The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-04-07
MISCELLANY.
A PooR MANS WIFE.

My choice is made, sister Belle Give me
your approval"
The elder sister looked at couple Of open
letters lying on the writing desk before which
the speaker sat, her cold, gray eyes softened
little as she replied
If you tell me which Of the two you have
chosen. can answer you
" You ought to know without being told, .
Stella laughed. "Clarence, of course"
Belle Lawson looked serious.
q Stella" she said, I'm sorry. Not that
bear Clearance Henshaw any i'll will, but
child, you are not suited to be poor mans
wife. Remember you are proud, and have
been reared in ease and comfort Follow my
advice, and marry Henry Lakeman."
"No, Belle won't marry Henry Lakeman
if he was hundred times richer than he is. :"
She slipped a picture into his envelope
with long glance al the view it imaged.
:" It's lovely place." she sighed, " and I
would like to live ttets."
Tine sister was Watching, ana stopping kiss
ed the smooth, white brow, while she said -
" Don't be too hasty, Stella. If you covet
this pretty home of Henry Lakeman's accept
it."
g But love Clarence Henshaw. l prefer
a cottage with him to mansion with Henry"
Miss Lawson turned to the window with a
sorry look. Some sweet dream of her own
childhood was in her memory, perhaps, but
she held 1t worse than folly TO indulge in re-
grets. Love, in her estimation, was no bal
ance in the scale of wealth.
"Stella." she continued, very gravely, "
have acted the part of mother for many
years my wish has ever been that you form
wealthy marriage. You love luxury, you
enjoy display, and | am not saying too much
when add that you worship beautiful appar-
Ell. Henry Lakeman can give you all of these
Clarence Henshaw cannot. AS his wife you
will be subject to all manner of privations !;
be content to live in a common way, stint and
economze and manage the best you can How
long viii that suit a girl of your tastes p
Think we'll of it. shall let You have your
own choice in regard to marriage"
:. My mind is made up,' Stella responded,
readily.
She took up the view, slipping letter in
to its envelope while she spoke.
g If favored his suit (; l was to keep it,
sister Belle" she continued, touching the
edge of the wrapper to her rosy lips, and
sealing it with heavy slap of the hand 81
do not, you will observe I'll never be sorry
/ know, she murmured, turned the envelope
to look at the subscription.
:" Your happiness is within your own grasp,
Stella. Youth recall my words some day -
And with stately gait, Belle Lawson left
her.
Stella ran lightly upstairs to her own room
and touched the bell in great haste.
g You will oblige me by mailing this at
once,'' she said to the servant who answered
her CALL handing him this very envelope,
land" she said, smiling and blushing, be
careful of this" putting another letter into
his hand. Leave it with no one but the
person. to whom it is addressed. Mind 20 she
called as he turned to obey.
= "There'll be no mistake, miss" and that
night perfumed note lay on Clarence Hen
shaw's pillow, and he, foolish fellow, was
transported to the upper heaven of delight
over its contents
Three months later they we're married.
They were happy and hopeful couple. The
life upon which they entered was like a new
and unexpiored country, but Clarence meant
to work hard, and felt little or no doubt in
regard to their future. He was equal to any
undertaking in his own determination that
would promote his wife's happiness, and as
to Stella, she would do anything to help her
husband.
He had been head bookkeeper for many
years, and had the promise Of something a
little better yet the coming season. SO the
first few months of their married life ran
smoothly. They rented a house in pleasant
part of the city, kept servant and Stella
wore the pretty clothes which had been pro-
vided at the time Of her marriage, and won
dered why sister Belle had such funny notions
about marrying poor man.
| But toward the close Of the FIRST year 0