Middletown transcript., 1870-03-05

into the fur-lined sleigh at the door. anc
swiftly it sped homeward. Her fit of in
sensibility, produced by exhaustion, ant
distress, was long one, and when sh,
awoke to consciousness, warmth and ligh
were around her-while at the table, OF
which was spread comfortable meal, sa
tamlshed little Lucy, eating to her hearts
content-her head was pillowed on the
breast of DR.. Hunter and his arms enfold.
ed her. Blushingly she sought to with.
draw from his embrace, but bending ten.
derly over her he whispered:
"No darling; lie close to my heart shell
tered by my love. No more poverty, no
more sorrow, if you will only give me the
right to shield you from it, dear one."
Trembling with happiness unspeakablc
Mary hid her face against his shoulder
but gently turning toward him, he looked
down into the depths of her wonderful
eyes, and reading there how fully his love
was returned, pressed fervent kiss upon
her lips, and rising, led her to her mother
for her consent to and blessing on their
union.
The clock struck ten, and the doctor
said with fond glance at Mary:
Il must leave you now, to keep my
appointment with the heiress. She must
display my darling's work at the ball to-
night or die of vexation."
The expectant fair one waited half an
hour for her tardy escort, but no look of
anger crossed her beautiful face, no dis
cordant notes marred the harmony of the
soft, sweet tones with which she chided
DR.. Hunter for his want of punctualty.
1t was just one month since the night
of Mrs. Erlston's ball. In that time DR..
Hunter had bought and furnished an ele-
giant residence on Fifth Avenue. He was
weary of single life, he told his friends,
and was preparing a cage for the bird of
his choice. Invitations were out for grand
house-warming. at which the world should
know the selected bride Of ''the best match
in the city"
Every one fixed their eyes on the belle
of the season, and were confident that the
charming heiress, to whom of late he had
been paying marked attention, was the en-
wed one.
Guardy," she said to Mr. II as she
stood before the glass ARRANGING ~ grace
full ringlets. "You will not have me on
your handsmuch longer"
Disappointed once Ella, you may be
again. Still, you may wake me, if you
come home engaged to Dr. Hunter"
The rooms were crowded, as Ella, su-
perbly dressed, swept into the splendid
hall she expected soon to call her own.
Many curious eyes were upon her as she
passed with queenly grace to the reception
room, and reached the spot where the host
stood, with lady beside him, in bridal
attire, "lovely as poets dream"
She started, turned pale, but recovering
her self-possession, advanced; while he,
holding out his hand, greeted her as a
friend, then leading her gently forward
presented her to his BRIDE
Stupefed she gazed in the face of Mary
Grey, the despised seamstress then striv-
ing to gasp out congratulations, uttered an
hysierical shrek, and tainted away. She
had indeed met an unexpected rival, and
the shock of seeing the child of poverty
elevated to the position her ambitious hopes
had led her to believe would be her own,
was too much even for pride to conceal.
Mary, ever considerate, came to her side
at is the heat" she said to the inquis-
itive crowd "Do take her to the conser-
vatory, and leave her with me-"
Need l describe the recovery, the shame,
the remorse, on the one side; the charity
which thinketh no evil, and forgives all
things, on the other?
The heiress returned home humbled and
saddened, having learnt lesson that
night never to be forgotten.
She did not, as may be imagined, awake
her guardian; nor did he wonder when he
read the morning papers of the surprise
DR.. Hunter had prepared for his friends.
Comfort and happiness soon restored the
invalid mother to health, and rounded the
form Of little Lucy.
To Mary, life flows on like fairy dream
brighter far by contrast with the past and
we need hardly add that DR.. Hunter has
never ceased to bless the night of the storm
in which he opened his arms and heart to
take into their warm shelter the poor un-
paid seamstress, Mary Grey.
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