The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-04-15
Kate Ya1e'S Marriage.


eff ever marry Katie Yale used to
say, half in Jest, half in earnest-"H
ever 1 marry, the happy manor the
unhappy one, If you please-ha! hal
shall be a person possessing these three
qualifications:
''First, fortune.
Second, good looks.
"And thirdly, common sense.
81 mention the fortune first, because I
think it the most needful and desirable
qualification of the three. Although [
could never think of marrying fool, or
man whose ugliness l 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 obscurely with handsome intclh-
gent man-to whom economy might be
necessary"
/ do not know how much of this senti-
ment came from Katie's heart. She I'M
doubtedly INDUCED 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.
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 III
the words we have quoted
At the enchanting age of eighteen she
had many suitors; but as she never gave
n serious thought to more than two, we
will follow her example, describing all
except those favored ones, and consider
their relative claims.
If this were another than true story,
should certainly use an artists privil
eye, and aim TO produce an effect by
making strong contrast between these
two favored individuals. If | could have
my way, one should be poor genius
and somewhat of a hero; the other
wealthy fool and somewhat of a knave.
But the truth is:
Our poor genius was not much of a
genius, nor very poor, either. He was
by professor a teacher of music, and he
could live very comfortably in exercise
thereof-without the most distant hope
however, of ever attaining to wealth.
Moreover, Frank Minot possessed ex-
cellent qualities, which entitled him to
be called by discreet elderly people
fine character" by his companions
mobile, 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 a rival.
This Mr.. Wellington Chis companions
called him 'duke') was noidiot orh hump
back as could have wished him to be,
in order to make good story. On the
contrary, he was a man of sense, educa-
hon. good looks, and fine manners; and
there was nothing of the knave about
him, that l 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 AIinot
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-
tons 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 a sigh:
ooh, Frank am sorry we have ever
metz
"Sory?"
''Yes-for we must part now
Part?' repeated Frank, turning
pale.
1t was evident he had not expected
this.
"Yes-yes," said Katie, casting down
her eyes with another piteous sigh.
Frank sat by her side. He placed his
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, i" said he, then, with burst of
passion, 'I know you love me, But, you
are proud-ambitious- Now, if
you would have me leave you, say the
word. and gol"
"Gol" murmured Katie, very feebly
-'goi'
"Youhave decided?" whispered Frank.
ST have!"
"Then, love, FAREWELL
He took her hand, gazed moment
tenderly 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, sobbing and weeping pas
sionately-alone.
To tear the tenacious root of love out
of her heart had cost her more than she
could have, anticipated; and the certain
ty of golden life of luxury proved but
a poor consolation, it seemed, for the sac
rifice she had made.
She lay long upon the sofa, sobbing
and weeping passionately. Gradually
her grief appeared to exhaust itself
Her breath came more regular and calm.
Her tears ceased to flow, and at length
her eyes and cheeks were dry. Her
head was pillowed on her arm, and her
face was half hidden in flood of beauti-
ful curls
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-bu
it was not such a kiss as Frank had given
her, and she could not repress sigh.