The Republican., 1889-03-16

junction in such manner as though ne ns
reply, VERY lovely" which caused
him to start and turn to look in hi
companions face.
The two friends were cemented bv ;
boud of years, and as they were slowly
sauntering up the carefully ordered
lawn of Mr. Howard's country seat, il
was of his betrothed daughter and the
betrothed of the younger man, of whom
they spoke. She stood awaiting theil
approach, Il smile of welcome lighting
her eyes, 4 vision of youth and happi
ness; and yet Percy Rutherford had be.
trayed, even in assent to Clarence
Somer's eager question that he felt his
choice might not have been q wise one.
''She is a mere child, Clarence, who,
it seems to me- he continued, sis as
yet scarcely fit to battle with the reali-
ties of life. 1t seems hard she should
not yet be left amid her birds and
flowers"
"Ah, but shall not give her birds
of brighter plumage, flowers of fairer
hue? No shadow shall cross my darl-
ing's path; no chill winds pierce
through the cloak of protecting love in
which | shall enwrap her. /"
But merry laugh and musical tones
interrupted him, as the young girl
came forward to greet them and play
fully chidc them with their slow ap-
prOach. Only seventeen summers have
left their faint impress upon Fay
llowards 5 brow, and that the new life
on whose threshold she stands is to
bring responsibilities and cares upon
her young shoulders is a thought she
has never harbored. In one more week
she is to be the bride of the man ON
whose arm she leans.
SO the week passed, the last week of
the old life, and she stands at last,
clad in white robes, with sunbeams
crowning the fair young head and play
ing hide and seek, in the old church, bv
Clarence Somers side. and uttered,
with scarce q thought of their solemn
meaning, the words which bind them
together for aye. Into the home which
Clarence has prepared for her she
enters with happy feet, seeing only on
every side evidences of her husbands
indulgent love in the appointments
taste and wealth have combined to give
her.
So a year passes, bright, happy
year, and she notes not that on her
husbands brow are lines which a few
months ago were not there, that he
often avoids gay scenes, pleading some
excuse, but never letting her share the
solitary vigil, at which she sometimes
dimly wonders, but ere her wonder
ment finds words it is forgotten. Then
comes the crash, the knowledge, sud-
den and overwhelming, that her hus-
band is bankrupt. Plying friends
gather round his wife, and to their con-
so.;ng promises that still her fathers
home is open to receive her, where she
shall not miss the comforts which have
grown necessities, she yields with un-
assent.
1t seems so hard that all should be
swept from her. and so with self-pitv
only at her heart, Clarence resigns her
until he can again win health and for
tune. A small clerkship had been of
Tered him in Western town, with |
promise of ultimate partnership. Could |
ne ask Fay to share such life? So he
goes alone, never shrinking from the
iaily trials which he meets, and treas
lring with reverent care the short
lotes which Fay sends, filled with
hopes that he soon may give her back
ler home, while he glances round the
'ne, meagerly-furnished room which
1e dignifies by that sacred title, and
links how incOngruous would be her
'adiant presence there, yet. ah, how
sweet to the heart which sometimes
'hrinks dismayed at its own loneliness
It is like CLEAN of sunshine when one
lay he finds himself discovered by
Percy Rutherford, and his greeting of
lis old friend is frank and cordial.
unfortunately old fellow" he says
Titn q half sigh, Il can only give you
lalf welcome, since Fay can not share
t. | could not, of course, ask her to
70 into my exile"
"Did she not wish to?"
"Poor little girl! l think she scarcely
Knew what she wished. The crash was
20 sudden and overwhelming. every
'ody advised that she should stay; and
), too, could not be so selfish as to wish
Ter with me-"
" What God hath joined together
ct no man put asunder.' Solemn words,
Clarence, solemnly spoken. They and
io@ and she are wrong. Where is a
vOman's place if not by her husbands
ide? You said truly on that day, you
nay remember. that birds of brighter
,lumage and flowers of fairer hue
hould be her lot; aud so when the