There had been no love in the match, so
far as she was concerned;--she was an orphan,--poor,--lonely, and
pretty.

She was only a weaver, and not very expert, yet she managed to make
sufficient to pay her board and to keep herself well dressed, for the
position she occupied, and her beauty,--for she was very beautiful, and
her natural taste enabled her to present an appearance so much superior
to those with whom she was in daily contact, that many envied her, and
some looked askance at her, and shook their heads, and predicted evil to
come.

Some one had dubbed her 'the Factory Belle,' but she never resented what
many would have considered insults or slights, but kept on in her own
innocent, yet attractive and attentive way, and commanded a certain
amount of respect even from those who were secretly her enemies.

No one would for a single moment suspect that she was a widow, for not
only was she so young, but looked even younger. That her husband had
worshipped her was not difficult of belief, and that she had been to him
a kind, fond wife was indisputable;--her gratitude for his kindness and
his self-sacrifices to secure her happiness had been such, that if she
did not love him with the blind infatuation of youth's fond dream, she
respected him, and he was first in her then unawakened affections.

When he was suddenly stricken down with a fell disease which was at that
time ravaging many of the towns in the West Riding, she nursed him
faithfully, and when he died,--holding her little white hand in his
brown, brawny fist, she shed the bitterest tears that had ever dimmed
her beautiful blue grey eyes.

After the last sad rites were over, she had disposed of the household
furniture, which was all he had been able to leave her, and paid every
claim that was presented, finding herself once more alone, and dependent
on her own exertions for a living.

She had plenty of sympathizing friends, and more than one would
willingly have provided for her in the hope that at some future time
they might win her for themselves, but she was of a very independent
spirit and preferred to depend on her own efforts to provide for her
wants.

She had no difficulty in obtaining employment at the weaving shed where
she had worked before her marriage; and right welcome did her fellow
workers make her, and the look of sadness which for a time clouded her
face, though it did not detract her from her beauty,--by degrees cleared
off,--her