The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-11-10
LAMBERTYILLEs u. } .AvEDNINsDAY. NoyEMDER 10 1880

don't hate her, said the other. You don't
want a lame wife. said the first. !. You do
want five thousand pounds said tho other.
1t would make q man of YOU. You, could
go into business ouyonr own account You'd
cease to be . slave in this dingy Office"
Five Thousand pounds Z said to my
self. Then started to my feet.
"Mr Gidiings," said, would you be
willing to give your nece TO me as my wife y
His answer was frank
Tom Fisher I'd give her to any decent
young man. A girl bothers me I'm tired of
the charge. Every one don't want same
wife. If you like her, take her. and on your
wedding day I'll hand the five thousand
pounds to you, and be rid OF the charge
She'll say Yes, don't fear. III tell her that
you asked me to. night, and hurry on the we'd
ding"
thought I heard the thump Of a crutch in
the church aisle as he spoke. thoughtAof
the graceful step of Marion Moore. l turned
faint and sat down to my desk; but went to
old Simon's house that night and saw Marga-
ret. She looked as fair aud happy as child.
sat down by her and took her hand.
"Are you going to say No. Maggisp" l
said, and she lifted her innocent lips to mine
and kissed me. "I'll be good to her, said
to myself. "I'll be very, very good to her. !"
But there was no lovers warmth in my
heart only kind of gentle pity for the girl
who was to bring me five thousand pounds.
We were engaged. Old Simon joked us
coarsely and seemed to exult over the affair.
| might even have doubted Of the existence of
the five thousand pounds but that Maggie
told me of them herself.
Uncle was keeping them for me to live
on when | was an old maid, she said. "But
you shall do what you choose with the money
when belong to you. Wen buy pretty
house, shant we, dear, first of all, and live
there all our lives somewhere where we can
have garden
So, after that. never doubted, but clung
to the idea as could not IL had loved the
girl.
We were married in a fortnight. Uncle
Simon and his old housekeeper alone were
present. 1t had touched me a good deal
when Margaret had whispered that she had
rather not have wedding party.
Fancy the bride limping up the aisle upon
crutch!" she said. Let me be married
with none to stare at me. You love me, SO I
don't care about being lame any more, but
I'd rather not DO stared at"
took her in my arms and kissed her then.
!" I'll be good to her. said, as The clergy
man uttered bis prayer" very, very good ~
s @qu ~ vas 5S SaEiAS i seBi, &haR t with
and he coming in, lit the gas, and stood
twinkling his eyes at us malioiously.
$50 it's over, he said, with his fendish
chuckle. "She's yours now for her five thou
sand pounds. I'm going to hand it over to-
night. shall sleep better"
/ Iblushed with shame. ''Not yet, y said :.
- Don't talk of money yet /"
"No9" said Simon. "lBut will, though.
I've got it here" And he unlocked side
board which stood in the room, and brought
out small roll done up oddly enough 10
brown paper. There il is, +" said he 81 there
1t is Look at it count it.! Five thousand
plump--count it - .h5 Z
He fairly grinned as be spoke. She smiled.
saw something 10 his laugh that mado me
shndder. Without word more walked 10
the table, opened the parcel and spread out
the notes. There were five thousand pounds
worth of them, reading the value on Their
faces, but they were the notes of the Diddle-
ton and BiIkem Bank, which had failed year.
ago
had been deceived. The girl had mar
riei was penniless !
"Impostor ~ / yelled.
| Old Simon answered with roar Of laugh
ter. II sse..
,.Good joke /" he said. (" I've done wha
promised. You've got the five thousand
didn't tell you what 1t WAS in. OF cours
such money is of no use to you, but can
help that. Ha iia I"
think should have given him a blow
but just then heard Margaret scream.
looked at her. saw, as had known before
that she had no hand In the deception. saw
an awful look in her eyes, doubt of my low
trembling on her lip. saw her rise aud fal.
ter on her poor feet, and stretch her handi
towards ME. I heard her cry, /" Thomas,
| did not know y and then-oh, thank Go,
for 1T .--the love had never felt before rush
ed into my heart--a great all-conquerinl
love
ran to her. I took her In my arms.
gave her the first kiss Of passionate and new
born love, and said, " Margaret, try to bea
poverty with me, for love you better tina
my soul
And all Margaret's money-the money tina
had faded before ne like fairy gold--coul
never have given me half the joy that th
wealth Of love, given to and received from
her, gave me upon our bridal day gave m
in all the first struggling years of our wedde
life, and win give me, God grant it. until th
| end
| ----------e>---so $50
Over the triple doorways Of an Italia
cathedral there are three Inscriptions span
ming the splendid arches. Over one Is carve
a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath
the legend, sAll that pleases is but for