El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-05-02
Brought to the Point.

$50, Kate, you going to be mar
ried?'' said Mrs. Withers to her niece in
quiringly.
Il hardly know, aunt" Kate answered
| with a little break in her voice. "Mr
! Severance has often spoken about oul
| future as if we We're to spend it together
| but he has never said, Will you marry
| me, Kate| or When will you marry
| meT"
Kate" said her aunt sharply, dc
you love hm?" Kate hung her head
| without speaking.
| ANSWER me, Kate. A great deal de-
| ponds upon your answer"
| Pm afraid / do said Kate in low
voice
| every well, then. Mr.. Severance will
not only ask you to marry him, but will
also beg you to set the day inside of a
fortnight. or he is not worthy of your
| love, Kate. In fact, / doubt very much
| whether he is half worthy of you
Dear aunt, please, please don't say
| anything to him. 1t would kill me to
have you do it and for him to suspect
that have been criticising him.
"Welli If you never criticise him any
| more sharply, he'll live a bed of roses
| without thorns," responded Mrs. Withers.
But you needn't fear, my child. l will
not say thing to Mr.. Severance in re-
gard to his intentions. / have a better
way than that for bringing him to the
point. All | ask of you is to do exactly
what / bid you and not to lose your
proper pride, and you may be sure Mr..
Severance will never know that we have
talked about the matter"
"But what do you propose doing?"
Kate asked doubtfully.
Sometimes when men have been hest
tating and dallying about getting mar
ried it only takes n little thing to bring
them to a decision pretty quick" replied
Mrs. Withers.
With this vague and unsatisfying an
swer she walked away, leaving Kate
greatly puzzled Nothing more was said
on the subject, and Mr.. Severance still
maintained silence in regard to his in
tentions.
One morning, about week after the
conversation between Kate and her aunt
the latter, who was visiting at Hates
home, informed her that her husbands
nephew, Percy Hall, would spend few
days with her. He arrived the next day
and Kate found him a very pleasant
young fellow. That night an entertain
ment was to be given at the town hall.
and Mrs. Withers suggested that Kate
and Percy attend it.
Have you any other engagement
queried her aunt, who had already dis
covered that Mr.. Severance had q pleas
ant habit of taking it for granted that
Kate would reserve her company for
himself and often came for her without
previously inviting her.
Not any positive engagement, aunt,
but
"Then be good enough to go with
Percy" said Mrs. Withers, rather per-
emptorily, and she managed so well that
Percy and Kate had already gone when
Mr.. Sevrance came to accompany Kate
to the hall. That gentleman could
scarcely believe his ears when he heard
that Kate had gone with some other man.
He was inclined to be angry, and the
sight of Percy Hall bending over Kate
in most devoted way at the entertain
ment did not improve his temper.
The next evening he called and found
that Kate and Mr.. Hall were out calling.
The following night when he came he in
terrupted a duet which the two young
people, whose voices blended harmonious
ly, were singing.
He tried in vain to get a word with
Kate alone. but Mrs. Withers monopoliz-
ed him. She told him that she was so
charmed with her niece that she hoped
to take her home with her. and l am
sure" she added, gancing archly at the
two, who were again at the piano, that
Percy will second my efforts to secure a
visit from her"
Mr.. Severance thought Mrs. Withers
was n disagreeable old woman. What
right had she to come and interfere with
his rights? What business had she to
throw this handsome young fellow in his
Hates society so freely?
His Katei
Suddenly he remembered that she was
not his Kate-he had never asked her to
marry him, although he had fully intend
ed to some day. He had not meant to
l.
he hated to give up his freedom even for
her. What if she should go to the city
for q visit with her aunt and be brought |
in daily contact with Percy Hall? He |
was sure that Percy was already in love
with Kate, as he did not know that his |
devoted manner and killing looks were |
aired for the benefit of womanlind at |
large For the first time in his life Mr.. |
Sevrance was devoured with jealousy, |
and, unable to conceal his feelings, he |
rose to leave
Kate accompanied him to the door and |
staid n long time. a significant look |
passed between nephew and aunt when /
she finally returned. looking very happy |
md bright
aunt" she said when Percy had left
he room, guess what has happened"
Il cannot possibly" returned Mrs.
smiling.
you have not said anything about
marrying to Mr. Severance, have you,
?" she asked anXiously.
Not a word. WhyY'
Because" answered Kate, blushing
'he has asked me to marry
lin just as soon as ! can get ready. I'm
o happy, Aunt Mary, and SO ashamed to
hinl l almost doubted him"
''Bless your dear heart" said her aunt,
issing her tenderly, eff you're happy, so
m l. and you may charge your trousseau
O me- and We'll see to it at once"
Percy" Mrs. Withers said next morn
ng "you may go home now. You've |