The Press., 1883-05-31
Contributed MARBLES MISFORTUNE.
BY DELLA ADELAIDE.
CHAPTER ".

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 e.@ s' CHAPTER w. au@@
 After Howard Sheldon's departure from . the store, Helen had taken herself some what to task for so readily yielding to his request for permission to call. It was Inearly five months since the two girls had taken possession of their little home, and in all that time they had received hardly a dozen callers, none of them gentlemen, with the exception of their fathers friend, MT. :Deleyan, and the gray haired organist of St. Marks, under whose tuition May was receiving daily instruction, and thro whose influence she was 0 member of 8 fashionable choir at a fair salary Being rather exclusive, they had made few ac quaintances ill their immediate neighbor. hood, and the only person with whom they had become intimate was Mrs, Gerald Gray, a clergyman's widow, who had sympathized with them in their loneliness neighborly kindness, and soon winnine their love and confidence
 Under her judicious advice Mable was fast outgrowing her envelop of selfshness and babyishness, though she would never attain the mental capacity of her sister.
 When the hour came for closing the store little Paul came to Helen's side, say. ing, "May I walk with you, please, Miss Charming? My. home is on the next street above Ashley, and wish to thank you fo1 your kindness today"
 Certainly, you may walk with me, Paul. shall be glad of your escort" said Helen, pleasantly.
 For few moments they walked in si. lence, then Paul asked:
 Miss Charming, do you think I care. lessly lost that money?" @ +F3:
 Helen hesitated; she hardly liked to say just what she believed, but presently replied-''No, Paul, I do not think you lost it, but cannot explain to you why do not think so. am very glad you are not to suffer for it's loss. <"
 "l shall tell my mother of your kind. ness Miss Charming. I am sure she will feel very grateful" "
 ssYes, Paul, but here we are at home. Will you not come in ?"
 'Not this evening, Miss Charming. Mother will be looking for me, and anxious if I am late. I will call some other time ' "You are good boy, Paul, to think o1 your mother. Good evening. 2 ..r: ..-,
 Good evening"" answered Paul, start ing homeward
 It looked very cosy in the little sitting. room, as Helen entered, with it's open grate fire; for the evenings were chilly and its warm carpet and rugs, relics of the old home, and May seated in the one easy chair, her fair complexion and blonde , curls contrasting with it's dark. covering and making her look almost fragile She sprang up quickly to welcome her sister for May, divested of her selishness, was Z loving, loueable@ girl, and possessed pc culiar charm to win hearts to herself
 ''May," said Helen, while they were al tea, "whom do you think I saw in the store this afternoon ?"
 ''I'm sure, Helen, I could never imagine So many people come that I hardly see how you can remember them.''
 ''Nor do I ; but this was an old acquaint ance. I think I may say an old friend"
 II have no idea, Helen, whom it could be" said May, simply.
 "No, dear, you would never guess. Mr. Howard Sheldon, his mother and sister. He enquired very particularly for Miss Mabel, and asked permission to call.' A conscious wave of color flashed over Mays face which told its own story. Af ter moment she asked
 "Did you grant it, Helen?'
 ssYes, dear, he will call this evening" ''Does Miss Sheldon accompany him ? asked May, with glance around the smal
 
 ments, in which she had formerly received the brother and sister.
 'tNo, May. Miss Sheldon did not seen inclined to renew the acquaintance. think I will invite Mrs. Gray in" saic Helen, leaving the room.
 Mrs. Gray was quite willing to oblige her young friend, and being well accus toned to good: society, was really pleas ant addition to the little circle. And, afte1 MT. Sheldons arrival, the evening passed very socially, and all too quickly, especial l ly for May, who declared she had never enjoyed herself in her life. MT. Sheldon't conversation was general, speaking some ! what at length on the subject of his travels and descriptions of the south the scenery and customs of that sunny land, the balmy breezes laden with the delicious perfume of the exhaustless bloom, and -gorgeoul foliage, and noting with satisfaction tn, :, interest which his hearers evinced, par . ticularly May, ,who exclaimed rapturously-
 .ssThe beautiful south land one can al 3 most feel those perfume laden breezes and inhale the odor of orange blossom and roses. MT. Sheldon, your descrip . tions and so vivid one can almost imagin, : themselves beneath the palm trees of Flor ida among the beautiful roses of Georgia.
 ''You hatter me, Miss Mabel, for I an 5 conscious I have not done the subject jus 3 tice Still it is pleasant to be appreciated, 3 said he, smilingly. .4g~
 'Mrs. Gray can endorse your senti ments in favor of the south, MT. Sheldon, said Helen, "that being her childhood home."
 s'Indeed, replied he, turning courteous ly to Mrs. Gray. "Then you can judg how really imperfect has been my attemp at portraying your beautiful home. 7 z
 'You depreciate yourself, MT. Sheldon for I have been very. much interested Yes, my childhood was passed on my fath er's plantation ill county, Georgia And have a brother living on the ol, homestead yet, though I have not bee1 , there for twenty years. Still have vivi' recollection of the place, and with May 8 while you were speaking, I could almos imagine myself among the roses, that grey in such profusion, about my beautiful :, home" . @ a "And do you never regret leaving tn , south That is,'' he corrected himsel quickly, ssdo you feel as much at hom here at the north ?" a Mrs. Gray smiled. ''I do not think on ever forgets the home of their childhood Though I have passed many happy year y at the north. We are more or less gov {. erned by our affections, and where they ar