Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-09-13

! Her mother had chosen him as one who,
in rank and fortune, was the most worthy
of the beautiful heiress; he had expressed
his intention of joining them here, and
Kate never doubted. that before many
weeks, or even days, had passed she
would be his formally betrOthed bride.
Kate could never repress a shudder as
she thought Of it. But she was very
fond of that proud, handsome, ambitious
| mother of hers, and would do much to
| please her; and, besides, she had inherit
ed no small share of that same worldly
pride and ambition which sometimes
made her feel that she. could relentlessly
trample upon her own heart if By so
doing she could reach the front ranks of
wealth and power.
Eyes, [ am quite ready for the sacri-
fee" she thought, forcing the smiles
back to her lovely scarlet Iii s; ''but it is
harder even than thought, after having
looked upon Harold St. Paurs handsome
face again"
Mr.. WashbUrne arrived the next day
and became at once Hates devoted
shadow. Harold St. Paul looked on
with outward calmness, and bore himself
with such graceful ease and nonchalance
that Mrs. Bamforth quite forgot him as
dangerous ''inclgible," and sometimes
invited him to Join their little party in
walk or ride or to spend an evening in
their private parlor.
but, by George! I can't stand this, "
he muttcred to himself one evening as
Kate, leaving her wealthy admirer to en-
terrain her mother, came over to him
where he stood on the little balcony over
looking the garden. Il shall break that
iron bound resolution one of these times
and receive her scorn and contempt for
my reward. No, must fly from tempta-
ton before [ make a complete dolt and
idiot of myself"
He turned and looked again at that
tall, queenly figure, standing there beside
him, one white hand resting lightly on
the balcony rail. How beautiful she was,
with the soft moonlight falling on her
proud dark face and just the sweet, ten
der shadow of smile touching the scarlet
lips and softening the large, dusky eyes.
II am going to leave the hotel to-
morrow, Miss Bamforth," he began,
abruptly plunging right into the heart of
his resolution.
She wheeled around and looked at him, |
a strange whiteness creeping slowly over |
the dark loveliness of her face.
''To-leave the-hotel." she echoed |
blankly, seeming startled out of her usu- I
al proud regal sef-pOssess1on.
Eyes. My friend, Charlie Hartney,
has been urging me this long time to visit |
him at his mothers cottage; you know
where it is-about mile from here. He |
has some other guests, and he swears
that am treating him shamefuIly. So | !!
am. But first thing in the morning 1
shall go over there bag and baggage, and
put an end to his grumbling. hope to
have the pleasure of seeing you and your
mother occasionally in spite of that"
'Oh, certainly, you must; butt
slowly and with keen regret-''what a
barrier this will be to all the little plans
we had formed for our enjoyment during
the next week or so-mamma and I.
if
Harold interrupted with light, forced
laugh.
''There is another barrier" he ex-
claimed, in voice that seemed utterly
without feeling, so bitter and hard it
sounded. "a barrier far more insur-
mountable than one of my creatlon-it is
golden barrier, Miss Kate!"
And casting one quick, fleeing glance
upon the beautiful blanched face so near
him-a glance which revealed more than
he dreamed of, even in that sudden,
reckless mood-he passed from the bal
cony to the parlor without another word;
and, making brief apology to the lady
and gentleman within, babe them au
reyor and hurried from the rooms.
A week passed and Kate had not seen
Harold St. Paul since that hour on the
balcony.
There was regret in her proud heart,
but mingled with it was another feel
something that was neither anger
nor sorrow.
That last parting glance from his blue,
half-scornful eyes had haunted her day
and night since then. If she had in
tcrpreted it Alright. But, then, she
would probably see him no more.
He would not come near her, and
She. Oh, no. Her pride was still
too naughty and unyielding to permit
her to obey the impulse which sometimes
throbbed in her heart so strongly that it
sent the hot blood coursing to her olive
cheeks.
One morning she went out to ride
alone, for wonder.
Being in no mood for company of any
kind, she slipped away from Mr. Wash
burne ever ready to be her escort and