Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-02-23
MARRYING \ POOR MAN.

open letters lying on the writing desk be-
fore which the speaker sat, her cold gray
eyes softenlng little as she replied:
IF you tell me which of the two you
have chosen | can answer YOU"
lyon ought to know without being told
Stella laughed. e larence, of course"
Bella lawson look serious
Stella, | am sorry. Not that | bear
Clarence Henshaw any i'll will, but, child,
You are not fit to be IA poor mans wife
Remember yoI are proud and have been
reared in ease and comfort. Follow my
advice and marry Henry Lakeman.
Stella shook her head.
No, Bella; ! wouldn't marry Henry
Lakeman if he was a hundlel times richer
than he is.
She slipIe q picture into its envelope
with long glance at the view it imaged
1T is a lovely place, she sighed, and
l would like to live there"
The sister was watching and, stopping.
kissed the smooth, white brow, while she
said:
Don't be too h1sty, Stella. If you
covet this pretty home of Henry Lake
mans, accept it.
But | love Clarence. ! prefer n cot
tage with him to mansion with Henry"
Miss Lawson turned TO the window with
n sorry look. Some sweet dream of her
childhood was in her memory, perhaps,
but she held it worse than folly to indulge
in regrets. Love, in her estimation, was
no balance in the scale for wealth.
Stella she continued, very gravely,
Il have acted the part of mother for
many years; my wish has ever been that
you form wealthy marriage know
you love luxury, yon enjoy display. and
am | not saving too much when ] add
that you worship beautiful apparel
Henry Lakeman can give you all of these.
Clarence Henshaw cannot. As his wife
you will be subject to all manner of priva-
tions, be obliged to live in common way,
stint and connie and manage the hes
you can. How long will that suit a girl
of your tastes? Think well of it. |
shall let you havo your own choice in re-
gard to this marriage"
My mind is made up, my dear Belle, "
Stella responded.
She took up the view, slipping u letter
into its envelope as she spoke.
IF | favored his suit | was to keep it,
sister Belle, she continued, touching tie
edge of the wrapper to her rosy lips, and
sealing it with heavy slap of the hand.
Il do not, you see. | won't be sorry,
murmured she, turning the envelope to
look at its suparscmption.
Your happiness is within your own
grasp, Stella. You'll recall my words some
day" Ard with a stately gait Belle Lawson
left her
Stella ran lightly up the stairs to her
own room and touched the bell in great
haste.
You will oblige me by mailing this at
once" she said to the servant who an
swerod her call, handing him this very
envelope. And" she said, smiling and
blushing, "be careful of this" putting
another letter into his hand. Leave it
with no one but the person to whom it is
addressed"
"There'll he no mistake, miss" And
that night pcrfumed note lay on Clarence
Henshaw's pillow, and he, foolish fellow,
was transported to the upper heaven OF
delight.
Three months later they were married
They were happy and hopeful couple.
This life upon which they had entered was
like "A new and unexplored country, but
Clarence mcaut to work hard and felt
little or no 6ouht in reg ri to their future
He had been n head bookkeeper for many
years and had tho promise of something
better yet the coming season. They rented
house in the pleasant part of the city
kept n servant, and Stella wore the hand
some clothes which had been provided al
the time of her marriage. Eut towarG
the end of the first year of their wedde
life his firm was said to be under heavy
liabilities, and the anniversary of the
marriage found the house bankrupt and
Clarence out of q situation. They moved
ont of their house and took che lpe,
place in another pant of the city. by this
time their funds began to run low and
Stella wanted something new for her warl-
robe
Il shall find something by-and-ly," the
husband said bravcly.
1t was at this trying time that 4 little
speck of humanity was put into Stella,
arms, and its feeble cry told that the re
possibility of motherhood was here.
I'm the happiest man alive" Clarence
exclaimed, carcssipg wife aud baby boy
Let plide 90 to the dogs, Stella, he add
cd, remembering that now his response
bility VAS greater than before. They are
in want of workmeI on the new city
/ II take my hammer-it will give us bread
She ought to have been contented-
ought to have thought with pride of the
man who would thus brave the world
opinion. He Went out in the early morn.
ing and came home late ut night, hi,
handsome face glowing with love. But
the very thought that her husband was
brou CHIT down to the level of common
laborer hurt her.
Sis er Belle had said that her tastes
were luxurious and she wanted a pretty
home now and tIno apparel for herself and
baby. The people of the void in viii i
she had lived had never to count thtil
money 10 know if they could buy new