Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-08-08
poETIcAl.
MY PUNISHMENT FOR FRYING,
BIZ JUDE CLARK.

There was no formal engagement between
Kate Morlake and me. Though We had
known each other long time, aud though
thought sometimes she liked me, and liking
would be faint word to express my own feel,
ings in the case. and though we had got so
far along that called her Kate Instead of
Miss Morlake, aud she called me Ned, instead
of Mr.. Jarmau, things seemed to come to
stop there.
More'n once when looked into her deep
blue eyes, SO full of tenderness and truth, L
felt impelled to make an open declaration of
my sentiments, and take wEate'r answer came
with what philosophy might. But there
was in those same bright eyes, lurking look
of mischief that made me hesitate. The
chances were about even that my impassion-
ate speech would be met with one of her
ringing, silvery laughs and some such answer
as:
"Please don't be silly, Ned"
didn't dare risk il, and SO held my peace
One day resolved to play the coward no
longer, but to speak out like a man. L was
just beginning, aud Kate, I fancied, looked
as if she was going to listen seriously in
bol.ed young friend of hers, top full of news
and gossip, who, without . word of preface,
began to unpack her budget.
All was over, saw, for this time, and
took up my hat to leave.
81 go Tomorrow" said Kate, as we parted
at the door, "to spend a week with Aunt
Hathaway aud cousin Flora Dennine. Should
you come that way-there's good fishing in
the neighborhood-you mustn't fail to call"
That would chance that way-be the
fishing good or bsd-was from that moment
settled fact, indeed, the very next dav
found me in Aunt Hathaway's parlor, duly
introduced to that stately lady and her niece
and Kate's cousin, Miss Flora Denning,
lovely girl about Kate's age, aud almost as
handsome.
would have given anything for n few
words with Kate alone. / was burning to
renew the conversation which had been so
untimely interrupted. but it was soon
manifest there would be no opportunity
Aunt Hathaway never for n moment left the
room, and it was quite clear that she didn't
intend to, while my visit lasted. Kate went
to side table and wrote a note, which she
sealed and directed, and placed in nv hand
when l rose to go.
"Be kind enough, on your return to de-
liver this" she said; sit is an important
message to friend of mine"
Then she gave glance in Aunt Hath,
| away's direction, which plainly intimated
that the lady's presence prevented fuller ex-
PLANTATION.
hoped that Kate, according to her ems,
tom, would at least see me to the door but
Aunt Hathaway assumed that Office, and dis,
missed me with polite formality.
l was curious to know to whom Kate's
"important" message was addressed, aud ns
l wanted to deliver it, might look and see.
| took the letter from my pocket. It was
dainty white envelope such as young ladies'
used to enclose their enchanting little mis-
sives in, and had decidedly coquettish look.
But glance at the superscriptiou gave me a
painful start. The name was that Of Nor
daunt Kenneth, just the last ] ceuld have
wished to see there.
Mordaunt and were old friends, but of
late he had been far too attentive to Kate
Morlake for my comfort. On several of nv
visits to her, I found him there before me,
and more than once my coming seemed to be
an interruption.
As 1 turned the letter over, observed
the envelope was open. Kate had either for
gotten to moisten the mucilage, or insecurely
closed the fold.
The thought of reading private message
intended for another, in my oaImer moments,
would have been abhorrent to every instinct
OF my nature but was mad with jealousy,
and infuristed at the thought that Kate, who.
whatever might be the state Of her eun feel
ings, must have long since surmised the na>
ture of mine. should have made mi the bearer
of . secret message to my rival. l had but
one thought or purpose-it was to learn the
worst and learn, enoe for all, whether the love
which had SO foudly hoped, either was or
might be mine, had alresdy been plighted to
another.
Without stopping to weigh the impropri-
ETY. of an 40. which would have been the
first to condemn in another, and at whose
recollection blush even now rises, 1 took
out and unfolded the letter
The words it contained were few, but they
suficed to crush my heart. They were these :
''Meet me at tomorrow under the elm
ct the turn of the road with a carriage.
Everything will be in readiness, and we can
drive at once to the village church whore the
clergyman will be Waiting. KATE"
fairly ground my teeth with rage. I
could have torn tho tantalizing billet to frag-
ments but the shamefulness of the act OF
which I'd just been guilty, broke upon me
L quickly replaced the note aad closed the
envelope, and putting my horse to his utnos,
speed, L FASTENED to deliver it.
l closely scanned Mordauut K Kenpeth's face
as he read the letter. 1t boamed with ioy,
"You have brought me glorious news p
he cried, wringing my hand warmly. AZ
shortly" -
L stammered out I know not what confused
reply, and hurried from his presence.
That night could not sleep, wild projects
haFr knI e g.