The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-07-31
WHO WAS THE THIEF.

II twas not because Rhoda Chauncey waS
not exceedingly pretty that Mrs. Havers
objected to her marriage with her son
Allen, nor because she was mott an exceed
ingly nice aud accomplished porson, and
all that mother might wish her sons
wife to be, but simply because she was
what Mrs. Havers called nobody, and
that family potentate felt tho necessity
Of alliance with somebody. -.,-
Rhoda Chauncey was simply the
friend and companion OF Mrs. King; On
adopted child, without any Of the priv,
leges Of adoption, as you might say
that is, comfortable III. tho present, aud
uuprovided for in the future.
81 shall tell her plainly what she may
expect if she accepts you" said Mrs.
HNvers to hor son one day. Your
father and discard you on that day."
"Oh, pshawl What nonsense |"
"Nonsense or not, you will find to
your cost, If you try. We have reached
our position by bitter effort. We can.
not givc our consent 10 being pulled
down from tho height we have struggled
so hard to gain for the nero whim OF
alovesick boy. II I must lave rival
with my son, + cried Mrs. Havers, the
fire OF her anger dryins her sparkling
tears before they fol-, slot it be some
body who will bring some sort Of COM
pensation with her. Rhoda Chauncey-
q beauty, maybe; l never saw any
beauty in her but n begger, certainly.
No. You shlll have the money to g.
abroad and forget her; you cannot have
it to marry her. Your father and are
OF one mind there. You have parts.
You eau do better, you fool f.
That was the way in which Mrs.
Hayors talked to her son Allen on occa'
sion, when chance and courage served !
aud that was the meaning OF the more
stilted way in which she talked to Mrs.
King ut the dinner given by the latter
to young Governor Armistcd, o;
whom Mrs. Havers had spoken to her
son, ss the TWO ladies' stood side by side
at the fire n few moments, after they
had left the table, while Rhoda sung and
young Havers turned the music, and
general hum Of low voices filed the atr
OF the lovely room at any panse. "You
know, my dear Mrs. King" she SAID,
the color burning on her cheek rs the
freight burned upon the purple luster
OF her velvet robe, that o young NAH
has heights to ascend, and must not
overweight himself. It is not what Ills
father has made him, but what he makes
himself, that counts. 1tho has am6i'
tions, he is foolish to marry at oil till he
can, rs dealers say, command the mar
ket il he does marry, he must marry
to help, not hinder. 10 start on race
handicapped, said Mrs. Havers, assur.
ing herself with her white hand that het
splendid diamond stones were still III
their nest OF lace on her brclst. "that
explains the failure OF so many careers
that looked SO brilliant at the outset.
ave shonld scarcely agree with you
here" said Mrs. King, smiling l" We
think that good wife is the best start
in life young man can haye."
But Mrs. Hayers was already listen
ing to the remark Of some other Joining
The group. It was few moments latel
that she beckoned the passing Rhoda to
her side on tho deep lounge, where She
had cnsconced herself luxurioHsIy.
Never anybody was more aptly named
than this sweet girl, for she was always
blushing like rose. But OF conrse
Mrs. Hayers could only think 1t The
guilty blush OF the one who had en-
trapped her son, aud tould not look hi:
mother in the eye. She was mot the per
son to appreciate tho lovely, lofty limo.
cence OF that snowy brow, TINT violet
oye, that dcwy lip. Rhola clme obcdi'
emily, and sat by Mrs. Hayers, doing
her lest, rs any memLer OF family
does, to entertain a guest; aud they
talked of ono Indifferent thing and an'
other, till, in q moment Of comparative
0uieL, Aliens hugh was heard ringing
from another part OF tho house.
"Poor boy T. said Mrs. Havers, look
inc in his direction-"poor boyl You
can hardly tell how mother feels NUS
Rhoda," and she paused with emotion
"when I hear my boy laugh 30 gayly,
she said, "and think OF tho sad way
lying before every aspiring youth; 'nt
Allen il 10 ambitiousl"
"Sad, Mrs. Haversp .,
"Ah, yes sad indeed, when, as
rulc, he must surrender either his AN
bition or his happiness-that is, sur
render what he calls happiness now. :;
suppose Allen would. regard 1t, as al
young men do, happiness now 70 mar:
a penniless girl, II he should think tha
he loved her. Twenty years from no,
he would find 1t the misfortune o. hi
lie, ,-of his whole life, and the one thin
that had ruined his career. Do you IN
derstand me, my dear Miss ohauneey !
."Not at all, ," answered Rhoda, calmly
at think il he loved o girl, howeVe
penniless, he would be better 70 mafr'
e.. hi N NIFnN