, 1876-06-30
Dead Mems Shoes.
WHAT CANE OF s1BrL's EXPECTATIONS.

teel garments is walking alone IN Ine
December twilight on Battersea bridge,
attentively reading letter from home
or place she called home two years
ago. When her father died, leaving her
and her sisters penniless, her uncle,
Robert Faunthrope, an humble parish
physician in the country town OF Red,
castle, had adopted them and devoted
himself to their interest. He now writes
to her that her mothers brother,
Stephen Trenchard, has returned 10
England after a thirty years absence IN
India, and established himself IN orlen-
tai splendor at Lancaster Lodge, Red
castle. Her uncle Robert advises her
40 beg months holiday from her en-
ployers. and to spend Christmas with
him. and adds: "No doubt if you do
come your uncle Stephen will ask you
TO live with him and keep house for
him. He has something like million
10 leave behind him, and with such a
man well disposed toward you, your
teaching days ought to be over"
"My teaching days" bitterly repeats
the young woman, were heaven 70
what have come after.
1t is only a year since she was Sc
cretly married TO the son of her uncle
Stepben's deadiest foe-a young man
with no money except the proceeds OF
the sale of his commission in the army
Without trade or profession he has
searched in vain for employment, and
now they are suffering the most pinch
ing poverty. 80, :.
The young wife hides the letter IN
her bosom, hurries back to their humble
lodging, and busies herself in prePar-
ing the evening meal. Presently her
husband enters, but with the weary,
hopeless look of one who has been dis
appointed with the world and expects no
comfort from home.
Seeing that his wife eats nothing, he
says tenderly;
"Poor little Sibyl, how pale and i'll
you look. 1 wish there was something
to tempt your appetite"
"I could not eat the most exquisite
dinner that was ever cooked ; but there
is something that dowant very much. ="
"You ought to have every wish graft
fed now what is it, darling?"
al want ten pounds, Alex" Lean
ing over his shoulder she whispered
something in his ear at which he smiles
sadly and exclaims: "I'm a brute
never TO have thought Of it. You want
10 buy clothes for the poor little beggar
who will make his appearance before the
lambs bleat in the meadows. You shall
have the money il 1 have to beg for it. ."
The next day he is able to hand Sibyl
the money, which he borrowed from
Dick Powder, q humble artist, who
knew him in his more prosperous days.
She seems pleased, but when he returns
at night he finds her gone and letter
tells him that she is tired Of the con-
tinued struggle with poverty, and that
she believes both Will be more prosper
ous apart. She, however, assures him
that in severance as in union, she will
ever remain his loyal wife.
A few weeks later thelumbering stage
stops before DR.. Faunthorpe's gate o
carpet bag only is handed down from
the roof, and the next instant Sibyl is
sobbing on her uncle's shoulder.
He presses her head tenderly and
looks in the pale, wan face.
tWhy, darling, how i'll you look
how changed-how thin r
"rve had so much hard work, uncle,
abe answers family "but thank God !
am at home at last.
Her beauty and gentle manners please
Stephen Trenchard and she finds her
self installed mistress Of his elegant
mansion. ~
Two years pass away. She keeps the
secret Of her marriage. Memory and
regret arc woven into her life, but con-
science is lulled to sleep with the be-
lief that it viii be an easy matter to rec
oncila her husband after she becomes
possessed Of her uncle's wealth, for
which she thinks she has not long to
wait.
Meantime Alexis, failing to find any
trace Of his wife, gets clerkship in
AustrRlia, earning a respectable living
and golden opinions from his employ
ers. At the end Of this time he returns
10 England to renew the search for his
wife and child.
Whilepursuing hispurpose the knowl-
edge accidentally reaches him that q
distant relative has left him fortune.
At last he finds Sibyl, but she chooses
10 share her uncle's wealth rather than
endure poverty with Alexis, who has
said nothing 70 her Of his altered for
tunes. She tells him that their child, q
son, died week after its birth. Angry
and disappointed, Alexis establishes
himself upon his estate at Winchester,
resolved 70 forget the false-hearted wife
who so cruelty deserted him in his great
est need. Some months later he is
thrown from his horse and nearly killed,
but is nzrsed back to life at the house
Of the village miller. The miller has
an adopted boy about three years old who
is proved beyond doubt to be Alexis
son. eeq