Morris tribune., 1895-04-17


Il 81 mean to marry rich"
ooh, Kate!' cried Helen Dewey, re
I proachfully.
Well" said Kate, 81 mean it. VIII
wants to be drudge, in an ill-fittin:
dress and last years style bonnet, jus
& because some idiotic young man ask
you to be his wife? My taste is TO
lace and MORE and bonnets that lool
as if they had foated across the sea OF
"a Partisan zephyr! Moreover, have I
fancy for brown stone houses ane
coupes, and box at the opera and s
maid"
Kate Mayo spoke as if fate were Al
her own command, as if she were
crowned queen of her destiny. And
she was, in so far as wit and beauty
may constitute the scepter of ones own
existence. Tall and gracefully formed
as Greek statue, her loneliness took
you as it were by storm. She was fail
las the waxen leaf of white rose, with
pure, straight features, cheeks just
jtinted with the faint delicate pink that
comes and goes like heeting shadow,
and little ripe mouth that made one
think of the crimson sugar hearts that
little children delight in. And Kate
had been sent up from the old Mayo
farm to see what winter in New York
would do for her, in the way of a life
Iesta blishment; and Kate had some very
decided ideas of her own upon the all
important subject.
My DEAR" said Aunt Dewey, sol
emnly, sail this sounds very .mer-
cenary."
Il can't help it, aunt, was Kate's re-
joinder. Il am mercenarV."
AT your age, Kate?"
What difference does it make?"
said the beauty, with peculiar shrug
of her shoulders. I'm going in for
diamonds and a tour to Europe. SEN
itiment is very well in a novel, but in
real life it doesn't work"
And Aunt Dewey's face of horror
only made Kate laugh.
Miss Mayo was decidedly q success"
in metropolitan society that winter.
1T was not entirely her faultless beauty,
nor her readiness of repartee, nor yet
the bewitching confidence with which
she seemed to take the worlds favor
for granted, but mixture and ming
ling of all three-a something which
could hardly be expressed, save by the
word fascination. But notwithstand-
ing her triumphs, Kate Mayo had as
Ayet, made no election in life.
MY dear" said Aunt Dewey, sol
EMMY. what was the reason you re-
fused Harry Pelham?'
The reason? Why. he's a custom
house clerk, as poor as can be"
Mr.. Ryerson, then?'
I've no idea of coming to the poor
house before my timer
Mr.. Ryerson is well off, I'm sure"
1.-The positive degree won't suit me,
aunt: must have the superlative."
You will die an old maid, Kate"
<'Better an old maid than care worn
Old wife,
Kate! Kate there is such thing
as going through the woods and pick
ing up crooked stick. What do you
value yourself at, pray?"
ga hundred thousand dollars, at
beast, and from that up to half a mil
lion!" laughed Kate, as she put the
Hast rose into the vase of flowers she
was arranging.
Where will you get such price as
that?"
mot here just now, to be sure, aunt,
but its representative will be here yet.
Whom do you mean?'
81 mean Mr.. Emmett"
Aunt Dewey sat down with uplifted
hands and eyes.
WHAT the millionaire"
Yes, aunt"
''But he is in Europe"
@'N'importe- he is coming home soon"
"You have never seen him.
81 dare say never shall see him."
kate, you are crazy!"
mo, I'm not, aunt; you yourself will
own it when you see Mrs. Emmett
The audacity of the girl fairly be-
wildered her sage relative; it was as if
little French grisette had aspired to
share the august throne of the Napo-
Icons!
well, never!' gasped Mrs. Dewey.
''But that's no sign you never will, |
aunt said Kate.
but, Kate" suggested little Helen,
who had sat by demurely listening,
suppose you fall in love with some
body else"'
( Me fall in love?" said Kate, with a
laugh. Rest assured, Helen,
j shall never commit any such absurd
piece of folly as that. Haven't told
you that l intend only to marry for
money? 1t may sound a little conceit-
ed, but want a choice setting. Helen,
you shall be my bridesmaid when |
anarry Lawrence Emmett
Things were at this interesting juno |
ture when one moonlight evening Miss |
Mayo went up to the park to skate, |
and came back under the convoy of a |
tall, handsome young man who had |
been introduced to her there.
Did you say his name was st. John?"
asked curious Helen, when the cavalier
servente had gone. ''Oh, Kate, how
handsome he ISL
Nothing of the kind said Kate,
.tartly, 'oDly rather pleasant looking"
But who is he, Kate?"
ssOh, / don't know: clerk in some
sbank, / believe"
Poor fellow!" said Helen, reflect