News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-09-28
THE WIDOWS TEST.

"Sybella, you are going to do what a
widow generally does when she marries
asecond time. You are going to make
fool Of yourself Arthur Austin
doesn't love you; il is your money he
wants p
Thus spoke Aunt Margaret, prim and
grim, behind her inevitable knitting
needles. Her niece, Sybella Ruthven, a
young widow, looked at her Indignantly.
"Why, auntie," she said, chow
naughty of you And have 7 no charms
that lover should not be possible to
me?"
"You are very pleasing, and very
handsome too, Sybella /" said Mrs.
Margaret. "But can't you 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 a 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 Mr.. Austin
with the men you have refused-that
fair haired young artist-that merry,
good-hearted German. with red mouth
Just made for kissing-snd old Mr.. Bell,
who, If he was seventy, worshipped the
ground you trod upon. tell you there's
neither sentiment nor passion in Arthur
Austin. He is an extravagant fellow,
and he is lazy, too 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.
sob, auntie; any one would think
did the counting 20 said the little widow.
Held out my arms, indeedl'
"It's all the same thing" replied the
elder lady. you dropped into his like
ripe cherry when he held them cut,
and it's dreadful to me to see you ex-
pecting so much, when you'll get so
little. A gay honeymoon, perhaps.
After that. neglect, the psngs of jeal-
ousy-wIth good reason, no doubt-and
bitter, lifelong regret"
''Auntie, dear, 1 love him." said
Sybella. ST used to say no woman
could love twice, but this second affec-
ton is very strong, and as sweet as if it
were sixteen again. trust dear Arthur
thoroughly. If had not penny in
the world 1 should be even dearer to
him. He has often said he wished that
1 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-"
81 trust so, !" said the old lady; shut
1 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 cannot bear she should not
exactly know how good Arthur is also.
Dear Arthur -
Then she ran up stairs, and opening
the locket in which she wore his por-
trait, kissed it a thousand times, think
ing those thoughts that fill the heart OF
any loving woman who is a promised
bride, and which are so pure and holy
that while they move her she is better
woman for them.
Great grief had come to Sybella when
her young husband was torn from her
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-
fectiy, realizing her every dream of
what man should be. Often she won
dered how il was that she should ever
be so happy again.
Doubt him? All she would not
dare to doubt him. Bot Aunt Margaret
should be satisfied.
"You are looking very grave, my
DEAR" said Arthur, as they sat together
the next evening.
ga little, perhaps" she answered.
8" I have been worried about something.
I 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 of
the Cosmopolitan Bank to-day?'
eyes," he said. "You had your
money there ?"
:" If / had not, would it trouble me
that it should fail?" she asked. "To
be sure, I have little besides, but
Aunt Margaret and old Uncle Reuben
must have a home, you know, and
suppose shall have about 5000 year
over all expenses. You'll not have rich
wife, Arthur, after all.
He paused a moment, then answered,
huskily: sit shall be my pride and
pleasure to see that you want nothing,
Sybelia. I am almost glad you have
become poor for that reason"
Then he kissed her and Sybella was
happy, but ashamed of herself for put
ting him to the test.
" You see he is all 1 thought him,
Auntie," she said to Mrs. Margaret
when he was gone.
sc shallitelI him all tomorrow"
"No," said Mrs. Margaret" wait
week. Promise me you'll wait week,
Sybella ?"
So Sy bella waited, and Aunt Margaret
watching, saw the signs she watched
for, though this loving woman had as
yet no suspicion of the truth.
-Four days bad passed.
1t was bright day and there was to
be pleasant picnic party that after
noon. Sybella and her betrothed were
among them. They were all old friends,
and Mrs. Ruthvan was in her gayest
mood and chatted merrily with all per
haps a little more with shy young fell
low of eighteen, who was in the COM
pany, than with any other, because of
his youth and shyness.
Arthur Austin had begun the day in
his usual good spirits but as it went
on he grew gloomier and gIoomier, and
at last relapsed into perfect silence. In
vain cid his betrothed endeavor to
cheer him. He scarcely spoke or looked
at her, and at last his manner began to
have effect on the whole party. One