Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1888-07-11
1HE LOVE TEST.

the book he was reading and shook his
head gravely at his friend.
can't, Dick, because / think
Helen Carleton cold, heartless f1irt,
who is only after your money"
Why, Herman Fcnton, she would
take me if didn't have cent, and
only cling the closer for my poverty"
cried the oiher, with enthusiasm.
"And would you like to make a test
of thisy'
"How?"
Every one knows that, your father
had something in the bank that failed.
They didn't know that it was only a
small amount. Why can't you make
Miss Carleton believe that it was all
you hads'
"I'll do it, if only to prove how You
have misjudged her." said Dick, and
so the two friends parted.
"Isn't it perfectly splendid, nam.
MAJ"
And Helen Carleton held up exult-
antly the white hand, from which
costly diamond flashed like a dew.
drop IN the sun.
Mrs. Carleton surveyed it with a
coolly critical look, and yet one that
expressed full as much satisfaction.
He can we'll afford it,"
1t has always been the first wish of
my heart" continued Mrs. Carleton,
regarding the lovely face opposite her
with look Of mingled pride and com.
placency, "that you should make a
brilliant marriage, and I must say
that an very we'll pleased with your
choice
Yes, Richard is all right so far as
money and position are concerned
but he has some horribly old fashioned
notions about marriage; talks as if he
expected me to settle down at home
and make his convenience and happi-
ness the chief end and aim of my life.
Did you ever hear of anything SO
ridiculous ?'
Men get very foolish notions into
their heads sometimes. Richard will
see the folly of his IN due time; only
IN n a rff M tn Al, MT Ia f<,r
soon"
"Pll take care of that"
As Helen said this she opened let
ter that was just handed to her, utter
ing little shrek as she made herself
mistress of its contents.
"Goodness me, mamma, it's from
Richard. who says that he has lost
every cent that his father left him by
the failure of bank. Isn't it shock.
ing9'
Very shocking for him." said Mrs.
Carleton, after careful reading of
the letter alluded to. "but only think,
my love, what Il lucky escape for you.
Supposing it had happened a couple of
weeks hence! ltmakes me shudder to
think of itn'
The willy woman surveyed her
daughter narrowly rs she said this,
across whose smooth brow shadow
had fallen.
81 rather liked Richard, mamma,
but | suppose IT'S of no use for US to
think of marrying now should
make the poorest kind of poor mans
wife"
THAT you would. Nor have / spent
ali l have on your education to be
willing that you should be one. Its
not to be thought OF"
The poor, foolish fellow speaks as
though he thought it ould make no
difference"
" You had better write at once and
disabuse his mind OF that idea, 1t is
50 much easier to say such things by
letter, you know"
On sheet of rose.colored, pertumed
paper, and in the delicate chirography
that her loyer had admired so often,
Helen traced the following lines:
DEAR MIR. BRONSON; l was very
sorry to learn of your misfortune
sorry fAr my sake as we'll as your own.
| showed your note to mamma, and
she is of the opinion that it would be
the hight of folly and imprudence to
think OF marrying now, with which |
am forced, though very reluctantly, to
agree. Ny tastes, feelings and habits
entirely unfit me to be the wife of
man Of limited means, who has his
own fortune to make. TO such
should only be hindrance and a drag,
as am sure you will have the good
sense to perceive. But | shall ever
hold you in the highest esteem, and be
what l subscribe myself, your friend,