The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-13
ALLEN cREY's MISTAKE.

WORK, you know; ana all poor mems
wives have to work, don't theyw
"Not always, dear. did not mean
such poverty as that exactly. But ]
nying, and do without a great many
pretty things that you might think In.
dispensable to your comfort"
| eyes, know; and they don't go to the
opera, or buy new dress when they
want one; but when they pass shop
window shut up their purses ever SO
tight, and hurry on. That's what Annie
Harris does, for she told me so herself;
and Annie does her own cooking, and
minds her own children, and sews 70 r
MIR. Harris, and them and herself; and
she couldn't even afford to subscribe
this year to the circulating library, and
she hasn't bought a new bonnet for a
yearW
Meta Harding opened her pretty blue
eyes very wide as she reached the cui-
minating point of her distressing state.
ment, and raised them to Allen Grey's
face TO meet the answering expression of
horritied pity she expected to find there.
But Allen only smiled down at her a
little gravely, in return.
| "And yet Mrs. Harris appears to me to
be one Of the most cheerful, contented
persons know" he rejoined.
"Yes, but don't see how she can be.
Ips 80 horrid, never to have time or
money to go to theaters or balls or operas
or to be able to buy whatever you see
that you want"
| Metals "Papa" was wealthy, and al
though his daughter was not selfish or
narrow minded, she having been aocus-
toned to an abundance of money, could
not understand how life could be en-
dured without it.
| Allen Grey listened with smile to her
remarks, and after a pleasant hour
walked musingIy to his hotel. Meta was
his affianced bride and he being wealthy
had nothing to fear that his little Meta
| would ever have occasion to remind
him of her dislike OF compara-
tive poverty. His business was be
thought, on sure foundation and he
knew he had ample means OF satisfying
her wants. But her answer to his ques-
ton, ''And 80 you could not marry a
With sense of pain, for it seemed some
how to lessen the value Of his love ior
her, and to put it aside, as Of minor i'm.
pOrtance in comparison with his wealth.
1t was true, he had not asked her,
| ''Would you have been willing to marry
me if had been poor manW but would
not her answer in that case have been
just the same?
Was her affection for him as pure, as
deep, as his for her; or was her gay
heart more shallow and frivolous than
ward to having her true, womanly
helpmeet to Journey with him through
| life, or was she mere brilliant butterfly,
fitted only for sunshine and summer
hours?
Musing thus, in not very cheerful
frame of mind, he arrived at last at his
lodgings. On table in his room he
found note, containing only the follow.
ing brief notice:
| ''You are wanted at the Office without
delay. News of importance to commu-
nicate."
| MarvelIng much at this summons, which
was from one of his partners in business,
Allen Immediately repaired to his office,
where news of a most distressing char.
acter awaited him.
Intelligence had been received of the
failure OF a large speculation; bubble
had burst, and The firm Of which he was
a member, among several others, was
totally ruined, Even his own private
fortune would probably be swallowed
up in assisting to pay the claims againsI
them.
! The blow was almost too stunning 9
one for him to realize at first.
After long and perpleXed consulta
ton, he fastened home in the chill gray
dawn ofmorning, a haggai d-looking ant
miserable man. 1t was not Tor himsel
he grieved; he could have borne the
blow bravely, for he was young ant
strong. full OF energy and hope, and in 6
few years at most he knew he coult
again work his way up. But Meta-hii
betrothedl How could he expect her tt
wait OH him SO long? He felt too surely
that all must now be at an end between
them; every sentiment OF duty and homo
required that he should at once releas,
her from her promise, and bring their en-
gagement to close.
How dark the future looked, when al
had been SO bright few hours before!
He reached his home, and, THROWN.
himself on sofa, buried his face IN hi
hands. Long he brooded over his s0r
row, pow erless to act in any way.
Az last, with a great effort, he rouse,
him self.
''This is mere folly" he exclaimed
"What is the use of delaying what ha
to be done! Let me be q man! can no
see Metal could not bear it just yet
but can write, and Pll do it at once."
He drew little table, with pen, inl
and paper, toward him, and, after SOM
deliberation, wrote the following lines:
My OWN META-For I must call yol
so once more, though for the last time.
when we parted last night was ricl
and prosperous man; to-day mruined
Our firm has failed, and have nothing
in the world that can call my own.
"Under these circumstances, there il
but one course left me to pursuet ant
that is to give you up. well know tina
you could not share life of poverty ant
toil-indeed, would not ask it. 1t nearl,
, breaks my heart to write these words
!, love you more than can express, ,mor,
', perhaps than you will ever realize-bu
enough OF this; all must be at an emf
now, and why dwell on thoughts like
these? Our brief engagement is at al
end now, but you will still permit me-
: will you MOTTO cherish its memory a.
a bright and beautiful dream, whicl
shed over my life halo OF the pures
happiness have ever enjoyed.
farewell, and God bless you, my los
Lowell May you be happy and blest II
whatever path of life you are called t.
pursue is the fervent, heartfelt prayer o
, one who can now only sign himself,
= ssYour friend, AsC. G1