, 1864-03-05
The Ebony casket.
CHAPTER III,

hlOhtHs W JOhu IuuuSIUEtu, DuL nc was
still in his modest bachelor home. Success
had not lured him to adopt mora expen-
sive establishment. His simple require
ments were fully grati6ed by his kind moth
er's thrifty hand, and his fresidc frightened
by her never waning spirit of affection.
1t was December, the evening was bleak
and chilly, but the quiet parlor Of Johns
home gathered an aspect of unusual comfort
from the light of cheerful lamp and the
glow of a ruddy fire. The tea things were
on the table, and the mothers kindly face
was beaming on her son with look of ez-
pectancy:
"Mr. Sherwood is generally so punct,ial,"
she remarked.
A ring at the bell, followed by the pres
ence Of that gentleman in the room, inter.
rupted further comment.
IL trust have not detained you" said
Hugh, after the customary greetings.
"Oh, no." said Mrs. Rudderfdrth, as
she seated herself at the table.
Hugh took u vacant easy chair by the
fire with the air Of man who had deter-
mined to enjoy himself. rI
"Ah, john" said Hugh, smilingly,
"whatever bitterness you may find in the
world, this home circle must modify, if not
deaden it, i r.. nunf-f..,
"Yes," replied John, "Ihave much to
be envied and much to be grateful for"
And so, Mrs. Rudderforth," said Hugh,
as the lady handed him cup Of ten, " the
time approaches when you must resign
your presidency here 7" ID. ..ta..' a.n>,
"Yes, SIR" said Mrs. Rudderfurth, in
her gentle manner. "And when is your
bachelor life to end 7" d ..ra ,ai
"Oh, when indeed" said Hugh lightly
but tell me, old friend" he added, turn
ing to John, snow that you near the matri-
mOnial precipiee, does not the thought
sometimes occur to you that you might have
formed more profitable alliance ~ -ar
"That is a strange question from you,"
said John; "but how more proftablel"
81 have no wish to depreciate Clemency
Maybrook's worth, said Hugh "indced, /"
l have not the power to do 80. But you
arc now rising man wife Of fortune
and position would be powerful lever to
lift you up the golden hill" gi5 r.ir.7
Are wives Of fortune and position so
easily Obtainabley" asked John, with grave
humor. u-r.u = -ral. .H" .F....ar
"To thriving, prosperous banker like
yourself, they are not quite so scarce as
unicOrns; unless, indeed, you were greedy
in your aspirations replied Hugh. ~
81 was neither thriving nor prosperous
TO any great extent when Clemency prom
ised to be mine," said John to himself
" But" he added aloud, !" II were modest
in my aspirations, and found q wife who could
bring with her fortune OF say ten thousand
pounds, | have sort Of old fashioned belief
that l should be doing her grieyOus wrong
in taking her to share my fate.' -rIar8f
How sop inquired his friend. .a
Because" replied John, "reared in
afluence, il is more than probable she would
have contracted luxurious and costly habits
THAT is only natural, grant," said
Hugh. ia,4.q gaiaa 4, - a. lsnur.
Then do you think il would be an easy
task suddenly to descend from her position
and accommodate herself to the usages Of
y quiet home 7" inquired John. "The in.
come derived from such a fortune would be
but small, say three or four hundred year.
On which side of my ledger should l find
q balance, il she incurred an expenditure,
by virtue If her family and dowry, Of as
many thousands!'' VISIT rs
"Thcre are reasonable women in the
world, " remarked Hugh. OIL. f.M.E
+" Perhaps they are the exception, tho"
sad John, with a quiet chuckle, and not
Al a