The bee., 1877-08-23
:. never ,ried.n she answered botly.


 "I never tried" she answered hotly. "I had never been wooed, you know, so why should my love have beenwons I was poor and had been thrust upon him that might have the protection and sup ! port of rich husband, and so when tbe sad days of death and burial were over, and my mother was at rest, totd my husband that would have neither his money nor his guardianship, and that he would never see me again"
 "And yet he has placed his fortune at your disposal, and has never annoyed you by his presence He must be an ex- ceptionably considerate and noble man." Una winced at the words.
 And have never touched dollar" she returned, coldly 'nor would have done so had l been starving. It would have been egalized theft.' It is all very sad," observed the sweet,faced old lady, "but you will be happier now, for this unexpected inheri- tance will bring you rest after these years of worrying work and loneliness. You will have plenty of pleasure, and many suitors, for you are very beauti- fuL"
 And these words were prophecy of the new life that came to Maude Le Brun.
 And in all the sweet; slow, summer days that followed, she was too res.fully happy to think of the miserable tie that feltered her freedom until she met Les fer Eccles.
 She saw him first at the seaside.
 He was tall man, of kingly propor- tions, fine head and statuesque features and knightly grace of mapner. Maude Le Brun, wandering down the sands one evening in the early dusk, met him face to face, and looking into his dark thrilling eyes, Loved him with the love that Was her doom" But it was many days after that she quoted from Elaine to her own soul with a smothered gasp of pain.
 Mr. Eccles is becoming very point ed in hls attentions to you, Maude," said Mrs. Kirke, whom the heiress had taken with her as solt of chaperon or duenna. You should not permitit He is not your social equal, and--my dear, you must remember that you are not free"
 But l will be free" cried the girl passionately; T will wear my iron yoke no longer. And Lester Eecles is my equal and more--he is my superior. He is noble in everything but riches, and he is fit to be the h hdsband of queen. An mel how hate myself when think of \ what l am and then of what he believes me to be-
 But surely you will not tell him" l Everything at the proper time," in terrupted Maude, with resolution.
 The proper and elected time came very Aoon---sooner than Maude intended it should, for she had never meant to listen to words of love until she could do so with propriety, sanctioned by legal dis solution of the old mockery of a mar riage.
 1t was rare and perfect morning. She came down to the beach as usual to meet Lester Eecles.
 His dark eyes kindled as he saw her coming toward him, so brilliant in her rare, proud beauty
 She wore some black, gauzy stuff, through which hei statuesque arms and shoulders gleamed like snow; q tieecy white shawl Was wrapped carelessly about her, and there were knots of blue flowers on her bosom, and in her golden. Wind-blown curls.
 The sea dimpled and laughed in the sunshine at her dainty feet, and great purple-winged butterfly doated and Hut tered about her head.
 It is an hour for smiles and music, and happy loves, and childrens s merry gambolings, and yet I know one sad heart today observed Lester Eccles, af- ter they had walked on beyond the few scattered groups on the sand.
 " Not yours, surely ?" returned Maude inquiringly, seeing that he was grave and agitated.
 :" l have friend" he went on, unheed- ing her question, "who is saying to his hard fate this bright morning that the whole world is dark, and