Pearl's Three Lovers

r'f4-rW arÉTaret r-:'.v' &í utlí moncl was tlie Lfcynyw-, daughter of an AfV WCS intelligent well 'S 4k ISSsÈ-aSèsér to do farmer in ly)1 r5yIp the Empire tSPïï-ao state; a farmer d,g and delve as did his ancestors, but one vvho, by reading and study, enlightened his mimi. enablinfi him to improve on the old routine and to strike out new rotations in seeding and planting-, which made his old fashioned neig-hbors shake their heads and predict failure; but somehovv the failures did not coine. Ile was prosperous; his herds increased; his buildings and farm impruved, and he plainly demonstrated that scientifie farmintr was not a humbug. Very fair and pretty, yes, and modest withal, was his only daughter. He called her Pearl when 'she was only a wee, toddling thing-, so when shegrew up so wondruus fair, the name seemed so appropriate that it clung to her. Her edueation, though mostly a.cquired at the "district school," would put to the blush many a gradúate at Madame Kiank's seminar-,'. Apt to learn, her teachers took pride in illuminatinn- so bright a mind; and when at the ag'e of seventeen she left school, to be her tnother's pupil in domestic affairs, she was indeed an ornament to societv - a pearl of the purest type, whose charras were acknowledged by all. We shall not attempt to describe her person, for though made up of a thousand charras, her chief attraetion was an indescribible sweetness, in manners and disposition, which beamed out in kindnesa andlove-for her fnends, of all ages, sexes, and conditions. Pearl Eaymond was scarcely out of Bhort frocks when admiring swains began toeourt her favor. The newesb books and choieest flowers were presented by her adorers. Stlll, Pearl did not grow vain, nor indulge in fiirtations. Many callers had they f rom fashion, rank and wealth, who came rather to patronize the Raj'monds, but went away feeling "cheap," to use a slang word. Farmer Kaymond's daughter was not awed or eaptivated by the proud dames or their exquisite son, and did not seem at all arixious to court their favor. She, like her parents, wa# polite and friendly to all. Matters continued thus until Pearl was 19, when the strife to win her became exciting' and earnest to three of lier suitors. The rest stood back and admired at a distance. One was Thad Marsden, n mülionaire, who had no business, but managed to kill time by dashing from sea side tö the mountains and springfs in summer, while in winter he attended operas and germans during the week, and going regularly tochureh, attendiag properly to the responses on Sunday. At a picnic he met Pearl Raymoncl, and her matchless grace and loveliness completely eaptivated the hitherto indifferent Adonis. He raved of her charms in rhyme and blank verse; sent scores of perfumed notes; sealed and stamped thera with the family crest - sent soiue of them by mail, some by his liveried servants, and the remainder he took in persou. He took her to drive in his handsome turn-out, and endeavored to impress her with the honor done her, bilt he only succeeded in inaking lier laugh, and he wasn't sure that her merriment was not at his expense. He flattered himself. however, that when he offered to make her Mrs. Thaddeus Marsden, he wouldn't have to wait Ion? for her consent. He could piek and choose from all the belles in town, and, surely this rustic beauty, as he called her, would be only too piad to accept. There was only one hindrance, which was in the persou of Hairy Wells, a promising lawyer in town. He fflarry) was very elegant, very popular, very agreeable in mannêr and person, while his conversational powers quite threw the miilionaire in I the shade. Many thought ihs lawyer j would win, but that was only a I mise, as l'carl kept her own counsel. To be sure Harry had obtained a high standing among the legal fraternitv, while h;s clients were numerous I and his fees large. He was altogether j a leading young man, and ït was prophesied he would make his mar.;. There was at times a little too mueh hilarity and dash about hiin, while at other times there was a very nooiceable dullness. The truth was he drank wine and sometiines when urged, stronger drinks. "Itcannotbe avoided you know," he said, when his frienda ramónhtrated with him. "I onlv taste a little with clients " Harry was assiduous in his attentions to Pearl Eaymond, and made himself very agreeable to her mother, but the clear-headed farmer was observant, and cautioned his daughter not to be in haste to leave home, nor to eng-age herself to any one that made use of iutoxicating beveruge-s. If Parmer Kayrnond had only known how matte ra stood, he needed not to hint to Pearl of Harry Wells' increasing fondness for stiinulants Economy- A pleaeure-slíter. She knew his weakness long before, and was grieved for Mm. When the city swell had been missed, Harrv laiil fresh siege, and hoped to win Psarl. If we.ilth had no attractioiis for her, perhaps she was ambitious. He was aira ing high, and hoped to place himself the noblest in the land. He surprised her by whispering his aims and wishes in her ear, but vv;is eoolly ' thauked for Mr. Thaddeus Marsden and Young L iwyer Wells vvere so much taken up with their own particular aims and hopes, that they never suspeeted that Pearl Kaymond was havlng a little heart afFair oL her own in another quarter; but it was even so, and here is the sequel. Everett Kandolph, a fine, athletic, healthy young farmer, whose land adjoined the liavmond's, and who had been Pearl's assistant and champion at school, and her tirm friend ever af ter, had grone on from liking to loving his pretty neighbor and sehoolmate. He saw her courted and caressed by the world of fashion, whieh sunk his hopes below zero. lt was of no use, he thought, to let her know how he adored her- no use for him to compete with the wealth and talent olïered at her shrine. And yet h s steps often led to her home, where he was always welcomed and kindly received. He kept on inaking friendly calis, and. like the silly moth, continued to singe his wings by dai.y interL-onr.se with the beloved of his soul. Now, Pearl really lined Harry as j a neiirhbor, as a taiented aud gent friend, wilh wlioin she enjoyed discussing the world of literature. He was a friend, nothing more. When he urged Ler to take time, and not make her decisión final, sbe answered with tearful eyes, and begged him to forget his proposal, as she could not give him encouragement to hope for auy other answer. At sight oï her agitatiou and tears he was greatly moved, and asked what was the reason she could not bid him hope. "Is it not po'sible," said he, "that your feelings may turn in my favor?" "No, Harry, weeanaot beaughtbut friends. But, oh!" said she, falteringly, "if I might but speak my fears for you, if I only dared teil you how distressed I am when I hear of your increasing use of intoxieating drinks. Please, oh, please leave me now! Break off the habit at once, while you are slill able to resist. It may soon i be too late. Promise me, Harry." The tears trickled down her cheeks, unchecked during thisappeal. Harry Wells looked at first surprised, then angry, and suddenly observed, as he took his leave, that he ■was no child to be walched over and reprimanded for occasionally taking a social glass with a friend. He was much obliged for the interest feit, but deelined the further interference of his friends. He was irritated and annoyed, and coolly bade herírood-night. " A great sorrow carne to Everett Kandolph. His mother was suddenly removed by death, and when he buried her v the side of the father whom he lost in childhood, he feit bereft of all. The Eaymonds Iried to cneer him up by sending often to have hiin meet company at their house. They suuceeded by degiees in drawing him away from his melancholy. His attention was excited by the kindness and tenderness of Pearl, who was so mindful of his bereavement and loneliness. Was he mistaken? Did not her eyes speak to his? And did not the tell-tale blush, when he addressed her, show at least an interest in him? He began to hope - began to read in Pearl's downcast eyes something that nearly set him wild with joy. He could scarcely believe it, but so it was. He proposed and was accepted. People wondered a little that she had not chosen the miliionaire in preference to a simple farmer. Those, however, who were acquainted with the subject of her choice were convinced of the wisdom of her decisión. After ten years, let us look again on the characters in this life drama. Thad Marsden, the millionaire. had lost the bulk of his riches at tho frlambling-table. Wiih him "mortg-ages"and "foreclosures" were the order of the day. His bloated face and bleared eyes told the sad story of h s misspent life. Harry Wells, went to the far West, where he for a time abstained f rom intoxicating' drinks, and business was thriving-. Uut, alas! he feil, and, with shame be it recorded, his lady friends were the cause, lie had resolved to keep the pledge unbroken, but on New Year's day he was urged - -ves, pressed - to drink wines, and when once he yielded, the burning1 detire for stimulants overturned all his good resolutions. a-nd he soon lost all selfrespect, and sank in the depths of drunken wretchedness.