The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-01-24

"There you are unjust again, Kate. It
only for your sake l would not take advar
tage Of your Offer Some day, you will than
me for it. Now must only give you up
give up the one thing that has been Joy t
my weary life. Oh, Kate, don't you misun
derstand me! From the rest of the world
can bear it, but not from you I"
So it was decided. There were a few NOR
words of bitter reasoning on his part, low
passive acquiescence on hers, then the littl
drama was over-Kate Thornton's engage
ment was at an end.
Mrs. Thornton wisely said nothing tha
evening, nor for many days, when she saw
Kate's pale face and proud, quivering lips
then she simply took the broken engage.
ment as an accepted fact, and smiled at hel
own diplomacy.
The smile deepened into a silent laugh Of
exultation, when six months later, Kate
came into her presence one evening, and
said, quietly, with a weary look on her
beautiful face:
"Mother, Harold Crosby asked me to-
night to become his wife. 1 told him did
not love him as he deserved but he was
content, and so-we are engaged"
Harold Crosby He was not handsome,
certainly, but good, and true, and tender,
and his income might have been the envy
of prince. The kiss which Mrs. Thorn
ton pressed upon her daughters lips was of
iervent gratitude, but she wisely refrained
from words. AS to Kate herself, her life
now was a dream, which she strove to be-
lieve had no awakening. Something of
what was going on in her mind, Mr.. Crosby
seemed to understand, for he in no way OBJ
truded his claims upon her.
Flowers and beautiful gifts were her dai-
ly portion. His carriage stood at her COM
mand. Her friends showered congratula-
tions upon her, until unconsciously to her
self, the old, restless feeling was gradually
passing away from her, and contentment, if
not happiness, stealing in its place.
Frederick Mayvile was abroad. He had
sailed Immediately after their ruptured en-
gagement. What, then, was Kate's surprise,
on entering the house on one chilly Decem-
Der afternoon, to find him standing before
the fire, almost as he had stood year agone!
He turned ut her entrance, and she saw that
he was very pale.
" have come to offer my congratulations
with the rest"
"You have returned ?" che said and, in
spite of her every effort, her voice trembled.
81 only landed yesterday" he replied.
"The news of your engagement was the first
thing that reached me at the club. There
were plenty eager to let me know" he add
ed, with hoarse laugh, then broke down.
"Kate, how could you?" he questioned, in
bitter reproach.
"You forget it was your doing, not mine,"
she answered. al would have been true
to you, not five, but fifty years, but you re-
jected my offer not yours. 1t is true am
engaged to Mr.. Crosby. only wish l were
more worthy his generous nobility. As it
is, God help me l think have no heart
to give to any man."
"Because it is mine, and because you are
not to love twice " he said, in a ringing
tone of triumph. "Look in my eyes, Kate,
straight and true, and deny it if you cam"
The old magnetism of his presence thrilled
her; the music of his voice, the strangely
handsome face, peering into her own, all
asserted their old sway. She dared not meet
the test he proposed.
"God help us both !" he said "Oh, Kate,
if had this mans money, what continent
could divide us?"
"Mr. Crosby !"
The servant at this instant announced the
name. He must have overheard Fred May
ville's words.
Struggling for self-command, Kate went
forward to meet him, and presented him to
Mr.. Mayville, who in a few moments took
his leave.
A silence fell between the two left alone,
then Mr.. Crosby broke it..
"You were once engaged to that gentle
man ?" he questioned, but in his tone was
no reproach.
The girl felt as though in the presence of
a judge, kind and just, but firm as adamant.
Yes" she assented.
"Why was not the engagement fdlflled ?"
"He was poor" she said bitterly.
An expression of intense pain fitted over
her listeners face.
ado not misunderstood me-" she coutinu-
ed, reused 10 some explanation. "I would
have married him on half his income, had
he consented; but he would not Mamma
was unwilling the engagement should con-
tinue longer on its uncertain basis, and So
we separated"
"You mean to say that you told him you
would marry him, and that he refused?"
"Yes," she answered, wondering why she
had never felt before the full humiliation to
which this had exposed her.
A minute elapsed, during which each only
heard the beating of their own hearts then
he said, very quietly:
"Poor child you have been very hardly
tried. You meant to do what was right.
Always believe, Kate, that understood
that Now must leave youJ but you shall
hear from me later"
Mechanically she placed her cold hand
in his warm claspi then, in dull, hopeless
sort of way, realized that she was alone
alone, heneeforth and forever for, though
Harold Crosby had in no set form of
words cast her off, she knew that the bonds
between them were severed.
That same evening the note she expected
reached her
"1 am calmer now, Kate, than when
left you, few hours ago. / am able once
more to forget myself, and think only oil
your happiness, which is the only thing
nearest my heart You have never loved
me, dear therefore, il is only | who will
suffer at cur separation; and am man and
strong. You will hear from Mr.. Mayyille
Qf his improved prospects. / can onfy add
my Drayer that every good thing in life may