The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-04-14
Kate Yale's Marriage.

s1f ever I marry, Katie Yale used to
say, half in jest, half in earnest-"M
ever I marry, the happy manor the
unhappy one, if you please-hai hal
shall be a person possessing these three
qualifications:
'tFirst, q fortune.
Second, good looks.
Sand thirdly, common sense.
81 mention the fortune first, because I
think it the most needful and desirable
qualification of the three. Although I
could never think of marrying a fool, or
a man whose ugliness 1 would be
ashamed of; still ] think to talk sense for
the n and shine for the other, with
plenty of money, would be preferable to
living obscurely with a handsome intelli-
gent man-to whom economy might be
necessary"
do not know how much of this senti-
ment came from Katie's heart. She nm
doubtedly indulged lofty ideas of station
and style-for her education in the
duties and aims of life had been de-
ficient, or rather erroneous; but that she
was capable of deeper, better feelings
none doubted, who had ever obtained
even a partial glimpse of her true wo-
mans nature.
And the time arrived at length, when
Katie was to take that all important step
OF which she had often spoken solightly;
when she was to demonstrate to her
friends how much Of her heart was in
the words we have quoted. =
At the enchanting age of eighteen she
had many s~uitors; but as she never gave
a serious thought to more than two, we
will follow her example, discarding all
except those favored ones, and consider
their relative claims.
If this were another than a true story,
I should certainly use an artists privil-
ege, and aim to produce an effect by
making a strong contrast between these
two favored individuals. If / could have
my way, one should be q poor genius
and somewhat of a hero; the other a
wealthy fool and somewhat of aknave.
But the truth is:
Our poor genius vas not much of a
genius, nor very poor, either. He was
by professor q teacher of music, and he
could live very comfortably in exercise
thereof-Without the most distant hope,
however, of eyer attaining to wealth.
Moreover, Frank Minot possessed ex-
cellent qualities, which entitled him to
be called by discreet elderly people q
'.fne character" by his companions a
"noble, good fellow" and by the ladies
generally a darling"
Katie could not help loving Mr.. Frank,
and he knew il. He was certain she
preferred his society ven to that of Mr..
Wellington, whom alone he saw fit to
honor with-the appellation Of a rival.
This Mr.. Wellington his companions
called him "duke') was noidiot orhump,
back, as 1 could have wished him to be,
in order to make agood story. On the
contrary, he was O man Of sense, educa-
lion, good looks, and fine manners; and
there was nothing of the knave o
him. that I could ever ascertain
Besides this, his income was sufficient
10 enable him to live superbly. Also he
was considered two or three degrees
handsomer than Mr.. Frank Minot-
Therefore, the only thing on which
Frank had to depend was the power he
possessed over Katie's sympathies and
affections. The t'duke"-although Just
the man for her in every sense, being
blessed with a fortune, good looks, and
common sense-had never been able to
draw these out; and theamiably conceited
Mr.. Frank was not willing to believe that
she would suffer mere worldly e~onsidera-
tions to control the aspirations OF the
heart.
However, she said to him mi day,
when he pressed her to decide his fate
she said to him with a sigh:
"Oh, Frank! I am sorry we have evel
metz
"Sorry?"
"Yes-for we must part now
SO Dork 90 z.ona,A41 E-oDI krrrns,r
pale.
It was evident he had not expected
this.
"YesEyes," said Katie, casting dow
her eyes with another piteous sigh.
Frank sat by her side. He placed hi
arm around her waist, without needing
her feeble resistance; he lowered his
voice, and talked to her until She
she, the proud Katie-wept-wept bit
terly.
@Katie," said he, then, with a burst @
passion, ri know you love me! But, YOU
are OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Now,
you would have me leave you, say tht
word, and I gol"
"Got" murmured Katie, very feebl,
"Youhaye decided?" whispered Frank
'I havei''
'"Then, love, farewellr'
He took her hand, gazed a momen
tenderly and s6rrowfully upon her beau
tiful, fearful face; then clasped her t
his bosom.
gave way to the impulse Of the instant
and twined her arms about his neck, bu
in a moment her resolution came to he
aid, and she pushed him from her wit
a sigh.
sEShall I go 2" he articulated.
A feeble Eyes" fell from her quiverin
lips.
And a instant later she was lyin
sionately-alone.
To tear the tenacious root Of love OF
of her heart had cost her more than sE
could have anticipated; and the certain
ty of a golden life of luxury proved bl
a poor consolation, it seemed, for b sa
riice she had made.
She lay long upon the sofa, sobbin
and weeping passionately. Gradual
her grief appeared to exhaust itsel
Her breath came more regular and calr
Her tears ceased to flow, and at lengt
her eyes and cheeks were dry. HI
head was o on nef arm, anu IL
face was half hidden in q flood of beaut
full curls.
The struggle was over. The agol
was passed She saw MI. Wellingto'
enter, and arose 'cheerfully to recei'
him. His manners pleased her; his st
ton and fortune fascinated her NOR
He offered her his hand. She accepte
it. A kiss sealed the engagement-b'
it was not such a kiss as Frank had Civ
her, and she could not repress a sigh.