Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-10-21
Tales aud Sketthes.
WHICH SHALL 1T BE?

WHICH SHALL III BE!
She stood there among the corn the
poppies and corn flowers. motionless as a
statue somewhat smart as she always was,
with an attempt at gentility that made me
smile, as noticed the long cotton gloves.
the lace ichu, the would-be lash
ionable poke bonnet that looked so
out of harmony with her surroundings.
There was a strange smile, half deprecia-
ting. half defiant, on her handsome. gip-
sey-like face as approached her, which.
combined with her immobility, made me
think that something unusual must have
occurred.
For Kate Goldie and | were great
friends, in spite Of the difference in our
positions: she being Farmer Goldie's only
daughter snd the only child of the rector
of the same little sea bounded village.
We had grown up from babyhood. knit
together by the similarity of our circum-
sfances-both the same age. both mother
less, both only daughters of doting faith
ers to whom we were equally devoted.
But here the similarity ceased. Our
characters were as different as were Our
positions. Kate was all life, fire, energy :;
a ca pital manager. better farmer than
her father; full of health, spirits. and
with a very fair idea of her own talents I;
while l. small, delicate, dreamy and ro-
mantle, and addicted to quiet employ
ments. let her take the lead in everything
we did in common.
On any other day she would have run to
meet me, and it was her unusual tran
guilty that surprised me. | knew she
had been out of spirits for many months
back, and no wonder. Times were hard
for the farmers. and il seemed to me every
month that Mr.. Goldie had to draw in his
horns more and more. Had anything
fresh occurred, any new misfortune that
could cause her to stand looking at me in
that curious fashion?
"Whst is the matter?" cried as | APP
preached her.
Nothing is the matter, | was but think
ing and | want your advice, Miss Flor
ence"
1T must be something very important. I"
| said. ''that causes you to stand still for
full five minutes
1T is important; come, we will walk
together. and will tell you about it."
Gladly | assented. for | was burning
with curiosity. She ut her arm within
mine and proceeded, with her usual
straigh' forwardnesS, and at times iarrir o
buntncss, 10 lay the ease before me-
"You see. Miss Florence,n she began,
'thev both wants.
Want" | corrected.
well !' impariently, "didu't ! say
wants ? to marry me, and don't know
which to take, | was thinking about it
when you came up
''But who are they ?'' asked, "are
they Jim Taylor and Walter Butler, for
il SOL
mo" sadly, mot Walter Butler; it's
Jim Taylor and David Wardour."
But Kate YOU puzzle me. thought" ="
in q low voice, II always fancied- that it
was Walter'--
II was not speaking of myself, but of
them Jim Taylor and David Wardour;
which shall it be ?'
Withdrew my arm from here in a trans
port of righteous indignation
II don't understand YOU, cried ;"why
should it be either when you care for Wal
ter >"
1t was her turn to be indignant now She
turned round on me tiercelv.
"WalIer, Walter she said; "why do
YOU keep on talking Of him ? All - with
something that should almost like sob,
"how stupid you are -
Then YOU had better not ask my ad-
vice" answered, highly offended, but
she did not heed me.
Miss Florence, ," she continued. what
! want to know i. this: which is The uch-
q a. 1 L. Il, L. 4
hearted Mr. Bowles has known them
both ever so long; have you heard him
say ?"
But | was too indignant to answer her
question.
Kate" said loftilv, Il am ashamed
of you. | never thought that you would
look on matrimony in this spirit; it's quite
shocking. Which the richest indeed Oh
it is horrible; 1t ought to be no question
of money only of which you-you-love
tho best. never thought you would be
so worldly
"Miss Florence, you are goose" was
kate's unmannerlv reioinder, las she walk
ed away from me towards her home, leav-
ing me still with an expression of consci-
Gus virtue dedicted on my countenance.
During the days that ensued saw moth
ing of Kate and by degrees it dawned on
me that we two old friends were indulg.
ing in the folly OF a quarrel. was, how
ever. sincerely disgusted with her, and
my disgust was Increased when. few
days after met her in the cornfield, my
iather announced to me that he had heard
in the village that she was engaged to be
married to Jim Taylor.
aGV H.. nNf
gratulate her. Flo" he concluded. quite
unaware that Kate and | were not on
speaking terms. But this state of things
could not continue. so took his advice
and went down to Hawthorn Farm in the
afternoon to offer my congratulations and
tacitly cry par
found Kate looking i'll, with dark rings
round her eyes, and by no means the
blushing bride-elect. She received my
congratulations very calmly.
"fIe is here" she said II will call him.
Jim. come here and speak to Miss Flor
ence. He is shelling peas for me-" she
continued; II always make him usetul-I
can't abide idle fellows"
began to feel rather sorry tor him
He came in however, anything but sorry
for himself. radiant and blushing as any
girl; but as he was eminently uncomfort.
able in my presence, Kate soon dismissed
him to the peas again. and resumed her