Connecticut western news., 1876-04-07
Margaret's Mission.

| Margaret's Mission.
 "Agnes Gray says that every woman
 has mission. What do you suppose
 my mission is, mamma 2"
 " Mission, indeed," laughed Mrs.
 Aleyne, looking proudly at her pretty
 daughter; "I suspect, my dear Meggy,
 your mission is to Airt and dance."
 Mrs. Aleyne was wealthy, and Mar
 garet was her only child. Her whole
 life was spent in rendering her daughter
 happy, so Margaret was petted to her
 hearts content. To look as pretty and
 bewitching as possible, to be arrayed like Solomon in all his glory from morn ing till night, to pass her time in an endless succession of gayety, was her child's mission, according to Mrs. AL leyne's idea; so Margaret received all the gifts fortune showered upon her as a matter of course, and enjoyed life as her mother expected she would do.
 At last Margaret met her fate, to the great wonderment of her friends, in the person of John Graham, a wealthy young merchant for Margaret Alleyne, with her baby face and coquettish man her, was the last person in the world you would imagine the grave business man would love, and he the most unlikely of all her suitors to carry off the belle. But Margaret did love her lover; he was so grave and clever. So amidst the con- gratulations of his friends and the tears of her parents, John Graham bore his fair bride off to his home.
 He was very much in love with pretty Margaret. The soft, rose flushed face, the tender blue eyes, the crinkled gold on hair, never lost their charm for him. But he never dreamed that this little
 fragile creature could share the burden of life with him. No, that dimpled face was only made for smiles, so he in- duJged and caressed her, but his cares he bore alone.
 The large fortune left by Johns father had been doubled by his energy but now, by the simultaneous failure of two or three firms he had trusted and the villainy of confidential clerk, the wealthy merchant saw himself upon the brink of ruin. Love rendered Margaret keen sighted; she quickly perceived that all was not right with her husband his wan, haggard face frightened her. But dearly as she loved him she was too proud to. seek his confidence SO both were wretched. though each endeavored to conceal it from the other.
 When John saw that ruin was inevi- table he wrote to Mrs. Alleyne, frankly disclosing the state of affairs. The mother insisted that her daughter should return to her her husband could claim her when fortune again smiled upon him but in the meantime Mar. garet was better with her to spare her anxiety, it was better she should not know of her husbands difficulties.
 With heavy heart John agreed to all Mrs. Alleyne's demands. Margaret's love was the only brightness left in his life; but of course If she could be hap pier with her mother he could sacrifice | it. His stern, pale face and constrained manner affected Margaret painfully when he told her he desired her to ac- cept her mothers invitation.
 He no longer loves me-he wishes | me to leave him, the poor child cried afterwards, in a passion of tears. But before him she presented a calm exte- rlor, and John Graham thought that his young wife, like the rest of the world, was ready to desert the ship.
 So Margaret returned to the home of |. her girlhood, calling all her pride to her assistance to enable her to appear indif- ferent; but her heart was rent by bitter bangs, for she had persuaded herself | that her husband no longer loved her. Whole nights spent in tears leave traces; pretty Margaret grew pale and thin, and Mrs. Alleyne begun to fear that, after all, her tenderness could not constitute her darling's happiness. Still, the girl never complained, but bore her burden in proud silence.
 One night Margaret was ata ball given by an intimate friend. She had danced 3 great deal, and being very tired sat down near an open window; heavy curtain entirely concealed her. Two gentlemen were standing near, and she could hear their conversation dis tinctly.
 "So John Graham is bankrupt. I am very sorry to hear it; he isa most honor able fellow," said one.
 "Yes," answered the other; "I 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 a heart now she has deserted him in his adversity, It IS rather hard when mans own wife will not aid him to bear his trouble"
 Margaret's heart gave great bound. How she had misjudged him How rue and tender he was 1 He was alone md in trouble surely her place was at lis side: Then, needless of comments, 'he left her hiding place.
 The next day John Graham's stately mansion was to be sold. He had taken great pride in his home thousand ender associations were connected with avery room. Now, with a heavy heart, ,e wandered through the deserted apart nents. Here was Margaret's piano he harp he had given her the pictures md statues they had chosen together very article appeared like an old friend. Then feeling of intense desolation rept over him-he was so utterly lonely. The strong spirit was almost crushed. de threw himself upon the bed and