West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-12-25
MONEY OR LOVE.
How May Haven Married for One
and Gained the Other.


because l was in love with him. said
May Harriott, with light laugh.
She was sitting in gold-and-dun
eolored boudoir, hung with silken.
huted draperies and carpeted in pale
gray Ambusson bordcred with scarlet.
The windows were full of lowering
plants, an exquisite statue of Heb6 oc-
cupied marble pedestal in the middle
OF the room, and the panels of the
walls hlled in with mirrors, reflected
the young brides every motion score
of times.
Flora Field, her old school-mate. sat
opposite her, secretly envious of ali
TINS splendor and wondering that Nav
Haven, who had taught in the same
district school rs herself, was not more
eiated at this sudden promotion.
well then, SAID she, why did
you marry him?n
Because was poor and he was
rich. Because was tired Of teaching
and he offered me all this!"
And May glanced around upon the
luNurieS that surrounded her
" Nobody could be foolish enough 10
suppose il was a love-match. " said
she. ." He's ever so much older than
am, and not at all my ideal! But |
couldn drudge on forever at my pro-
fession, and / think I've made a lucky
exchange" ."
i" May, YOU are heartless couuette,"
cried out Flora Field.
" No, am not" said MAY, with
shake of the lovely golden curls. "You
would do Just the same thing yourself.
Flora Field, if YOU had a chance; YOU
know you would"
And as May laughed out sweet. de-
hant chime she did not know that her
SHY words had had another auditor
Than Flora Field that the door leading
into The rich banl er's study was aiar,
and that he had heard every syllable
sine spoke.
lt was quite true that Frederick Har-
riott was not n young man. lie had
passed the rubicon of middle ace be-
fore be had allowed himself 10 fall i'm
love and marry the flame burned
All the deeper and more tender, in that
the wood was mellowsd by age! He
had looked upon May Haven as little
less than an angel and now
should have known this before"
he said to himself with ashen-pale face
and trembling limbs. IL should have
divirei that spring and autumn were
unsulted; So-she married me for my
May" he said that evening. "I
have tickets for the opera tonight
Would you like to goP''
- No, don't think / care about il e"
said May. listlessy
Then we will rem ain at home. and
will read you that new poem" sug-
gested her husband.
" am tired of poetry pettishly re-
torted May. '1 do wish you would
leave me to enjoy myself in my own
way once in a whiler'
" Do | bore you. May?" Frederick
Harriott asked. with an inexplicable
quiver in his voice.
" Awfully! I'm just in the midst of
this delightful story and l can't bear TO
be interrupted"
Very well. The offence shall not
be repeated" said Mr. HayTiott, quiet
ly.
After that a subtle and sudden
change came over his whole &c. He
was as courteous and attentive to his
young wife as ever, but May felt that
all the heart and soul were gone ont
of the little courtesies, the scrupulOusly
rendered attentions.
For awhile she rather liked H. IL
was relief TO feel that his eve was not
always on her, his thoughts following
her. She could 90 where she pleased
now and he asked no questions. She
could employ her time 10 suit herself
and he had neither criticism nor com
ment TO offer But gradually she be-
gan 70 realize that she had lost some
thing which was not easily to be re-
placed.
May HarriOtt had regarded her hus-
bands love as one Of the fixed polar
facts Of her existence, and a cold GILL
crept over her heart when she fully per
ceived that it was somehow slipping
away from her.
Frederick, " she said, one evening,
sitting opposite to her husband, have
j offended you?"
He glanced carelessly up from his
book
Offended me. MsyP Why, what a
ridiculous idea! Of course you haven't
Offended me "
IL thought your manner was
somewhat dlnerent Of late" faltersd
the young wife, bending her head
clio er over her embroidery
"ODe can't keep on the honeymoon
gloss forever ' said the banker, indif-
fcrntly
Life IS full Of antitheees. and love is
The strongest coMplcxity in life For.
as May Hurriott grew strengthened i'm
the idea tbat her husband was casing
60 adore her after the old idolatrous
fashion, she began to- fall i'm 'Cvc with
the one she had married for money.
Frederick Harr.Ott was not Young
but he Was ih the prime Of middle age.
lie was not boyisnly handsome. like
the wax heads MAY had seen in the
BARRIERS show-wiudows but he had the
port and mien Of prince All women