Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-11-02

LOVE TRIUMPHED.

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Mary Harold's father was a farmer in
a small way, and, although he could not
afford expensive dresses for his daughter,
he gave her the benefit of a fair education
Mary was by no means an ignoramus.
Her fathers only sister, Della, married
n wealthy city merchant, and when Mary
was 10 she was invited to pass the win
ter months at their elegant house on Muir
ray Hill.
Mary's instincts and ideas were high
toned and her tastes artistic. She liked
soft laces and jewels, she delighted to
wrap Aunt Delia's costly shawls about
her shapely shoulders and let them trail
gracefully over the velvet carpet and TO
fold the dainty laces against the clear
white and pink of her exquisite face and
Imagine herself some fair princess.
Aunt Della encouraged the girl in this
she arrayed her in the finest and intro
duced her into society and was proud Of
the sensation her rare loneliness excited.
Mary's thoughts are best expressed by
reading over her sisters shoulder the let
ter that she received somewhat later.
This sister, Louisa, was the eldest, very
plain and very good. Mary confded in
her without reserve.
Dear Lou-oh, that you were herel But you
wouldn't enjoy It all as l do. / am in my ele-
ment.
Aunt's house is a marvel Of beauty Thanks to
her generosity am attired as daintily as a kings
daughter. She will have 1t 3d. although | rebel
for shame. Lou, fear can never don my plain
dresses again.
Let me whisper to you alone that have two
admirers. OF course there are a score CT SO Of
danglers ready to do homage, hrt or carry wraps,
but there are but two eligible for matrimony
One Of them, Clifford Mason, is a perfect
Adonis. Oh, Lou, he is handsomel like him
ever so much.
He's a gentleman; but, alas, notwithstanding
all this, he is poor. Aunt says that he IL have to
'take back seat" Poor folks must, you know.
Gilead Willoughby, the other candidate Is hna
looking, too, but he is self opinionated and al.
ways ready with a covert sheer; but then he Is q
millionaire, and. Of course, that will atone for
all his faults.
What would you say, sister mine, II you saw
your pet blazing with diamonds and dressed in
Worth's marvellous toilets2 What would you say
to spending your winters at Mrs. willoughbys
elegant mansion and riding through the Central
park behind pair Of magnificent baysf
All this and more II marry the money bagsi
What shall do-how decide7 Send your homily
quickly, dear Lou. Oh, don't know well what
that will be. "Stick to your principles, Mary,
whatever
P. ST. think even you could not help being
pleased with Clifford Mason. There is something
grand and noble about him.
Willoughby sent her costly bouquets
and seemed to live but for her smiles, yet,
with a woman's intuition, she knew that
beneath his courtly manner there was a
hard, selfish nature, but she thought that
he loved her as much as he loved any
thing beyond his own pleasure and COM
fort.
Her heart fingered lovingly upon the
manly words of Clifford Mason. 81 am
poor, darling but could labor cheerfully
for you, for love you"
She asked herself Do ! love Gilead
Willoughby? If he were poor or i'll,
would l be willing to work for him2
Could accept of shabby gentility" and
wear made over dresses for his sake? If
he should lose his wealth, could De q
true, loving wife all the same?
"Gilead is not man to die Tor a wom-
an. nor for woman to die for" she
added, and with the tears trembling like
dewdrops upon her long lashes she
struggled against the temptation of being
the envied wife of a millionaire.
And when the struggle was ended and
love had triumphed over ambition it was
a time of joy when she promised Clifford
Mason to be his own true, loving wife,
in poverty OF riches, in sickness or in
health.
1t was a glorious day in June when
these true lovers were married at the old
farmhouse where she had passed the
happy days of childhood, but she was
quite content when her husband told her
that he had provided plain, comfortable
home In New York city.
1t was evening when they arrived, and
when the carriage stopped before a
stately mansion on Fifth avenue and
Aunt Della came out in the hall to well
come them she felt as If it was a pleas
ant surprise. Could ii be possible, after
all, that her proud Aunt Eastman meant
to forgive her for the serious fault of
marrying a poor man!
And when she had finished a tour of
examination through the house and duly
admired the decorations of the rooms,
each perfect In its way, she congratulated
her aunt upon the possession of so fine a
mansion. II loved the dear old place on
Murray HILL" she said, because it was
there that l first met Clifford, but this
is fit for a kings palace"
'Do you regret having rejected the mil
lonaire for the sake of one who has but
a loving heart and willing hands to offer
your" inquired her husband.
81 own that was tempted, Cliff; but
you see, love triumphed."
Clifford Mason wound his arms around
her and, looking into her beautiful face,
radiant with love and happiness, said:
"Then welcome home, dear Mary, for
you are sole mistress here"
"What? she exclaimed, in astonish-
ment.
"Will you not love me just as well for
having deceived your For this Is my
excuse: / wished to be sure that you
loved me. Mary, am not the poor man
that you thought. fear that you will
have to put up with the incumbrance OF
my millions, after all."-New York News.