The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-05-11

loved her. Whole nights spent in tears
leave traces; pretty Margaret grew
pale and thin, and Mrs. Alleyne began
to fear that, after all, her tenderness
could not constitute her darling's hap
piness. Still, the girl never complain
ed, but bore her burden in proud silence.
One night Margaret was at a bali
given by an intimate friend. She had
danced 2 great deal, and being very
tlred Sat down near an open window;
hea'y curtain entirely concealed her.
Iwo gentlemen were standing near,
and she heard the conversation dis
tinctly.
$50 John Graham is a bankrupt. I
am very sorry to hear it; he is most
honorable fellow" said one.
Yes," answered the other; 60 saw
him last week; he looks wretchedly.
You know he married Miss Alleyne, a
pretty little doll without an idea, and
what is worse, without heart; now she
has deserted him in his adversely. It
is rather hard when a mans own wife
will not aid him to bear his trouble"
Margaret's heart gave great bound
How she had misjudged him! How true
and tender he was! He was alone and
in trouble; surely her place was at his
side. Then, needless of comments, she
left her hiding-p place.
The next day John Graham's stately
mansion was to be sold. He had taken
great pride in his home; a thousand
tender associations were contested
with every room. Now, with heavy
heart, he wandered through the desert
ed apartments. Here was Margaret's
piano; the harp he had given her; the
pictures and statues they had chosen
together; every article appeared like
an old friend. Then feeling of in
tense desolation crept over him-he was
so utterly lonely. The strong spirit
was almost crushed. He threw himself
upon the bed and wept like child. A
quick step upon the stairs, rustic OF
silken robes, a glad cry, then clinging
arms were twined about his neck, a
soft cheek was pressed to his, tangled
golden curls mingled with his dark
locks. Was it dreamp He pressed
her close to make sure of the reality,
and kissed her with such passionate
fervor that Margaret wept for Joy.
"Margaret, my wife Margaret" he
sobbed.
"Oh, John, how cruel you were to
send me away! I'll never leave you
again, darling"
i When they had both regained calm.
ness, John Graham explained to his
wife that the next day the house was te
be sold-he could not take her into
neutrality-suspicious. she had better re
turn to her mother. But Margaret firm
. | ly refused.
"Any place that is good enough fol
: you, John, is good enough for me. M.
place is with you. can assist yor
more than you think" she said.
Il Then Margaret commenced the battl
of life in earnest. It is not easy t.
! turn from life of pleasure and luxur,
J to one of comparative poverty. Mar
garet at first did not find her pat
strewn with roses; there were Difficult
ties to be encountered, Sights to be en-
dured, ease to be sacrificed; but sh
had a brave heart, and love had changes
= the gay, careless girl into the tender
self-sacrifcing woman. She becam
her husbands closest friend, his bes
adviser, the sympathizing confdante Q
all his plans ever ready to cheer in mo
ments of depression-the first to re
: jcice in his success.
John Graham is wealthy man agai
} now; success has crowned his efforts
but he ever blesses the adversely whic
} taught him to know the real value Q
3 his wife.
81 So Margaret found her mission as
t devoted wife and mother, much to he
; mothers amazement; and John Gra
. ham found he had married not q pref
ty butterfly of fashion, but an earnest
, loving woman.