Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-10-29

"l was wasteful and selfindulgent, "
replied the young man, in u voice from
which the confident sone had departed.
1T will scarcely coat Rosa and me Tor
clothing one hall OF what | expended"
Say one half, and Your income will
not reach the demand. What WAS your
tsilor's bill last year"
Two hundred dollars
"Say three hundred including boots,
hats. et ccterd
Yes
You could hardly get this below a
hundred"
Perhaps not"
The young mans voice WAS growing
husky.
That will leave sixty dollars for your
wiies clothing, and nothing for pleasure,
recrestions. or unanticipated but un.
avoidable expenses. And il ii 10 50
with yun Two in health, what will be the
condition of things in sickness, and with
children to support and educate Adrian.
my young friend, there is debt, ss,.
barraNsment, disappointment; and mis
cradle life before you. Pause and rctlacu
your steps before 1t is too late II you
love Ross. spare her from thi. impending
tate. Leave her Ia her pleasant home, or
TO grace that of mau better sblu thau
you TO provide her with The external
blessings of Lille You cannot mar, on
twelve hundred dollars year. Aud il is
folly to thing of il.'
I'VE could get boarded Tor twelve dol.
sr. week. said Adrian.
"Tha, would .carcey holp the matter
a. all. At best, ii would only make =
difference in The amount OF your indsbt
edns.s ST the close OF each year 1t 10
folly TO think Of it my young friend lou
can I afford to marry
1T has dark look. bat there ia NO
holding up noE." replied Adrian. in -
gloomy way. I'VE have mutually plcdg
ed each other. and The day OF gu, mar
rage ha. been appointed"
I'm sorry lor YOU. said tho friend. II
bachelor OF iorty, who. ON al income ol
two thousand year. could see no posi-.
bic chance Tor happy marriage in tho
city OF New York, nnd preferred cslibscy
to the embarrsssmsnts which he saw hun-
dreds OF his friends encounter in .heir al.
tempts 10 live in A;yie ont Of all pro-
portion 10 thsir resources. I'm sorry
FOR you.' ne rcpeated, but it you will
bend your meek To tho YOKE, Iou must
not complain Of The burden you arc your
sell compslisd 10 hearp
SHsRgr AS it may appear, the young
clerk, Henry Adrian, had never bolore
looked this matter of income, eIpvudi.
turs, and style OF living fairly In the
front. The actual aspect ot l.o case,
when clearly seen, threw his mind into u
state OF troubled bowildermeni. lls
went over and over again The calculations
suggested by Mr. Blair. book keeper in
the establishment where he was employ
ed, cutting = i,tlo from one proposed e1-
pendilurs and another. but no, being
able to &c, the cost OF living down to The
range OF his salary, excsp. ~heu The
style OF living was 80 tar below that in
which his vile must move, that hs turred
half sick from ils contemplation. The
more steadily he looked at the truth. the
more heavily came the pressure of ito
stony weight upon his heart. To 60 for
moss, yet how could he hold back now ?
Rosa Sat alone reading ia one OF her
uncls's handsome parlorS. waiting for her
lover lie WAS later than usual; so late
that her hook began 10 lose its interest.
and ~ last lay closed on her lap. while =
shade fell over her expectant face. A
single glance at Resa's countenance re.
vealed the tact that shs WAS girl of
some character. There was no SOFT
voluptuous lspglAr about her, but an
erectnsss of position y. she sat, and
firmnsss of tone In all hor features. that
indicated Nh active mind and solf.re-
lance.
An hour later than usual. Adrian came.
Are you sick, Henry ?" asked Rosa, as
she took hi. hand and fixed har Oyss ON
his sober lace,
Not sick, but troubled in mind" he
replied, without evasion.
why are you troubled, Henry?" And
Rosa drew an arm tenderly round her
lover.
"sit down and will tell you. The
trouble concerns US both, Rosa"
The young girls lace grew pale. They
sat down close together, holding each
others haads. But in Adrian's face there
was resoluie expression, such as we
see in the countenance Of man who has
settled question of difficult solution.
THE day OF our marriage is only two
months distant" he said. The tone in
which he spoke chilled the heart OF Rosa.
She did not answer but kept her gaze on
his face.
Rosa. we must reconsider this matter.
We hsvo scted without torethought."
Her face became paler, her lips fell
apart, and her eyes had 2 frightened ex-
} preston.
( Il love you. Rosa. tenderly. truly.
My heart is not turning from you. |
would hasten rather than retard, the day
/ IL 1,i,l m ai.ria iLn,.. ....o o-,r,