The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-05-19

voice, and talked to her until she
she, the proud Katie-wept-wep bit
terly.
Katie" said he, then, with burst of
passion, 81 know you love me! But, YOU
are eproud-ambitious- Now, if
you would have me leave you, say the
word, and I go"
"Go!" murmured Katie, very feebly
-"go"
"Youhave decided?" whispered Frank.
'I have!'
'"Then, love, farewell!'
He took her hand, gazed moment
tcnderly and sorrowfully upon her beau
tiful, fearful face; then clasped her to
his bosom.
She permitted the embrace. She even
gave way to the impulse of the instant,
and twined her arms about his neck. but
in a moment her resolution came to her
aid, and she pushed him from her with
sigh.
"Shall go?" he articulated.
A feeble eyes" fell from her quivering
lips.
And an instant later she was living
upon the sofa, sobbtng and weeping pas
sionatelv-alone.
To tear the tenacious root Of love out
of her heart had cost her moro than she
could have anticipated and the certain
ty of golden life Of luxury proved but
poor consolation, it seemed, for the sac
rifice she had made.
She lay. long upon the sofa, sobbing
and weeping passionately. Gradually
Her breath came more regular and calm.
Her tears ceased to flow, and at length
her eyes and checks were dry. Her
head was pillowed on her arm and her
face was half hidden in food of beauti-
fui crrls.
The struggle was over. the agony
was passed. She saw Mr.. wellington
enter, and arose cheerfully to receive
him. His manners pleased her; his sta
ton and fortune fascinated her more.
He offered her his hand. She accepted
it. A kiss sealed the engagement-but
it was not such kiss as Frank had given
her. and she could not repress sigh.
There was q magnificent wedding.
Splendidly attired, dazzling the eye with
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 a better choice. Already she saw
herself surrounded by n magnificent
|
edged and admired queen. The favors
of fortune were showered upon her; she
foated lnxnriously npon the smooth and
CLASSY wave of charmed life.
Nothing was wanted il the whole cir
Gle of her outward existence. to adorn
1t and make it 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-
band tender, kind and loving; but all the
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, motioness, muffied 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 n
golden shaft. Having known and felt
the life of sympathy in love, she could
| life of luxury In short, Katie in time
became magnificently miserable, splen-
dldly unhappy.
| Then change became apparent in
her husband. He could not longer re-
main tlind 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.
Ihls shadow OF Joy was unsatisfactory
however, and impelled by powerful long
ings for love, he went astray to warm
his heart by strange fire.
Katie saw herself now in the midst of
a gorgeous desolation, burning with a
thirst unconquerable by golden streams,
that flowed around her; painting with n
hunger, not OH the food of fattery could
appcase.
ing her thus; and he answered with an
CRY and desperate taunts of deception,
and total lack of love, which smote her
heart heavily.
then why should you complain that I
bestow elsewhere the affections you have
met with coldness2"
"But it was wrong, sinful" Katie re-
monstrated.
yes, know it!' said her husband
hercely. cit is the evil fruit of an evil
seed. And who sowed that seed? Who
gave mo 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 I say
nothing you do not deserve to hear"
Every well, " said Katie, calming her
self; 81 will not complain. will not say
your reproaches are undeserVed. But
granting that / am the cold, deceitful
thing you cali me-you know that this
state of things can not continue"
eyes, know it,"
"Well?"
Mr.. Wellington's brows gathered dark