The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-07-31

and a few moments later she entered tn
library where he was sitting.
g Can [ not assist you? she said
softly, as she deposited the unique silve
breakfast service at his side.
| He had not noticed her presence be
fore. He glanced hastily into her face
and the tears stood In his eyes.
- do not know whether you can o
not" he replied, almost wildly. g III,
brain is in a whirl These papers,
pointing to the heaps upon his eithe
hand, represent all possessed.
have been here all night, Margery, anC
my conviction, after thorough investi
CATION, is, that we are almost beggars."
" You must rest now, at any rate,
she said, gently; and when you have
drank your coffee, we will talk our mis-
| fortunes over"
Whilst he partook of his breakfast, she
busted herself in arranging the disorder
ed apartment. She turned off the gas
which still burned brilliantly, and throw
ing aside the heavy curtains, admitted
the sunlight into the room. Not until
then did She observe the change that had
taken place in her husbands appearance.
He was worn and haggard, and his whole
frame trembled as with an ague. Mar
gerry sat down near him, and, leaning her
arms upon the table, looked into his face.
You are too easily discouraged,
Colonel Leslie, she exclaimed, with
emotion.
81 comprehend our situation much
more clearly than you do, he replied,
gloomily.
"Of the business details I am of course
ignorant" she answered; but they do
not alter nor affect the fact which so in
timately concerns u.s..
You realize it all then, and yet your
heart is not broken" he gasped, rather
than asked.
Z" You refer to the conversation that
passed between us years ago. she in
quired, the red flush mantling her cheek,
and the tears gathering in her eyes.
Z" Yes You told me that you would
not care to live, if bereft of society and
wealth That remembrance has been
the bitterest drop in this bitter, bitter
cup"
" Forget it" she exclaimed, passion
ately. f" Forget that | was ever SO UNI
womanly, SO ungrateful. Our married
life so far has proved failure, but there
is time enough to redeem it.
Colonel Leslie could scarcely believe
that he heard Alright. g You are not
testing with me, Margery ?"
g Indeed, indeed l am not, she ex-
earnestly. Although have
proved recreant to the trust you once re-
posed in me, l am Worthier to-day to be
your wife than [ was upon our bridal
If you will only esteem me
again as you once did, you shall never
have cause to regret it. !"
Colonel Leslie gathered her to his
heart, and pressed his lips to her fore
head.
"There is light ahead for US, Mar
gerry" he said, as soon as he could trust
himself to speak g 1t is not all as dark
as it was while ago. | have education,
talent, too, my friends used to say, and
Did as l am, they must be brought into
requisition. In my early manhood l read
and practised law, and a few months
study will fit me for the profession again"
There were but a few thousands left of
all of Colonel Leslie's vast estate. But
when Margery left the spacious residence
which had been the scene of so many
social triumphs, she felt but one sincere |
regret, and that was that 80 many oppor-
tunities for doing good had been wasted.
Though the home she entered was hum
Die in comparison, she realized that do
nestle contentment which otherwise she |
never would have known.
With the vigor and energy which had |
always been prominent traits in Colonel |
Leslie's character, he entered into his |
profession and became distinguished as a |
lawyer. Once in the right path, Mar
gerry never faltered, and being constantly |
n the society of her husband, she learn
I'd to love him devotedly. Although to-
lay his hair is white with age, his form
s still stately, and his step still firm,
whilst by his side, whether in his library
boring over his ponderOus books, or in
lis parlor entertaining his friends, is the
elegant form and beautiful face of Mar
gerry, "the old mans darling"