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

i Margaret grew pale anu tliAl1 a1a AAAs'
! Alleyne begun 10 fear that, after all, her
tenderness could not constitute her dar-
! lings happiness. Still, the girl never
complained, but bore her burden in
proud silence.
One night Margaret was at a ball
given by an intimate friend. She had
danced . great deal, and being very tired
sat down near the open window q
heavy curtain entirely concealed her.
Two gentlemen we're standing near, and
she could hear their conversation dis.
ticntly.
{" So John Graham is bankrupt. ! am
very sorry to hear IL; he Is a most honor
able fellow" said one.
eyes," answered the other; +" ! saw
him last week ). he looks wretchedly.
You know be married Miss Alleyne, a
pretty little doll without an idea, and,
what is worse, without heart; now she
has deserted him in 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 misiudged himl How
true and tender he wasl He was alone
and in trouble; surely her place was at
his side. Then, needless of comments,
she left her hiding 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 connected with
every room. Now, with a heavy heart,
he wandered through the deserted apart
ments. 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 a feeling Of intense desOlation crept
over him--he was so utterly lonely.
The strong spirit was almost crushed.
He threw himself upon the bed and
wept like a child. A quiet step upon
the stairs, a 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 a dream
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-Margaretw he |
sobbed. ".E
ooh, John, how cruel youwere to send
me away! I'll never leave ySu again,
darling" --... -
When they had both Tegained calm
ness, John Graham explained to his wife
that the next day the house was to be
could not take her into lodgings |
she had better return to
her mother. But Margaret firmly re-
fused. .
amy place thatisgood enough for you,
John, is good enough for me. My place
Is with you. can assist you more than
you think" she said.
Then Margaret commenced the battle
IF life in earnest. 1t is not easy to turn
rom q life Of pleasure and luxury to one
If comparative poverty. Margaret at
first did not find her path strewn with
roses there were difficulties to be en-
,Ountered, sights to be endured, ease to
be sacrificed; but shs had a brave heart,
md love had changed the gay, careless
girl into the tender, selEsacrifcing wo-
nan. She became her husbands closest
riend, his best adviser, the sympathiz-
ng confdant Of all his plans, ever ready
y cheer in moments Of depression-the
irst to rejoice in his success.
John Graham Is wealthy man again
low; success has crowned his efforts
mt he ever blesses the adversely which
aught him to know the real value of his
wife. ........
So Margaret found her mission as a
eyoted wife and mother, much to her
aOther's amazement; and John Graham
Ound be had married not pretty but
erhy Of fashion, but an earnest, loving
roman.
omeIN on THE GoD HYMEM-Dan-