San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-02-12
KITTY DALE.

eff ever | marry Kitty Dale used to
say, half in earnest and half in fun, "the
fortunate man-o-, if you like it better,
the unfortunate man-must be q person
who possesses these three qualities
wealth, good looks sense. name wealth
first because think it is the most neces-
sary and desirable quality of the three.
Although would never think of marry
ing al fool, or a man whose ugliness /
should be ashamed Of, yet think would
sooner talk sensibly for the one or shine
for the other, provided he were rich, than
to econOmiZe and live in obscurity with
any man, however handsome and sensible
he might be"
/ know not how much of this came
from Kitty's heart; that some of it did
the sequel will show. Without doubt she
built her full share of Spanish castles, for
her education in the duties and objects of
life was exceedingly imperfect, if not alb
solutely false. But whoever became &C
quainted with Kitty's truly wOmanly ma
ture could not doubt that she was capable
of deeper and nObler sentiments.
And the time approached when Kitty
must take the important step-the most
important in a woman's life-of which
she had often spoken so lightly; when she
would give her friends an opportunity to
judge how much of her heart there was in
the words we have cited.
At the joyous age of 1S she had good
ly number of suitors. AS she never seri-
ously encouraged but two, we will follow
her example, and, leaving the others I'M
noticed, consider the only relative advan-
tages and merits of her favorites.
If this were not thoroughly true story
would avail myself Of the privileges of
the literary artist and picture the two
gentlemen in strong contrast, so as to
heighten the effect. / would represent
the one as a rascal, but rich. But the
truth is, our poor genius was neither a
genius nor very poor. He was clerk in
q bank, with sufficient salary to enable
him to live very comfortably, but which
offered no chance for his ever becoming
rich.
Frank Gothwait possessed many excel
lent qualities, which gave him the repu-
tation among the early and more discrim-
mating pOrtionN of his acquaintance as
being "a highly estimable young man."
among his comrades as being "a very
good fellow" and among the young ladies
of being Just as nice as he could be-"
Kitty loved Frank; she couldn't help it,
and Frank knew it, He was convinced
she preferred his society to that of Tom
Wellington, his only rival.
This Tom Wellington-his comrades
called him the "Duke"-was neither an
idiot, or hump backed, or bow legged, all
of which wish he had been; it would
have made my story 50 much more inter
esting. On the contrary, he was a sensi-
BILE, handsome, well bred young man; and,
SO far as / know, there was not trace of
the rascal in his composition. Besides
these advantages, he-the son of one of
our merchant princes-pOssesSed an in
come sufficient to enable him to live su-
perbly. He counted his thousands when
his rival counted hundreds.
Frank rested his hopes, therefore, en-
tirely on the influence he possessed over
Kitty's heart. The Duke" although
just the man for her in every particular,
as he was rich, handsome and sensible,
could never succeed in winning her affec-
tons; and the amiable Frank could not or
would not believe she would allow the
promptings of her nobler and better ma
ture to be overruled by worldly consider
atoms.
Wien he, however, one day insisted on
knowing his fate she startled him by say
ing, with deep drawn sigh:
"Ah, Frank, am sorry we ever met"
"Sorryp'
"Yes; have thought It all over; we can
never be anything but friends"
"Whatp exclaimed Frank, turning sud
denly and nervously twisting his blonde
mustache.
"Never, never" said Kitty, in a tone
scarcely audible.
Frank sat down beside her on the sofa,
put his arm round her waist in spite Of
gentle Don't do that" and letting his
voice sink almost to a murmur spoke to
her-to the proud Kitty-until she wept
bitterly.
kitty" said he, in tone full of tender
emotion, kitty, / know that you love
me, but you are proud, ambitious, selfishl
If it is really your will that / should leave
you, speak the word and will CO."
&C., then" murmured Kitty.
"Have you fully decidedS'' asked Frank,
hardly able to believe his ears.
Yes"
''Then farewellr'
He took her hand in his, looked for
moment at her pretty, fearful face, and
then, unable TO control himself, pressed /
ha- r'"ssinnntnlv to his bosom