The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-06-30

ooN -
"Gow murmured Katie, very fee
bly-"go!'
"You have decided3" whispered
Frank.
II havew
"Then, love, FAREWELL"
He took her hand, gazed a mo
ment tenderly and sorrowfnlly upor
her beautiful, fearful face; ther
clasped her to his bosom.
She permitted the embrace. Sht
even gave way to the impulse Of thu
instant, and twined her arms about
his neck, but in a moment her reso
luton came to her aid, and sht
pushed him from her with sigh.
s'Shall go?" he artienlated.
A feeble Eyes" fell from her quiv
ering lips.
And an instant later she was ~
ing upon her sofa, sobbing and
weeping passionately alone.
To tear the tenacious root Of fov,
out Of her heart had cost her mori
than she could hafe anticipated
and the certainly of a golden life O
luxury proved but q poor consola
tion it seemed, for the sacrifice sh'
had made.
She lay long upon the sofa, sob
bing and weeping passionately
Gradually her grief appeared to ex-
haust itself. Her breath came NOR
regular and calm. Her tears ceaset
to flow, and at length her eyes ant
cheeks were dry. Her head wal
pillowed on her arm, and her fac
was half hidden IN food of beauti
full curls.
The struggle was over. The ago
ny was passed. She saw Mr.. Wei
lington enter, and arose cheerfnlly
to receive him. His manners
pleased her; his station and fortune
fascinated her more. He otferce
her his hand. She accepted it. A
kiss sealed the engagement--but il
was not such kiss as Frank had
given her, and she could not repres,
a sigh.
There was magnificent wedding
Splendi6ly attired, dazzling the eye
with everything around in the at
mosphere of fairy lane, Katie gave
her hand to the man her ambition
not her love--had chosen.
But certainly ambition could moi
have made a better choice. AL
ready she saw herself surrounded by
magnificent court, of which she
was the acknowledged and admired
queen. The favors Of fortune were
showered upon her; she fioated lux
uriously upon the smooth and
CLASSY wave of a charmed life.
Nothing was wanted in the whole
circle of her outward existence, to
adorn it and make it bright with
happiness.
But she was not long in discover
ing that there was something want.
ing within her own breast.
Her friends were numerous, hel
husband tender, kind and loving;
but all the affections she enjoyed
could not Gil her.heart. .~,.
She had once felt its chords OF
sympathy moved by skillful touch;
she had known the heavenly charm
of their deep, delicious harmony:
and now they were silent, motion.
less, mutfled so to speak, in silks
and satins. These chords still and
soundless, her heart was dead; not
the less so because it had been Kill
led by golden shaft. Having
known and felt the life Of sympathy
in love, she could not but mourn fol
it, unconsoled by the life Of luxury.
In short, Katie IN time became mag
nificently miserable, splendidly un'
happy.
Then a change became apparent
in her husband. He could not Ion
ger remain 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 unsatisfac-
tory however, and impelled by pow
erful longings for love, he went as
tray to warm his heart by a strange
fire.
Katie saw herself now in the
midst of gorgeous desolation,
burning with thirst unconquera-
BILE by golden streams, that flowed
around her; painting with a hunger.
not all the food of fattery could ap-
pease.
She reproached her husband for
deserting her thus; and he answer
ed with an angry and desperate
taunt of deception, and ] a 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 affec-
tions you have met with coldness?'
ssBut it was wrong, SINFUL" Katie
demonstrated.
eyes, I know itp' said her hus-
band, fiercely. e1t is the evil fruit
| of an evil seed. And, who sowed
that seed? Who gave me a hand
without a heart? Who became q
sharer of my fortune, but who gave
me no share in sympathy-who de
voted me to the fate of loving, un
loved husband? Nay, do not weep
and unclasp your hands, and sigh
and sob in such desperation Of i'm
patience-for ] say nothing you de
not deserve to hear"
ssvery WE'LL" said Katie, calming
herself; 81 will not complain. ]
will not say your reproaches are un
deserved. But granting that am
the cold, ,deceitfnl wife that you cal
me-you know that this state o.
things cannot continue"
"Yes. / know it.
aWell?''
Mr.. Wellington's brows gatheret
darkly; his eyes flashed with deter
mination; his lips curled witt
scorn.
81 have made up my mind," sail
he, ssthat we should not live togeth
er any longer. / am tired Of beinS
called the husband Of the splendit
Mre. wellington; will move in my
circle; you shall shine in yours.
shall place no restraint on your &C.
ltions, nor shall you on mine. w,