The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-19
a FORTUNATE ESCAPE.

"Wieh me joy, old fellow Helen Carlg-
ton has promised to be MING"
lIermon Fenton lifted his eyes from the
ponderous law bool, he was bordering
over to the eayer, animated face of the
speaker. hut there was no look of Joy IN
their dark depths.
" cant wish you joy, Dick, on what is
likely t. prove the areatest misfortune of
your life.
- You are prcjudiced against Helen.
You don't known her, or you would CON
slider Inc 10 he what am very fortunate
man"
~ know her to b., wha. she is, Il cold e.,
heartless woman, WHO has been trained
from the cradle to consider ii hcl first and
highest duty to cnsnare rich husband |
wish that 1t had been any one but you,
Dick. 1t would ir good thing for you,
now, if you were us poor man as | am to-
day.
Is 1t would make no difference to Helen
if | should lose every cent | am worth -
retorted Dick, his fine face lighting up
with warmth and earnestness which
showed how truly he spoke the convictions
of his soul " she would still love me,
clngng still more closely TO me than be-
fore
She would cast y OH off as easily and
completely rs she would WORKOUT glove.
Why don't you test her and ?"
How y
Didn't you tell me that all you had
from your father was in the bank that fail
ed yesterday
Yes, but that was a mere trifle; re-
ceived the bulk ofmy property through my
mother"
Very few people knew that. Now you
write to your lady-love telling her OF this
failure; leaving her to infer that it was all
you had"
"I'll do it, if only to prove to you how
greatly you have misjudged her."
Isn't it perfectly splendid, mamma y
And Helen Carleton held up exultantly
the white hand, from which Il cost,
diamond flashed like dew drop in thu
sun.
Mrs. Carleton surveyed it with a COOL,
critical look, and yet one that expressed
full as much satisfaction.
ale can well afford it,
at has always been the first wish of my
heart" continued Mrs. Carleton, regarding
the lovely face opposite her with am air OF
mingled pride and complacency, THAT you
should make brilliant marriage, and must
say that am very well pleased with your
choice"
eyes, Richard is all right, so far as mon
ey and position is concerned, but he has
some horribly old-fashioned notions about
marriage; talks if he expected me to settle
af hnn,n nd L. Il,
and happiness the chief end and aim of m,
life. Did you ever hear OF anything so ri
diculous !"
Men get very foolish notions into theil
heads, sometimes. Richard will see the
folly of his in due time; only be careful moi
to disenchant him too soon.'
'I'll take care of that"
AS Helen said this, she opened a letter
that was just handed her, uttcrng a little
shrek as she made herself mistress Of the
contents.
Goodness me mamma, it's from Rich
ard, who says he has lost every cent that
bis father left him by the failure of II bank
Isn't it shocking?"
VERY shocking for him." said Mrs. Car
Teton, after careful reading of the letter
alluded, "but only think, my love, what &
lucky escape for you? Supposed it had hap
pencd few weeks hence? 1t makes me
shudder to think of it,
The willy woman surveyed her daughter
narrowly as she said this, across who's,
smooth brow shadow had fallen.
81 rather liked Richard, mamma, but
suppose its of no use for us to think OF
marrying now. | should make the poOres
kind OF poor mans wife"
THAT you would. Nor have spent al
tunt | have nlnpati n,, ia, lao ,,.;l
that you should be one. 1t is not to b,
thought OF.
"The poor, foolish fellow speaks a,
though he thought it would make no df
ference"
You had better write at once, and dis
abuse his mind of that idea it is so mucl
easier saying such things by letter, yot
know.
On II sheet of rose-colorcl, perfume,
paper, and in the delicate chirography tina
her lover had admired so often Heller
traced the following lines
DEAR Mr.. BRoNsoN Il was very sor
ry to learn of your misfortune TO
my sake as well as yours.
] showed your note to mamma and she il
OF the opinion that ii would be the heigh
OF folly and imprudence for us Ia think o.
marrying now, Nth which | am forced
'h'HSH very l'IuCtuntly, 10 agree. MY
tastes, feelings and habits entirely unfit m,
TO be the wife Of man of limited means
who has his own fortune to make. T,
such should only be hlndrancc and
drag, as am sure you will have the goo,
sense to perceive.
But shall ever hold you in the hghes
esteem, and be, what | subscribe myself,
Your friend,
HELEN CARLETON
We will not attempt to describe Rich
ards feelings as he read this heartess note
But in the years following, when seate
by the wife whose worth became nsore an
parent to him year by year, and surrounde
by the children by which their love ha
been crowned and perfected, he locke
back upon 1t as the most fortunate event O
his life.
We will leave the reader to imagn
Helen Cartoons chagrin and modification
when she learned that the few hundred
that Richard had had in the broken ban
were mere trille compared to the wealt
that was still his
Still hunting for rich husband, sh
stands a small chance of getting any.
With the beauty fading that was her on
ly charm, they fight shy of her it ben
the general opinion that she would not onl
"make the DOOrcgt kind of n wife for a moo