Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-19
THE HIDOW,S TEST.

%Sybella, you are going to do what a
widow generally does when she marries
a second time. You are going to make
fool of yourself! Arthur Austin doesn't
love you; it's your money he wants."
Thus spoke Aunt Margaret, prim and
grim. behind her inevitable knitting
needles, Her niece, Sybella Ruthven,
a young widow, looked at her indig-
nantIE.
why. auntie!7 she said, chow
naughty of you! And have I no
charms that lover should not be posi-
BILE to ma?7
But, can't you compare this man
yourself with poor, dear Reginald, who
would do anything to make you happy?
I'd rather live on the memory Of such
love than take a pretense Of love Ike
this. Why. your Arthur Austin is too
selfish to love any one but himself;
and though, Of course, first love stands
apart and YOU can't have Reginald back
again. only be sensible for q moment
and contrast Mr.. Austin with the men
you have refused-that fair-haired art
ist-that merry, good-hearted German,
with a red mouth just made for kissing
and old Mr. Bell, who, if he was 20,
worshiped the ground you trod upon.
tell you there's neither sentiment nor
passion in Arthur Austin. He is an ex-
travagant fellow, and he is lazy, too!
He happened to have the kind of looks
you like, and so you've been silly
enough to turn your back upon good
men and held out your arms to him"
ooh, auntie! any one would think
did the counting said the little widow.
Hold out my arms, indeed"
It's all the same thing, replied the
elder lady. You dropped into his
like a ripe cherry when he held them
out, and it's dreadful to me to see you
expecting so much, when you'll get so
little. A gay honeymoon, perhaps.
After that, neglect, the pangs Of jeal-
Ousy-Rith good reason, too, no doubt
and bitter, lifelong regret
Auntie, dear, I love him." said Sy-
bella Z I used TO say no woman could
love twice, but this second affection is
very strong, and as sweet as if I were
sixteen again. I trust dear Arthur
thoroughly, Il I had not a penny in
the world I should be even dearer to
him. He has often said that he wished
that had not. But I'll not be angry
with you, auntie; only III test him. I'll
prove him. You shall own how gener-
Gus he is, and how fond of me-
" trust so" said the old lady; but
I don't believe it; and beside, you are
already having your wedding dress
made
But Mrs. Ruthven, as she kissed her
aunt goodnight, vowed that the test
should be made
He will forgive me when I tell him
ALL" she said. Aunt Margaret is so
good that 1 cannot bear she should not
exactly know how good Arthur is also.
Dear Arthur"
Then she ran upstairs, and opening
the locket in which she wore his por-
trait, kissed it a thousand times, think
ing those thoughts that fill the heart Of
any loving woman who is a promised
bride, and which are so pure and holy
that while they move her she is bet
ter woman for them.
Great grief had come to Sybella
wLer her young husband was torn from
her heart, and she had been very
wretched for long years; but the
wound had healed at last, and then
Arthur Austin had come into her life,
sriting hey so perfectly, realizing her
every dream Of what a man should be.
Often she wondered how it WIS that
she should ever be so happy again.
Doubt him? All! shewould not dare
to doubt him. But Aunt Margaret
should be satisfied.
You are looking very grave, ny
dean, said Arthur, as they sat together
the next evening.
a little, perhaps" she answered. Il
have been worried about something. I
don't know exactly how to explain it.
But when banks fail, people who have
Their money in them must suffer, you
know; and you've read of the failure Of
the Cosmopolitan Bank to-day?"
Yes" he said. you had your money
there?7
IF I had not, would it trouble me
that it should fail ?" she asked. @To be
sure, I have a little beside, but Aunt
Margaret and old Uncle Reuben must
have home, you know, and I suppose
shall have about 5000 a year over all
No-,5n =. 1. r.