St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1895-05-18

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Kate Mayo, looking defantly round.
ST mean to marry rich"
''oh, Kater' cried Helen Dewey, re-
proachfu1ly.
Well, - said Kate, II mean 1t. Who
wants to be a drudge, in an ill-ftting
dress and last years style bonnet, just
because some idiotic young man asks
you to be his wife? My taste is for
lace and moire and bonnets that look
as if they had foated across the sea on
Partisan aeifslsJ-H.l 4eseeses., have q
fancy for brown stone houses and
coupes. and box at the opera and a
maid.''
Kate Mayo spoke as If fate were at
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 loveliness took
you as it were by storm. She was fair
as the waxen leaf of white rose, with
pure, straight features, cheeks just
tinted with the faint delicate pink that
comes and goes like feeting 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 life
establishment; and Kate had some very
decided ideas of her own upon the all
important subject.
''My DEAR" said Aunt Dewey, sol
emnly, "all this sounds very mer-
cenary."
II can't help it, aunt" was Kate's re-
ioinder II am mercenary."
s'At your age, Kate?''
''What difference does it make9'
said the beauty, with peculiar shrug
of her shoulders. '.Tm going in for
diamonds and tour to Europe. Sen
timent is very well in novel, but in
real life it doesn't work.
And Aunt Dewey's face of horror
only made Kate laugh.
Miss Mayo was decidedly success
in metropolitan society that winter.
It 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 sfaseination But notwfthstand-
ing her triumphs, Kate Mayo had, as
yet, made no election in life.
s'My DEAR said Aunt Dewey, sol
emnly, .swhat was the reason you re-
fused Harry Pelham
..The reason? Why, he's custom
house clerk, as poor as can be.
tsMr. Ryerson, then?
1--WE no idea of coming to the poor
house before my timee'
ssMr. Ryerson is we'll off, I'm sure. = 8
saThe positive degree won't suit me,
aunt; I must have the superlatiVe.
ssYou will die an old maid, Kate"
aBetter an old maid than acaee-worn
old wife"
ssKate! Kate! there is such a thing
as going through the woods and pick
ing up crooked stick. What do you
value yourself at, pray?
"a hundred thousand dollars, al
least, and from that up to half mil
lionr' laughed Kate, as she put the
last rose into the vase of flowers she
was arranging.
ssWhere will you get such q price al
that92''
Not here just now, to be sure, aunt
but its represent tatiye will be here yet
Whom do you mean r
81 mean Mr.. Emmett.
Aunt Dewey sat down with upliftef
hands and eyes.
.sWhat! the millionaire?"
Eyes, aunt.
ssBut he is in Europe.
ssN'smp0rte is coming home SOON
ssYou have never seen him.
ssI dare say never shall see him"
skate, You are crazyt"
.sNo, I'm not, aunt; you yourself vii
own it when You see Mrs. Emmettla Il
The audacity of the girl fairly be
wildered her sage ative; il was as j
little French grisette had aspired Il
share the august throne Of the Napo
Icons!
| .Well. neverln gasped Mrs. Dewey
''But that's no sign you never will
aunt, . said Kate.
/ .sBut, Kate suggested little Helen
4 who had sat by demurely listening
s.suppose you fall In love with some
body else?n
/ ..Me fall in love?" said Kate, with !
/ mocking laugh. 'Rest assured, Helen
| / shall never commit any such absurt
piece of folly as that. Haven't tolt
YOU that intend only to marry TO
i money! It may sound q little conceit
ed, but want choice setting. Helen
you shall be my bridesmaid when
marry Lawrence Emmett.
/ Things were at this interesting juno
ture when one moonlight evening Mis-
Mayo went up to the park to skate
and came back under the convoy OF
i tall, handsome young man who ha'
I been introduced To her there.
Ibid you say his name was St. John?
asked curious Helen, when the eavalie
servente had gone. ..0h, Kate, hoy
handsome he is!''
'Nothing Of the kind, said Kate
tartly, only rather pleasant looking.
s.But who is he, Kate?a