The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-05-19

''That would scarcely help the matter al
ALL At best, it would only make differ
e:-ce in the amount of your indebtedness
at the close of each year. 1t Is folly t.
think of it, my young friend. You can
afford to marry.
at has a dark look, but there is nc
holding up now," replied Adrian, in 8
gloomy way. I'VE have mutually pledged
each other, and the day of our marriage
has been appointed"
I'm sorry for you" said the friend, q
bachelor of forty, who, on an income OF tive
thousand year, could see no possible
chance for happy marriage in the City
of New York, and preferred celibacy to the
embarrassments which he saw hundreds of
his friends encounter in their attempts to
live in style out of all proportion to their
resources. I'm sorry for you," he re-
peated; "but if you will bend your neck to
the yoke, you must not complain Of the
burden you find yourself compelled to bear.
Strange as it may appear, the young
clerk, Henry Adrian, had never before
looked this matter of income, expenditure
and style of living fairly in the front. The
actual aspect of the case, when clearly seen,
threw his mind into state of troubled be-
wilderment.
He went over and over again the calcu-
lations suggested by Mr.. Blair, a book
keeper in the establishment where he was
employed, cutting off little from one pro-
posed expenditure and another, but not
being able to get cost of living down to
the range of his salary, except when the
style was so far below that in which his
wife must move, that he turned half sick
from it contemplation. The more steadi-
ly he looked at the truth, the more heavily
came the pressure of its stony weight upon
his heart To 90 forward was little less
than madness, yet how could he mold back
now?
Rosa sat alone, reading, in one of her
uncles handsome parlors, waiting for her
lover. He was later than usual; so late
that her book began to lose its interest, and
at last lay closed on her lap, while a
shade fell over her eXpectant face. \
single glance at Rosas countenance re-
vealed the fact that she was a girl of some
character There was no soft, voluptuous
languor about her, but an erectness of po-
sition as she sat, and a frmness of tone in
all her features, that indicated an active
mind and self-reliance.
An hour later than usual, Adrian came.
care you sick, Henry?' asked Rosa, as
she took his hand, and fixed her eyes on
his sober face.
'Not sick, but troubled in mind, he
replied, without evasion.
"Why are you troubled, Henry?" And
Rosa drew an arm tenderly around her
lover.
''Sit down, and I will tell you. The
trouble concerns us BOTH Rosa"
The young girls face grew pale. They
sat down close together, holding each 9th
er's hands. But in Adrian's countenance
there was resolute expression, such as we
see in the countenance of man who has
settled question of difficult solution.
fsThe day fixed for our marriage is only
two months Distant he said. The tone
in which he spoke chilled the heart of Rosa.
She did not answer, but kept her gaze on
his face
"Rosa, we must reconsider this matter.
We have acted without forethought."
Her face became paler, her lips fell
apart, her eyes had a frightened expires
sion.
II love you, Rosa, tenderly, truly. My
heart is not turning from you. [ would
hasten, rather than retard, the day of our
marriage But there are considerations
beyond that day, which have presented
themselves, and demand thoughtfulness
In word, Rosa, cannot afford to marry
My income will not justify the step
The frightened look went out of Rosa
eyes.
at was wrong in me ever to have sought
your love. .
Her hand frightened on his, and she
shrank closer to his side
Il am clerk, with an income Of only
twelve hundred dollars, and [ do not see
much beyond to hope for. Rosa, the fur
niture of these parlors cost twice the
amount of my salary. The rent of the
home in which you now live is equal to
what [ receive in year. [ cannot take
you from all this elegance into third-class
boarding house, the best my means will
provide. No, no, Rosa; it would be unjust,
selfish, wrong, cruel. How blind in me
ever to have thought of so degrading the
one [ love!"
The young man was strongly agitated.
| 'And this is all that troubles YOU.
Henry"
us it not enough? Can l look at the
two alternatives that present themselves,
and not grow heart-sick? If we marry,
what is before us? Humiliation, depriva-
ton, and all the ills that poverty brings for
you, and debt, trouble and lifelong en-
barrassment for me. If we seperate, each
taking different ways in life-oh, Rosa,
Rosa, am not strong enough to choose
that alternativep'
And his form trembled under the pres
sure of excitement.
"You love me, Henry ?'' The voice of
Rosa, was calm, yet burdened with feeling.
GAS my own life, darling! Have [ not
said so hundred times ?"
"And even as my life do | love you,
Henry"
For several moments her face lay hidden
in his bosom. Then lifting it, Rosa said
II am glad you have spoken on this
subject, Henry. I could not approach it
myself, but, now that we have it before us,
let it be we'll considered. Your income is
twelve hundred dollars ?"
eyes"
"a sum large enough to supply all the
real wants of two persons who have indie
pendence enough not to be shaved by q
mere love of appearances.
"Why, darling, it will require more than
half of my salary to pay for respectable
boarding
taking it for granted, that after oul
marriage, / am to sit down in boarding
house, with hands folded, an idle dependent
on your labor. But 1 shall not so construt
nv relation to my husband. | will be {