The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-02-19
FOR HIS MOTHER'S SAKE.

Unmarried at twenty-five. 1 was
rich, entirely my own mistress, and
considered more than pretty; and still,
| in spite of many excellent opportuni-
| ties to change my condition, | was rap
idly drifting on towards old-maiden-
hood; no wonder people called me hard
| to please.
| had admirers and suitors in plenty;
where is the heiress who has not? And
| two men loved me.
| say 1.-TWO men," There were many
| who made professions, and of whose
sincerity have no means to Judge, but
these two | can answer for as for my
self, and know they loved me.
Never were two people more unlike
each other, in looks, in taste, DISPOSE
ton, temper, everything. 1t seemed
the strangest thing in the world that
both should fancy me.
Even their respective circumstances
| and positions in life offered a striking
contrast. George Redfern was a
wealthy and influential banker, forty
years of age, grave, quiet, and reserved
in manner, and with an indisputable
and enviable standing in society-a
| III tIl diuol "hOb HO DlCtlu VI It.
proach or blame had ever stirred while
Robert Dene-my Robert, whom Iloved
was comparatively poor, having on
ly his salary as confidential clerk in the
Redfern bank (out of which he support
ed a 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
deserving it. Certain it is that Robert
merited no word of evil, though there
was time when it looked otherwise
Mrs Dene had been my dear dead
mothers friend. Naturally / often
went to visit her. She was great in
valid. and hardly ever went out, ex-
cept for an occasional quiet drive with
her devoted son, who idolised her; so
much so that | grew positively jeal-
Gus.
For Robert and l understood each
other, as lovers will. He was very SEN
sitive and high-minded. L thought, at
first, that because | was an heiress he
would never speak the love l knew he
felt, and which l longed to hear; but
the welcome declaration came at last.
And | had Mr.. Redfern to thank for
it. | met him at Mrs. Dene's cottage
one evening. when he had stopped to
speak to Robert on some business, hav-
ing chanced to see him in the garden
as he was riding past.
| was at the window. leaning out, and
he saw me knew, afterwards, that
that was the reason he astonished Rob
ert by accepting his invitation to come
in.
He was Il very quiet retiring man, 60
inc little into society, and bearing the
reputation Of Il confirmed old bachelor,
but after that evening he changed.
| seemed TO meet him everywhere.
He made the acquaintance of people
whom | visited He took to going to
balls. theatres, operas; and when had
met him a good many times, he re-
qucstcd permission to call on me.
Robcrt heard of it, and grew jealous.
One evening he came TO me, his dear
handsome face looking gloomy and sad
enough.
1--WE have been friends for years."
said he, land | believe you like me
well enough to grant me favor. l
love you, Kate. That's no news to
you; is it? Well, l never should have
told YOU so-never should have asked
you TO become my wife, because you
are rich and | am poor; but, my girl, l
can't stand quietly by and see another
take what I'd have died to win; so
want YOU to tell me truly if you intend
to marry Redfern, and if it's yes l
shall 90 out of the country, and stay
out It'll can get over it. y
Oh. the happy girl | was when
heard him! The precious words l had
longed for were spoken at last. He
might have seen the joy in my face. |
felt my cheeks burn, and my eyes grow
BRIGHT with happiness; but he kept his
face gloomily turned away.
SO | stole up to him, half shy, half
bold, all joyfu, and slipped my hands
about his arm.
"And can you get over it, do you
think?" ! asked demurely.
He looked at me then, and disengag-
ed his arm. He thought l was tritiing
with his pain, and was vexed at me.
This is no jest with me. Miss Gray
en-, whatever it may be to you," he said
quite sharply; Il did not expect that
YOU would make it one. 1es,' very
coldly. Il am not love-sick fool. /
do suppose l shall get over it,
| looked at him reproachfully. Ifelt
the tears spring to my eyes at his words
and tone.
"You don't love me as l love you,
then, Robert said softly; 'for ifyou
90 away and leave me so, I'm afraid l
never shau get over it."
..Oh. my d.rling!'
How quickly hiss face frightened as
he caught my hand!
You say that, Kate? You mean 1t?
You don't love Redfern-you won t
marry him?"
Il love YOU" l answered. as his Gear
arms clasped me close; land you only
will | marry
And so we were engaged And Rob
ert drove me over 10 the cottage, there
and then, to tell his mother
"She will be so pleased, he said Il
believe that she suspected my feelings
But l would not coniide them to her.
lest the fear of disappointment and
pain to me should distress her."
How he loved her! A little Jealous
pang shot through my foolish heart.
Il fear you love her BEST l said i'm
pulsively.
my darling" he said half chiding-
lv, lone does not measure or compare
such sacred loves; each and both is
dearest But my mother suffers from
an affection of the heart Any anxiety
or pain must injure her, and a sudden
sho,ly would lii -