River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-07-03
THE LOVERS SACRIFICE.

felt 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 small,
but pretty and pleasant residence, ana an
exceedingly meagre income derived from
a 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 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 profited by this gen
tie but thorough home tuition.
At twenty a Vassarite might almost
have envied Tessie Rivers for her educa-
ton and many "a pampered fayorite of
wealth and anstocratic pretcnsions might
have coveted her unaffected grace and dig
nifty of demeanor more, perhaps, than
her rich. vivid and healthfui 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 cloggino
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 divcsting 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
Are you tired, DEAR" questioned Mrs
Rivers, tenderly, as she poured the tea
she had made ready an hour before.
mot at all, mamma" answered Tessie,
ones talk is interesting, one does not be
come fatigued easily; if | had nothing
| less pleasant to do than to arrange Lit
ellie Carrington's flowers and flounces,
should be happy, | think"
"Ah, Tessie," smiled the mother, ''tht
most humble labor would never be dis,
tasteful to you so long as you might tind
an element of the aesthetic in it,
'And if / 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 l am in a rebellious
mood tonight am, indeed, mamma.
WHY should she be given so much and |
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 1t might be averted.
II do not care to think or speak OF a
misfortune that cannot be prevented, my
dear" she observed, after a 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, Tess1e,
| am sure that Monrcith Darlington is
much too kind and generous to distress
us about that mortgage
sBut 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 indell-
cate to request favor since he has hon
ored you with preference that you may
not reciprocatc, p" suggested Mrs. Rivers;
"but you wrong him, Tessle. He Is too
astute, as we'll as too magnanimous, to
misiudge you. l 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, they might behave very
differently toward me as the wife OF the
only son and brother of whom they a1e
so proud and expect so much. They
might regard me as an interloper, as an
ambitious creature, caring less for my
husband than for the pleasant life he could
give me. And as / am rather fond OF
appreciation, might not find the sltua-
ton agreeable. Besides, mamma"
The young lady paused, growing
SLIGHTLY pale. and a vague expression of
warming and pain shadowed her bonny
brown eyes.
BESIDE wbat?" urged her mother,
gently.
.sNever mind what, mamma, dear,
was the grave answer; "but have had
dreams of a very different and much
more passionate and enthusiastic affection
than can ever feel tor Monreith-much
as honor him. But let us not discuss
the SUBJECT, If you please"
'The next morning Mr.. Darlington
called.
@Lucille sent me-" ne exclaimed po-
litelv, but his voice BETRAYED the pleasure
and qualification with which he had be-
come his sisters messenger.
The trivial GRAND performed, he still
fingered, and Tessie, knowing why, bel
gan to tremble.
Her fond and handsome sutton pleased
her, and she was keenly conscious OF the
honor he offered her, but the girlish
heart refused to be wholly satisfied. And
vet he was noble fellow and loved her
too we'll to deny her anything she might
desire. This pitiful struggle for the sim
niest comforts of life would be over for
ever. She could have velvets and satins
and iewels-an elegant carriage all her
own-horses fit 10 carry princess-a
home like palace, and her life would be
ore long dream of splendor and the rest
that seemed so desirable. And the good,
mother-the dear mother who
had known so much of sorrow would be
happiest of them all And by and by
she would forget the old haunting fan
ries that had been so sweet, and she
would learn to love Monreith as well as
he deserved to be loved.
Twill you not give me my answer,
Tessielf pleaded her wooer. Il have |
waited SO long
I'll were only sure | would make |
rou happy she stammered, undecided.
"You would, dear, he persisted, earn
.stly. Il shCrld be happy in caring for !
ron. NV child, | love you 50 unselfishly /
hat | should make any honorable sacri-
ice to save you from the pain or trouble
If single hour"
Little did Monreith Car1ngton guess !