The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-12-09

you know. Phil'S father was my most
intimate friend, and the children were
naturally brought up together. Last
spring Phil, who trusts me aS If ! were
his mother, begged my leave to ask Amy
to be his wife, She paused moment,
Miss Ashurt said nothing, only leaned
forward little and listened, - told
him that Amy was so young that he had
better wait Il few months before he said
wish hadn't,'
81 don't know why. 1t might have
been better. Since that time Phil has
seen n woman Il little older far more
beautiful, than my little girl, richer in
all that life has to give, but not richer rs
far as he is concerned, for she has no
love to give him, and Amy has. If she
had, if she could, should notspcak, If
did not know that she is Us true and rs
good as She is beautiful, ! should not
speak. As it is, | do"
"My dear Mrs Mauun thank you,"
said Miss Ashurst, rs hlst " Gou were
right to speak have made mischief,
but without knowing it, You are sure
of that, ! hope.
am sure Of it,
Phil is charming person | like
him extremely, and Of course ! saw that
hc-likcd me. But never thought Of
it as n serious thing. A great many Other
people have felt the same, and have got
ten over il"
"Phil will gct over it also. He ha,
loved you but three weeks and Amy
three years 1t is a glamour, which will
wear of.
Miss Ashurst smiled still, but les
brightly. 1t is not pleasant to be agreed
with 50 cordially in matters Of this kind,
"Ycs,' she said cit is, as you say a
glamour. 1t will disappears as | disappear.
And the sooner that disappearance takes
place the better. shall have letter
this evening which will obligc me to
leave you day after tomorrow viii
that do ~
"My dear Miss Ashurst, my dear kins
woman, believe me when | say that ] an
truly sorry that anything must make yol
90. You are what thought, what
trusted, and | thank you with all my
heart"
"And / thank you for trusting me,
replied Miss Ashurst.
But after she went up stairs her lace
changed. Long she stood at the window
looking out at the dim-tintcd sea.
at has been very nice, she whispered
A., Lor,olc ,t last +" Rui ihiS il foolish
must 90 TO bed
Miss Ashurst's letter of recall came
and ON the day fixed she left. Amy
dazcd, as it were, by this sudden de
parturc, rcproachcd herself heartily 70
feeling glad. This reproach dccpcnc'
into rcmorsc when, the farcwcllS spokcl
and the beautiful radiant presence van
ishcd, she found her walls and table orna
mcntcd with good-hy gifts. There wcr
the photographs she had most admired
the books, even the Madonna ivory
painted and vcIvct-swung, all left 10
her bv her swcct-hcartcd rival. A mis-
of pcntcnt tears dimmcd her eyes; bu
in spite of pcntcncc and of tears, she wa
clad. For Phil, the rattle OF the wheel
which bore his charmcr away was like
the sound which breaks sharply into som'
fantastic dream,
MctaphoricalIy speaking, he rubbcc
his ewes. For day or two he huns
about, vacant and IstIcss; then h
reused, as dcsirouS to pick up droppc'
threads again. somehow Amy was NOR
difficult of approach than of yorc.
little veil rested between them. She W.
not always to bc had when wanted. W
value what we work for, what we hol
with some trembling sense Of insecurity
As weeks went on, Phil grew to prlz
AMY more than ever. The knowlcdg
that he had half lost her intensified h
love. 1t required months to win h
way back to the old place. But at last
"And you are quite, quite sure tn
YOU care most for mc?' whispered Am
saucily the night after their cnga9
t mcnt. -,
= Most? Altogether, you mean. The
j. is no other"
r "Not even Miss AshurSt?" :"
y "Not even Miss AshurSt; though
d and Phil lifted his cap as before que
v - she is sumner, u real lady, eve
;. inch of her. and as good As she Is beau
d full. Bless her!'
& And bless her, say we.