The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-09
Select STORY,
THE SUNLIGHT OF LOVE.

s:Such wedding No bridesmaids, nc
music, no breakfast or reception! | de-
clare | should not feel as if I had been
married ~ exclaimed Marion Willoughby,
throwing herself down upon low fauteuil
in her own elegantly appointed drawing
room, and drawing off the delicately tinted
gloves which served as a finish to the ex-
| quisite Partisan toilet.
| There was only one other occupant Of
the room, man, tall and handsome, stand
ing with one hand resting on the back OF
her chair. She did not glance up as she
spoke, or note that Chester Thorley' face
had lost its color.
"You are speaking of Miss Marvine's
wedding?" he said. ''There is one essen
tial to most marriages you have not emu
merated in your list of things lacking.
! Was love wanting, too?'
ooh, no. [ believe she loves him. She
certainly must do so to an almost absurd
extent. They are to go to housekeeping
in small fiat in an questionable locality
up town, where he must be away from
early morning until quite six o'clock. He
occupies some salaried position clerk in a
bank, believe-and she girl who might
have married anybody"
"Honest labor degrades no man, Mari
on came the firm, quick answer Given
a clerkship is not always to be found, and
[ would rather break stones in the street
than live on money acquired dishonesty Oh
doled out of charity, though in such case
| would ask no woman to share my lot"
oThis looks like breaking stones, does II
not" she laughingly answered, letting hel
own jeweled fingers close over the man
hand where it rested-a hand whose shape
betokened its aristocracy, and which was
white and soft as a womans.
At her light touch his strong frame
duivered. He bent and let his lips rest al
instant caressingly on her hair, for the CIR
beside him was his afianced wife.
at could break stones though, dear; anc
[ don't know but what it would make me
a better man. Suppose [ lost my money
Marion? Suppose it all were swept away
from me in an hour, and L had position
offered me-a position which would enable
me to live very humbly, very much as you
friend is going to live-tell me what yo'
would do"
s.You are only talking to try me, Ches
ter. and [ hate such questions. In th'
first place, it is entirely out of reason; fol
even were it so, papa, you know, is very
rich, and our home could always be will
him"
Il have said to you, Marion, that
would rather starve than eat the bread O
charity. Therefore, putting this posslbll
ity aside, tell me what you would do
Her fingers relaxed their grip upon hi
hand. Was there significance in the ac
ton? He smiled bitterly as he saw it
His face was very pale now. Exceptthat hi
still stood behind the chair, she must have
noticed it.
"You are utterly absurd this afternoon
Chester" she said, petulantly. "Have
not Just told you that Edith Marvlnei
weddino was more like funeral than ;
wedding, and though presume shall on
dav have to attend my own funeral, 1t will
not. I assure you, be as a voluntary agent
Have YOU nothing more agreeable you cal
say to me ~? ~.
The man shook off certain something
which seemed to envelope him in an almos
visible cloud, and he answered with the
old. courteous grace which suited him 81
well. and had made his power with womer
almost a proverb.
Money always seemed to belong to hin
bv an inherent right. 1t was so natura
that he should be rich. No one coult
have imagined Chester Thorley poor. III
knew so we'll how to expend his wealth
He gave it so generously, and yet wlthou
ostentation, that no man envled him.
Yet he knew half hour later, when n
left his farewell kiss on Marion Willough
by's beautiful lips, that it was farewell tt
all his hopes and happiness:
The blow had already fallen. He was
ruined man, with scarce a dollar he coulC
call his own-he who had had no wish 9n
gratifed money might procure IN all nj
thirty wears of life 1t had fallen, too
through no fault of his own, there wa
feeble comfort in that. There was comfort
however. in the knowledge that he owe'
no man, and that he might start afresh Il
tho world no burden on his broad shoulder
or his conscience.
True, very true, there was deep woun
in his heart. He had loved Marion s
we'll that to give her up was to voluntary n I
renounce Gods sunlight. But all her LII
had been spent amid luxury. 1t was t t
her necessity. Deprived OF 1t, she woul'
fade and droop; and better any lot than t
watch her struggle and know that ne ha'
brought it upon her. TT
Besides, she had made her choice. /
her wedding meant flowers, music, irlend'
the toilet of a bride. The future, the com
mnnion of two hearts, the solemn respon
s;biIities incurred, were but secondary con
@Good by, my darlingr' he said, as the
narted but when she added, "Until to
morrow - he answered neither yea or nay
aTo-morrow" the world knew that Ches
ter Thorley's ship had gone upon tn
rocks. Many of his business associate
would have held out to him helpln
Lo,,5 but firmly and kindly he refuses