Daily Republican., 1880-05-28
THE BxIDE ELECT.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
al really don't see, Kate. how 20
can reconcile to your conscience to pu
up with all his exactions and whims.
said old Miss Thorns. with trouble
cloud upon her usually rosy and seren
face. o..
"But, Aunt Penelope, he loves mel
"He has a curious way Of showiD
his love, then, that Is all ! have ;
say !"
"And we are to be married mex
week." added Kate Thorne, her cheek
flushing softly, as she spoke.
"T'hsn | hUpe the marriage will worl
the miracle of change in him." sait
Aunt Penelope, tartly. "For to speal
the honest truth, unless he does alte
his ways | don't soc much chance o
solid happiness for you my child"
Kate did not answer, save by brigh
look ard hopeful smile.
Harold Grentell was "trying" even Il
her. Dearly as she loved him, she
could not but feel mortified at times,
with his irritable, exacting temper,
his frstting at trfiss and his disposition
to criticise even her slightest words OF
actions.
But what girl Sin lovs' ever failed
to find excuses for her cavaliers short
comings and Kate was no exception tC
the general rule.
"When we are married / can easily
cure him of all these disagreesble lit
tie peculiarities," was her hopeful
thought.
And really Miss Thorne had some
excuse for believing so fondly in her
own powers of transmutation.
SO fair ap alchemist. might we'll be.
lievs in the sovereign powers of her
crucible, for Kate was very pretty, with
bright auburn gold hair, hazel, where
softnees and archness were mingled,
after the most bewitchiug fashion, and
a fresh complexion, like an early peach.
And the only thing that made Kate at
all unhappy, as her wedding day ap-
proaohed, WAS the determined dejec-
tion of HONEST Lionel Wilson!
81 wish he wouldn't take 1t To heart
so," thought Kate, almost remorsely.
81 do like him ever 80 much / might
even have loved him II Harold Gren-
fell had not come along just at the time
he 6id-and he might al least, let me
keep him as q friend !"
And Aunt Penelope added to the
general Observation-Disclosures of matters
by shaking her wise old head, and only
wishing that Kate had the good sense
to choose Lionel instead OF that other
fellow.
"He isn't 20 handsome and fancified,
psrhap,," added Aunt Penelope, "but
IS oil know that beauty is only skin
deep, and | do believe that ii ever man
made a good husband, Lionel Wilsen
will !! Heigho | hope fate has got a
nice wife in store for himself some
where. ~
You had better marry him your
self, Aunt Penelope" said Kate mis-
chievously.
"Marry my grandson !" quoth Aunt
Penelope. "I've lived fifty odd years
without husband, and guess / can
make out a few more Of 'em. But l
can't help feeling sorry for Lionel all
the time"
"Well, Aant Penelope, you know
that like him--sver so much"
"Ah !" said Aunt Penelope, "but
that Is exactly what he don't want"
And Kate to avoid the coming dis
cussion stole up to her own room, where
the weddiug wreath and veil were al
ready eliciting the admiring comments
of the two dimpled young bridesmaid,
Hste'e younger sisters.
Harold Grenfell was not in the hap
piest Of humors that night when he
came as usual to spend the evening
with his bride elect. He criticised Kate's
dress-her hair-the very twinkling
ornaments she wore in her ears.
"And, of course, you are the best
Judge Of your own affairs, Katharine"
he added. Kate specially disliked the
stately "full name" to which she was
by baptism entitled -" but I can't
think it exactly the correct thing for
you to be walking out with Lionel Will
son the very week before yonr we'd
ding"
"Dear me, Harold?" cried Kate, max
ing double arches OF her pretty pencil
ed brows. 81 had to 60 out to get two
more yards Of white quilted ribbon for
my sleeves, and as Lionel CHANGED to
be walking in the same direction, !
very we'll get on the other side
Of the street"
"Oh, of course--ef course!" said
Harold, with provoking sarcasm in his
tone, "my wishes are Of no consequence
at all. always knew that!
"Harold, how can you be SO unrea-
What would you have me to
doi'
"a bride-elect has no business with
the atentions OF ary man except him
gho is to DO her kusbsndY"
"Dear Harold, would you transform
the future husband into a tyrannical
jailer?" Would you wish to show that
you have neither confidence nor trust
in the woman you have chosen for your
wife?"
~ am mucd obliged to you," said
Harold, bitterly, while a disagreeable
curve came to lis lip. "Perhaps plein
speaking is best under all the ciroum-
stances, but it is not agreeable to hear