The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-04-14

everything around in the atmosphere of
fairy lane, Katie gave her hand to the
man her ambition-not her love-had
chosen.
But certainly ambition could not have
made better choice. Already she saw
herself surrounded by a magnificent
edged and admired queen. The favors
of fortune were showered upon her; she
foated luxuriously upon the smooth and
CLASSY wave of charmed life.
Nothing was wanted il the whole cir
Gle of her outward existence, to adorn
il and make 1t bright with happiness.
But she was not long in discovering
that there was something wanting within
her own breast.
Her friends were numerous; her hus-
affections she enjoyed could not fill her
heart.
She had once felt its chords of SYM
pathy moved by skillful touch; she had
known the heavenly charm of their deep,
delicious harmony; and now they were
silent. motionless, muffled so to speak,
in silks and satins. These chords still and
soundless, her heart was dead; not the
less so because it had been killed by a
golden shaft. Having known and felt
the life of sympathy in love, she could
not but mourn for it, unconsoled by the
life of luxury. In short. Katie in time
became magnificently miserable, splen-
didly unhappy.
Then change became apparent in
her husband. He could not longer re-
main blind to the fact that his love was
not returned. He sought the company
of those whose gayety might lead him to
forget the sorrow and despair of his soul.
This shadow of Joy was unsatisfactory
however, and impelled by powerful long
ings for love, he went astray to warm
his heart by q strange fire.
Katie saw herself now in the midst of
a gorgeous desolation, burning with
thirst unconquerable by golden streams,
that flowed around her; painting with
hunger, not eli the food of fiattery could
appease.
She reproached her husband for desert
ing her thus; and he answered with an
CRY and desperate taunts of deception,
and total lack of love, which smote her
heart heavily.
"You do not care for me, he cried;
''then why should you complain that
bestow elsewhere the affections you have
met with coldness?"
but it was wrong, sinful" Katie re-
monstrated.
"Yes, 1 know It'll" said her husband,
fiercely. '1t is the evil fruit of an evil
seed. And who sowed that seed? Who
gave me hand without heart Who
became sharer of my fortune. but gave
me no share In sympathy-who devoted
me to the fate of loving, unloved hus-
band Nay, do not weep, and unclasp
your hands, and sigh and sob in such
desperation of impatience-for 1 say
nothing you do not deserve to hear"
VERY vel, P" said Katie, calming her.
self; 81 will not complain. 1 will not say
your reproaches are undeserved. But
granting that 1 am the cold, deceitful
thing you call me-you know that this
state of things can not continue"
"Yes, 1 know it."
"Well?'
MIR. Wellington's brows gathered dark
ly; his eyes flashed with determination;
his lips curled with scorn.
81 have made up my mind" said he,
'that we should not live together any
longer. am tired of being called the
husband of the splendid Mrs. Yelling
ton; will move in my circle; you shall
shine in yours. shall place no restraint
on your actions, nor shall you on mine.
We will be free."
"But the world |" shrieked Katie trem-
bling.
''The world will admire you the same
and what more do you desire?" asked
her husband bitterly. "The marriage
of hands, and not of hearts, is mock
cry. Few know the conventional mean
ing of the term husband and wife; but
do you know what it should mean? Do
you feel that the only true union is that
of this mummery! Farewell! 90 to
consult friends about the terms of separa-
ton. Nay, do not tremble and cry, and
cling to me now-for 1 shall be liberal to
you. AS much of my fortune shall be
yours as you DESIRE"
He pushed her from him. She fell
upon the sofa. From q heart torn with
anguish she shrieked aloud:
Crank Frank why did send you
from me? Why did 1 sacrifice love and
was 1 blind till sight brought me mis-
ery?"
She lay upon the sofa sobbing and
weeping passionately. Gradually her
grief appeared to exhaust itself; her
head lay peacefully on her arm, over
which swept her dishevelled tresses-
until, with start, she cried:
Frank oh, Frank, come backp'
Here l am" said soft voice by her
side.
She raised her head. She opened her
astonished eyes, Frank standing before
her.
"You have been asleep" he said,
smiling kindly.
"Asleep?"
"And dreaming, too, should say
not pleasantly, either"
"Dreaming?" murmured Katie; ''and
is it all dream?"
II hope SO, replied Frank, taking her
hand.
"You could not mean to send me
from you so cruelty, know! 1 waited
in your fathers study, where I have
been talking to him all of an hour. I
came back to plead my cause once more
and found you here where 1 left you
asleep"
ooh, what horrid dream!" murmured
Katie, rubbing her eyes. '1t was so
like q terrible reality, that I shudder
now to think of it. I thought 1 was
marriedl'
"And would that be 80 horrible?'
asked Frank. 81 hope then you did not
dream you were married to mel'
'No-I thought gave my hand, with
out my heart.
'"Then, if you gave me your hand, it
would not be without your hearth"
"No, Frank" said Katie, her bright
syes beaming happily through tears
"and here it is"
She placed her fair hand in his-he
kissed 1t in transport.
And soon after there was real mar
mage; not splendid, but happy one;
not followed by life of luxury, but by
life of love and contentment; and that
was the marriage of Frank Minot and
Katie Yale