The Press., 1883-05-31

sion. And I wonder at you, Howard, for troubling mamma and me by introducing them. Of course after your interview with mamma you will see how impossible it will be for you to commit such an unpardonable folly as you contemplate.
 sGood afternoon, Sarah, said her broth CT, as the door-bell rang. 'I you have callers, so I will retire ;; and he left the room just as the servant announced Mai Ormsby, who was a frequent visitor at the Sheldon mansion, and whom, report said, was not unwilling to become member of the family.
 An hour later Howard was summoned to private conference with his mother. Bidding him be seated, and looking him full in the face, she said
 ''Do I understand, Howard, that you have promised to marry this girl, Mabel Channing?"
 ''Yes, mother she is my betrothed wife,"
 ''I think, Howard you will break that promise" said his mother quietly
 "Never My honor and happiness are involved ill that promise, and am bound to redeem it.
 "You will listen to reason, Howard. It IS my desire, nay, my command, that you give up this foolish idea of marriage with a girl whom l am disinclined to receive"
 ''I am sorry, mother, that you are not disposed to approve of my choice but can not obey you."
 Do you mean you will not?' said his mother, sternly. 'Do you forget that I am your mother?''
 "'And man shall leave father and mother, and cleave unto his wife," said Howard, with proud smile.
 'But she Is not your wife, and do not propose that my son be made a stepping stone by designing girl to elevate herself into society that has once discarded her"
 Howard was silent
 'tYou will obey me, Howard. I shall depend on your doing so.'
 Mother, am very sorry to disobey you or even to seem to do so, but this matter is beyond even your interference. l have no ambition to figure as villain, even to please my mother; and that I should do were to recede from my plight ed word. Mother, I shall marry Mabel Charming as soon as she can be persuaded to name the day."
 ''Then from that hour you are no son of mine. But has it not occurred to you that perhaps the girl can be persuaded to listen to arguments which seem to have no effect upon you p
 "Never, mother. The thought is treas on. May is as true ap the sum-"
 "Perhaps," " said his mother, dryly, "but possibilities are within the reach of all. And until you are married you have no wife,"
 The insinuations of his mother against May had disturbed Howard more than he was willing to acknowledge. Not that he doubted May He would have staked his life on her constancy. But the very in tensity of his love made him unwilling that she should be subjected to any un- pleasantness on account of it. And though he could not believe either his mother or sister would carry their opposition so far as approach May, still 1t was not an impossi- bility; and he determined in Helen's en- forced absence to take Mrs. Gray into his confidence, and by doing so guard May against a possible surprise.
 With this intention he arrayed himself for the street, and fifteen minutes later was ascending the stairs leading to Mrs. Gray's apartments. Helen and May were both absent, as they usually were at this hour of the day, but Mrs. Gray was at home, and welcomed him cordially. She had : evidently been engaged in reading 0 well worn Bible, lying on the stand at her el- bow, on which she had lain her spectacles. After passing the usual compliments, Howard said, ''Mrs. Gray, have very unpleasant confession to make and a great favor to ask of you. Have I your permis- sion to do SO"
 Certainly, MT. Sheldon. If can serve you in any way I shall be most happy to do so.'
 "Mrs. Gray" said Howard, earnestly 'syou have been almost like mother to our darling May. You believe my love for the dear girl to be pure and disinterest- ed do you not ?''
 1T trust it is, MT. Sheldon. I should be Very unhappy to believe otherwise.
 ''It is so; but I have been unable to reconcile my mother and sister to the idea of my marriage with May. And-I trust, Mrs. Gray, that my fears are groundless- but, in case they approach May in an un- friendly manner, can rely upon you to see that our little girl is not left powerless in the hands of her enemies ?"
 ''Mr. Sheldon, I am surprised. Surely your mother is a lady, and would conduct herself in none but lady like manner? : "My mother is @ lady, Mrs. Gray. But ladies can be very unkind to each other in a ladylike way. And our dear May is very : timid. hardly know what I fear except some unpleasantness for May, from which I would shield her. Gan I depend upon you?"
 "You may trust me, Mr. Sheldon. May is very dear to me- But is there no hope of your mothers relenting? It is not well to take so important step in opposition to ones parents.
 'sI am aware that it is not, and I sin cerely hope I shall not be obliged to do SO. But when the only objection is want of wealth do not consider it of any weight, when placed in the scale with Mays hap piness.
 ,, ....rs CHAPTER vII
 ssHelen, ,ssaid, May one evening some two weeks later, "Howard is very anxious ) that our marriage takes place in a month. And really see no good reason for refus- ing him, though I promised to leave it en- tirely with you g ''You are in haste to leave me then, |" , said Helen, pleasantly. ''No, indeed, Helen, could never do r that. For as soon as we are established in home of our own, which Howard thinks r will not be later than fall, you will be with t us. I could not be happy without you, Helen" .. .,.&
 "You are a dear girl D said Helep, tho she had grave doubts upon this disposition of herself, which May seemed to consider !. as an already established fact 'I sup c pose {" she added 'sas you have everything