Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-02-13
ALMOST BETRAYED.

On the previous evening, at the oc-
casion of her eighteenth birthday,
she had received two proposals for
her hand.
She had accepted neither, nor had
she positively checked the aspirations
or either suitor. Her heart was sway
ed by conflicting emotions, and the
thoughts that agitated her found vent
in soliloquy as she paced her boud-
Dir, irresistibly beautiful in her morn
ing robes.
"Harold Tracy is so thoughtful
and studious," mused she, "always
poring over those horrid law books.
But he is ever so learned. He will
doubtless one of these days rank
among the most celebrated lawyers
Of our times. He is not handsome /;
his features ere of a pale cast, his
blue eyes have dreamy look, and
his light aburn hair gives him a boy--
ish appearance. But when he is en-.
gagged In a legal discussion-when
defending some poor fellow creature,
then genius sparkles from his eyes,
his whole form becomes noble, grand
and sublime. Truly, many woman
would eagerly grasp at his proftered
hand.
"Guy Livingstone" continued she.
reverting to her other suitor, sis the
very opposite to all this. He is dark
in features, tall, graceful and hand
some, fluent talker, a splendid dam
GER, and such dashing rider. He
is true gentleman, in the modern
acceptation of the term. Such one
as is we'll calculated to take poor fe-
male hearts by storm. Oh, dear me -
she sighed, show can l choose be-
tween them? 1 love them both.
Would that the qualities of both were
united in either.''
Unable to release herself from her
perpiexing situation, she summoned
Eer maid, made her toilet, and short
ly afterward appeared on the veranda
for her usual morning ride.
1t might be well to remark here
that she was the only daughter of
Mr.. Carson, a merchant of reputed
wealth. Her mother had been dead
since many years, and as her father s
business required his constant attend
ance in the city, she was left sole
mistress of the elegant villa which is
the scene of our story.
Mr.. Carson's liberality was pro-
verbal, and his summer residence
was habitually the rendezvous of
many OF their fashionable city friends.
Thus it was that Kate was surround
ed by merry throng, among whom
were Guy Livingstone, the dashiDg
colonel of a New York crack regi-
ment, and Harold Tracy, the legal
adviser of Mr.. Carson, and who had,
for the first time, granted himself a
respite from his arduous labors, at
the earnest solicitation of his client.
When Kate appeared on the veran-
/ da, Colonel Livingstone Immediately
FASTENED towards her, and offered tC
accompany her. Kate hesitated 9
moment and glanced at Harold, who
stood near, gazing upon her in silen
admiration.
"Will you accompany us?' asked
she, still h.sitating.
II am but an Indifferent horse
man. responded Harold, s'ant
would but mar you pleasure by my
awkwardness.
(Which is as much," triumphantly
exclaimed Guy, as the pair sat in the
saddle, ''as to say that he prefers tc
muse in silent solitude
The next moment the fair riders
were quickly galloping along the ele
giant terrace.
''Poor GIRL" mushed Harold, after
the pair had vanished from his sight
"buttertiy of fortune. Enjoy youl
summer while it lasts. Little yor
dream of the misfortune that will
soon overtake you. You revel ir
wealth and prosperity; but, font
daughter, do you not notice the al
tered appearance of your father. Blu
that, as his legal adviser, / am bound
to silence, could soon drive the
merry laugh from your lips. TIL,
crash will soon come that will rem
der your father bankrupt, you, tn,
rich heiress, a poor girl. And by
Heaven" continued he, with some
; excitement, 81 would not avert thi:
calamity if 1 could"
"The news of Mr.. Carson's failure
will soon drive away this crowd O
sycophants and fortune-hunters, anC
l, the poor lawyer, would prove tha
my love is true and lasting"
He sadly turned away and contin.
ued his solitary rambling in the fine
park attached to the villa.
Two hours later Kate and Guy re-
turned home.
AS soon as their steeds were re
signed to the care of the groom, Kats
fastened to her room, while Guy lit ,
cigar and sauntered down the road
He was met by a young man who's,
, name was Jack Wilson.
"Well, Guy, what luck?" asked
the latter.
''I've got her, by Jove!" answer
ed Guy. "She'S mine, my boy
wish me joy"
''And those L. o UP"
s'I'll pay them the day after tn
: marriage"
|, "You had better make short worl
Of it."
''You bet. I've caught her in th,
. nick of time. My creditors wer,
getting almost the best of me. Al
early marriage is what l now neet
: most to set me on my legs again.
In the evening the betrothal wa
officially announced. The parlor wa
crowded, and all eyes were turned
ON Harold to see how he would bea
the shock.
His face betrayed 70 emotion
Courteously he advanced to thu
bride. She grew pale as he pressed
her hand.
"Miss Carson" he sweetly whis
pered, 81 congratulate you; may
you be happy in your choice. /"
It was in the midst of this gay as
semblage that the telegram arrived,