The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-06-20
WHEN FORTUNE FRoWNED,

WHEN FORTUNE FR0WNED,
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-
lieve 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"
Il trust so, EVE, returned Mrs. Har-
wood kindly. Perhaps | am preiudic-
ed against him, and besides, | do so
wish that you could care for Lawrence
Lyell. y, .F".-.4
Evelyn's fair face grew crimson.
She bent her head to remove knot
from the embroidery with which
she was assiduously embroidering scar
let peoples upon a velvet cushion, and
made no reply. f@a
y 'Aie is so noble and upright, " con
tinued her aunt, ''and-"
80 poor!' sneered Evelyn.
Yes, dear, he is poor; but with his
talents, in his profession, there is room
for him to rise, and believe he will.
There is nodoubt 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
congo"
Mrs Harwood looked grave, but was
too wise TO venture any further remon-
strances. Justthen 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-room to receive him.
When she returned, a splendid dia-
mond @lttered upon the foreiinger of
her left hand,
Yes, auntie.' she cried gaily in re-
Spouse to her aunt's questioning glance;
''the die is east! | am betrOthcd to Ar
thur Darley'
Il pray God that You may never re-
greet it, returned her aunt, as she kiss
ed the girl tenderIy.
Evelyn was an orphan, and Mrs. Har-
wood, her dead mothers only sister,
was her truest friend.
They lived in the same mouse, and
both were fortunate in possessing n large
share of this worlds goods; and Mrs.
HARDWOOD, being childless widow,
looked upon her niece as her own
daughter.
Time passed. Arthur barley was ever
| at the side of his betrothed wife; but
Lawrence Lycll, the handsome young
| LAWYER. who had made an impression
upon the hearts of one-half the young
ladies in the town, had disappeared,
and no one seemed to know whittier he
had gone.
One morning, when Evelyn came
| down to breakfast with her aunt in the
cosy breakfast-room, she found Mrs
Harwood there before her, pale and anx
ious, with a telegram in her hand. She
glanced up as Evelyn entered, and the
piteous look on her white face wen
straight to the girls heart.
Good Heavens, auntiei" she cried
springing forward ''what has happen,
| edpn
Mrs. HARDWOOD pointed to the chair a
her side.
..Sit down, dear, and drink littlt
coffee, she said. There, that's right,
as Evelyn obeyed her, and swallowed
the contents of tiny egg-shell cup.
Now listen You are stronger, ant
can bear it better. EVE, we are ruined
The N Bank has suspended, an'
YOU know the consequences to us.
| EVELYN Archer's face grew slowly pal
lid. Yes, she knew too well; for all he
own fortune, as well as her aunt's wa
invested-in stocks and actual deposi
that institution. The house the,
lived in must be soldto pay debts whicl
had carelessly allowed to accumulate
and ruin stared them in the face.
We pass over the trying scenes whie
followed Even Jewels and wardrob
were sacrificed, and with the small sur
of money left them after the catastrophe
EVELYN and Mrs. Harwood rented
small cottage, and applied for musi
scholars; for out of the general wrecl
| Evelyn had managed to save her piano
that with it she might be able to ear
enough to keep them from actual stai
walton. ....
All this time she had not heard
word from her betrothed husband
though he was in town, and of cours
knew all that had occurred, and tn
| fearful reverse which had come to tn
poor girl.
So, stung by his neglect, atlast Evely
wrote him cold note, and enclosin
the engagement-ring, told him that b
was free,
j He made no objection, offered no r.
monstrance, and she knew him at las
| for the fortune-hunter that he reall
was.
l D1u uef OuSHbo SNOl iO'OAb w -
man whom she had rejected forthe sal
of Arthur barley?
Yes, she thought of him CONSTANT,
and as the days went by she gradual
grew to analyse her own feelings, an
to know at last that her heart had gor
over into the keeping of Lawrent
Lyell.
e She knew not if he were living {
{ dead.
Time passed. Winter came-crue
7 relentless winter and Mrs. Harwoc
! and her niece began to know the mea
ling of the dread word poverty.
nno h,, ono tho music scholars drO