The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1876-05-18
TRIED AND TRUE.

Agnes Gray says that every woman
has a mission. WhatdO you suppose mJ
mission Is, mammal"
Mission, indeed" laughed Mrs. AL
leyne, boxing proudly at her pretty
daughter; AZ suspect, my dear Meggy
your mission is to firt and dance"
Mrs. Alleyne 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 morning
till night, to pass her time in an endless
succession of gayety, was her Child's mis-
sion, according TO Mrs Alleyne's idea
so Margaret received all the gifts fortune
showered upon her as a matterOf course,
and enjoyed life as her mother expected
she would Dc.
At last Margaret met her fate, to the
great wOnderment Of her friends, in the
person Of John Graham, wealthy young
merchant; for Margaret Alleyne, with
her baby face and cOquettish manner,
was the last person in the world you
would imagine the grave business m an
would love, and he the most unlikely Of
all her suitOrs to carry of the belle. But
Margaret did love her lover; he was 80
grave and clever. So amidst the con-
CALCULATIONS Of his friends and the tears
Of her parents, John Graham bore his
fair bride of to his home.
He was very much in love with pretty
Margaret. The soft, rose flushed face,
the tender blue eyes, the Crinkled golden
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, 50 he in
dulged and caressed her, but his Careshe
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 a 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 abe loved she was too proud to
seek his confidence 30 both were wretch
cd, though each endeavored to conceal it
from the other
When John saw that ruin was ineVi-
table be wrote 70 Mrs. Alleyne,
frankly disclosing the estate Of affairs.
The mother insisted that her daughter
should return 70 her her husband could |
claim her when fortune again smiled |
upon him; but In the meantime Marga.
ret was better with her; TO spare her |
anxiety, il was better she should not |
know OF her husbands diiiculties
With a heavy heart John agreed to all |
Mrs. Alleyns's demands. Margaret's |
love was the only brightness left in his
life; but OF course II she could be hap.
pier with her mother he could sacrifice
i, His stern, pale face and constrained
manner affected Margaret painfully when
be told her he desired her to accept her
invitation.
He no longer loves me--he wishes
me 70 leave him." the poor child cried
in a passion Of team, But
before him she presented calm exterior,
and John Graham Thought that his
young wife, like the rest Of the world,
vas ready 10 desert the ship.
80 Margaret returned % the homo Of
Ter girlhood, calling an her pride % her
TO enable her to appear indif-
erent but her heart was rent By bitter
,angs, FOR she had persuaded herself that
no longer loved her, Whsle
lights spent II tears leave traces pretty