New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-08-25
A MARRIAGE NOTICE.

overcome by the shock and, far from a
fording the young girl the least support
was but another burden on her handle TIL
bOvs, hastily summoned from school, locke
in their beWilderment and grief to her. L
the midst of her own sorrow, she sOOtheC
as far a. she might, the bitterness Of theirs
The funeral over, anne the inevitable dis
cussiOn Of affairs. Mr.. LeightOn's incOm
had been good, but the greater part of i
died with him very little property haC
been accumulated on which the famill
could rely. AS this became evident, on
cherished plan after another was given up
Edmund must leave school, it was plain
and devote himself to some ~remunerativ,
pursuit. Margaret felt this almost as mucI
as did the youth himself, for she had great
pride in his talent and faith in his future
She tried, but in vain, to discover some
feasible method Of continuing him at his
studies. Robert was willing enough to give
I'D school and accept a situation in the
counting-h house of a friend in London.
But then there was her mother; the chill
dren. who were still to be educated, brought
forward to an age when they could care for
themselves. The means of doing it were
utterly inadequate, and as Margaret recOg-
nized this fact, her own part in the sacri-
fees of the time became painfully apparent.
it was Just six months since she had en-
gagged herself to Philip Hearn. How en-
Gifbiy DdblN udu bGCA TIC AAHA Adle VI LudL
enlargement Though all the sorrow Of
these weeks what sOlaCe she had found in
his affection And now to give it all up !
How could she! She raCked her brain for
an alternative, and found none. If it were
in any way possible, the little capital must
be kept intact, and to do it som means Of
ekiug out the income it produced must be
contrived. The boys had, for the present,
enough on their hands-UpOn her the re-
sponsibility devolved. She could not for
sake them and seek happiness in her W
way; it was a seltishnCss Of which she was
incapable. And to take them all with her
TO a new hOme-tO impose such a burden
on a husband, that, too, was impossible.
One simple solution of the difficulty ap-
peared-tO sacrifice herself, Then she could
stay at home, could care for them all, hus-
band, to the utmost, their sCanty means,
ana earn what she could to add TO them.
She had not expected That Philip would
acuuiesce quietly in this arrangement, but
she was hardly prepared for such deter
mined opposition. How much it cost her to
argue against him and herself! He urged,
first, their immediate marriage; finding her
u%nyielding on that point, he took another
tone.
u will wait, then" he said; "and you
yourself shall fix the limit. How long will
Il be before you are at liberty!-betOle your
sisters can take charge of the house Il of
your mOtheIi
Margaret shook her head sadly, 'Too
long for You to wait she said.
THAT is not an answer to my question, ~
he returned.
Helen is eight and Garci6 ten; you can
see it is hopeless.
Not at all. Six or seven years will
surely be sufficient, and | viii wait ten, if
say l must. Anything, rather than give
you up
Margaret's eyes thanked him, though her
lips still refused assent.
'tAnd you leave uncOnsidGred all the for
tunate chances ne continued. Your
mother may regain her health, and be able
TO guide her own house and the children.
The boys may SO prosper that no efforts
will be necessary. Wait and see. l ask
nothing Of you but delay
It was hard for Margaret to resist the
temptation. But, no! she would not hold
him all through bis youth to an engage
ment that promised SO littie.t to his advan-
tage. II he should see any whom he could
prefer, he should not feel himself fettered,
and give up his wishes for her sake-shOuld
not come back, when the ten years were
over, to keep faith with a dOwerless and
faded bride. She was firm in her decision.
Philip, not uunaturallv, was indignant; he
accused her Of self-wiii and OF Indifference.
Self will /! when she would have given the
"DIAU 10 AlClhs ALuLlltACuNGs MHCu uCI
heart cried out every moment against her
He went away-not tenderlv: and Mar
garet was left.t find what consolation she
could in the belief that she had acted for
the be. t
Occupation is said to be the surest remedy
for grief. 1t so, Margarets should soon
nave been allayed, But, busy as she was,
she ound time to remember and to suffer.
Philip Hearn has not been here for a
long time, it seems to me- Mrs. Leighton
observed one day.
"NO, mamma
ait is very strange that he should choose
Juch a time to neglect you, Margaret"
at is not neglect, mamma; it is by my
,wn wish that he has ceased to come. /
ave not liked to trouble You with it, or
you should nave known before"
And she briefly explained the new aspect
which their relations had assumed. Mrs.
LeightOn's mind was divided as she lis
,ened.
Philip was a promising young man, and it
vas a pity that Margaret should give up her
prospects; still, the convenience of the ar
angement struck her very aCceptably.
Margaret could now devote herself to her
Iwn family, who had, certainly, the best
lain upon her; and there would be no out
ide consideration or interest to interfere.
Il must lave been mistaken, though"
he thought, lin fancying her so attached
Philip. If she had been she COnld not
ave given him up so readily. l never
Ould have done it; but then Margaret isn't
Ike me. Well, these cOld-hearted people
the most comfortable time Of it, after
~
81 hope, mamma, you do not ~disapprove
hat l have done said Margaret, anx-
usly.
''Disapprove2 Oh. no, dear! l think it
as all for the best, if you could do it. l ]
n sure we shall be glad TO have yOu to
again. But you might have left
N a little hope, Maggie; you might have
i'd that, in case of any fortunate circum-
ance occurring, or some unloOked-tor t
IN in our affairs, you would renew the {
gagement." |
fBut don't you see, mamma, that it
3uld be only another way Of binding
He would have been very glad of L
ca an opportunity, ana would have con L
Tered himself still pledged and waiting l
better times y
Very well, dear; you know best what Il
is YOU. l must speak to the doctor r
my drops the next time he comes. G
ey are affecting my appetite; and yet l b
At Know how | am to rest without them. A
ere is the difficulty-what helps in one II
hurts in another. Be thankful, T.
rgaret, that you keep your health at any d
p" 1t
I am, mamma" she answered, kissing sc
pale, pretty cheek. tr
rs. Leighton had been beautiful in !