The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-10-29

holding up now" replied Adrian, ia .
gloomy way. We have mutually pledg-
ed each other, and the day Of our mar
riage has been appointed"
Il am sorry for you," said the friend,
a oacneior OF forty, who, ON an income Of
two thousand q year could sse no posi-.
BILE chance for happy marriage in the
city of New York, and preferred celibscy
to the embarrassments VIII ich he saw hun
dreds Of his friends encounter in their
attempts to live in a style out of all
proportion to their resources. II am
sorry for you," he repeated, 1but if you
will bend your neck to the yoke, you
must not complain of the burden you find
yourself compelled to bear"
Strange as it may appear, the young
clerk, Henry Adrian, had never before
looked this matter of income, expenditure,
and style of living fairly in the front.
The actual aspect Of the case, when
clearly seen, threw his mind into state
of troubled bewilderment.
He went over and over again the cal
culations and suggestions by Mr.. Blair, .
book-keepsr in the estahl Isi|Ssunsus where
he was employed, cutting of little from
one proposed expenditure and another,
but not being able to get cost of living
down to the range of his salary, except
when the style was so far below that in
which his wife must move, that he turned
half sick from its contemplation. The
more steadily he looked at the truth, the
more heavily came the pressure of its
stony weight upon his heart. To 90 for
ward was little less than madness, yet
how could he hold back now?
Rosa sat alone, reading, in one of her
uncle's handsome parlors, waiting for her
lover. He was later than usual 80 late
that her book began to lose its interest,
and at last closed on her lap, while a
shade fell over her expectant face. A
single glance at Rosa's countenance re-
vealed the fact that she was girl of
some character. There was no soft, vo-
luptuous languor about her, but an erect
ness of position as she sat, and firmness
of tone in all her features, that indicated
an active mind and self-reliaoce.
An hour later than usual, Adrian came
care you sick, Henry p asked Rosa,
as she took his hand, and fixed her eyes
on his sober face.
"Not sick, but troubled in mind" he
replied, without evasion.
"Why are you troubled, Henry -
And Rosa drew an arm tenderly around
her lover
"Sit down, and l will tell you. The
trouble concerns us both, Rosa"
The young girls face grew pale. They
sat down close together, holding each
others hands. But in Adrian's counte-
nance there was a resolute expression,
such as we see in the countenance of
man who has settled question of diff
cult solution.
"The day fixed for our marriage is only
two months distant" he said. The tone
in which he spoke chilled the heart of
Rosa. She did not answer, but kept her
gaze on his face.
"Rosa, we must reconsider this matter
We have acted without forethought."
Her face became paler. her lips fell
apart, her eyes had a frightened express
sion.
81 love you Rosa, tenderly, truly. My
heart is not turning from you. / would
hasten, rather than retard the day of our
marriage. But there are considerations
beyond that day, which have presented
themselves, and demand thoughtfulness
In a word, Rosa, l cannot afford to
marry. My income will not justify the
step.'
The frightened look went out of Rosa's
eyes.
"It was wrong in me ever to have
sought your love-"
Her hand frightened on his, and she
shrank closer to his side.
81 am a clerk, with an income OF only
twelve hundred dollars. and do not see
much beyond to hope for. Rosa, the
furniture IF these parlors cost twice the
amount of my salary. The rent of the
home in which you now live is equal to
what receive in year. l cannot take
you from all this elegance into third
class boarding house, the best my means
will provide. No, no, Rosa, it would be
unjust, selfish, wrong, cruel How blind
in me never to have thought of SO degrad-
ing the one l love.
The young man was strongly agita-
ted.
"And this is all that troubles you
Henry?"
els it not enough? Can / look at the
two alternatives that present themselves,
and not grow heart-sick? If we marry
what is before us? Humiliation, depri-
vation, and all the ills that poverty
brings for you, and debt, trouble and
lifelong embarrassment for me. If we
separate, each taking different ways in
life-oh, Rosa, Rosa, am not strong
enough to choose that alternative!"
And his form trembled under the pres
sure of excitement,
"You love me, Henry?'' The voice of
Rosa was calm, yet burdened with feel
ing.
"As my own life, darling! Have not
said go hundred times p
"And even as my life do love you,
Henry"
For several moments her face lay
hidden in his bosom. Then lifting it,
Rosa said:
81 am glad you have spoken on this
subject, Henry. could not approach it
myself, but, now that we have it before
us, let it be well considered. Your in
come in twelve hundred dollars p
eyes"
GA sum large enough to supply all
the real wants of two persons who have
independence enough not to be shaved by
a mere love of appearances"
"Why, darling, it will require more
than half Of my salary to pay for respect