The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-07-31
THE OLD MANS DARLING
BY. MRS. ROSA DICKERsON.

Margery Hilton's fortune was made.
80 she congratulated herself as sh
gazed exultantly upon the diamond soti
tuire which, but an hour before, Colone
Leslie had placed upon her finger. Hi
words OF love still vibrated in her ears
but, strange to say, there was no respon
sve melody in her heart, although he
lips had promised that she would become
his wife. Sac was young girl not We
out of her teens, poor, beautiful and am
bilious. Colonel Leslie was fifty, hale
gentlemanly, and rich. He had gone tC
the little manufacturing village OF s.
upon business, had accIdently met with
Alargery, and, having been enraptured
with her beauty, addressed her after q
short acquaintance. And so, whilst he
was being rapidly borne to his city home,
thinking of the loneliness of the young
bride he had won. and his abundant
means Of making her happy, Margery
sat in her little chamber dreaming bright
dreams to be realized in the future. Hel
fortune was made What did it matter
noto if there had been poverty and pri-
walton in the past? Was not the future
bright with wealth and splendor?
" shall have diamonds and laces and
society to my hearts content" she unused,
gazing from her window into the cloud
less east, where the round, rising moon
looked softly into her glittering eyes. g
shall purchase them, dearly perhaps, but
| shall be an old mans darling Col
onel Leslie said so tonight as he placed
the seal Of our betrothal upon my finger.
1t is true that there is great disparity OF
years between US, but | am satisfied with
the Contract l have made. L shall be
clothed in purple and fine linen every
day, and If | am not happy there is no
one to blame but myself | shall no
longer be dependent upon those who
grudge me even the little morsel | eat"
The wedding was u quiet one. The
village has never seen Il lOvelier bride
nor happier groom, and when after a
months travel the couple took possession
of their luXuriant home, Margery again
congratulated herself upon the briIliancy
Of her fortune. Her brightest dreams
were meeting with fulfllment She en-
tered into her new life with all the zest OF
her fresh young spirits, glorying in the
beauty that had purchased her pleasures,
and leaving nothing undone that could
enhance her loneliness.
Colonel Leslie accompanied her everv-
where she wished to go.
" She Is too young, too inexperienced
for me to allow her freedom" he said
caressingly. She will doubtless tire of
this frivohty after while, and then we
will settle down in that happy home l
have SO often pictured to myself"
But time wore on and not even the
shadow of such a WEAKNESS appeared to
cloud the young wife's spirits. No gay
ETY. was proposed which did not tempt her
participation, and no temptation met
with resistance.
After "A year Of patient waiting, the
triyolities in which she INDUCED so freely
became so utterly distasteful to him that
he could no longer restrain his Impotence.
But friends interposed, declaring that the
lovely Mrs. Leslie should not make re-
cluse of herself, and offering to accom-
pany her wherever she wished to po. He
transferred her, as it were, to their pro-
lection, and day after day and night after
night he was left alone as mercilessly as
though he had been but hired attend
ant OF the household.
Devoted as he had once been to his
wife the strength of his ardor began TO
abate, and beginning to believe she had
married him for his wealth, he deter
mined to restrict her gayeties III mea-
sure. He would make overtures to her
reason and Judgment, and if they failed
he would assert the authority which CEN
tered IN himself and which she had so
seemingly ignored.
lie was IN the library awaiting Mar
gerry coming, as usual, upon the even
ing OF the most brilliant entertainment of
the season. An hour after midnight she
entered, radiant in velvet and diamonds
lie arose and offered to remove her wran-
pings.
= Thank you! =" she returned. icilv
still standing, but shall retire imme-
dlately, and there Is no need of unwrap-
ping here"
just as you please" he answered
haughtily, resuming his seat and GAZING
for moment into the beautiful face be-
fore him q but l have something to saw
10 you which must be heard here and
now"
Margery gathered her cloak more
closely about her shoulders, and resting
both hands upon the back of the chair bY
which she was standing, said, almost de-
family:
" If you have anything to say, please
say it as quickly as possible. l am tired
and have need of rest; my demands for
tomorrow are pressing"
And mine, Margery, you will find,
are more SO. have been trifed with,
and my expressed desires neglected long
enough. You will remember hereafter
that stand first in this household, and
that my wishes are entitled to some con.
slderatlon."
. Perhaps you had better explain, she
said, contemptuously; 81 do not know
that l have the honor of comprehending
your remarks"
shall certainly be more explicit
then, he answered, mildly, still deter
mined not to appear irritated by her in
difference. We have been married