The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-12-18

wright?"
''Know ?"-Kate colored like
whole cluster of blossoms. g
-yes-that is, I sit opposite him at
!: table,"
'Isn't he fine fellow" cried on
Mrs. Hayes, effusively. "It's he tina
has brought me to town, partly. H
is engaged to be married to dea
friend Of mine-Patience Eldridge-
and | have someto New York to selec
her trousseau. The wedding is to b
next month"
The deep crimson surged over Kat,
Murray's neck, cheeks and brow.
Engaged! Appleton Arkwright
1t can't be possible" she spoke, al
most before she knew that she wa:
uttering sound.
ooh, but it u.s." nodded Mrs
Hayes. 'It's quite a long-standin2
affair. Patience is an he1ress, and
her uncle wished her to- be quite sure
of her own mind before anything was
lrrevocably settled. She's dear love
OF a creature-not pretty, perhaps,
but the sweetest, most sensible girl
ever knew. We are staying at the
Moreland House. Mr.. Arkwright is
to spend this evening with US. Won't
you come, too? It will be so pleas
ant, as you are acquaintances."
Kate hesitated an instant.
YES" she said, at last; "I will
come"
But a strange, curious glitter had
come into the brown liquid depths of
her eyes-an 11nwonted hardness
around the exquisite curves of her
deep red mouth, as she turned away
80 that is the end of it all 7" she
said to herself, with short, hard
laugh.
Miss Murray was none of your senti-
mental heroines who dissolve into
sudden grief. There was plenty of
heartbreak in the recesses of her inner
being, but you saw no outward traces
OF 1t. She went through her school
duties just as usual, although her
heart felt cold and dead within her.
like a lump Of ice, and the whole
world seemed changed. But when
she got home, she went straight to her
lesk, took out a certain little journal,
5llt-edged, and tied with ribbon. in
whose pages she had written out her
1eart. Deliberately she inscribed the
me word, "Finis," underneath the
asst entry, and tearing it into a score
II pieces, opened the window and
lung it out to the keen February air,
ike flock Of fluttering doves.
And now for my revenge" said
Aate, quietly to herself. "Mr. Apple
on Arkwright shall discern that I
ave not forgotten all the delicate it,
e attentions he has shown me of late.
lie shall learn, also, the truth of the
God old rhymes:
~ IS well to be merry and wise:
1t is we'll to be honest and true:
1t is we'll to be off with the old love.
Before you are on with the new!'
Mrs. Hayes had spoken the truth I
hen saying that Patience Eldridge
rs not pretty. She was dark, with +
ack tresses and great wistful eyes =
girl with face that interested. but +
ID none Of the. Hebe bloom and .
sshness which attracts the masculine +
ind as general thing. She sat by s
9 table in her prettily furnished c.
lvate parlor, at the Moreland House, f
'king at some rare canoes which Il
q been sent in for inspection by "
nous jewelry house, while Mrs. n
yes eagerly expressed opinions, N
d Mr.. Arkwright, bending in a true
'er-llke attitude over the little bride
ct, awaited her decision.
For I know, love-" he said, that
IT artistic taste is simply perfect" NJ :,
Patience smiled and coloired, and til
: dark eyes flashed into positive re :,
'uty for the moment. It is passing &c
eet to hear aattering words from ]u
} we love.
It this instant there was tap at the ia a
". OF
'0h," said Mrs. Hayes, with Sc
''' nod, cts nv ca
.a' mi