say? Am l
conclude that Dick has become a milio
aire, and wants me to help him spend
money!"
well, l do declared IF you haven
bit on the very thing itself. He doesu
say that he's worth million, bat he Civ
me to understand that he is very rich al
getting better off every day, and he's cor
ing back here after you. If you W
marry him, he will stay in the East, al
let his partner manage his mining inte
ests. Therel That's about ALL; and
think it is quite enough to settle your d.
tiny. 1t would mine if l were in 80
place"
While her mother spoke, Kate h
flushed scarlet, and then grown pale
death. She asked in breathess sort
way:
DO you believe it is quite true?
you think Dick can really be in earnest
Il have no doubt he believes what
says himself, and | see no reason why
should not be true. Why do you grow
pale, Kate2 1t must be all right, for Y
liked him well enough when he was st;
ing here with US, and he made no secl
OF bow much in love with you he W,
Indeed, till lately, | thought there "
some sort of promise between you,''
why till lately?" asked Kate hoars
ly.
well, do declare! as if you couldn
answer that yourselfl If you had prot
ised Dick ! did not think you would ca
~ on with Harry Conrad as you ha
done since he came among US. It's
regular Irritation and he's awfully in ear
est, child, though he hasn't foot of lar
he can call his own, nor money in Il
bank either. Of course you will send hi
adritt now; you ought to have done
when he first presumed TO speak to VI
of love"
But | liked him then. aud l more ths
like him now" said Kate, abruptly
Il made sort of banteriDg promise
Mr.. Stanton, but had no idea be won
ever be in position to claim it. He asI
ed me the day before he left us if I won
remain single two years to give him
chance to make fortune that would CT
able him to place me in such a positic
as was born to FILL He had tried
many things and failed at them all, tht
| thought it quite safe to reply that
would wait ten years If he wished it. II
could not have believed that | was
earnest"
But he evidently did my dear, as yc
will see when you read what he says.
this time Dick is on his way back, and /
may walk In on US any day expecting
warm welcome from the girl for whom b
comes with fortune in his hand. Res
his letter aud you will see that he do
not mean to give you up"
with an air of listless detection Kat
held out her hand and accepted the lette
offered by her mother. AS she read n
lines color came back to her face, and h,
.nuAa annrklnd riAh r,rn,,nnl