, 1883-05-19

intently into the fire. He was dark,
travelled and world-wise; she was
singularly childlike, in air and ap,
pearance, yet dignifcd and reserved,
and withal pure as lily.
81 must unlearn much of the
worlds ways to understand her.. he
sighed. "But l know the world and
harm shall never come near her"
He told her what her friend had
.EEitten.
She appeared a little surprised and
looked at him earnestly.
"Of course it will be pleasant fol
me to have a guardian" she said,
then hesitated. 81 will,try not to be a
trouble to you," she concluded.
u Weeks and weeks went by, and
Basil Tennyson found that he had
/ been set to a hard task. He had
been asked to befriend Titia, not tC
passiOnately love her, not to drink
all his happiness from her eyes, moi
to adore her so.
And she must not know this. Fol
her to suspect it would end her con-
fidence in him forever, he believed.
But it was never suggestive Ia
Titia-this masculine protection and
wise counsel, this strong arm on
which she leaned to and fro from
lecture, concert and opera-this
graceful courtesy and chivalry which
she publicly and privately evoked!
She was not a common girl. And
she had no vanity. And Basil Ten
nysOn had ever been a rather high
and mighty person in her eyes. She
did not know he had fallen in love
with her
And for Tennyson, it was strug,
! gle. He knew that he loved the girl
from her little feet to the topmost
wave Of her soft, brown hair; he
wOrshiped her in the trucst rcccssCs
of his heart as the one being known
to him who was utterly lovely and
then he checked himself.
He feared that he was laying up
for himself uncnding p&in. Titia
was unusually grave and quiet with
him; with Others she showed moro
freedom with gaicty.
With an increasing irritation, he
made an effort to undcrvalue her.
She had neither wealth nor birth;
his proud English relations would
scorn the thought Of such an alliance
for him.
But such subterfuges were useless.
He would silently watch the simple,
elegant little figure Of the girl, and
turn away, with the conviction that
sl = the peer Of any lady in the
landi ~ ne lost her ut Iast hi
heafe' would break.
He had barely finished his toilet,
one morning, at his hotel, when q
gentleman was shown into the ad.
joining room. He responded to the
servants summons, and went in.
The young gentleman who had
waited upon him at that early houI
in the morning he knew very well,
1t was Clay Webster, the only son OF
the wealthiest man in his set; and
Clay, with a prepOssessing appear.
ance, was Of faultless character. lie
felt his heart grow hcavy-a dark
ness came over the bright spring
day, as his visitor, in a straightfor'
ward and manly fashion, asked fol
the privilege Of paying to Titia hi,
addresses; hut to his honor, be Il
said, he was equally straightforward
81 have influence with Miss Lind
but no authority, and can only re-
commend you to. her for an answer
to your request Mr.. Webster" hC
said, and sent the young man away
with a hope in bis heart.
Then 1t seemed 10 nm that hi
should 60 mad. He dared not e
near TitiaS for fear she should rcvea
to him her acceptance Of Clay Web
ster; set he was perishing for sigh
Of her. ~
He took cold, in the variable spring
weather, and wandering aimlessll
and miserable around the streets
one evening, he found himself a
her door and went in.
Her white hands fell from thu
piano-keys. She came quickly to
ward him!
"You are sick" she said with eye
Of lovely concern.
He caught her to his breast.
81 hope 1 shall diep he said; "fO
you are going to leave me-"
She looked into his eyes, heavy
with pain and longing, and read tn,
whole story.
"No,T am not" she said. 81 low,
you best of all the world"
When four hours had been as s.
many minutes, he said:
"How-where shall we live, Titia
With all my getting, 1 have not go
mOney-not much of it. 1 will no
have you drudging at music teach
ing after we are married. want +
, keep you like princess"
She laughed, with a sudden ricl
rush Of color.
"We are sure Of bread-and butter
, a little" he said thOughtfully. "Bu
, l want to be sure that you will al
ways have some rose leaves to Ii
on"
D He was so absorbed in his thought
that he did not mind when she LEI
1 his knee and went into the adjoinin
! room.
In a moment she had dragged tn
: | a.v,an, Is,o-.v LII nwo.av, a..,ea ~,