The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-08-13
THE UNWILLING BRIDE.


i1s thirty iasa, yeas ago, many men of broken
down foitu ues from other States came to
Northern Georgia, with the hope that the
Nfickle gof less would prove kinder to them In
fNis my avenue to wealth than she had
deigned to be in other vacations.
Among these was family named Loser,
who had become m UGH reduced in clrcuna-
stances, and were as unsuited to their present
surroundings as it was possible Tor people 10
be. Luis Loser was middle aged man, OF
singular grace of person and elegance OF
manner; and his wife was faded, helpless
woman of fashion, torn from her native
sphere, and transplanted to this uncongenlal
land against her own consent.
Mrs. Loser had married twice. Her first
husbands name was Leslie, and daughter
OF 18, named Kate. and one OF IA years,
named Edna, were her children by her first
marriage. ga BHtA HsF- AssN'ea ts-'ae
At the time our story opens, Mrs. Loser,
delicate-looking woman with peevlsh e1-
preston 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 corresponded with her surround
lngs-a much worn morning dress OF dark
silk with frayed trimmings, was finished at
the throat with a tie of coffee colored lace,
and pair of well-worn satin slippers covered
the small feet thrust out as If then owner
was proud to display them.
Her slender, useless looking hands were
ornamented with glittering rings, and in one
of them she held worn looking volumn
which she seemed to be reading with some
interest. lN&o 90
Suddenly a rush was heard, and Kate
Leslie, her daughter, came swiftly across the
verands and entered the ball, carrying In
one hand a package of papers and letters,
and swinging from the other large straw
hat simply trimmed.
a more striking contrast to the inert crea-
ture on the sofa could hardly have been
found. The girl was full OF life, energy, am
bilious to run brilliant career, and 1t was
evident to those who knew her that she did
not intend to be disappointed in her aspira-
tions if the contamination of her wishes de-
pended on herself.
Kate was in the heyday of youth-a bril-
liant. sparkling brunette, the roses of health
on her cheeks and lips and the light of hope
and Joy in her dark, expressive eyes. A mag
niticent suit of dark brown hair with CLINT
of red in it gave character to her bright
face. si ~ az s.
AS Kate rushed across the floor toward her
mothers place of indolent repose, she ex-
claimed in clear, ringing tones:
.'Such a lot of papers and letters never
came to this house at one time beforel I've
been to the Office myself on Flyaway, Here
is letter for you, mamma, all the way from
California, and by that token, if did not
recognize the writing, l should know that it
Is tIOm LICK OlauuJOu. 11Iue luuScQ tudt uc
should write, for 1t is two years since we had
line from him, and we were all so good to
him too" A
Mrs. Loser flushed slightly as she took
Staunton's letter, opened 1t and eagerly read
its contents. She seemed to be both inter-
ested and surprised, and her daughter fur
lively watched her while she pretended to
arrange the rest of the mail on side table.
'sWeli / do declarei' cried Mrs. Loser,
after few moments. 81 wondered what
Dick had to say to me, but suppose 1t was
best TO write to me under the circum-
stances
What can you mean. mamma, and what
does Mr.. Staunton say? Am to conclude
that Dick has become q millionaire, and
wants me to help him spend his money!"
well, l do declare If you haven't hit
on the very thing itself. He doesn't say
that he's worth a million, but he gives me
to understand that he is very rich and get.
ting better off every day, and he's coming
back here after you. If 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
were in your place."
While her mother spoke, Kate had flushed
scarlet and then grown pale as death. She
asked, in breathless sort of way: -
do you believe it is quite true? Do you
think Dick can really be in earnest,
~ have no doubt he believes what he says
himself, and 1 see no reason why 1t should
not be true. Why do you grow so pale,
Kate? 1t must be all right. for you liked
him well enough when he was staying here
with us, and he made no secret of how much
in love with you he was. Indeed, till lately
I thought there was some sort of promise
between YOU -
"Why TIL Iately?'' asked Kate, hoarsely.
"Well, 1 do declared as If you couldn't
answer that YOURSELF If you had prom.
ns1E- Id
onswith Harry Conrad as you have done
since he came among us. It's regular firt
alton. and he's awfully IN earnest, child
though he hasn't foot of land he can call
his own, nor money in the bank either. OF
course, you will send him adrift now; you
ought to have done it when he first pre-
sumed to speak to you of love-"
"But liked him then, and more than
like him now" said Kate, abruptly. 81
made sort of bantering promise to Mr.
Staulton, but / had no idea he would ever
be in position to claim it. He asked M
the day before he left us If l would remain
single two years to give him chance tc
make fortune that would enable him to
place me in such a position as 1 was born tc
fill. He had tried so many things and faileo
at them all. that I thought it quite safe to
reply that would wait 10 years if he wished
it. He could not have believed that wa.
in earnest" -.f,f 5... q. ~ .sr=,r, ..s "a
"But he evidently did, my dear, as yor
will see when you read what he says. By
this time Dick is on his way back, and he
may walk in on us any day. expecting 1
warm welcome from the girl for whom hs
comes with fortune il, his hand. Read hi
letter and you will see tdat he does not NEAR
to give you up" ailre eate4
with an air of listless detection Kate
held out her hand and accepted the lette
offered by her mother. As she read the
lines color came back to her face, and hel
eyes sparkled with aroused temper. She
crushed the paper in her grasp, and scorn
fullysald: 49, -. 4-r--
''What does Dick Staunton mean by sayine
that belong to him-that he is coming K
claim his OWN That he will tolerate no in
reference on the part of any one, and If
have INDUCED in any glriish fancies 1 mus
put them aside and prepare to welcome my
true lord and master when he comes to tax,
me to himself? never bound myself to hin
in any way, and WON'T won't be dictated
to by him in this manner"
az Cd 10, do fo~1 IL - -