Mower County transcript., 1890-04-23
EQUAL TO THE TEST.
It Was Laura He Loved and Not
Laura's Face.

A-cA AoSo WaS ucT AOEtuuo! NOS8 I'LL"
IN sang, saucily, when her cousin Lau-
ra's engagement to Max Creighton was
announced.
LUCKY for her that she is pretty"
said Mrs. Hilton, fretfuliy; for that lady
had hoped that the visits of the young
millionaire were intended for her daugh-
ter, not her nieoe.
Eyes" said third voice-that of Ar
thur Hilton-'it is hard lines for a girl
without q penny to be ugly, too. But
after all, Laura has brains as we'll as
good looks, and sings like seraph!
After which period to my speech, will
depart! Goodbye, Rosa; present my
congratulations the brfde-elect!"
And Arthur departed to his chambers
in York, where he waited patiently for
his first client, being man needing
patience, namely, a new-hedgod barris-
ter. As soon as he left Mrs. Hilton
broke into q string of fretful COM
plants.
''lf Laura was going to marry Will
Fielding now. or any other of Arthur's
cronies, it would not be SO bad" she
said, because as a poor mans bride she
could not expect an expensive trous-
seau. But for our own credit we must
give her handsome outfit; and be-
tween Arthur's expenses and yours I
am sure / don't see how it. is to be
DONE"
And then her heart smote her, for
Laura came in dressed for walking, and
must have heard her last words.
She had not half meant them, for,
after her weak, selfish fashion, she was
fond of her dead sisters lovely child,
and would not willingly have wounded
her. But Laura, trifie paler than
usual, only said: II promised to call
upon Mrs. Creighton this morning,
Aunt Carrie. as she is not we'll, and re-
quested that would waive ceremony,
and not wait for her."
Are you warmly wrapped up? 1t
is very cold," her aunt said, with an
extra touch of affection in her tone,
to make amends for her unlucky speech.
''Yes, thank you. I'll get the ribbon
for your sash, if you wish, Rosa. 1 have
2 piece of your dress in my purse"
So she left them, with pleasant
smile, trying to think she had misun-
derstood her aunt's words. For Laura
Marston was of sunny temperament,
one who found silver Innings to all the
clouds, and they had been numerous,
that had darkened her young life.
She had been tried by poverty, had
nursed her father through consumption,
teaching music in a large seminary at
the same time, to earn bread for both.
When she accepted her aunt's invita-
tion to visit her, after her fathers
death, she had intended only to remain
a few weeks and return to the seminary,
where a position as resident governess
had been offered to her. But Mrs. Hill
ton had urged her to stay, and Rosa
gave her warmest love and welcome.
So two years of rest and content
passed quickly in the luxurious home,
and now she was to go to new home of
her own, Max Creighton's wife.
1t was good match. in q worldly
point of view-a great catch for a pen
niless girl; but Laura never thought of
wealth or position when she promised
to be Max Creighton's wife.
She walked briskly through the win
ter air, till she reached Mrs. Creigh.
tons, and spent a happy morning; for
the lady gave her cordial welcome as q
daughter, and let her feel that she was
entirely happy in her sons choice.
There were some weeks OF happiness
following the engagement-weeks when
Mrs. Creighton and her SON threw much
brightness into the life Of the young be.
trothed, and then sorrow came in 9
separation of the lovers It became
necessary for Max to go to England to
look after some property his father had
owned there, and he was unwilling ia
have Laura cross the ocean in winter.
A proposal Of immediate marriage and 9
European bridal trip had been made,
but Mrs. Hilton and Mrs. Creighton op.
possed it and Max did not press it ur
gently.
The business that called him to En-
gland would probably engross all his
time, and he knew that there must b
many dull, lonely days for his bride, i
she was his companion. So he left her
hoping to return IN two months or three
ara have . happy wedding in the spring
Il vas only natural that during thl