The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-06-19
rHEIovER,s SACRIFICE.
BY ErTIE ROGERS.

THE LOVERS SACRIFICE.
BY ETTIE ROGERS.
Tessie Rivers Is Just twenty, and look
ing back over that short space of life, she
felt that she would not quite care to live
the years over again.
Her childhood had been as sweet and
bright as wealth and love could make it,
until the good father had died so utterly
ruined financially that nothing was left
for his widow and only child except a
small, but pretty and pleasant residence,
and an exceedingly meager income de-
rived from a certain property not forfeit
able by his many creditors.
Since the death of that loving, indulgent,
but most incompetent parent, the girl had
known almost every vicissitude of trouble
of the young, the sensitive and the re-
fined.
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 of eti-
quette affected by the social circles from
which she had been ostracised by her pc
cuniary misfortunes. And the daughter
being beautiful and tractable, rs well as SEN
sible, had profited by this gentle but
thorough home tuition. $50
At twenty q Vassarite might almost
have envied Tessie Rivers for her erudi-
ton; and many a pampered favorite of
fortune and aristocratic pretentions
might have coveted her unaffected grace
and dignity of demeanOr more, perhaps,
than her rich, vivid and healthful loveli-
less.
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 perfect freedom from prosy
cares-a life filed with sweeter possibili-
ties and broader purposes, and that might
bring q few seasons of rest.
II should not quite care to live my
twenty years over again." she averred
mentally, "a divesting herself of her
becoming black cloth cloak and prettily
plumed black valvet hat, she entered the
cheerful room where her mother was
rather eagerly awaiting her coming. =
aAre you tired, dearr questioned Mrs
Rivers, tenderly, as she poured the tea she
had made ready an hour before.
"Not at all, mammal" answered Tessie,
taking her seat at the cosy table. when
ene's talk is interesting, one does not
become fatigued easily; If / had nothing
less pleasant to do than To arrange Lucille
Carrington's flowers and fiounces, should
be happy, I think"
"Ah, Tessie," smiled the mother, "the
distasteful to You so long as you might
find an element of the aesthetic in it-'
"And if might always serve lady as
considerate and gracious as Miss Caring
ton," she added. "She lever patronizes
me; abe treats me as she might trusted
friend. And yet am in rebellious mood
to-night-I am, indeed, mamma. Why
should she be given so much and so
littles The lace that drapes the rose silk
dress she wears-the single diamond
on her white hand-the pearls that CLEAN
on her bosom-if mine to transmits 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 neithtr to
contemplate nor discuss an impending
trouble unless that 1t might be averted.
al do not care to think OF speak of a
misfortune that can not be prevented, my
DEAR" she observed, after sorrowful
lause. ITO grieye in prospective is but
folly Heaven has proportloned our
strength to our trials. and to rebel against
the inevitable is unwise; besides, Tessie, !
am sure that Monreith Carrington is
much too kind and generous to distress
Us about that mortgage"
But l should prefer not to appeal to
Mr.. Carrington's generosity, mamma, and
if you love me you will not do So" re
turned the girl, quickly. as she blushed
before the tender, inquiring eyes turned
toward her.
"You fancy he would think you indeli
cate to request favor since he has honor
ed you with preference that you, may
not reciprocatc," suggested Mrs Rivers
"but you wrong him, Tessie. He is toe
astute, as well as to magnanimous, to mis-
judge you. 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; 1kindly as his family treat
me now, they might behave very different
ly toward me as the wife of the only son
and brother of whom they are 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 no,
find the situation agreeable. Beside
mamma"
The young lady paused, growing slight
| ly pale, and a vague expression of ycarn
ing and pain shadowed her bonny brown
eyes
"Beside whatg" urged her mother
gently.
aNever miud what mamma, DEAR" was
the grave answer; "but Ihave had dreams
of a very different and much more passion
| ate and enthusiastic affection than l car
ever feel for Monreith-much as ! honol
him. But let us not discuss the subject
if you please"
The next morning Mr. Carringtor
called.
Lucille sent me-" he explained politely
but his voice betrayed the pleasure and
qualification with which he had become
his sisters messenger.
The trivial errand performed, he still
fingered, and Tessie, knowing why, began
to tremblc.
Her fond and handsome suitor pleased
her, and she was keenly conscious of the
honor he offered her. but the girlish hearl
refused to be wholly satisfied. And YET
he was a noble fellow and loved her toe
well to deny her any thing she might de
sire. This pitiful struggle for the simplest
comforts OF life would be over forever
She could have velvets and satins and
jewels-snielegant carriage all her own
horses fit to carry a princess home like
la palace. and her life would be one long
dream OF splendor and that rest that seem
ed so desirable. And the good, unselfish
mother-the dear mother who had known
so much of sorrow would be happiest ol
them all. And by and by she would forge,
tine old haunting fancies that had been SC
sweet, and she would learn to love Mon
reith as well as he deserved to be loved.
will you not give me my answer, Tes
sic - pleaded her wooer. .1 have waited
so long"
aIf I were only sure I would make you