The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-03-13

Unborn integrity rose up against the
temptation, and with sob that went
to Reuben's tender hart she cried out
with low, mournful pathos, mo, no;
/ may be forced to beg, but Twill not
steal Father in heaven keep my
hands clean and my heart pure, for
l am sorely tried"
She laid the gold piece on the mar
BILE top of d gypsy table, and the
next instant The soft rustic of silken
skirts fell on Harrington's ear as
Belle Leigh came down the wide
stairway elegantly attired in myrtle
green silk, emeralds in her ears and
nesting in the filmy lace at her
throat-a thoroughly well-bred, fash
ionable woman, but cruel and heart
less, although, Reuben Harrington
thought her gentle and compassion
ate.
"You here YETI" she says sharply,
and with slight start the girl turned
and faced Miss Leigh.
Heaven help me" exclaimed
Reuben Harrington, as he bounded
to his feet with blanched cheeks,
Its Lillian Berry; and in such
need p
II must have some money, Miss
Leigh, Our rent is due, mother is at
deaths door, / fear, and we have not
particle Of food or fuel in the house"
erred Lillian, tears streaming down
her white, worn checks. Her beauti
ful hair escaped from under the rim
of her hat and fell about her neck in
shining ringlets. "Oh, Miss Leigh,
if you knew what poverty was you
would not refuse mcr'
"Posslbly not said Miss Leigh
with a laugh that created harshly on
Reubens ear, for he grew heartsick
as he remembered how near he had
been to committing himself to this
woman, "but you see l am not poor
and never expect to be-"
"Ah, Miss Leigh, you do not know
what is before you. was the
daughter OF a rich, indulgent father !,
now, heaven help me, l am as
poor as the poorest beggar that
walks the streets. Give me little
money ifyou have any humanity
Just little.
"Really / have not q cent in the
house. Papa is short Of funds just
now"
Reuben Harrington, standing in
the ruby dusk of the library, smiled
lcontemptuously as be thought of the
one hundred dollar bill Bell had that
day laid down on the polished coun-
ter Of a downtown jcweler for the
very emeralds that flashed at her
throat and in her dainty, shell-tinted
ears. "Vcrily, women are a vain
show, he thought, sand the smiles
that beguile man into matrimony
are not to be trusted
''Look here!' as she picked up the
gold piece and held it towards Miss
Leigh. Il found this on the rug at
my feet. i was tempted to keep it,
but never did a dishonest act in
my life and l will not begin now,
Women like yourself often leave us
poor creatures no alternative but
to beg or steal, bat l will starve
and die faithful to my principles.
If this is yours pay me with part of
lit" M
Miss Leigh took the money and
coodly dropped it into her pocket,
while Harrington almost shivered
with disgust
cts mine but indeed I cannot
spare cent of it. You must wait
until next week." said Miss Leigh,
Grossly.
Next week." moaned Lillian Ber-
ny, turning away with white hope
less face. Father help me, for am
in sore need"
She CROPPED blindly for the door,and
like fash Reuben dashed past Miss
Leigh and laid hand on her arm.
All the better feelings of his nature
were aroused and his fine face was
crimson with indignation.
"Miss Leigh, ! am ashamed of
your cruelty. Five years ago this
girl was rich, rich, honorcd and be-
loved. You see to what straits mis-
| fortune, poverty and death have
brought her. Have care that your
own life does not meet with similar
blight. Lillian, my first and only
love, do you not know me?"
Lillian, with rosy blush creeping
into her wan cheeks, looked up shyly
into the hronzed and handsome face
of her old-time lover.
Reuben" she murmured, bursting
into food Of tears. And as Belle
Leigh, rebuked and chagrined, shrank
away out of sight, Reuben took the
golden head OH his bosom and told
Lillian how he had given her up for
lost and that her struggles for bread
we're over, for the shelter Of his heart
awaited her.
AUST to think" sncered Belle
Leigh, few days later, ''that a
man like Reben Harrington should
throw himself away on u poor sewing
girl"
But Belle found that society opened
Its arms to welcome the poor sewing
girl, who happy in the restored health
of her mother and good husbands
love, blossomcd into noble. beauti-
ful woyuan whnSa p,rrea and hoo RI