The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-05-19
Kate Yale's Marriage.

eff ever ] marry, Katie Yale used to
say, half in jest, halt in earnest--"1f
ever [ marry, the happy man-or the
unhappy one, if you plenso-ha! hal
shall be person possessing these three
qualifications;
First, q fortune.
Second, good looks.
"And thirdly, common sense.
II mention the fortune first, because T
think it. the most needful and desirable
qualification of the thrco. Although I
could never think Of marrying O fool, or
man whose ugliness J. would be
ashamed Of; still / think to talk sense for
the one and shine for the other, with
plenty of money, would be preferable to
living obscurcly with handsome intelli-
gent man-to whom economy might be
necessary"
l. d0 not know how much of this senti-
ment camc from Katie's heart. She un-
doubtedly lndulged lofty ideas of station
nnd style-for her education In the
duties and aims of life had been de-
hclent, or rather erroneous; but that she
was capable of deeper, better feelings
mono doubted, who had ever obtained
even 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 suitors; but rs she never gavo
serious thought to more than two we
will follow her example, discarding all
except those favored ones, and consider
their relative claims.
II this were another than true story,
L should certainly use an artists privil-
cgc, and aim to produce an effect by
making strong contrast between these
two favored individuals. If could have
my way, one should be Door genius
and somewhat of hero; the other o
wealthy fool and somewhat of knave.
But the truth is:
Our poor genius was not much of q
genius, nor very poor, either. He was
by professor teacher of music, and he
could live very comfortably in exercise
thereOf-wlthout the most distant hone.
however, of ever attaining to wealth.
Moreover, Frank Minot possessed ex-
cellent qualities, which entitled him to
be called by discreet elderly people q
''fine character" by his companions O
"noble9, good fellow" and by the ladies
generally darling"
Katie could not help loving Mr.. Frank,
and he knew it. He was certain she
preferred his society even to that of Mr..
Wellington, whom alone he saw fit to
honor with the appellation Of O rival
This Mr.. Wellington (his companions
called him "duke'O was noidiot or hump
back, as could have wished him to be,
in order to make a good story. On the
contrary, he was q man Of sense, educa-
ton, good looks, and fine manners; and
there was nothing of the knave about
him, that [ could ever ascertain.
Besides this, his income was sufficient
to 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 "duke"-although just
the man for her in every sense, being
blessed with fortune, good looks, and
common sense-had never been able to
draw these out; and the amiably conceited
Mr.. Frank was not willing to believe that
she would suffer mere worldly considera-
tiOns to control the aspirations of the
heart.
However, she said to him one day,
when he pressed her to decide his fate
she said to him with q sigh:
ooh, Frank! am sorry we have ever
metz
"Sorry?"
"Yes-for we must part now
Part?" repeated Frank, turning
pale.
J 1t was evident he had not expected
this
"Yes-yes," said Katie, casting down
her eyes with another piteous sigh.