The Newtown bee., 1877-10-11

and jealous old woman, too. who had al- ready resolved that the day which should transplant this flower of girlhood into her home should sever her connection with the good people" to whom Mrs. McIlvane signissd her desires with affa- ble cOndescenson. And 90 Mona passed from the humble home circle into the sphere of wealth, fashion and splendor, where Mrs. McIlvane was proud to in- troduce her protege
 The freshness and sweetness which had charmed her pa,roness had power to charm the world--st least tha; part of the world which was embodied in Mark Chantrey.
 Mrs. McIkaae looked on well con- tent.
 Mark was her ideal of perfection as nearly as it might be attained among mankind.
 You do not &show how to appreciate the honor of his attentions at half their worth," she declared, annoyed that No na seemed 80 little impressed. "lie is a man who mas been free from the foibes ofmost men ; he has never amused him self by paying idle homage to women, and believe he is 1a0se capable of 8 deep attachment that he has been so en. tirely untouched during all the years when he might have chosen amoRg the very flowers of our belles."
 "It argues either very poor taste or a very absorbed mind on his part" an- swered Mona.
 But in her secret heart she was fiatter. ed by Chantrey's preference.
 She had an honest liking for the man, and enough feminine malice to enjoy a triumph which was so widely envied her and yet it would be unjust to Mona to say that she coquetted with him deliber. ately.
 She had never stopped to snalyze her own feelings, whsu she MAS suddenly faced by the crisis which others had foreseen while she had only vaguely felt that it come Mark Chantrey had asked her to become his wife.
 She Sat in her own room thinking it out"
 She was troubled, weary and op- pressed.
 She had Roberts picture before her, the still tsoyish face, thinner, paler than it should have been from overwork, the brown eyes wistful and tender as she had often met them.
 Could she, after once tuking the de. lights of wealth, ever willingly relin. quish the advantages it held. and go back contentedly to the old, humble lot, with it's struggles and it's privations.
 Little by little her trouble died out before growing resolution, but some. how one-half of the sweetness seemed to have died, too, from the fair young face.
 The next day was one of respite. She would not see Mark until evening: then she would meet him and give him his answer.
 Mrs. McIlvane was never guilty of making an early aprearance. and il argued ill for Ar. Chsntrey's i,npaticnce as lover that he was not present when Nona's eyes sought him in the throng.
 When he did come he did not inmedi. a;ely join her. He was m close couver. sation with the editor of a leading paper and as they drifted near her she oyer. heard the latter say "His articles were noticeable from the first in their marked originality and real merit. In securing young Rodman we have made an important acquisition. tell you he is q rising genius destined to make his mark" @ "Yes," assented MT. Chantrey, and as his interest in the subject Jagged he turned towards the spot where Nons had stood, but she was not there now.
 She had found an obscure corner and hidden herself in the shadows.
 Ambition and gratifed vanity had almost urged her to accept man fo' whom her deepest feeling was friendly regard. -...-.--..=
 She knew il now that her pulses were thrilling and heart beating high with the prids of hearing Robert spoken of in such terms of praise. And realizing her own needs and capabilities. she fell that life held grander possibilities than the empty honor of wifehood with one who had overcome all the obstacles in his course and attained the placid leve of success in which his best efforts wert already expended.
 Chantrey found her there, and while it would he most unjust to say he did moi feel her gentle but unmistskable declcn sion of his suit keenly and sincerely, he was not man to iet disappointment ir love make any difference in the routine of his daily life.
 And Mona walked in upon the Rod man circle next evening just as if had l been made complete.