Year: 1873


he said, suddenly, "Mr. Palmer has told
me OF your generous wishes, Miriam, with
regard to money. / cannot consent ia
this. In time, l may prove how entirely
l disregarded wealth when my offer was
made to you. 1t is true, we must have
waited longer before l could offer you q
home, but l will win my way to fortune
yet"


He lifted his young, noble head MS he
spoke, tossing the dark curls from such a
frank, manly face, SO full of brave, bright
resolution, that Miriam wondered in her
heart how any one could look into his eyes
and suspect him of one mercenary thought
or desire.


She said nothing in answer to his i'm.
petuous speech, only smiled, and nestled
her hand into his. She was not caress-
ing woman-rather coy in her sweet maid
en- dignity; but where she gave love and
confidence, she gave them fully and freely.


The days of their betrothal sped rapidly.
During the day Wilton stood at his desk,
lingering over massive ledgers, and dream
ing of future happiness, and Miriam selec-
ted her house, furnished it, and kept dress
makers, seamstresses and milliners busy.
She had no objection to her step-father's
wish to have the house and furniture set
tied upon herself, but was resolute about
the remainder of her large fortune being
left subject to the control of her future
husband.


Busy days were followed by happy even
ings. The young people were favorites in
society, and friends would insist upon the
special festivities to celebrate the betrothal.
The quiet home evenings were pleasant
beyond these, when two loving hearts
learned to read each other, while Wilton
loved more deeply every day, Miriam was
giving such respect to his worth and man.
illness as made her future look brighter
every day.


But the days of betrothal were short,
A gay wedding, a happy tour, and the
young people came home to settle down in
the handsome new house as quiet married
folks.


Two years Of happiness followed. vii.
ton was rapidly rising in the esteem Of
business men-having purchased his posi-
tion of junior partner in the firm of Myers
Il Co., at Miriam's earnest request. But
although attentive to his business, he was
no mere drudge seeking money as the only
end and aim of life.


Miriam found him ever willing escort
to party, ball, or the opera, and the home
evenings were given to music, or reading
or such bright intellectual intercourse as
had its power of mutual attraction before
their marriage.


There were sage people who shook theiI
heads over the young wife's extravaganza
but Wilton seemed most happy when she
was gratifying some new whim or desire
and she had never known the need fol
economy. Money had always been at her
command, and there was no new restraint
upon her expenditure. For fine dress she
cared but little, though she was tasteful
and her costumes were always rich and
appropriate but she was generous and
charitable, loved to collect exquisite triAes
of art around her, patronized rising artists
and found no difficulty in exhausting hel
liberal income each year.


1t was during the third year of hel
married life Miriam began to find cloud
upon the former bright happiness of hel
life. Wilton was changed In these three
words the loving heart Of the young wife
summed up all her forebodings. He had
been the sunlight of her life, loving, ten
der, and thoughtful; but it became evi
dent to her that some absorbing interes,
was gradually winning him more and NOR,
from her side.


Evening after evening he left her on on,
pretext or another, oftentimes staying
away from her till long after midnight
His sleep became restless and broken, ant
some absorbing care kept his face pale, hi
eyes clouded, his manner grave There
was no unkindness to complain Of Miri.
am met ever tender caress, a loving word
but she went alone if she sought society
she missed the pleasant home intercourse
and strange, dull fear, crept into her
heart Wilton was becomming misery


He denied her nothing, but would some
times sigh heavily if she challenged hi
admiration of some new dress or orna
ment, and it was evident he was curtail
ing his personal expenses to the meres
necessities. Too proud to complain, Mir
lam suffered silently, praying that she
might not learn to despise her husband al
mere money-making machine. AT first
she endeavored to win his confidence, bu
he kindly evaded her inquiries, and sh,
made no further efforts.


But her home grew distasteful, missin,
companionship that had made the hour
there hy SO swiftly. She had never fell
household cares, trusting everything to al
experienced house-keeper. She had nj
children to awaken mother love and care
so she plunged into fashionable follies, ant
tried to forget her loneliness. Never hat
her toilets been chosen with more fault
less taste; never had her beauty been NOR,
marked than It now become; and sh,
sought for excitement as she had neve
done in the first happy years of her mar