The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-03
popular Gales,
WEALTH, POVERTY, AFFECTION.
4 TALE OF REAL LIFE.

Miriam Leslie was listening to "worC
Of advice" from her step.father, Mr. Pal
mcr She was very beautiful woman oi
about twenty-five, with a face that was a
rare combination of sweetness and strength
just now the resolute mouth and expires
sion Of the large, brown eyes, showed that
frmness in her character predominated
though no look of temper marred the
amiability
"I | have no power over your movements
Miriam" said the old gentleman, kindly
"You are of age, and the wealth you in
herited from your father is entirely under
your own control but | am afraid you arr
committing a grave error if you accept
Wilton Seymours offer. am afraid he
is man to marry money"
Why? l pass over the implied sligh,
to my powers Of attraction; but tell mt
why you think Mr., Seymour marries me
for my money alone?'
81 don't know that mean that exactly
know you are young, beautiful and tai
ented but | think, if you had also been
poor, you would not have had this offer. y
again ask, why do you think so?"
Wilton Seymour is one Of that unfor
tunate class-a young man who has liveC
upon expectations. He has been educated
and supported by an eccentric uncle, wht
was supposed to be enormously wealthy
Wilton has lived in complete idleness
passing through college with average cred
it. and since that, moving in society, re
ceived everywhere as the heir to his un
cle's money. Six months ago his uncl
died, leaving his money-much less thai
was supposed-to hospital. Wilton ac
cepted the situation gracefully enough
applied for position as clerk in the whole
sale house of Myers 4 Co., and courted al
heiress."
You are bitter Ibelieve Wilton Sey
mour to be an honorable, upright man, VIII,
loves me, who is trying to earn a supper
for himself, and who does not look upoI
my money either as stimulus to his af
fection for me or impediment in the wa,
of it."
81 see you are determined to marry him
Well, will see that your money is settle,
upon yourself"
al love my future husband too well +
offer him an insult. My money will pur
chase him junior partnership with Myer
4 Co."
"He has told you that?'
"No. Mr.. Myers informed me that h
= could be admitted into the firm if he ha,
capital Of ten thousand pounds-only
small portion Of my money. The remain
der may still remain where it is, subjcc
to Wilton's check and control"
That is sheer insanity Inever hear,
of such folly!"
Miriam's face grew very sweet as lool
came into her soft brown eyes, of devotion
and trust.
"If am willing to trust myself, m
whole future happiness in Wilton's hand'
my money is Of little consequence. If h
can win my confidence sufficiently to con
troll my fortune, do you not think he cal
win my love-myself?"
Mr.. Palmer moved uneasily in his chail
Il wish you would listen to reason" h
said al am truly speaking for your ow
good"
"Iknow that. After nine years of sue
love as my own father would have give
me had he lived after seeing your sever
grief for my mothers death, your affectio
for my little step-sisters-your own chi
dren--never surprising that you shove
me, do you think that do not appreciat
your motives2 | thank you from m
heart for your advice; but my whole futur
happiness is involved in this decision, an
/ believe am deciding to secure it"
al sincerely hope 50. If, in the futur'
you find | was right, remember claim
fathers right to comfort you, and this
a fathers home to receive you
Too much moved by the old man
solemn tone to reply in words, MiriaI
pressed her lips upon the kind face tha
looked into her own.
"There, my dear" he said, gently, q
have spoken as felt it my duty to speal
Now, we win write to Mr.. Seymour, VIII
will become my son when he becomes you
husband. Get your finery ready, and "
viii have happy wedding. God blei
you, Miriam r
Two hours later, Wilton Seymour cam
TO put the engagement ring on Miriam
finger, to thank her for his promised haI
piness Looking at this man, ms he hel
the hand so soon to be his own, no on