, 1876-11-03


same table. Allow me, now, to deliver
the perplcxing mlssive to its rightful
owner
And that is me, I take it, said Her
bert Willis, laughing merrily. Here,
Bessie. You know my two friends, Will
son and Waters; and this is Mr.. Her
bert. Ny sister, Miss Willis"
Mr.. Herbert bowed, and Bessie said,
as Herbert twirled the note in his fin
gers;
/ 6 Can't you go with me, Bert?"
I " I'm afraid not, tonight, pigeon"
was the slightly hesitating answer.
Well, never mind, she said, drop
ping her wistful eyes, and loOsening her
shawl
, After few more careless, polite
words, the young gentlemen went out
/ together; but Mr.. Herbert fingered.
He spoke some pleasant words to Bes-
/ sic, and she tried to answer him with
steady voice; but she was thinking
how long and lonely the evening would
seem in her little room up stairs.
"You are disappointed?" ?" he said,
gently.
ooh, am foolish, I know; but my
brother is always so busy and happy
with his friends, he does not think of
me-"
"There is a church near here" he
said, referring to her note; "only the next
corner; let's take peep at it."
She drew up her shawl again, and
smiled gladly, not thinking if there was
any lack of conventionality in his pro-
posal. They went out like two children,
and he offered her his arm.
The church was decorated, the sweet
breath of flowers filed the air, and the
deep tones of the organ seemed to in
vite them to enter. 1t was early yet,
and few people were there. They went
in quietly, and took seat in a vacant
pew. Something in the hushed and
holy charm touched Bessie's homesick
heart, and, dropping her face upon her
hands, she wept quietly.
Itwas a curious position for a grave
and dignifed bachelor to find himself
in, sitting beside strange young lady,
hearing her sob, and yet not knowing
what comfort to offer her
Presently she raised her head and
smiled.
"Please let's go out" she said; 81
do not want to stay here any longer"
So they went out again into the cool,
Spring air; and Bessie talked of her old
home-of her mother, who was one of
the sweetest and kindest of women; of
her present loneliness, and by and by
of Herbert, her handsome, CHEEKY
brother, of whom she was so proud.
He ought to be very happy fellow
to have a sister so devoted to him, " said
the man.
Everybody loves him, twas the en-
thusiastic reply. "But, oh-and her
voice fell again-he does not know any
thing about money; he is paying out all
we have, and making no provision for
the future; he pays now more than
three pounds every week for our board,
and he ought not to"
"But what can he do9" asked Mr..
Herbert. re' +'
"I want him to take two or three
rooms unfurnished, and let me keep
house; it would give me something to
do, and be ever so much cheaper for
tus."
The man smiled ather womanly plans,
and cordially said:
Z" You are right, child, very right.
Meanwhile, what is your brother do
ng2"
II do not know" she said, in very
low voice; 4" 1 am afraid not much of
anything"
"Well, we will see about that" was
the reply; ''but there is house in Fort
street, where the people are going
away on the first of May, and some one
must stay there during their absence.
There is a good housekeeper there, and
you and your brother canh have whatever
rooms you please"
"Oh, SIR" interrupted Bessie, are
you in earnest? Can we really have a
homer"
2" Certainly, child; and I do not won
der you long fora home after your iso-
lated life in that great hotel; but, to tell
you the truth, I went from the Fort
street house down there to board, be-
cause I was so confoundedly tired of
parties and receptions, and fummery
that did not care straw for. 1 will
go back, and take my old room for the
Summer"
"Can your Win your friends be
willingP"
The man laughed.
"My friends never dictate to me, he
said; "but we are talking too much
business for Sunday"
The girl grew thoughtful again, but
when they went up the steps together,
and parted at the door, her face was ra-
diant with a new light. She was going
to have new home-she and Herbert.
The great house was beautiful to look
upon, but the upper story had never
been furnished. Here Bessie set up her
household shrine, and gathered her
| home-like treasures about her. And