Connecticut western news., 1882-09-13
TEE WIDOWS TEST.

THE WIDOWS TEST.
 "Sybella, you are going to do what a widow generally does when she marries a second time. You are going to make fool of yourself Arthur Austin doesn't love you; 1t is your money he wants p
 Thus spoke Aunt Margaret, prim and grim, behind her inevitable knitting needles. Her niece, Sybella Ruthven, 8 young widow, looked at her indignantly.
 "Why, auntie," she said, "how naughty of you And have no charms that lover should not be possible to me?"
 "You are very pleasing, and very handsome too, Sybella l" said Mrs. Margaret. 'Bot can't ycu compare this man yourself with poor, dear Reginald, who would do anything to make you happyi I'd rather live on the memory of such love as that than take 8 pre- tense of love like this. Why, your Ar thur Austin is too selfish to love any one but himself; and though, of course, first love stands apart and you can't have Reginald back again, only be sensible for moment and contrast Mir. Austin with the men you have refused-that fair haired young artist-that merry, good-hearted German. with red mouth just made for kissing and old MT. Bell, who. if he was seventy, worshipped the ground you trod upon. I tell you there's neither sentiment nor passion in Arthur Austin. He is an extravagant fellow, and he is lazy, tool He happened to have the sort of looks you like, and so you've been silly enough to turn your back on good men and held out your arms to him"-
 "Oh, auntie any one would think I did the courting p said the little widow. ," Hold out my arms, indeedr'
 " It's all the same thing" replied the elder lady. You dropped into his like e ripe cherry when he held them out, and it's dreadful to me to see you ex- pecting so much. when you'll get 20 little. A gay honeymoon, perhaps. After that, neglect, the bangs of jeal- ousy-w1th good reason, ,.no doubt-and bitter, lifelong regret"
 ''Auntie, dear, love him." said Sybella. sI used to say no woman could love twice, but this second affsc- tion is very strong, and as sweet as if it were sixteen again. trust dear Arthur thoroughly. If I had not 8 penny in the world should be even dearer to him. He has often said he wished that I had not. But I'll not be angry with you, auntie; only I'll test him. I'll prove him. You shall own how generous he is and how fond of me-"
 '1 trust so," said the old lady; s'but I don't believe it; and, besides, you are already having your wedding-dress made"
 But Mrs. Ruthven, as she kissed her aunt goodnight, vowed that the test should be made.
 ''He will forgive me when tell him all" she said. "Aunt Margaret is so good that I cannot bear she should not exactly know how good Arthur is also. Dear Arthur r'
 Then she ran up stairs, and opening the locket in which she wore his DOT trait, kissed it 8 thousand times, thlnk. ing those thoughts that fill the heart of any loving woman who is promised bride, and which are so pure and holy that while they move her she is 8 better woman for them.
 Great grief had come to Sybella when her young husband was torn from hen heart; and she had been very wretched for long years; but the wound had healed at last, and then Arthur Austin had come into her life, suiting her so per fectly, realizing her every dream ol what man should be. Often she won. dered how it was that she should ever be 80 happy again.
 Doubt him? An she would not dare to doubt him. But Aunt Margaret should be satisfied.
 
 "You are looking very grave, my dear" said Arthur, as they sat together the next evening.
 "A little, perhaps" she answered. "I have been worried about something. l don't know exactly how to explain it. But when banks fail, people who have their money in them must suffer, you know; and you've read of the failure oi the Cosmopolitan Bank to-dayP'
 "Yes," he said. "You had youl money there?
 elf I had not, would it trouble mt that it should faI2" she asked. "Tc be sure, I have a little besides, bu Aunt Margaret and old Uncle Reube1 must have home, you know, and suppose shall have about $2O0 yea over all expenses. You'll not have ricl wife, Arthur, after all"
 He paused moment, then answered huskily "It shall be my pride ani pleasure to see that you want nothing sybella. I am almost glad you hay, become poor Tor that reason