Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-02-13
beside him, slight blush mounting to her
ovnn;sitolv beautiful face.

beside him, slight blush moultins to her
exquisitely beautiful face.
~ don't think you will ever see that
day. Come, Fred, let MS end it IN anoth-
err way. You think am not 1T to be
poor mans wife; but | am, dear. You
make at least thousand year Win
vour practice. We can live on that, and
not starve, either. You will have to give
mn YOUR clubs, and your luxurious little
bachelor dinners; but could hardly spare
you for either, anyhow. 1t will be love III
cottage, Fred. but it will be love and
think, happiness
"You don't know what you are talking
about!'' he SAID, fretfully. 1--WE should
both he miserable, wretched. No; could
never drag you down to that"
(which means that clubs. and dinners,
and handsome bachelor apartments, are
preferable to love and poverty she an
swered, with a little bitterness anda touch
of wounded pride.
She had offered to brave all for him and
his loves sake, and he had refused the Of
fering.
"There you are unjust again, Kate. 1t
is only for your sake would not take ad-
vantage of your offer. Some day you will
thank me tor it. Now, must only give
you up-give up the one thing which has
| been a joy to me in my weary life. On,
Kate, don't you misunderstood mel From
the rest Of the world can bear it, but
not from you!'
50 it was decided. There were a few
more words of bitter reasoning on his
part, low, passive acquiescence on hers,
and the little drama was over-kate
Thernton's engagement was at an end.
Mrs. Thornton wisely said nothing that
evening, nor for many days, when she saw
Kate's pale face and proud quivering
lips: then she simply took the broken en-
gagement as an accepted fact, and smiled
at her own diplomacy.
The smile deepened iptO silent laugh
of exultation, when six months later, H ATE
came one evening into her presence, and
said, quietly, with a weary look on her
| beautiful face:
mother, Harold Crosby asked me to-
night to become his wife. l told him
did not love him as he deserved; but he
was content, aud so-we are engaged"
| Harold Crosby! He was not handsome,
certainly but good, and true, and tender
and his incoAe might have been the envy
| r no b NH n
ton pressed upon her daughters lips was
Of fervent gratitude. but she wisely re-
Trained from words AS to Kate herself
her life now was dream, which she strove
to believe had no awakening. Something
of what was going on in her mind, MI
Crosby seemed to understand, for he in nc
way obtruded his claims upon her.
Flowers and beautiful gifts were hel
daily portion. His carriage stood at bel
command. Her friends showered con
ordinations upon her, until unconsciously
to herself, the old, restless feeling wal
gradually passing away from her, and con
) tentment, if not happiness, stealing In IT.
place.
Frederick Mayville was abroad. He hat
sailed Immediately after their rupturet
' engagement. What, then, was Hates
surprise, on.entering the house one chill.
December afternoon, to find him standing
before the fire, almost as he had stood
, year ago He turned at her entrance, ant
she saw that he was very pale.
II have come to offer my congratula
g lions with the rest
). "You have returned2" she said; and
in spite of her every effort, her voic'
trembled.
. II only landed yesterday" he replied
1.-The news of your engagement was tn
first that reached me at the club. Their
were plenty eager to let me KNOW" b
added, with hoarse laugh, then brok
down. ''Kate, how could your" he ques
toned, in bitter reproach.
"You forget it was your doing, nc
J. mine" she answered. II would nav
o been true to you, not five, but fifty years
but you elected my offer, not ! yours.
J. is true, am engaged to Mr.. Crosby.
II wish 1 were more worthy his generous ne
g bility. AS it is, God help me! 1 think
j. have no heart to give to any man,"
81 because it is mine, and because 20
e are not the woman to love twice!" he sal
in ringing tone of triumph, Look
Y my eyes,. Kate, straight and true. and den
> it if you CAM
n The old magnetism Of his presenc
he thrilled her; the music Of his voice; tn
70 strangely handsome face, peering into he
s. own, all asserted their old sway. Sh
dared not meet the test he proposed.
N "God help us both!'' he said. "Oh, Kat
re if had this man $ money, what contlner
n could divide us?''
g Mr.. Crosbyl'
I'd Tbs servant at this Instant announce
I'd the name. He must have overheard Ere
Mayvlle's words.
v, Struggling for self command, Kate wer
g. forward to meet him, and presented hi
a. to Mr. Mayyille, who In a few mpmten
took his leave.
III A silence fell between the two left alon
or then Mr.. Crosby broke it.
$. sYou were once engaged to that gentle
mans" he questioned, but in hia tone w
a no reproach:
u The girl felt as though in the presen'
Id of Judge, kind and just, but firm as ad
er mant.
vel EYES," she assented.
edI "Why was not the engagement fl
1T flled?"
~, "He WAS noor.'' she said, bitterly.
An expression of intense pain hltt'
I'M over her listeners face.
at "Do not misunderstood me-" she 60
til tinued, reused to some explanation.