The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-05-09
TEE WIDOWS ne USE.

1901 OF yOurSelf. AutnuF AusLlu
doesn't love you; it is your money he
wants"
Thus spoke Mrs Margaret, prim and
grim, behind her inevitable knitting nee
dies Her neice, Sybella Ruthven, a
young widow, looked at her Indignantly.
''Whv, auntie," she said, chow
naughty of you. And have | no charms,
that lover should not be possible to
me?"
"You are very pleasing and very
handsome, too, Sybella," said Mrs. Mar
garet; "but can't you compare this man
yourself with poor, dear Reginald, who
scarcely took his eyes off your face, and
who would do anything to make you
happy? I'd rather live on the memory
of such love as that than take a pre-
tence of love like like this. Why, this
Arthur Austin is too selfish To love any
one but himself; and though, OF course,
first love stands apart, an vru can't
have Reginald back agtn, oniy be sem
sible for moment, and contrast Mr..
Austin with the men you have refused
that fair-haired young artist-that
merry, good hearted German, with red
mouth Just made for kissiug-and old
Mr. Bell who, if he was seventy, wor-
shipped the ground you trod upon. l
tell you, there's neither sentiment nor
passion in him. He is an extravagant
fellow, and he's lazy, too. The Lord
happened to give him the sort of looks
you like, and so you have been silly
enough to turn your back on good men,
and hold out your arms to him"
go, auntie, any one would think [ did
the courting," said the little widow;
''hold out my arms, indeed !"
ats all the same thing said the ell
der lady; call the same thing You
dropped into his arms when he held them
expecting so much, when you'll get so
little a gay honeymoon, perhaps At
ter that neglect, the pangs of jealousy
with good reason, too, no doubt-and
bitter, lifelong regret.
"Auntie, dear, love him. said Sy-
bella. usel to say no woman could
love twice, but this second love is very
strong, and as sweet as if | were sixteen
again. | trust dear Arthur perfectly. Ii
[ had not penny in the world, | should
be even dearer to him. He has often
said he wished that had not; but III
not be angry with you, auptiej only III
test him. I'll prove him. You shall
own how generous he is, and how fond of
me-"
Il trust So" said the old lady; SIN
deed trust so. But don't believe it,
and besides you are having your we'd
ding dress made"
But Mrs. Ruthven, as she kissed her
aunt goodnight, vowed that the test
should be made.
"He will forgive me when [ tell him
all" she said. "Aunt is so good that l
cannot bear she should not know just how
good Arthur is; dear Arthur"
Then she ran up stairs. aud opening
the locket in which she wore his portrait,
kissed 1t a thousand dimes, thinking
those thoughts that filled the heart Of
any loving woman VINO is promised
h re, AMI which are 80 pure and holy
that while they move her she As better
woman for them.
Great grief had come to Sybella when
her young husband was torn from her
heart, and she had been very wretched
for long years; but the wound had healed
at last, and then Arthur Austin had
come into her life, suiting her perfectly,
realizing her every dream Of what man
should be. Often she wondered how il
was that she should ever be so happy
again. Doubt him? All, she would not
dare to doubt him. But Aunt Margaret
should be satisfied.
"You are looking grave, my dear,
said Arthur, as they sat together the
next evening.
ga little, perhaps" she answered: 81
have been worried by something.
don't know exactly how TO explain it; but
when banks fail, people who have their
mouey in them must suffer, you know;
aud YOU have read the failure of the
Bunk to-day?"
Eyes" he said; ''you had your money
there?'
eff had not, would it trouble me
that it should fail?" she asked. ITO be
sure, have little besides, but aunt
and uncle must have home, you know,
and suppose shall have about a hun
dred year. You will not have a rich
wife, Arthur, after all?'
He paused a moment, and then an
swered, in a tone husky with emotion:
cit shall be my pride and pleasure tC
see that you want nothing, Syhelia. |
am almost glad you have become poor
for that reason"
Ia Then he kissed her, and SybelIa wa.
happy, but ashamed of herself for put
ting him to the test.
"You see he is all | thought him
auntie, she said to Mrs. Margaret, wher
he was gone. 81 shall tell him all to-
morrow"
''No," said Mrs. Margaret; "wait q
week Promise me you'll wait week
Sybella2"
So Sybella waited, and Margaret
watching, saw the signs she watched for,
though this loving woman had as yet nj
suspicion of the truth.
! The wedding day drew near. The
dress, rich and quiet enough for one
who was to be bride for the SECOND
time, was brought home. And then /
J was that sybella again told Arthur how
the-Bank had failed, and left lie
Penniless. She IN. Gu the story befor
. i margaret, listening grimly behind he
everlasting knitting, and she wound III
) hy adding, s'And dear auntie, here
what will she do9n
Her lover had listened very gravely
but when she had finished, he bent owe
her and kissed her.