Huntsville gazette., 1889-02-16
LOVE OR MONEY.
Final Choice Of a Mercenary Little
Wretch.


puckered into frowns, and her lips
pouting, that the heart of the man
looking at her ached with heavy pain,
and responded with throbs of agony as
she stabbed it again and again with
her words. He loved her deeply, and
yet so unselfshly, that he was honestly
trying to hope she would be happy
without him, although his life-dream
had been to contribute to that happi-
ness.
You are SO unreasonable" she pro-
tested, ito tell me now that you love
me-"
but hoped to-day, "he said, sadly,
''you might still be free to choose
your own future"
"Why, SO lam; but my grandfather's
choice for me is" She hesitated, and
then, leaving her sentence unfinished,
rushed on, in rapid utterance: Frank
and | have known each other since we
were little children, and you know
was always "a mercenary little wretch. ;"
"Were you?" he asked, with smile
more pitiful than tears.
"You know | was! You know
used to fondle grandpa, and coax and
flatter him, just because he was rich;
for he was not very affectionate. /
was planning for legacy, and l must
have ene, even if have to take Frank
with it; and Frank is good-natured,
and fond of me-"
And your grandfather leaves you
nothing if you do not marry Frank?"
Nothing! He can refuse me but
can not refuse him without forfeiting
all share in grandfather's money. /
call it shabby, but there it is! And
am so tired of being poor, so tired of
turning old dresses, patching my boots,
saving car fares to buy gloves. Oh,
Bert! don't look as if you wanted to
cry. You are well rid of such a selfish
little horror as am, you are indeed!"
Il will try to think so," he said,
pressing his white lips together for a
moment before speaking. Il hope
you will be very, very happy. But
if you should find, on consideration,
that"
Now, pleasem she said, looking up
at him with misty eyes.
Il only want to say, dear-I may
call you dear once-that life with me,
although not such life of luxury as
your cousin Frank offers, will not be
absolute poverty, while l have my
strength to work for YOU"
''But you have only salary, and
not a large One."
Very true! Still, if you can think
OF me and my salary with favor-with
love, dear-one word, Come will
bring me to your side. / will not
tease you any more to-day. Good
bye"
He was gone a moment later, and
the unreasonable little lady was cry
ing like baby.
I'm not worth his lover she
sobbed, tearing her very best handker-
chief with her nervous fingers; I'm
only a nasty little bunch of avarice
and selfshness! But l am glad it is
over, and goodbye to poverty.
music lessons and make-shifts. l will
accept Aunt James invitation!'
Aunt James invitation had been to
the effect that, as her father had
wished her son and her niece to marry,
she thought it would be well for said
niece, Elsie Reed, to make a visit to
L and become accustomed to her
future home.
So it was only three hours after her
parting with Herbert Beulow when
Elsie drove to the depot to take a
train for l. and leave poverty,
music lessons, and, perhaps, true,
earnest love behind her forever. So
she assured herself
Her welcome was warm one from
her aunt, but Frank was stic and en-
barrassed. Every wish OF the little
heart was gratified in the new home.
Dresses, bonnets, jewelry, were given
her with lavish hands, and she fitted
from one superb room to anotle-, try
ing to fancy herself tho mistress OF the
wealth around her.