Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1881 — LOVE OR MONEY. [ARTICLE]

LOVE OR MONEY.

. "Which shall it be" Violet Vane stood at her window as khe asked herself this question, wbil - ber dark eyes roamed over the scene » before her. A dreary scene, surely. Broad fields from which the harvest had long since been gathered, even the aftermath; nothing now i enjoined save the bristling stubble, upion which the autumn rain was falling—drip.drip.drip. Overhead, a dull, gray sky, with She sun slowly dying in the, west; under foot, soddeD gray earth. The whole world seemed robed la that one, somber oolor. And to that young girl who stood •here, her eyes sweeping impatiently over it all, it seemed the dreariest picture in the world. : She was young and had beauty; the heart within her throbbed with ambitions desires and longings; she wanted © rise up above the sordid, common surroundings, and get within her prop- • er sphere. She longed for wealth and luxury; her beauty craved a costly setting; yet she was but a poor farmer’s daughter, and lived in an ancient red farm house, in the midst of gray, old cornfields, from whence the green had fled. It seemed to her, standing there Wearily. a&« though the green-would nkver corns beck again, the arure to the skies,-Or the so? gto the bird. Yet she wa* deciding a momentous question that day, and one which was destined to aflect and her future life. It was this: . , i Arholl Lee, a millionaire, had asked her to become his wife. But he was old, and gray, and wrinkled, and her heart belonged to another—RiCfikrd Lyle. But Richard was as p<n»r as she * was, and—and the glltteijuig bait ul.i -h th 6 old aiah held out was very tempting. Violet was tired of poverty and the * Cbnst&nt battle agftihst the ills of this f life. She wanted to get away from it all; she lorged to live in a palace, and wear silks and jewels, aud have all the money sb? desired. And all this could be gained by saying yes to Arnold Lee! But how could she? How could she wrench from her hfart the love which occupied tt, aud glorified her life with alj the glories of a pure and innocent affection, and bind herself to this grim Old man for the sake of his gold? Yet Richard was so dreadful poor! Violet’s' heart sank as she remembered ik all. And she must decide quickly, for in twro hour?' time Arnold I,ee would borne for an answer.* "Violet!” The girl turnpd Li see lier mother standing beside her—a retful, complaining woman. who had spent her daily life in bew.-iiliug their poverty. “Well, Violet,” she went on, "have you made up yeur mind? To think that you should ask for time to decide such a matter! Why, girl, I should think you would be so gratified st Mr. Lee’s proposal that you would tell him yes without a moment's delay.” "Mother, do you really advise me to marry that old man ju*t for his ruonev when you kuow that Richard and I • are— ’’

‘ You are not really engaged,” interrupted her mother hastily. "No, thank heaven! and the understanding betareen you. such as it U, ciu oe easily settled. Violet, I want von to uiarry Mr. Jjee; you can’t atlord to refure him > Why, it will save you aud as all from the depths of misery. Tell Lira ves. Violet.” She left the room and Violet to her myn meditations. A defiant look flashed into the girl’s clear eyes. “I will not!” she cried, sett lug her white teeth hard together, aud clenching her little hand tierceJy, “I will "not marry that old man ! I have decided at last! Poverty with Richard Lyle is preferable to a life of gilded misery!” A tall across the sodden fields met her gaze-the color flamed up into hen cheeks, her eyes shone with a dewy light. “Dear Ricliard she whispered to herself, ‘»he is coming; I will meet him and tell Idm all!” As she spoke the slow rain ceased falling and a single blue streak ar» peared in the skv. Throwing a waer{>roof cloak about h«r, she open'd a ow window and stepped over the si l Gathering her skirts about her, she darted forward, across the door-yard, and met her lover at the gate. 1 Ob. she crii-d, stopping short, * I want to tell you!—” Bhe paused in shy con'usion. •'You have decided, /my darling?” he whi-pered; “well, Violet, which shall it be—love or gold?” Bhe slipped her little hand in his, and the sbifciug color came and went in her fair cheek. “Love, Richard!” she murmured, softly. “I shall not marry that old man—they cannot force me to do it!” For a long time the two conversed together in low tones, and at last they went away togetbei through the gathering twilight down the village lying prim and silent in the evening shadows. upgj And when tfcrv had returned !<• i.,e old farm house Violet was Richard Lylo’s wif \ Quietly she slipped into the house, and upstairs to her own room. She had hardly lain aside her cloak and changed her dress when her mother appeared. “\ijlet!” she began querulously, “make baste, can’t you? Mr. Lee has been wailing for you down-stairs for you the last half hour. Have you made up yrur mind? 1 ’ * • Violet's face crimsoned. “Yes,” she answered, softly, her eyes elhuiug with the light of love, “I have made up my miud!” Mrs. Vane caught her m her “God ble«» you, ray child!” she cried; for to her heart there was but one decision ixjsdlle; “nc w we shall know no . qre poverty—no more piuchiug and turning to get along in the world! You have saved us, Violet !” 4 But Violet had np words to utter. What would her ’oarents sav when they knew what eh/ nad done? She went down-stairs and entered the shabby little parlor, \fdth its dingy cari>et and old-fashioned furniture. Mrs* Vane, sitting there, was already turning over in her mind a hubdred pi ins for the future. They should have a new house, new, soft carpets and fine furniture, and live and Lecome people of wealth and position. Hbe glanced up as Violet entered, and her heart misgave her as she observed the girl’s cheeks and frightened • r She arose as tho to leave the

Old Farmer Vane, who had come in t > entertain their distinguished visitm until Violet should Appear, arose also. But Violet motioned to her parents to remain. "Don't go,” she cried, her sweet vcioe trembling a little; "I have nothing to say which I cannot say in the Ceaence of my lather and mother. Mr. e.” she added, turning abruptly to the old millionaire, who had risen and stood before her deferentially, "you have done me the honor to ask my band in marriage. Of course, with the disparity between us, there could be no question of love; it would, therefore, be but a mere sordid tiausaction, In which I became your wife for the sake of the wealth aud position I would then enjoy."' "Violet!” cried Mrs. Vane, in unfeigned consternation. "Listen, Mr. Lee, 1 have weighed this matter well in my mind. I assure you, sir, I have given it long and anxious deliberation, aud I have decided.”

Mrs. Vane caught her breath with a quir k gasp of surprise as Violet paused. “I cannot be your wife, Mr. Lee,” the sweet voice went On. "I do not love and I cannot barter my liberty for wealth. Besides I love another; it was love against gold, you see, and I have chosen—love! This evening I become' the wife of Richard Lyle. Father—mother—forgive me for the step I have taken; indeed I meant not to cause iyou pain; but I love him and lam his wife.” But Mrs. Vane refused to be comforted. All the fair visions of the happy future which gold would bring to them vauished now, and the castle of cards tumble over. . .

“I will never forgive you, you wicked, deceitful girl!” sue cried. "You have ruined the happiness of your father add mother.” Arnold Lee now turned to the hate woman. "Do not reproach Violet, Mrs. Vane,” be said, gently, "she has a right to her own choice, uutrammeled by my wishes or desires.” He opened the outer door and beckoned to someone without. “Come in Richard!” he said, "and let me explain all this. Listen, good friends;” and as Richard entered and stood at Violet's side, silence fell upon the litle group aud the old man continued : *

"I love Violet; Indeed, who could help it?'But I am very old, and I was well aware that if she chose me it could not be for love, but only lot the sake of the wealth which I could bestow on her. I scon found out another Unng—that she and Kichard Lyle lowed each oilier and that J/4 is worthy of her. So I took him ilto my confidence. I said that we would pit Violet to the test—we would give her a choice between fove and gold, if she decided to be my wife I would do all in my ]>ower to render her happy. But if on the other hand, love was triumphant and she became the wife ofßichard Lyle I agreed to settle’ upou tbs young man SIOO,OOO to be hisoWu w hen Violet became his wife. This was oilr.own secret; Violet knew nothing of it. She has chosen wisely. She has pereferred truth jto a life which would have been but a long deceptiou. She is Richard’s wife, acu I congratulate them both. And I now aunounce Violet aud Richard Lyle as my heirs. I am alone in the world; I am very old and cannot live long; when God sees fit to take me away I shall leave all my earthly possessions to them jointly.” And the .old man kept his word. While he lived he was the best and truest friend to the youthful pair whom he had so truly befriended; 5 and when he died and was laid away to rest, his will named Violet 'and Richard Lyle sole heirs to his immonse wealth; because they loved each other and were ■worthy, ami her true heart had chosen love instead of gold. And Mrs. Vane's hopes were realized after all; ami the castle of which she lmd so fondly dreamed was.built; but it bus substantial brown stone front. And they all lived to bless the day when Violet had chosen so wisely. ' For, no matter what specious reasoning may ha used to combat the truth, gold, wuich is a very good thing in itself, is nothing if you have not love.