The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-06-14
THE LOVERS SACRIFICE.
ny ETTIE ROGgRS.

Tessie Rivers was justtwenty, and look
ing back over that short space of life, she
teltthat she would not quite care to live
the years over again,
Her childhood had been rs sweet and
bright as love and wealth could make it,
until the good father had died SO utterly
ruined financially that nothing was left for
his widow and only child except small
but pretty and pleasant residence, and an
exceedingly meager income derived from
certain property not forfeitable by his
many creditors.
Since the death OF that loving, indul.
gent, but most incompetent parent, the
girl had known almost every vicissitude
Of trouble, and privation possible to the
experience OF the Young, the sensitive and
the refined.
Fortunately the elegant, finely educated
and rarely accomplished Mrs. Rivers was
competent to instruct her child in scholar
ship as well as in the subtle lore oil Ell,
quette affected by the social circles from
which she had been ostracised by her
pecuniary misfortunes. And the daugh,
ter being dutiiul and tractable, as well as
sensible, had protited by this gentle but
thorough home tuition.
Attwenty Vassarite might almost have
envied Tessie Rivers for her erudilion
and many pampered iavorite OF wealth
and aristocratic pretensions might have
coveted her unaffected grace and dignity
OF demeanor more, perhaps, than her
rich, vivid and healthiul loneliness.
But she was not at all satisfied with the
station to which fate assigned her. She
was sick to the soul OF this perpetual strug.
gle between hidden want and ostensible
modest comfort. She longed for a life, not
OF utter Incidence and clOgging luxury, but
Of perfect freedom from prosy cares-a life
filled with sweeter possibilities and broad.
er purposes, and that might bring few
seasons OF rest.
~ should not quite care to live my
twenty years over again." she averred
mentally, as divesting herself OF her be,
coming black cloth cloak and PRETTY
plumed black velvet hat, she entered the
cheerful room where her mother was
rather eagerly awaiting her coming.
care you tired, dear?" questioned Mrs
Rivers, tenderly, as she poured the tea she
had made ready an hour before.
"Not at all, mamma" answered Tessie
taking her seat at the cosy table. "Wher
ones talk is interesting one does not be
come fatigued easily; il had nothing
less pleasant to do than to arrange Lucille
Carrington's flowers and flounces, should
be happy, think"
"Ah, Tessic," smiled the mother, "the
most humble labor would never be dis
tasteful TO you SO long IS you might fine
an element Of the aesthetic in it"
"And il might always serve lady al
Considerate and gracious as Miss Caring
ton," she added. "She never patronizes
me; she treats me as she might trustee
friend. And yet lam in rebelious moot
tonight am, indeed, mamma. WHY
should she be given so much and | &
little? The lace that Grapes the blacl
silk dress she wears-the single diamond
on her white hand-the pearls that CLEAN
on her bosom-if miIe 10 transmute int
money, would lift the mortgage from thi
dear old home and this heavy burden from
our hearts"
Mrs. Rivers sighed asshe slipped her TEL
silently, choosing neither to contemplate
nor discuss an impending trouble unles
that it might be averted.
~ do not care TO think or speak OF mis-
fortune that can not be prevented, my
DEAR" she observed, after a sorrowiu
pause. ITO grieve in prospective is bu
folly. Heaven has proportional OH
strength to our trials, and to rebel agains
the inevitable is unwise; besides, Tcssie,
am sure that Monreith Darlington is nucl
too kind end generous to distress us abou
that mortgage"
"But should prefer not to appeal t.
Mr.. Carrington's generosity, mamma, ant
II you love me you will not do so, return
ed the girl quickly, as she blushel towart
the tender, inQuiring eyes turned towart
her.
"You fancy he would think you indeli
cate to request favor since he has honor
ed you with a preference that you may no
reciprocate," suggested Mrs. Rivers; 'bu
you wrong him, Jessie. He is too astute
as well US too magnanimous, to misjudgC
you. Iwish, my love, you could give hin
some little hope. AS his wife you nigh
be very happy, Tessie."
"And might be very miserable" pro
tested Tessie; "kindly as his family trea
me now, they might behave very differ
emily toward me rs the wife Of the only
son and brother, OF whom they IRE s.
proud and expect SO much. They nigh
regard me as an interloper, US an ambi
tious creature, caring less for my HUSBAND
than for tho pleasant life he could Civ
me. And as ! am rather fond OF approba
ton, might not find the situation agree
able. Beside, mamma :"
The young lady paused, growing slight
" pale, and a vague expression Of yearn
ing and pain Swallowed her bonny brow
eyes,
"Beside what?" urged her mother
gently.
"Hever mind what, mamma dear?" w
the grave answer; "but ! have had dream
of very different and much more pa
sionute and enthusiastic affection than
can ever feel for Monreith-much as
honor him. But let US not discuss Ii
: The extmorning Mr.. Darlington calle,
''LucilIe sent me" he explained polit
: ", but his voice betrayed the pleasn
and qualification with which he had b
come his sisters messenger.
/. The trivial GRAND performed, he ST
! fingered, and Tessie, knowing why, beg
TO trGnble..
Her fond and handsome sutton pleas!
Iher, and she was keenly conscious Of 4