Year: 1878

When Mary Middleton married John
Rutherford she took him for better and |
for worse, 'until death did them part" |
She did not promise to cleave to him in |
the sunshine only, and when the sea of
life was smooth and sparkling. She took
an oath and called God and friends to wit
ness that she would be with him when the
storms arose and when the billows were
rough, and forsaking all others, she would
eleaye to him only.


Itwas an easy thing to say this, because
the man to whom she thus bound herself
was young, handsome and rich. He was
kind in disposition and domestic in his tastes.
He had nothing against him and everything
in his favor Heloved her and she loved him
after her own selfish fashion. That she
would ever be called on to make any sacri-
fee of comfort or feeling for loves sake
she never dreamed. She fancied, if she
ever thought at all about the matter, that
her married life would be one long holiday,
full of love, and pleasure and riches, such
life as her past had been when, sheltered
in her fathers house, she knew only the
bright side of existence. Young and pet
ted, thus she married, without thought
Of the true meaning of the solemn oath
she took before the altar of the church,
WIFI u6E HuulGEOuS lIleIlOlS StS hlIIlGSSGSs


At first "all went as merry as marriage
bell" There were no clouds in the matri-
monial skies-nothing but sunshine and
serenity. She was loving and happy; she
was placid and amiable because there was
no disturbing element in her home to make
her otherwise. She could not be dis
eontented or peevish amid the choice gifts
Heaven had thrown around her. 1t is so
easy to be calm and gentle when our path.
way is lined with roses and the sunshine
Sparkles overhead but when our feet
tread on the thorns, and the blacknes!
gathers around, and the storm mutters IL
fury then is the time that tries our very
soul, and it is hard to smile and be happ,
amid the trials that encompass us.


A terrible financial storm swept owe
the country, and many a rich argosy wen
down amid the dakness. One merchan
drew in another, and John Rutherfor
found himself struggling in the billow:
with no possible way of escape. Go dow
he must and 60 down he did. He failed,
despite his exertions to keep his bushes
aAoat.


As he sat in his counting house, strivin
to realize the extent of the disaster, b
thoughts naturally reverted to his youn
wife. How would he face her with tn
sad story and how would she receive it
Of course she would love him still, and eve
love him better. She would cleave to hil
more fondly and closely for the sorrow
that had overtaken him. For, he though
what is love worth if it flies when tn
storm approaches, if it shrinks back wit
dismay when the way grows dark an
dreary. This surely was not the kind
love his wife pledged him one year ag
for hafk E. IL I'll lna
part"


Seated in her luxurious home, job
Rutherford's wife looked up pleasantly
her husband came into the room. She e
claimed, merrily:


" am so glad you have come; my sist
Annie and her husband are going


Europe, and they wish us to accompaI
them. OF course we will 60, john"


She had not noticed the sad eyes tn
were looking at her with an anxior
troubled expression.


have terrible news to tell you, Mary
was the answer.


Shegrew suddenly pale. She had never h
a sorrow sorrow in her life, this young, petit
child OF fortune in whose garland OF |
there was not one withered bud.


Terrible news, Johnri,


am ruined Mary | have failed.


struggled against it, but it was no use, a


i like many others, have gone down ~


don't exactly understand you, Johl


was the reply, in tremulous tones. Y


don't mean that you have lost all yC


money!


IAN, Mary"


Why, how are we to live ?"


She was only thinking of this. TIL


was no sympathy expressed for the n


Tor whom she had left father and moth


and kindred and home. There was


one word of loving affection to fall


balm upon his troubled heart.
We must give up our luxury, Mi
and live plainly. For my sake, you vii
willing to do this" and he put his 6
lovingly around her. "All ! have no.
your love-"


She burst into passionate food of We
ing. They were not tears of sympat
but tears of keen regret for the glitter
show of wealth passing from her life.
Where was the womanly sympathy,
Wltely tenderness to which John Rut