The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-06-19

II
take the French class in a large semina-
~, and Gertie to have singing scholars
at home but even with these additions
their income was very limited. Close
economy, self-denial, humble fare and
quiet dress, Gertie could recall much
more distinctly than the wealth her
father had squandered.
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 Pennsylvania nestled small farm
where Harry was born, where father
| and mother had died, and which was
the boys sole patrimony. The rent of
| lis domain scarcely suficed to clothe
the young clerk, but he had been win
| ming his way in the house of 1. & Co.,
and now, if he could make three thou
sand dollars, might be partner. The
farm might bring part of that sum;
where was the rest to come from.
ory picture the little maiden fingered
lovingly. There was no part of her
life so pleasant to dwell upon as that
where he figured. Long walks and
talks, duets over the old piano, chats
by moonlight, freight and gaslight.
He was so tender and loving, so hon
orable and true, so respectful to her
mother, so tender to Jane, and so
ready to advise or assist James
betrothed, 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
sacrifice?
Leon Payne came to the scene only
six months before this musing fit upon
Gertie. She had met him at a party
and had bewitched him by her pretty,
piquant beauty, her grace and voice.
He had dazzled her by his handsome
face-Harry was not handsome, poor
fellow, Gertie sighed - and wealth. |
But the young girl knew, with a wO-
mans intuition, that under the courtly |
manners, fattering attentions and devo- |
ted air, there was a hard, selfish nature. |
a cruel jealousy and a suspicious and |
hot temper. Yet he was so rich, and |
Gertie knew all the torture and misery |
of genteel poverty.
60 Be true to your own heart - she |
said aloud as she arose and walked |
across the room. Do I love Leon
Payne? If he should lose his wealth |
would be a true and loving wife to him |
still ? Gould 1 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.
eff he were poor and i'll could I /
work for him-as I could for Harry ?"
It burst from her lips in a sort of cry,
and she tore off the jewels and replaced
them in their velvet bed. 81 could
bear all this for Harry but not for Leon
Payne. I will be trne to my own heart.
The winter was gliding into spring
when Mrs. Jameson sat in a luxurious
house on -- street, waiting the COM
ing of two brides. The parlor in which
she waited was richly furnished. Vel
vet carpets covered the floor, velvet cur
tains draped the windows, long mirrors
threw back the light of large chande-
liers costly pictures in heavy gilt
frames hung upon the walls. Above
large bedrooms were filled with hand
somely appointed furniture. Ia one
room, laces, velvets, flowers and silks
fit for a royal trousseau filed drawers
and wardrobe; the dining-reom was
spread for a rich and varied repast, and
the widows own dress, though only
black silk, was rich and handsomely
made.
"My little Gertie," said Mrs. Jane
son, softly, chow will she ever reign
over this palace ?"
A quieter home, but pleasant, too,
was waiting for Jane, whose husband
had received an anonymous gift that
enabled him to accept a business open
ing long looked upon IS an unattaina-
BILE felicity. But Jane was to spend a
few days with Gertie before going to
her own home, and the mother looked
for two brides, as I sad before.
It was nearly midnight when the car
riage 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 oddly out of place.
"Where am I ?" she gasped at last.
"At home, my darling" and her hus
band passed his arm around her waist.
"HOme ?"
cit is not such a very long story"
he said, looking down into her won
drous eyes, " but did not tell you be-
fore, because I wanted to see if you
loved me-"
She nestled close to him, letting her
head fall upon his bosom.
''The farm, Gertie," he said softly,
&c was full of oil. .
coil II"
"I sold it for more money than Leon
Payne ever possessed. Now, Pet, run
up stairs mother will show you the
room, and let me see how some of the
fnery there suits you"
60 Rut If jS nearly yY1i6DIOht
"Never mind, we want a queen to
preside over this supper"
Mrs. Jameson led the way, while
Jane and her husband stood as bewil
dered as Gertie had been. Suddenly
the bridegroom started forward to grasp
Harry's hand.
care we not brothers ?" said Harry
quietly.
There was a little talk then, with
husky voices and moist eyes, and Jane
was still looking grateful into Harry's
face when the door opened and Gertie
flashed in. All the light had come back
t0 her eyes, the rich color to her cheeks,
and the shining silk revealed snowy
arms and shoulders, while rich lace fell |
in folds around the sweeping skirts.
Upon her clustering curls rested a
wreath of white flowers, and rare brace
lets clasped her wrists. She made low
reverence to her husband.
" Lovely I" he cried 'but, Pet, wear
the diamonds tonight"
''What diamonds %
g The ones I sent you for valen-
tine"
Sc You sent me, Harry I sent them
back to Leon Payne"
It was certainly ten years later when,
one evening a one of Mrs. Clarke's re-
ceptions, Mrs. Leon Payne said to her,