The Cameron pride; or, purified by suffering : $b A novelHolmes, Mary Jane
General
The Cameron pride; or, purified by suffering : $b A novel
Holmes, Mary Jane
American fiction -- 19th century
“Where did _you_ meet Wilford Cameron?” Morris asked, in some surprise,
and then the story which Katy had not told, even to her sister, came out
in full, and Morris tried to listen patiently while Katy explained how,
on the very first day of the examination, Mrs. Woodhull had come in, and
with her the grandest, proudest-looking man, who the girls said was Mr.
Wilford Cameron, from New York, a fastidious bachelor, whose family were
noted for their wealth and exclusiveness, keeping six servants, and
living in the finest style; that Mrs. Woodhull, who all through the year
had been very kind to Katy, came to her after school and invited her
home to tea; that she had gone and met Mr. Cameron; that she was very
much afraid of him at first, and was not sure that she was quite over it
now, although he was so polite to her all through the journey, taking so
much pains to have her see the finest sights, and laughing at her
enthusiasm.
“Wilford Cameron with you in your trip?” Morris asked, a new idea
dawning on his mind.
“Yes, let me tell you,” and Katy spoke rapidly. “I saw him that night,
and then Mrs. Woodhull took me to ride with him in the carriage, and
then—well, I rode alone with him once down by the lake, and he talked to
me just as if he was not a grand man and I a little school-girl. And
when the term closed I stayed at Mrs. Woodhull’s and he was there. He
liked my playing and liked my singing, and I guess he liked me—that is,
you know—yes, he liked me _some_” and Katy twisted the fringe of her
shawl, while Morris, in spite of the pain tugging at his heart strings,
laughed aloud as he rejoined, “I have no doubt he did; but go on—what
next?”
“He said more about my joining that party than anybody, and I am very
sure _he_ paid the _bills_.”
“Oh, Katy,” and Morris started as if he had been stung. “I would rather
have given Linwood than have you thus indebted to Wilford Cameron, or
any other man.”
“I could not well help it. I did not mean any harm,” Katy said timidly,
explaining how she had shrunk from the proposition which Mrs. Woodhull
thought was right, urging it until she had consented, and telling how
kind Mr. Cameron was, and how careful not to remind her of her
indebtedness to him, attending to and anticipating every want as if she
had been his sister.
“You would like Mr. Cameron, Cousin Morris. He made me think of you a
little, only he is prouder,” and Katy’s hand moved up Morris’s coat
sleeve till it rested on his shoulder.
“Perhaps so,” Morris answered, feeling a growing resentment towards one
who it seemed to him had done him some great wrong.
But Wilford was not to blame, he reflected. He could not help admiring
the bright little Katy—and so conquering all ungenerous feelings, he
turned to her at last, and said,
“Did my little Cousin Kitty like Wilford Cameron?”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account