pressed forward and claimed her hand. But Kate did not
believe in the doctrine that love begets love in all cases. Were
this so, it was clear that she would have to love half a dozen, for
at least that number came kneeling to her with their hearts in their
hands.

Mr. Darlington was a merchant. Among his clerks was the son of an
old friend, who, in dying some years before, had earnestly solicited
him to have some care over the lad, who at his death would become
friendless. In accordance with this last request, Mr. Darlington
took the boy into his counting-room; and, in order that he might,
with more fidelity, redeem his promise to the dying father, also
received him into his family.

Edwin Lee proved himself not ungrateful for the kindness. In a few
years he became one of Mr. Darlington's most active, trustworthy and
intelligent clerks; while his kind, modest, gentlemanly deportment
at home, won the favor and confidence of all the family. With Edwin,
Kate grew up as with a brother. Their intercourse was of the most
frank and confiding character.

But there came, at last, a change. Kate from a graceful
sweet-tempered, affectionate girl, stepped forth, almost in a day,
it seemed to Edwin, a full-grown, lovely woman, into whose eyes he
could not look as steadily as before, and on whose beautiful face he
could no longer gaze with the calmness of feeling he had until now
enjoyed.

For awhile, Edwin could not understand the reason of this change.
Kate was the same to him; and yet not the same. There was no
distance--no reserve on her part; and yet, when he came into her
presence, he felt his heart beat more quickly; and when she looked
him steadily in the face, his eyes would droop, involuntarily,
beneath her gaze.

Suddenly, Edwin awoke to a full realization of the fact that Kate
was to him more than a gentle friend or a sweet sister. From that
moment, he became reserved in his intercourse with her; and, after a
short time, firmly made up his mind that it was his duty to retire
from the family of his benefactor. The thought of endeavoring to win
the heart of the beautiful girl, whom he had always loved as a
sister, and now almost worshipped, was not, for a moment
entertained. To him there would have been so much of ingratitude in
this, and so much that involved a base violation of Mr. Darlington's
confidence, that he would have suffered anything rather than be
guilty of such an act.

But he could not leave the hom