The Opelousas courier., 1889-10-05
A GOLDEN BARRIER.

OAA1VAVA4A4"
"There is one thing which I partic-
ularly wish you to remember, Kate"
said Mrs. Bahforth, emphatically, as she
and her handsome daughter were pre-
pairing to descend to their carriage,
which awaited them before the4entrance
Of the hotel at which they had only that
day arrived, "and that is, to treat Mr..
Harold st. Paul with just as littlesatten1
tion as possible when you chance toameet
him. ForI see that he is o guestahere-!
y fact which 7 very much regret"
':But he is very agreeable, mamma, and
you did not seem to find it necessary to-
caution me SO strictly last winter. You
know ] met him in society quite often
then"
'tYes, but here in this romantic sum-
mel resort it is altogether different.l
And i
'Have no fears, mamma" returned
Kate, lifting her dark head rather
hanghtily, while q hard, proud ring
Seemed to vibrate her clear young voice.
II am not likely to forget my position,
nor"
But here the handsome young man
who, smoking IN the piazza below those
open windows, had listened in a kind of
dAzsd surprise&o the above dialogue, rose
hastily and walked away, and what more,
those clear, ringing tones saw fit to uttel
h6never knew. But a sudden pallor had
succeeded the warm flush Of pleasure
which had dyed his face at the first
sound of them, and a fash of proud de-
6ance lit his fine blue eyes.
ssThe fate Of the ineligible, he mutt
tered, bitterly, as he strobe swiftly away
fsomt the vici6ity OF those open windows!
with-eumprasssd lips and darksned brow.
ssWsu, did I ever expect anything differ,
entY No; or, rather, I thought little
about 1t, content to take the good that
came, and leave the rest to chance. Butt
90 hear her voice indorse her mothers
hollow worldliness-to hear her prof.
nounce my doom-pshawl Tdidn't be-
Iieve fhat anything could pain me so.i
She will not be likely,to forget her po-;
sition' quoting with a sneer half conf
ternptuous, half pathetic, Miss Bamforth'st
words. "sAh, well, I shall not be likely,
TO ask her to. I came without knowing
Ut her presence here, and now-Well att
least I am f~orewarned. and shall not make
an IDIOT of myself, as I might else have.
tdone.n !
The roll of wheels sounded close TOT
him, and Harold St. Paul looked up. !.
he had hot noticed where he was CO.
ing, but he pow found himself near the
driveway, and in the luxurious carriage
that was just rolling by, equipped with
Inverted servants, were seated the fashion
ale Mrs. Bamforth and her beautiful
As their glances met he saw a glad,
.sNeat light fash into Hates beautiful
dark eyes, and a charming blush glowed
for an instant in her soft, dusky cheeks.
, But both quickly faded. and q formal
boW and smile were all the recognition he
rscsiTed from either of the ladies.
. Harold returned the greeting in like
saahion, yet with such a pleasant, care
tea@ grace that no one could suspect the
hitter sting that 1urked behind it.
1Gns. Bamforth raised her eyebrows
slightly and Kate bit her proud red lip
a. the carriage whirled swiftly onward.
asYou see, mammal" she said, q triAe
sazcastically, though there was q faint
tEsa1or in her voice. ssYour fears were
~ thrown away even in regard to him.
~ sm very glad to know it, my dear,n
Sna Nrz. Bamforth settled herself back
asAong the satin cushions with a satisfied
l0ok On her fair, naughty face. sses
cenrse, my anxiety was meIs1:arg
- q possible fooliss sidaBM
yc0 are'too aef@adTga wei as too proud to
uaFry beneath you in point Of fortune.
AGdsAfrs Washburne will be here this
evehing or tomorrow, y she added com
Pscently.
ka&e bFeathed q quick, half stifed sigh
nSstha sound of that name, and all the
proud, brightlight left her beautiful face.
10 understood perfectly that it was
uttered % q kind of warning, d way Mrs.
Bas1forih had when she fancied thatsher
aaasAter's heart was In any sort of dam
-.
l3sse was not, as yet, engaged to Mr..
Wasnhurns but for all that she knew
perfectly well that be was 10 be her. fate.
Ter mothershzd chosen him as one who.
am rank and fortune, was the most worthy
uk the beautiful eiress; he had expressed
his Intention of joining them here, and
a4e never doubted that before MANY
weeks, or even days, had passed she
wolld be his fogmally betrothed bride.
Rate could never repress q shudder as
thought of it. But she was very
xond okkhat proud, handsome, ambitious
npklaar of hers, and would do much to
u1easef her. aud. besides, she had inherit
"a no email shese of that same worldly
pride and ambition which sometimes
maae her feel that she could relentlessly
sEmmple upon her own heartsn by 20
&0in9 abe could reach the front ranks OF
maaa1h snd power.
ssXes, I am quite ready for the sacri-
49,, shs thought, forcing the smiles
ak to her lovely scarlet lips; ssbut It'll
sardes even than ! thought, after having
aked upon Harold ST. paul's handaOnie
again.n
IT. Washburne arrived the next day
bscame at once Rates devoted
ow. Harold ST. Paul looked on
eueNayd calmness ard bcge himself