Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1874-06-20

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music, and they had lived upon her
earnings until Jane was old enough to
take the French class in large semina-
ry, 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 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
is domain scarcely sufficed to clothe
the young clerk, but he had been win
ming his way in the house Of /. & 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,
Queried Gertie. Yet over Harry's mem
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 hard, selfish nature.
cruel jealousy and a suspicious and
hot temper Yet he was so rich, and
Gertie knew all the torture and misery
of genteel poverty.
"Ba true to your own heart !! she
said aloud as she arose and walked
across the room. Do l love Leon
PAYNE? II he should lose his wealth
would be a true and loving wife to him
still g? Could wear old bonnets for his
sake?'
She took mp 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,
"If he were poor and i'll could |
work for him-as / could for Harry ?"
1t burst from her lips in sort of cry,
and she tore off the jewels and replaced
them in their velvet bed. I" 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 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. In one
room, laces, velvets, flowers and silks
fit for a royal trousseau filled 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.
t "My little Gertie," said Mrs. Jane.
: son, softly show will she ever reign
| over this palace ,"
A quieter home, but pleasant, too,
s was waiting for Jane, whose husband
had received an anonymous gift that
s enabled him to accept a business open
ing long looked upon as an unattaina
" bic felicity. But Jane was to spend {
' few days with Gertie before going tt
D her own home, and the mother looked
4 for two brides, as / sa d before.
h It was nearly midnight when the car
: riage drove up. Gertie was the first tt
e her mothers arms, and then, as Jan,
9 took her place, the little bride stood il
the center of the long parlors pale will
i. astonishment She had tossed off he
l. bonnet, and the soft gray travelling
,. dress of the mistress of the hous
seemed oddly ont of place.
h "Where am II" she gasped at last.
"At home, my darling" and her hus
band passed his arm around her wais'
O. "Home2 ?"
t. at is not such very long story,
| he said, looking down into her wor
is drous eyes, "but I did not tell you bt
Iy fore, because l wanted to see if 20
e. loved me-"
a. She nestled close to him, letting he
ID head fall upon his bosom.
lis "The farm, Gertie," he said foftl.
Sc was full of oil.
COIL"
". "I sold it for more money than Lee
to Payne ever possessed. Now, Pet, rn
no up stairs mother will show you IL
room, and let me see how some of Il
ad fnery there suits you.
"But it is nearly midnight"
"Never mind, we want queen
preside over this supper"
,tv Mrs, Jameson led the way, viii
~. Jane and her husband stood as bew
el. dered as Gertie had been. Sudden
10 the BRIDEGROOM started forward to gra
In Harry's hand.
ms care we not brothers ?" said Har
quietly. -
ire There was a little talk then, wi
husky voices and moist eyes, and ia
tie was still looking grateful into Harr,
ed face when the door opened and Ger'
ant flashed in. All the light had come ba
m. to her eyes, the rich color to her cheel
and the shining silk revealed sno'
aid arms and shoulders, while rich lace f
in folds around the sweeping sklr
ia Upon her clustering curls rested
no, wreath of white flowers, and rare bra'
H. lets clasped her wrists. She made Il
so reverence to her husband.
v" "Lovely |" he cried "but, Pet, We
nst the diamonds tonight"
er. "What diamonds ?"
&" "The ones sent you for vail