Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-07-30
FOR HIS MOTHERS SAKE.

v umarrleu al ~, was rlcut entlre-
ly my own mistress and considered my.
self more than pretty; and still, in spite
of many excellent opportunities To
change my condition, was rapidly
drifting on towards old maidenhood; /;
no wonder people called me hard to
please. I'had admirers and suffers in
plenty; where is the heiress who has
not7 And two men loved me.
Even in their respective circumstsn-
ces and position in life they offered a
striking contrast, George Redfern was
a wealthy and influential banker, 40
years Of age, grave, quiet and reserved
in manner, and with an indisputable
and enviable standing in society-a
man against whom no breath of sus-
picion or blame had ever stirred; while
Robert Dene-my Robert, whom /
loved was comparatively poor, hsv-
ing only his salary as confidential
clerk in the Redfern bank tout of
which supported widowed mother)
and was one of those merry, cheerful,
light-hearted fellows who somehow
perhaps from their love of company
and pleasure-get the name of being
"wild," without deservingit Certain
it is that Robert merrited no word of
evil though there was time when it
looked otherwise. Mrs. Dene had
been my dead mothers friend. Nat
urally often went to visit her. She
was great invalid, and hardly ever
went out, except for an occasional
drive with her devoted son, who idol
lied her; 80 much so that 1 grew
positively jealous.
For Robert and l understood each
other as lovers will He was very
sensitive and high minded. thought,
at first, that because was an heiress
he would never speak the love I knew
he felt, and which longed to hear;
but the welcome declaration came at
last. And I had Mr.. Redfern to
thank for it. l met him at Mrs.
Dene's cottage one evening, when he
had stopped to speak to Robert on
some business, having chanced to see
him in the garden as he was. riding
past. l was al the window, leaning
out, he saw me. I knew, afterwards,
that was the reason he astonished Rob
ert by accepting his invitation to come
in. He was very quiet, retiring man,
going little into society, and bearing
the reputation af a confirmed old
bachelor, but after that evening he
changed. I seemed to meet him
everywhere. He made acquaintance
Of people whom visited. He took
to going to balls, theaters, operas; and
when l had met him good many |
times, he requested permission to call
on me.
Robert heard Of it and grew jealous
One evening he come to me, his dear
handsome face looking gloomy and
sad enough. .
ave have been friends for years,
said he, land l believe you like me
well enough to grant me favor. I
love you, Kate. That's no news, to
you IS it? Well l never should have
told you so, never should l have asked
you to become my wife, because you
are rich and am poor; but dear Kate,
I can't stand by and see another take
what I have tried to win; so I want
you to tell me truly if you intend TO
marry Redfern, and if it's YES I shall
60 out Of the country, and stay out un.
til can get over it, Oh, the happy
girl l was when l heard him! The pre-
cious words I longed for were spoken
at last. He might have seen joy in
my face. I felt my cheeks burn and
my eyes grow bright with happiness;
but he kept his face turned gloomily
away. So I stole up to him, half sly,
half bold, all joyful, and slipped my
hands about his arm. !
"And can you get over it, do you
think?" asked demurely.
He looked at me then, and olsen
gagged his arm. He thought l was
trifing with his pain, and was vexed at
me.
"This is no Jest to me, Miss Craven,
whatever it may be to you," he said
quite sharply;'I did not expect that
you would make it one. Yes" very
coldly, II am not loveslck fool. I
do suppose | shall get over it"
I looked at him reproachfully. l
felt the tears spring to my eyes at his
words and tone
"You don't love me as I love you,
then Robert" l said; "for if you go
away and leave me SO, I'm afraid |
never shall get over it.
"Oh, my darling
How quickly his face brighten ed as
he caught my hand.
"You say that, Kate? You mean
it? You don't love Redfern--you
won't marry him?" e
"I love you," answered, as his dear
arms clasped me close; and you only
will marry
And so we were engaged. And
Robert drove me over to the cottage,
there and then, to tell his mother.
"She will be so pleased" he said
II believe that she suspected my feel
ing. But l would not confide them
tn har loot tho faar of dica ano,pkm ant |