The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
THE WIDOWS TEST.

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'Sybella, you are going to do what
widow generally does when SHE
marries a second time. You are go
ing to make fool of yourself. Ar
thur Austin doesn't love you, its
your money he wantsw
Thus spoke aunt Margaret, prin
and grim, behind her inevitable knit
ting needles. Her niece, Sybella
Ruthven, a young widow, looked al
her Indignantly.
Why, auntier she said, how very
naughty of you. And have | nc
charms that lover should not be
possible to me?'
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 mem.
ory of such love than take a pre-.
tence of love like this. Why, youl
Arthur Austin is too selfish to love
anyone but himself, and though, o
course. first love stands apart and
you can't have Reginald back again,
only be sensible for a moment and
contrast Mr.. Austin with the men
YOU haye refused-that fair haired
artist, that merry, good hearted Ger.
man, with red mouth Just mad,
for kissing, and old Mr.. Bell, who, il
he was seventy, worshiped the very
ground you trod upon. l tell you
there's neither sentiment nor passion
in Arthur Austin. He is an extrav'
agant 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 tC
him.
oh, auntie any one would think
/ did the courtingr said the little
widow. Hold out my arms, in,
deed =
It's all the same thing, replied
the elder lady. You dropped into
his arms like ripe cherry when he
held them out, and its dreadful tC
me to see you expecting so much,
when you'll get so little. A gay
honeymoon, perhaps, After that
neglect, the pangs of jealousy, with
good reason, too, no doubt, and bit
ter, life long regret.
'Auntie, dear. [ love him. said
Sybella. i used to say no woman
could love twice, but this second af-
fection is very strong, and as sweet
as if were sixteen again. | trust
dear Arthur thoroughly. If had
not penny in the world | should
be even dearer to him. He often said
that he wished | had not. But III
not be 9ngry with you, auntie; on, =
III test him. I'll prove him. You
shall own how generous he is, and
how fond of me.
Il trust so, said the old lady, but
| don't believe it, and beside, you
are already having your wedding
dress made
But Mrs. Ruthven, as she kissed
her aunt good night, vowed that the
test should be made.
He will forgive me when | tell
him all, she said. Aunt Margaret
is so good that | cannot bear she
should not exactly know how good
Arthur is also. Dear Arthur
Then she ran up stairs, and open
ing the locket in which she wore his
portrait, kissed it a thousand times,
thinking of 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 better woman for
them.
Great grief had come 10 Svbella
when 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, suiting her so perfectly, realizing
her every dream OF what a man
should be. Often she wondered how
it was that she should ever be so
happy again.
Doubt MIN All she would not
dare to doubt him. But Aunt Mar
garet should be satisfied.
You are looking very grave my
dear said Arthur, as they sat to-
gether the next evening.
A little, perhaps, she answered.
i have been worried about some
thing. | 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 Cosmopoli-
tan Bank to-day?'
Yes he said. You had your
money there ?
If / had not, would it trouble me
that it should fail p she asked. TO
be sure, | have a little beside, but
Aunt Margaret and old uncle Reu-
ben must have home, you know,
and | suppose | shall have about
$500 year over all expenses. You'll
not have a rich wife, Arthur, after
all.
He paused moment, then an
swered, huskily:
1t shall be my pride and pleasure
to see that IN want nothing, Sybel-
la. am Aost glad you have be-
come poor for that reason
Then he kissed her and Sybella
was happy, but ashamed of herself
for putting him TO the test.
You see he is all l thought him,
auntie,' she said to Aunt Margaret,
when be was gone. Il shall tell him
all tomorrow
No, said Aunt Margaret, wait a
week. Promise me that you'll wait