The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-07-12
WHEN FORTUNE FROWNED.

IN
But if you were to loose your fortune,
Evelyn? There is nothing on earth
| more uncertain than riches. for they
take to themselves wings and fly away
and once bereft of fortune, do you be-
iieve that Arthur barley would retain
the same sentiments for you as now,
when you are surrounded by all that
wealth can furnish to make life pleas
ant?'
Evelyn Archer shrugged her graceful
shoulders.
Dear me, Aunt Emma" she cried
carelessly, II do not pretend to say:
but believe that Mr.. Darley's regard
for me is based upon something more
substantial than my fortune
.'f trust so, Evie," returned Mrs. Har-
wood kindly. Perhaps am preiudic-
ed against him, and besides, | do so
wish that you could care for Lawrence
Lyell."
Evelyh's fair face grew crimson.
She bent her head to remove knot
from tho embfoiery-silk with which
she WAS assiduously embroidering scar
let poppies upon velvet cushion, and
made no reply. ....s
He is so noble and upright" con-
tinued her aunt, '..and--' "
$50 poOr!' sneered Evelyn. so
Eyes. dear. he is poor; but with his
talents. in his profession, there is room
for him to rise, and / believe he will.
There is no doubt of his ultimate sue
cess. Evelyn, If Lawrence Lyell asks
you to be his wife, are you going to re-
fuse him?"
Il have done so already, Aunt En-
ma," returned the girl coldly. "He
did me the honor to ask me the mo-
mentous question last night at Mrs.
Lees reception, and / gave him his
conge."
Mrs. Harwood looked grave. but was
too wise to venture any further remon-
stranoss. just then the door-bell rang,
and Mr.. Barley was announced.
Evelyn, looking very pretty in her
dress of gray silk, with pink roses in
her golden hair. fitted downstairs to
the drawing-r00G7 TO receive him.
When she returned, q splendid dia-
mond glittcred upon the foreiinger of
her left hand.
Eyes, auntie." she cried gaily in re-
sponse to her aunt's questioning glance;
''the die is cast! am betrothed to Ar
thur Darley."
81 pray God that you may never re-
greet it, " returned her aunt. AZ she kiss
ed the girl tenderly.
Evelyn was AN orphan, and Mrs. Har-
wood, her dead mothers only sister,
was her truest friend.
They lived in the same house, and
both were fortunate in possessing large
share of this worlds goods; and Mrs.
Harwood, being d childless widow,
looked upon her niece as her own
daughter.
Time passed. Arthur barley was ever
st the side of his betrothed wife; but
Lawrence Lycll, the handsome young
lawyer, who had made an impression
upon the hearts of one-haif the young
ladies in the town, had disappeared,
and no one seemed to know whittier he
aad gone.
One morning, when EVELYN came
dSsgn to breakfast with her aunt in the
cosy breakfast-room, she found Mrs.
Haa1good there before her, pale and anx-
ious, with telegram in her hand. She
glanced up rs Evelyn entered, and the
Diteous look on her white face went
straight to the girls heart.
'Good Heavens, auntie!" she cried,
springing forward, "what has happen
esd?"
Mrs. Harwood pointed to the chair at
iAex side.
Sit down, dear, and drink little
coffee" she said. There. thatis right, "
as EVELYN obeyed her, and swallowed
the contents of a tiny egg-sheil cup.
s'Now listen. You are stronger, and
can bear it bettor. Evie, we are ruined.
The N Bank has suspended. and
you know the consequences to us. y
EVELYN Archer's face grew slowly pai-
lid. Yes, she knew too well; for all her
own fortune, rs well as her aunt's was
in1ested-in stocks and actual deposit
i'm that Institution. The house they
lived in must be soldto pay debts which
had careIessly allowed to accumulate,
and ruin stared them In the face.
We pass over the trying scenes which
followed. Even jewels and wardrobe
were sacrificed. and with the small sum
of money left them after the catastrophe,
Eyelya and Mrs. Harwood rented Il
small cottage, and applied for music
scholars; for out of the general wreck
EVELYN had managed to save her piano.
that with it she might be able to earn
enough to keep them from actual star
yation.
All this time she had not heard q
word from her betrothed husband,
though he was in town, and OF course
knew all that had occurred and the
fearful reverse which had come to the
poor girl.
So, stung by his neglect. at last Evelyn
wrote him q cold note, and enclosing
the enaagement-ring, told him that he
was free.
He made no objection, offered no re-
aoastrance, and she knew him at last
E. fhe fortune-hunter that he really
n; 4 her thoughts ever revert to The
man whom she had rejected for the sake
iof Art,, >ur Darleyp Fr
Yes le thought of him constantly
and .sytb, days went by she gradually
crew IN ., >aiyse her own feelings, ant
70 know At last that her heart had gone
over into tt. e keeping of Lawrence
Lyell. ,s - o ,;r;n, .,
Time n.ssed Winter eame-cruel
,.oIootlo,s ~,,,;,,to, and M rs. f1;tfWOOt
and her niece began ' ~ Anow r''' -''-
iag of the dread woi d,o,
One by one the mu SIC scholars drop
ped off, and one day "'e wv "omao' ,,,.,
woke to the awful truth 1''iI ''i0y "oi'
destitute.
So Evelyn sacrificed hen grann g.eapnd p,'S"n =
and on the proceeds they hss,sasG Mhss NJ NJ :,
struggle along for time. Ias.aS ansn Sii = =
HarWood fell ill.,. and it sss'iieu =
Evelyn as though God had "'s''''