, 1884-04-02

mediate neighborhood- An aunt had occu-
pied his elegant home during his absence,
and he had given her permission to live as
gayly as she pleased, only requesting her not
to have any fashionable young ladies' there
when he returned.
But Mrs. Simcox was an inveterate match
maker, and she imagined that Miss Emma
Stanley was the one woman to make him
happy.
Certainly, IL regal magnifcence could
satisfy a man, Walter Gresham ought
to have been perfectly satisfied. 1t
seemed as il that imposing word had
been especially coined for her. She
was magnificent in beauty, toilets and self
conceit-the last particularly. There was
something absolutely sublime in Emma Stan
ley's egotism- 1t never deserted her. Moth
ing could change or modify 1t. The rude and
Inbred might amuse themselves in the most
unblushing manner at her expense and she
In her superb unconsciousness would never
know it. The fear Of rivals did not and
could not disturb her, and the idea of
little Amy GLADDEN. ever appearing in that
character was too absurd to be enter
tanned for u moment When Mrs.
Simco1 suggested the propriety of her
marrying Walter Gresham, she as
scented very graciously. She was 25 years
old, and felt That perhaps it would be as well
to establish herself now in life. Walter was
a little younger; but then he was agreeable,
cultivated and rich. His estate was old if
he were not. OF course he would have no
objections. That was a contingency of
which she never dreamed. And when Walter
was introduced he was so completely
stunned" as he told Amy afterward, that
Miss Stanley was convinced that she had
mnde a great impression upon him.
"But your description was not quite cor
49, ~ H. .osI - L.. zos. dol. L. -
fill all space; l saw you in spite of her; and
really, Miss Amy, it was a great relief"
"Whyf" the latter asked.
because you made me think of calm, pure
moonlight, after the heat and glitter Of a hot
summer day"
"You certainly think her handsome"
Wonderful s~tupendousl terriblel"
allow you do talki Just wait q while, and
you will be as eager as all the others are to
carry her shawl and fan and bouquet. know
how it will be-"
Are they all SO eagerP
ayes, of curse. Didn't you know It'll
They arc all crazy about her. She is re-
cciving offers all the time. 1 think it was
twenty she had last year"
"oh, now, Miss Amy, isn't that a little
just a little, you know
at is the solemn truth. She is as rich as
she is wise and handsome, and money does
add such a luster to beauty"
"You call yourself a littlo girl; but that
did not not sound at all like u little girl"
"Well, hard experience has taught me a
good deal; and 1 do not blame people for
liking money"
at must be very uncomfortable to live
without it,"
at is perfectly awful I had rather be
rich than anything else in this world"
d not say that"
at is the truth"
HWould you marry a man you did not like
just because he could give you money!
~ do not know-I have never been
tried"
"You would not do it, l know. Money
does not always bring happiness"
at brings an immense amount of comfort,
anyway. But Mrs. Simcox is calling u.s."
II.
An humber person than Miss Stanley
would hardly have been satisfied with Walter
Gresham's manner toward her. He was evil
IDENTIFY impressed, but whether the impress
sion was favorable or not was somewhat
uncertain. She attributed his reserve to
ditlidence, and rather admired it as some
thing desirable in n young man. And when
he sought Amy's side and talked with her so
unroservedly las 1t appeared she thought he
NNN - ~ "a PNio lihhtS1 oilu uPP
him nii the more. Fortunately, sne did not
hear their remarks in regard to herself, and
when she saw them together so often after
ward she still ascribed 1t to his genuine good
nature, and felt no uneasiness whatever.
Mrs Simcox, however, did not feel quite
so well satisfied, and concluded to speak to
Miss Stanley in regard to the growing init
macy between the young people.
Emma she said, walter and Amy are
N--..lz-- - I.-I Al.
-Oh, yes she replied, calmly, at is very
kline in him to amuse the child us he does.
He must be fond of little girls"
Ale seems to be fond of this little girl, at
any rate. would send her home, il l were
in your place"
4Why should l send her homef Do you
dislike the child Does she annoy your
Certainly not. 1 like her very much"
Il lave always been fond Of Amy. She is
so quiet and inoffensive. She seems very
happy here, and her own home is so crowded.
1 pity the child"
II was not thinking of myself at all, for l
like to have her here. She is a good girl,
obliging and pleasant, but she seems a little
too attractive Walter is evidently very
much pleased with her."
"She doubtless amuses him. She Is truly
unsophisticated, and really quite original in
her ideas"
"And you are not afraid"
Afraid What should l be afraid Off
swell, perhaps am unnecessarily alarmed;
but | had quite set my heart upon seeing you
tho mistress here, Emma"
~ have seen no reason as yet to change my
mind in regard to that arrangement. Wal
ter is rather young. but he is manly and
dignifed."
"Yes, Amy thinks So"
uGha bAa ra,-V a.,al s,l NIL
her experience is of course limited
And Mrs. Simcox left her in despair.
Soon after this Walter was taken sick with
a slow fever, and almost Immediately after
ward Amy received a message from home
desiring her speedy return. She was obliged
to go without bidding the sick man goodbye,
and she carried away a very sad heart in
consequences
Miss Stanley was a splendid nurse, and she
devoted herself unremittingly to the patient;
but he longed for a sight OF Amy's piquant
face and girlish figure. He was very much
in love, and his perfect consciousness of the
fact prevented his making any inquiries re-
garding her.
At length, however, he could contain him
self no longer; and one day, when Miss Stan
ley's splendidly developed figure was turned
away from him, he asked:
"Where is Miss Gladdeni Is she wellT'
"oh, yes; but she had to go home. They
sent for her. But / want to thank you for
all the notice you took of the little girl. 1t
was very kind in you to do it."
"You give me more credit for unselhshness
than / deserve. Miss Amy is a delightful
companion"
ayes, her naivete is very amusing. sac
has lived in the country all her life, poor
child, and knows very little OF the ways Of
the world.n
Perhaps that Is what makes her so charm
sn.u