Middletown transcript., 1877-02-24
written for the Niddlesown Transcript
Love or Money.
BY ALICE.
CHAPTER FIRST.

r40 - - 49, OAACny y
, BY ALICE.
CHAPTER FIRST.
Well, but you see Kate, money ma
take to itself wings and fly away ju
when one thinks he is sure of it." IS
may love, for that matter: at any raj
just SO sure as my name is Kate Has
ings the only daughter Of wealthy PAL
ents. who have never LET me want fc
anything that money can buy, just S
surely will | marry rich man or nc
at ali
Then, said Mabel Gray, the frs
speaker, lifting her earnest brown eye
to, the face of her friend, "May you
choice not fall short in other things
We know that money is powerful, bu
how powerless it has proved man.
times"
"Now, goodbye Mabel, 1 must b,
gone before the secondly and thirdly
Of your sermon comes in; it is only
au reuoir tho. for we meet at the party
tonight" I"
Mabel Gray, the only surviving chile
Of well to do, altho' not wealthy par.
ents, sat before the FIRE in her own lit.
tie room dreaming. long after the door
closed upon her gay friend. Although
now in a quiet haven, her bark had
sailed upon stormy seas.
Her only brother, a bright-gifted
young fellow, when scarcely twenty
three. fell into the whirlpool of dissipa-
ton, and despite his loved ones efforts
to reclaim him, died drunkard's death
No wonder then that Mabel has hours
of sadness, and that she shrinks from
gay young men whose only passport to
society is the magic word money,
CHAPTER SECOND.
It is night. and a brilliant assem-
blage fills Mrs Edmonds' stately par
lors Beauty and grace are met to-
gether;. bright flashes of wit; merry
laughter, music, and flowers make the
scene one of enchantment. In the midst
of a gay group is our friend Kate, the
centre as usual of an admiring crowd
As we approach she is saying, "Where
is Bernard Groome tonight? I'm anx-
ious to introduce him to a friend of
mine
Significant smiles on the faces 5f
several gentlemen near were explained
by one who said, Poor Bernard the
last time saw him he was in no con-
lition to attend party ; his money and
talents are fast going to the dogs"
'Poor fellow p said Kate carelessly,
what a pity his fortune is not in safer
hands, and in a few moments turned
With smile to a new conner, one whose
ortune, she we'll knew, was in no safer
Keeping
Later, our hero, Bernard Groome,
Ippeared in all the splendor of perfected
manhood. There we're signs of dissi-
,ation, manifest to a close observer,
I'D pity fer this fresh victim filed
many hearts with sorrow. Mabel, toe,
las made her quiet entrie. and in her
ress of purest white looks a very lily, |
q this rosebud garden of girls"
Soon few short words are spoken
wo silent bows exchanged and they
WO met whose futures were to be as
ne
''Do you not drink wine, Miss
fray p we hear in Bernard's musical
ones, now that the scene is changed to
he banquet hall.
mo, sir," she said decidedly.
He turned, helped her to other re-
'eshments, and when in the act of rais-
lg a glass to bis lips, was surprised to
se her take it gently from bis hand
nd say in her sweetest tones, 'Mr /
.roome, shall I'tell you why 1 do not
rink wine 2"
They stood in corner of the room
leltered from observation. aud with
lal curiosity in his tones, be said, "If
ou please, Miss Gray"
Slowly she elevated the glass, until
lie could look into its fascinating
spths, and drawing near to him, spoke
a subdued whisper, 81 see many
ctures in this sparkling wine, but
st now one fills my soul with sorrow.
see my fair young brother. so noble,
good, led from the path of honor by
) alluring smiles l see him as he
me staggering home night after night
his broken hearted family: and then
as be was carried in and laid at bis
others feet dead.
'Mr Groome. 1 never met you until
night, but | know the talents you
e running, the hopes you are blasting !
-hy nil you let this fend gain pos
ssion of you? Why not drive him !
ON you, assert your manhood, and let !
e world see what is in you yet"
The young man raised bis bowed
ad, and in bis eyes were tears of !:
nich he was not ashamed, while his !,
ice trembled as he said, Thank
od Miss Gray, there is good in the +.
,rld yet, you are the first to warn me. :
have friends, so called, who help to :
ink my wines, invite me to sin, pity :
7 "head-loDg career" and then pass '
May God help me in my resolve :,
is night the consequences and dis !
'sures may be disgraoeful at first, but :
e manhood of Bernard Groome shall I
,ert itself; thanks to the warning Of =
e true-hearted woman" deep. rev. !
sntial bow, and he was gone
That week the city rang with the -"
VS. that Bernard Groome's fortune :
d been given up entirely to bis cred :
rs his name cleared thereby from :
cry stain; and that he had gone to y