TESTING ONE’S LOVE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 19, 7 May 1892, Page 480

TESTING ONE’S LOVE.

* I did but try that gentle heart of yours to prove its constancy,’ wrote a lover, after having caused the lady of his love no end of suffering by circulating a report of his death in a railroad accident. * Those unknown dead ’ had been reported after one of those dreadful accidents which fill the entire country with horror and grief. The lover was on the train, and in his selfish jealous heart he matured the foolish and cruel plan of having some of hie baggage found in the wreck, and laying no claim to it. And the wires carried the dreadful tidings to a trusting gentle heart, which was almost broken by the shock. For months she wavered between life and death, and not even the return safe and well of the loved one could charm away the shadows from her clouded mind. The cruel selfish cause of her sorrow complained and mourned over her lack of interest and her coldness, instead of benevolently carrying the cheat to a positive and honest termination and making away with himself, as after his brutal selfishness he was bound to do.

A bit of a story is told of a Spanish nobleman who loved a fair and capricious lady, and after long and patient wooing won her attention and possibly her heart—at least, whatever heart she might be supposed to have. After a grand tournament, during which the noble had distinguished himself by various feats of skill and valour, he asked the lady of his heart what he could do to prove his love for her. She drew off’ her gloves, and tossed them into the enclosure where the lions were kept. ‘ Bring me my gloves,’ was her command. At the risk of his life he brought them, knelt at her feet and gave them into her hands. Then rising he haughtily declined further acquaintance with such an inconsiderate and selfish being. ‘ True love,’ he said, ‘ would neither inflict pain upon its object or permit it to run into unnecessary dangers, much less demand the risk of a life for the gratification of a whim.’ He was right. Only selfishness and the most complete indifference to the feelings of others would permit such trifling with the tenderest sentiments of the heart.

To test the love of a friend in any way which will cause suffering or even unhappiness is the extreme of cruelty, but to practise upon the feelings of the loved one, as some engaged couples have been known to do, should be looked upon as an offence past forgiveness. No young woman should consent to give her heart and hand into the keeping of a man who will, to gratify a jealous or distrustful caprice, cause her even a moment of sorrow or suspense.