The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-07-02
THE LOVERS SACRIFICE.

THE LOVERS SACRIFICE.
Tessie Rivers was Just twenty, and look
ing back over that short space of life, she
telt that she would not quite care to live
the years over again.
Her childhood had been as sweet and
bright as love and wealth could make 1t,
until the good father had died so utterly
ruined financially that nothing was left
his widow and only child except a small
but pretty and pleasant residence, and an
exceedingly meagre income derived from
a certain property not forteitable 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 educa-
ted and rarely accomplished Mrs. Rivers
was competent to instruct her child in
scholarship as we'll as in the subtle lore
Of etiquette affected by the social circles
from which she had been ostracised by
her pecuniary misfortunes. And the
daughter being dutiful and tractible, as
we'll as sensible, had protited by this gen
tie but thorough home tuition.
At twenty Vassarite might almost
have envied Tessie Rivers for her educa-
ton land many pampered favorite OF
wealth and arlstocratic pretcnsions might
have coveted her unaffected grace and dig
nifty of demeanor more, perhaps, than
her rich: vivid and hea]thful loneliness.
But she was not at all satisfied with the
station to which fate had assigned her.
She was sick to the soul of this perpetual
struggle between hidden want and osten-
sible modest comfort. She longed for a
life, not Of utter Incidence and clogging
luxury, but of perfect freedom from pro-
sy cares-a life filled with sweeter posi-
bilities and broader purposes, and that
might bring few seasons of rest.
II 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 prettily
plumed black velvet hat, she entered the
cheerful room where her mother was rath-
er 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. 'When
ones talk is interesting, one does not be-
come fatigued easily; if I had nothing
less pleasant to do than to arrange Lu-
ellie Carrington's flowers and founces, I
should be happy, I think"
"Ah, Tessie," smiled the mother, ''the
most humble labor would never be dis
tasteful to you so long as you might find
an element Of the aesthetic in it,
s"And if I might always serve lady as
considerate and gracious as Miss Caring
ton," she added. ''She never patronizes
me; she treats me as she might trusted
friend. And yet I am in a rebellious
mood tonight am, indeed, mamma.
Why should she be given so much and I
SO little? The lace that Grapes the rose
silk dress she wears-the single diamond
on her white hand-the pearls that CLEAN
on her bosom-if mine to transmute into
money, would lift the mortgage from this
dear old home and this heavy burden from
our hearts,"
Mrs. Rivers sighed as she slipped her
tea silently, choosing neither to contem-
plate nor discuss an impending trouble
unless that it might be averted.
II do not care to think or speak of a
misfortune that cannot be prevented, my
DEAR" she observed, after sorrowful
pause. "To grieve in prospective is but
folly. Heaven has proportioned our
strength to our trials, and to rebel against
the inevitable is unwise; besides, Tessie,
I am sure that Monreith Darlington is
much too kind and generous to distress
US about that mortgage
"But I should prefer not to appeal to
Mr.. Carrington's generosity, mamma, and
if you love me you will not do so,'
returned the girl, quickly, as she blushed
before the tender, inquiring eyes turned
toward her.
"You fancy he would think you indel1.
cate to request favor since he has hon.
ored you with a preference that you may
not reciprocate,' suggested Mrs. Rivers
'but you wrong him, Tessle. He is toe
astute, as we'll as too magnanimous, tc
misjudge you. I wish, my love, YOU
could give him some little hope. AS his
wife you might be very happy, Tessie.'
"And might be very miserable" pro-
tested Tessie; "kindly as his family
treat me now, thew night behave very
differently toward me as the wife of the
only son and brother Of whom they arc
so proud and expect SO much. They
might regard me as an interloper, as al
ambitious creature, caring less for m,
husband than for the pleasant life he coulc
give me. And as I am rather fond O
appreciation, I might not find the situa
ton agreeable. Besides, mamma"
The young lady paused, growing
slightly pale, and vague expression 0
yearning and pain Swallowed her bonn,
brown eyes. ..g Hr.. #
"Bes1de what?" urged her mother
gently. sr &a....#, us la ,#-s4s y
'Never mind what, mamma, dear,
was the grave answer; "but I have ha