Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-12-16
TRuE LOVE ASSERTS ITSELF.

Still Heaven, at last, the wrong snail llsht'
-s>-------.---------------.----
TREE LOVE ASSERTS ITSELF.
She was the propdcSt woman | ever
knew. Poor and proud this Kathleen
Langley, but the adopted child of very
wealthy aunt, she had never felt the chilly
blasts of poverty; probably never would,
since nov she WAS the betrothed of Arthur
Fanshawe, and his name WAS good for Il
million.
| had been Kathleen'S intimate friend
and chosen companion ever since our
school days; to me there had never been
so true and dear friend. But could not
shut my eyes to her bcsctting >in.-pride'
In vain | argued with her, leclured her
Oh its evils. She had always listened pa-
ticullv, but with a sarcastic glcam in her
brown eyes, and when had finished she
would lay her head on my knee and smile
up into my face mischievously. Dear
old Mentor" she would say, "it is no use.
Pride was the sole heritage left me, and
though it wrecks all my happiness, | eau
not conquer it,"
Que day she came to my side and held
up one white finger encircled by costly
diamond ling. In answer TO my startled
look of inquiry she said slowly, as though
il panied her: at is Arthur Fan>hawe' 5
ung. chcrie; | have promised 10 be his
Wife" Arthur Fansllawe, the bIaSe man
of The world. Il cymic, Il sceplic, everything
hard and unnatural. To throw away her
youth and beauty and purity upon Arthur
Fauslawe. 1t WAS Il cruel thing.
80, Kathie," cried, 'tel' me it is not
true. You 10 not love him-l know IT,
Why, then, oh. why do you make this
sacrilice?"
Her red lip curled scornfully.
"There are Il tlillion reasons" she an
swered bitterly.
Then she went away, and when | saw
her again she WAS in the midst Of gay
group, lovely in her glitterins ball dress,
and Arthur Famshawe was 1T her side, his
hard cold eyes lighted with the frosty
CLEANS Of selfish love, his engagement
to fair New York belle publicly all
uounced.
knew then that the match had been of
her Aunt Langley's making; that her am
bilion for her beautiful niece had at last
attained The height Of wealthy marriage,
and that to induce Kathleen ID submit she
had contrived 10 make her realize her de-
pendrnce. And Kathleen, feeling herself
Il burden on her bounty, grew
"Weary of eating another's bread,
And toiling up and down anothers stairs" "
Her pride had carried her through, and
she had consented TO the sacrifice.
Soon after Mrs. Langley projected atrip
TO Florida, and begged me to accompany
her and Kathleen. Mr.. Fanshawe, OF
course, was to follow.
We arrived at our destination, roman
tic little town in the last stages of dilapi-
dation.
We settled ourselves in long, ramb-
ling cottage near the loyeliest lake III the
world, and enjoyed the semi-tropical eli
mate to our hearts content.
We had not been there three days when
Kathleen appeared one morning in the
room where | was sitting with her aunt
over our fancy work, looking charningly
in short costume with wide sun hat aud
gauutIetcd gloves.
'I'm going TO learn TO row. auntie, if
you>haye 10 great objection" ;" she began.
gaily.
who in the world is going to teach
you?'
Kathleen glanced through the long
French widow to the shore, but few rods
away, where a tiny boat lay moored aud a
masculine figure lounged back among the
cushions, laziIy putting good cigar.
ooh, / don't know his name," she
laughed scornfully. Zone Of the aborig-
ines here. have engaged his service at
so much an hour, and for the rest, as Mr..
Toots would say, il is Of 10 consequence,
anntic."
"Itrust Mr.. Fanshawe approves, began
her aunt.
II am not Mr.. Fanshawe's property
yet," suggested Kathleen, and before an
other remark could be protiered she was
out Of the house, down the path, and OF
in the direction Of the lake shore.
The boating lessons seemed to take up 4
great deal of her time and attention after
that, but never chanced to get nearer
view of her teacher, and judging him by
Others of the native inhabitants whom
had met, felt little interest in the un-
known.
Come, ladies' said Mr.. Fanshawc,
one day, "let Us go out on the lake; ] have
i boat engaged and waiting your service" I"
We did not require second invitation,
aud soon we gathered on the beach, where
the lake spread out before US its broad,
unrufIied bosom, its green cool lily pads,
and over all tile blue, clou,lless sky OF a
Florida midwinter, with the sun, like a
great unwiuking eye, starin. lazily down
upon US.
.'3liss Langley" ssi.: voice near U.s.
low, rich, sweet voice, ike liquid music.
ar o. 500