The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-08-11
THE WIDOWS TEST.

"Sybella, you are going to do wha
awidow generally does when she mar
ries second time. You are going tC
make fool of yourself! Arthur Austin
doesn't love you; it's your money h
wants !"
Thus spoke Aunt Margaret, prin
and grim, behind her inevitable knit
iing-needlcs. Her niece, Sybella Ruth
ven, young widow, looked at her in
dignantly.
"Why, aun,ie :" she said, "hoy
naughty of you! And have no charm
that lover should not be possible t,
NE %
"But, can't you compare this maj
yourself with poor, dear Reginald, who
would do anything to make you happy
I'd rather live on the memory OF Sucl
love than take pretcnce OF love lik,
this. Why, your Arthur Austin is too
selfish to love any one but himself
and though, Of course, first love stand
apart and you can't have Reginald
back again, only be sensible for mo
ment and contrast Mr.. Austin with tn,
men you have refuscd-that fair r.haireC
artist-that merry, good-heartcd Ger
man, with red mouth just made fol
kissing-and old Mr.. Bell, who, il h,
was 10, worshipped the ground you ,roC
upon. ] tell you there's neither senti
ment nor passion in Arthur AUSTIN
He is an extravagant fellow, and he il
lazy, too! He happened to have tn,
kind Of looks you like, and so you'v,
been silly enough to turn your bacl
upon good men and held out your arm
to him."
"Oh, auniie. any one would think
did the courting!" said the littl,
widow. "Hold out my arms, indeed =
ats all the same thing" replied tn,
elder lady. "You dropped into hi
arms like a ripe cherry when he helo
them out, and it's dreadful to me tC
see you expecting so much, when you'll
get so little. A gay honeymoon, per
haps. After that, neglect, the pang
Of jealousy-with good reason, too, nc
doubt-and bitter, lifelong regret"
"Auntie, dear, / love him" said Sy
bella. al used to say no woman coule
love twice, but this second affection il
very strong, and as sweet as il wer,
sixteen again. trust dear Arthur
thoroughly. II had not a penny il
the world I should be even dearcr tC
him. He has often sand that he wisheC
that had not. But I'll not be angr,
with you, auntie only I'll test him.
I'll prove him. You shall own how
generous he is, and how fond of me-"
al trust so," said the old lady
''but | don't believe il. and beside, yo,
are already having your wedding dres
made.
But Mrs. Ruthven, as she kissed he
aunt goodnight, vowed that the ties
should be made.
"He will forgive me when | tell hin
all" she said. "Aunt Margaret is Sc
good that cannot bear she should no
exactly know how good Arthur is also
Dear Arthur -
Then she ran upstairs, and openin,
the locket in which she wore his por
trait, kissed il 4 thousand times, think
ing those thoughts that ill the heart o
any loving woman who is 4 promise,
bride, and which are so pure and hol,
that while they move her she is a bet
ter woman for them.
Great grief had come to Sybelli
when her young husband was torn from
her heart, and she had been yer,
wretcbed for long years but the wount
had healed at last, and then Arthu
Austin had come into her life, suitinl
.her so perfectly, realizing her ever,
dream Of what man should be. Oftel
she wondered howit was that she shoul'
ever be so happy again.
Doubt himl Ali she would no
dare to doubt him. But Aunt Margare
should be satisfied.
"You are looking very grave, m
DEAR" said Arthur, as they sat togethe
the next evening.
"A little, perhaps" she answered. -
al have been worried about something
l don't know exactly how to explain
il. But when banks fail, people VIII
have their money in them must suffer
you know and you've read Of the fail
ure Of the Cosmopolitan bank to-day ?
"Yes," he said. "You had you
money there1"
eff ] had not, would il trouble m
that ii should fail 2" she asked. "T'
be sure, I have a little beside, bu
Aunt Margaret and old Uncle Reube
must have home, you know, and
suppose l shall have about $500 a yea
over all expenses. You'll not have
rich wife, Arthur, after all. !"
He paused moment, then answered
huskily: "It shall be my pride an
pleasure to see that you want nothing
Sybella. am almost glad you hay
become poor for that reason"
Then he kissed her and Sybella wa
happy, but ashamed Of herself for put
ting him to the test.
"You see he is all I thought him
auntie," she said to Mrs. Margaret
when he was gone. al shall tell hir
all tomorrow. ""
"No," said Mrs. Margaret, "wait
week. Promise me you'll wait a weeE
Sybella1"
So Sxbella waited, and Aunt MaEg;