The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-03-12
LOSS OR GAIN?

An OLD gentleman, leaning forward
with his hands clasped over gold-head-
ed cane, was seated in a summer-house
situated upon the grounds of hotel at a
fashionable watering-place. He was in
corner hidden by dropping vines, and his
face expressed deep and apparently pain
full thought. The refrain of his sad mus
ing was, "Only one person in the whole
world to love me, and shall lose even
that love now1''
On the other side of the summer house,
divided from the SIDE the old gentleman
occupied by rustic partiti d, two ladies,
youg and fair, rustled in, and taking out
some fancy work, settled down for a chat.
One was tall and dressed in a pretty
costume that was at once youthful and
matronlY; the other was petite, blonde,
and not more than eighteen. Mrs. Court
land spoke first
Embroidery, Alice?" she said. "a
handkerchief corner. For your trous-
seau?"
eyes," and the sweet voice faltered,
while burning blush crimsoned the fair
cheek. lis it not pretty2"
"Very. want to talk about your
prospects, child. Your Aunt Mary tells
me you are making splendid match"
"Did she9 think so, Blanche. NAL
colin is so noble and good!"
But your aunt tells me he is the ia
vorite nephew of the great merchant,
Hubert Bates, whose wealth is somethin Q
enormous. You have only to help him
play his cards we'll and he will probably
be heir to magnificent fortune. But
what ails you9 You look as if I was
telling you piece Of news"
Il think Aunt Mary has been misin-
formed; that is all.;'
"Then he is not Mr.. Bates nephew?"
Il never heard him speak of rich
uncle, and am quite sure he has no
nope OF inheritlng money. He has d
good salary, and my little fortune will
furnish small house; so we can make
a comfortable and, I hope, happy
home?"
did he never speak to you of his
uncle?"
Mot of rich uncle. He has told me
) of lame uncle, his mothers brother
3 who has been very kind to him, given
him his education and start in the
: world. He always talks of him with the
/ deepest love and pity"
) 'Pity2"
He suffers tortures from the effects OF
. fall that has famed him for life and
r often causes him weeks Of agonizing pain
!, Malcolm tells me with tears in his eyes
7 of his fear of losing this friend.'
IL wonder if it is the samer' muir.
, INJURED Mrs. CORTLAND.
Z "Tell me, Blanche, some Of the bes,
? places to 60 for our furniture and carpets
, 1t will be new work for me to buy house
l hold goods, and Aunt Sophy is not vel
, enough to help me much" s.t.
7 "Oh, will go with you. But de-
;. clare, If were you, I would wait anc
4 see if your Aunt Mary is right. You
8 fortune will never buy or furnish such
< in" H.
: my fortune" satd Alice Hunter, will
! a ring in her clear voice, twill furnish
a house suitable for bank clerk with fiv
:, hundred year salary, which is what m,
$ husband will have. If Malcolm has
d rich uncle he is not the man to live il
b expectation of money to come over
: grave. If his uncle Hubert is, as yo1
y say. very rich, Malcolm would hat
g money won by the death of the neares
y relative and dearest friend he has. But
r don t believe in the money, for he neve
r spoke of it to me-"
b Then the talk drifted into discussion
e of bridal finery. of furniture and stories o
:, the young wife's content in her own mar
l. ried life.
h But the old man leaning upon the can
Is was thinking; "Can it be trueG Doe
r Malcolm think SO little of my none