Stevens County tribune., 1879-07-03
THE LOVERS SACRIFICE.
BY ETTIE ROGERS.


Tessie Rivers was 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 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, and an
exceedingly meagre 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 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 profted by this gen
tie but thorough home tuition.
At twenty a Vassarite might almost
have envied Tessie Rivers for her educa-
ton; and many pampered favorite of
wealth and arlstocratic pretensions might
have coveted her unaffected grace and dig
nifty of demeanor more, perhaps, than
her rich, vivid and healthfui loveliness.
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 possi-
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 l had nothing
less pleasant to do than to arrange Lu-
cille Carringtons flowers and fiounces, /
should be happy, think
"Ah, Tessie," smiled the mother, 'the
most humble labor would never be dis
tasteful to you so long as you light find
| an element of the aesthetic in it,"
"And if l might always serve lady as
considerate and gracious as Miss Caring
ton," she added. 'She never patronizes
me; she treats me as size might trusted
friend. And yet I am in rebellious
mood tonight am, indeed, mamma
Why should she be given SO much and ]
so little? 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 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 hel
tea silently, choosing neither to contem.
plate nor discuss an impending trouble
unless that 1t might be averted.
i 81 do not care to think or speak of q
misfortune that cannot be prevented, my
DEAR" she observed, after sorrowfu
pause. 'To grieve in prospective is but
folly. Heaven has proportioned oul
strength to our trials, and to rebel against
the inevitable is unwise; besides, Tessle
I am sure that Monreith Darlington is
much too kind and generous to distress
us about that mortgage"
"But / should prefer not to appeal tc
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.
s'You fancy he would think you indell
cate to request favor since he has hon.
ored you with preference that you may
not reciprocate," suggested Mrs. Rivers
''but you wrong him, Tessle. He is too
astute, as we'll as too magnanimous, to
misjudge you. wish, my love, yor
could give him some little hope. AS his
wife you might be very happy, Tessie.'
"And I might be very miserable" pro.
tested Tessie; kindly as his family
treat me now, thev might behave very
differently toward me as the wife of the
only son and brother of whom they are
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 situa-
tion agreeable. Besides, mamma"
The young lady pauseds growing
slightly pale, and vague expression OF
yearning and pain shadowed her bonny
brown eyes.
"Beslde what9" urged her mother,
! gently.
"Never mind what, mamma, dear, y
was the grave answer; 'but 1 have had
dreams Of very different and much
more passionate and enthusiastic affection
than / can ever feel for Monreith- much
as Ihonor him. But let us not discuss
the subject, If you please"
"The next morning Mr.. Darlington
called.
Lucille sent me" he exclaimed po-
litely. but his voice betrayed the pleasure
and qualification with which he had be.