Norwich bulletin., 1913-06-13
POVERTY VS. LOVE

other business women managed wAo had only their salaries to depend upon. SurIy there would be no putting on of silk frocks for them when their day's work was over. no sloopeing afterWard in a mahogany four- poster. She felt fresh sense of grtitude fO her father that she need work only enough to ease her loneliness and af- terward play in any style she chose. Until a few months ago her work and the ability to surround herself with every luxurious accessory nec-
 essary to the happiness of a moman of modern culture. had sufticed her for happiness. She had believed herself the most carefree woman living. Now. however. all was changed. Since Ar thur Hale came into her lift and was withdrawing from it apparently of hiS own acord she had learned what ac- tual heartache was.
 Cousin Hannah faded of face and raiment, yet in both distinctly the aristocrat, was waiting at the dining room door as she came down to giv9 her a kiss and letter. Esther did not receive many letters and t-~-g one aroused in her a faint feeling or sur prise
 She tore it opened. warned sof it importance, even before she scanned the typewriter page It was from Nicholson, her fathers former partner, the man in whose care he had-left her
 money. Fear smote Esther as she read Quickly she crossed to the table and sat down in her place. her face as pale as the verbenas in the tiny cut glass vase at her plate.
 What is it?", Cousin Hannah was leaning over her. She lifted her eyes. I T don't know. I cannot seem to understand. But I don't like the tone ' of this letter. I'm afraid I have been foolish to trust Mr. Nicholson so long even though father wished it. If only
 MT. Hawley were home! But there is | MT. Hale! I must consult someone, Cousin Hannah, while I am gone to 1 phone him, see what you can make out of this letter.
 She gave it to the older woman and left the room.
 He is coming at once,' she said, when she returned. Did you read the letter, Cousin Hannah" The older woman looked troubled. I'm afraid she began, helplessly. I'm afraid too.' Esther said. e. 1 Cousin Hannah, I never realized until this moment how much my money means to me-
 1 Within an hour Hale was there. i Esther met him in the dim old drawing | room alone, and they talked earnestly | together. When he had read the letter l she saw that he was even less hope l full than she had been.
 Something should be done at once - /! he said. If you will trust me- A l look from Esther's eyes answered him. During the weeks that followed he and Hawley together fought with
 might and main to save for Esther a
 remnant of her fortune. But the day 1 came when she knew that their com | bined eorts had been vain after all. l Her money was gone and with it the 1 clever rogue to whose keeping it had l been intruSted.
 That evening Esther was sadly | turning over her few valuables won- l dering what best she could dispense with, when the maid came to tell her hthat MT. Hale was waiting in the r drawing room to see her. During the stress of the past weeks l though they had met often and talked | together at length, their acquaintance l had made no advance in frtendliness. 1 She wondered a little as she went down stairs why he had called to see As she entered the room he met her
 with hand outstretched.
 1 Esther" he began suddenly. Then | as she turned startled at the expres- sion of his voice and face, his arm l closed about her. The next instant she was against his shoulder, joyfully con-
 scious that she was his and he hers
 forever.
 You understand. dear" he said presently. that this would have hap
 pened long ago but for one thing. Can l you guess what that was ?"
 No" Esther answered. wonderingly. Your money. I loved you, but I
 was proud-after Haw1ey told me- | 'O,'' cried Esther, radiant and en- | frightened that. then. was the obsta- cle. But we shall be poor now, Ar l thur"
 Poor in everything save love- he
 whispered, happily.-Buffalo Courier.