The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-02-15

/ love him."
And so Hattie Lawler won her uncle's con-
sent to her marriage. The world shrugged
its shoulders, and smiled knowingly !; gossips
shook their heads and wondered how Hattie
could be so blind as not to see through that
dandy's" schemes, and wondered how long
it would be before she would find herself a
neglected wife. But Hattie, strong in her
woman's love and holy purpose, had no fear.
"For better, for worse" she had given her
heart, by better or worse she would abide.
They had been married a year, and so far
Hattie had no reason to regret the step. Her
husband was as loving and kind as on their
wedding day, and, although still idle, had
not relapsed into the evil habits which were
gaining a hold on him before she gave her
life into his keeping, and which her presence
had deprived of their power to charm. But
one day she surprised him in an attitude
which betrayed a detected and unquiet spirit.
"What is it. Edward? 2"
He raised his head as he felt her soft hand
on his shoulder.
1.-THE old story, Hattie. Nobody trusts
me but you everybody thinks me utterly
bad and worthless. They think nay motive
in marrying was a purely mercenary one,
and they hold back from me. | cannot COM
mand one client. Let him live on his wife's
money, and leave the profession open to
those dependent on it for bread"
81 am almost tempted to echo the wish
"No, Hattie there are temptations enough
for all men in this world, and they are doubly
strong to those living in luxurious incidence;
let your influence bear where it has ever rest
ed, upon something noble, if you can find it
in such a wasted nature as mine"
elf I had not found it, should I be your
wife now? | love you l have faith in you,
and l am happy, my husband"
Another year, and the crash of 1873 sweep
Hattie Du Rand's fortune away. Her uncle
came to tell the news, and left her stunned
sick with the prospect OF poverty, and, spite
Of herself, shuddering at the thought of her
husband. dismay. All the weary day passed
and he came not. Had he left her to bear the
cross alone? Stung, indignant at her own
heart for such a thought, 1t would recur as
the evening set in and he came not. Wearied
and waiting, sick with apprehension, she
threw herself on the sofa and sobbed in bit
terness and loneliness.
Hark! The we'll known step on the
stairs but not slow as one disappointed, but
springing and light.
"He does not know" she thought, land /
must tell him."
He came in with such a bright face, his
cheeks glowing. his eyes bright, his lips
smiling, that she turned faint at the thought
that she must blast all his j%oyousness.
"Crying Hattie ?" he said, with his face
changing to a look of tender sympathy.
''You are very late," she said, trying to
steady her voice.
s'Oh, you must get used to that. | shall
keep business hours DOW. Off in the morn
ing-home for an hour at lunch-and then
off again till dinner"
''Have you heard ?" she whispered.
eyes. Do seem hard and unfeeling,
darling? Forgive me. But, Hattie, dear.
you shall not feel any privations that my
love can keep you from. We shall not be
rich many things must be spared yet,
trust me, | will work hard before you shall
suffer. Oh, I cannot cannot help it, Hat
tie! I'm glad Of it-glad of this You
are mine. Now l can prove to you and to
all of the world that your fortune was
nothing to me. | have seen your uncle TO-
day, and through his kindly exerted in1u-
ence | have secured the situation of book
keeper in a large wholesale grocery store.
"You-you, Edward, with your refined
tastes and luxuriant habits z"
"Why, Hattie, the salary is s 1000 a year.
Think of earning that"
'NOh, Edward, my own love T. And here
the sobs came too thick and fast for more
words. His own words were husky as he
said
"But for you, Hattie, | should now be a
miserable lounger-a gambler, perhaps, or
worse. / feel that I am Il man, with a true
heart and willing energy. and the turning
point of my life were your words, / trust
you, Edward You did trust me, and God
willing, l will win that trust worthily."
Nobly he kept his word. Tue luxuriant
home was sold, and in a quiet house they be-
gan life again hnmbly. There is one child,
q second Edward, to knit his parents heart in