The Van Buren press., 1874-07-07

90 10 MIS- Lewis Llltie uauShtei, ""
may have callers while am out. She
drew her child into her arms, and looked
with anxious love into her eyes.
"Gertie, my daughter be true to your
own heart. And so she left her.
True to her own heart Gerte Jane
son sat down to ponder over those glo
rious waves of light before her eyes the
copy Of verses lay open on the little
work table, and Gertie sat musing. Pie
lures of the past came up in succession
into her memory.
1t was ten years ago, but she could
still remember the day, since her father
had been called to the shadow land. The
luxurious country home where she and
Jane, her eldest sister, We're bc,p, was
sold and they had come to the city. Her
mother, one Of the best amateur pianlsts
of her time, had begun to teach music,
and they had lived upon her earnings un-
I'll Jane was old enough to take the
French class in large seminary, and
Gertie to have singing scholars at home;
but even with these additions their in
come was very limited Close economy,
Gertie could recall much more distinctly
than the wealth her father had squan.
dered.
Where did Harry Clarke come upon
the scene? Gertie scarcely knew. He
was a step son of her mothers brother,
and had come to the city to make his
fortune. Far away in the central part Of
Dan leo I,l nn fa bap
Harry was born, where father and moth
er had died, and wbich was the boys
sole patrimony. The rent o! his domain
scarcely suflleed to clothe the young
clerk, but he had been winning his way
in the bouse Of d Co and now, il he
could make three thousand dollars, might
be partner The farm might bring part
of that sum where was the rest to come
from, queried Gertie Yet over Harry
memory picture the little maiden fingered
lovingly. There was no part Of her life
so pleasant to dwell upon as that whore
he figured Long walks and talks, duets
over the old piano, chats by moonlight,
freight and gaslight. He was SO tender
and loving, so honorable and true, so re-
specttul to her mother, so tender TO Jane,
and so ready to advise or assist James
betrothed a fellow. clerk, who was wait
ing the turn in fortunes wheel that would
enable him to marry. Was not such
love as he offered worthy Of any sacri-
fee?
Leon Payne came to the scene only
six months before this musing fit upon
E.l Il
6aau Beauty hdih grahdpe ahdpe RY hid dps Voice % lie had
dazzled her by his handsome facc--lIar
ry was not handsome, poor fellow, Ger
tie sighed-and wealth But the young
the courtly manners, ilattering attentions
and devoted air, there was hard, selfish !
nature, cruel jealousy and suspicious
and hot temper. Yet he was so rich and
Gertie knew all the torture and misery
of genteel poverty.
BE true to your own heart" she said
aloud as she arose and walked. across the
room "Do | love Leon Payne? If he !
should lose his wealth would be a true
and loving wife to him still Could |
wear old bonnets for his sake p
She took up the diamonds and put
them on while she spoke. They flashed
brilliantly against the deep crimson Of
her neat dress and heightened the effect
of her young, fresh beauty.
"lf he were poor and i'll could i work
for him-as ! could for Harry 2
1t burst from her lips in sort Of cry,
and she tore off the jewels and replaced
them in their velvet bed. Z" could bear
all this for Harry but not for Leon Payne,
| will be true to my own heart. "
The winter was gliding into spring
when Mrs. jameson sat in luxurious
house on street, waiting the coming
Of two brides. The parlor in which she
waited was richly furnished Velvet car
pets covered the floor, velvet curtains
draped the windows, long mirrors threw
back the light Of large chandeliers cost
ly pictures in heavy gilt frames hung up
on the walls. Above large bedrooms
were filed with handsomely appointed
furniture. In one room, laces, velvets,
flowers and silks fit for royal trousseau
filled drawers and wardrobe; the dining
room was spread for a rich and varied
repast, and the widow own dress, though
only black silk, was rich and handsome
Is made.
"My little Gertie, " said Mrs. Jane
son, softly, ''how will she ever reign
over this palace ?
A quieter home, but pleasant, too. was
waiting for Jane, whose husband had re
ceived an anonymous gift that enabled
him to accept a business opening long
looked upon as an unattaiuable felicity.
But Jane was TO spend few days with
Gertie before going to her own home,
and the mother looked for two brides. as
said before
1t Was nearly midnight when the car
rage drove up. Gertie was the first to
her mothers arms, and then, as Jane
took her place, the little bride stood in
the center Of the long parlors pale with
astonishment. She had tossed off her
bonnet, and the soft gray travelling dress
Of the mistress of the house seemed odd. |
iy out of place.
"Where am p she gasped at last.
AT home, my darling, and her hus-
band passed his arm around her waist.
Home ?"
"lt is not such very long story,
he said, looking down into her wondrous
eyes, bat did no. tell you before, be-
cause wanted to SEQ if you loved me
She nestled close to him, letting her