The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-08-29
A GOLDEN BARRIER.

"There is one thing which partic
ularly wish you to remember, Kate
said Mrs. Bamforth, emphatically, as she
and her handsome daughter were pre-
pairing to descend to their carriage,
which awaited them before the entrance
of the hotel at which they had only that
day arrived, "and that is, to treat Mr..
Harold ST, Paul with just as little atten-
ton as possible when you chance to meet
him. For l see that he is guest here
a3act which 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 l met him in society quite often
then"
+ "Yes, but here in this romantic sum
mer resort it is altogether different
ARD"
"Have no fears, mamma" returned
Kate, lifting her dark head rather
haughtily, while hard, proud ring
seemed to vibrate her clear young voice.
81 am not likely to forget my position,
nor-"
But here the handsome young man
who, smoking on the piazza below those
pDen windows, had listened in kind of
dazed surprise to the above dialogue, rose
hastily AID walked away, and what more
those clear, ringing tones saw fit to utter
he knew. But a sudden pallor had
succeeded the warm flush of pleasure
which had dyed his face at the first
. sound of them, and fash of proud de-
tance lit his fine blue eyes.
1.-The fate of the ineligible, y he NUT
tered, bitterly, as he strobe swiftly away
from the vicinity of those open windows
with compressed lips and darkened brow.
"Wcll, did | ever expect anything differ
ent' No; or, rather, thought little
about it, content to take the good that
came, and leave the rest to chance But
to hear hey voice indorse her mothers
hollow worldliness-to hear her pro-
nource my doom-pshaw! didn't be-
btve that anything could-pain me so.
She will not be likely to forget her po-
sition' quoting with sneer half CON
temptuous, half pathetic, Miss Bamforth's
words. "Ah, well, shall not be likely
to ask her to. came without knowing
OF her presence here, and now-well at
least | am forewarned, and shall not make
an idiot of myself, as l might else have
done"
The roll of wheels sounded close to
him, and Harold st. Paul looked up.
r He had not noticed where he was 60
ing, but he now found himself near the
driveway, and in the luxurious carriage
that was just rolling by, equipped with
hverled servants, were seated the fashion
able Mrs. Bamforth and her beautiful
daughter.
As 1heir glances met he saw glad,
sweet light flash Into Kate's beautiful
dark eyes, and charming blush glowed
Tor ar instant in her soft, dusky cheeks.
But both quickly faded, and formal
bow and smile were all the recognition he
received from either of the ladies.
Harold returned the greeting in like
fashion, yet with such pleasant, care
less grace that no one could suspect the
bitter sting that lurked behind it.
Mrs. Bamforth raised her eyebrows
slightly and Kate bit her proud red lip
as the carriage whirlcd swiftly onward.
"You see, mammal" she said, trife
sarcastically, though there was faint
tremor in her voice. ''Your fears were
all thrown away even in regard to him"
81 am very glad to know it, my DEAR"
and Mrs. Bamforth settled herself back
among the satin cushions with a satisfied
lOul< on har fair houobtp fo,n ttne
course, my anxiety was merely in regard
to possible foolish Irritation. l know
you are too sensible as well as too proud to
marry beneath you in point of fortune
And Mr. Washburne will be here this
evening Or Tomorrow" she added com
placcntly.
Kate breathed quick, half sti1ed sigh
at the sound of that name, and all the
proud, bright light left her beautiful face.
She understood perfectly that it was
uttered as a kind of warning, a way Mrs
Bamforth had when she fancied that her
daughters heart was in any sort of dam
ger.
Kate was not, as yet engaged to Mr..
Washburne; but for all that she knew
perfectly well that he was to be her fate.
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, ard
Kate never doubted that before many
weeks, or even days, had passed she
would be his formally betrothed bride.
Kate could never repress 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 relentle ssy
trample upon her own heart if by sc
doing she could reach the front ranks Of
wealth and power.
eyes, am quite ready for the sacri
ice," she thought, forcing the smile.
back to her lovely scarlet lips; ''but it il
harder even than thought, after having
looked upon Harold st. Paul's handsom,
face again"
Mr. Washburne arrived the next da,
and became at once Rates devoted
shadow. Harold st. Paul looked OF
with outward calmness, and bore himsel
with such graceful ease and nonchalanc
that Mrs. Bamforth quite forgot him as
dangerous ''ineligible," and sometime
invited him to join their little party in
walk or ride or to spend an evening il
their private parlor.
''But, by George! l can't stand this,
he muttered to himself one evening a
Kate, leaving her wealthy admirer to en-
terrain her mother, came over to hir
where he stood on the little balcony over
looking the garden. 81 shall break tina
iron bound resolution one of these time
and receive her scorn and contempt 70
my reward. No, l must fly from tempta
ton before make complete dolt an
idiot of myself.