, 1886-07-16
BY MUTUAL CONSENT.

There was no doubt that the Messin-
gers were fortunate in possessing 80
charming a house as the Ness. 1t was
built at the head of a narrow valley shut
in by two hills, and beyond the sloping
lawn stretched a wide expanse OF sea.
Mr.. and Mrs. Messenger were simple,
unaffected people, devoted to their chill
dren, and to Nancy, Mr.. Messengers
young step-sister. They treated her with
a kind of reverential tenderness, chiefly
due to the fact that she was entirely de-
pendent on them. And, in her turn,
Nancy filled the place OF a loving elder
sister to the tribe of little ones, and OF
nd-in-ch to her gentle sister-in-law.
One sunny afternoon in early summer,
Mrs. Messenger sat at the open bay-win-
dow Of the drawing room, reading.
She was a placid little lady, sell
dom rufied in mind or temper,
and her sweet face n her soft
blue eyes were pleasant to contemplate.
The door opened presently, and Nancy
came In rather slowly. Her expression
was As sweet and gentle as her sisters. but
her great dark eyes and firmly cut mouth
and chin bore evidence OF much greater
strength and individuality of character.
She came over to the window and seated
htASt III N OhoAIA 1hha "Ath $50
constraint.
~ have had a letter from JIM" she
said.
"Ycs; / saw 1t on the hall-table," replied
Mary, laying down her book. Does he
say when he is comingf'
"Yes; he came by the same steamer as
the letter. He will be here tomorrow, l
suppose"
aNancyl reallyi- asked May. looking
almost excited. Are you not delighted'"
"I-I-have a confession to make" said
Nancy %nervously looking out over the sea.
II thought l loved Jim when he went out
to India five years ago. but was only II
then, and did not realize what love meant.
We had known each other all our lives,
and l mistook our friendship for love"
-When did you make his terrible dis
coveryf" asked Mary, In distress.
Il have felt it dimly for a year or two,
put what made 1t all clear to me was Jim's
last letter, saying that he was coming
home. 1t filled me with dismay and fear.
/ felt that l simply could not meet him as
his betrothed wife, 80 ] wrote last mail
and asked him to release me from my en-
gagement."
a%nxiously.
a ~ btAAkhtthf thAd Atnhtl itktA
ing. HE says that his feelings have
changed, too"
II always think OF you in the future
as his wife," sighed Mrs. Messenger,
whose mind was slow to welcome new
ideas. Are you sur you are wise, deari"
"Quite sure" Nancy answered firmly.
"And you will break the news gently TO
Ned, won't your And please get recon-
ciled to the arrangement soon ] feel so
delightfully."- airy and freel7
you never limited at my change be
fore" said Mary, a little reproachfully.
II only knew 1t dlmly, or 1 might have
done" replied Nancy gently. And since |
wrote to him | have been silent, to spare
you any anxiety. l have felt it for the
last three years in writing to him. My let
tiers have never been from the present
Nancy, but from he Nancy as | could re-
member her at II. In fact, / ave been
writing down all the time to the level Of
his intelligence as shown in his letters,
and that level is painfully low. But hap
PLY, you see, he is as pleased to end our
engagement as l am
ale would be much more likely TO oh
1ect II he once saw you" said Mary,
frankly, "for these 1--WE years have done
wonders Will you in every way"
"Oh, he is SO boyish that he will think
me strong minded, n therefore dislike
me-" said Nancy, laughing. And | did
send him my last photograph, you know"
"Did o send that hideous thingi"
asked Mary in surprise.
"Well,n confessed Nancy rather reluct-
antly. II believe l had some secret, uncon-
fessed hope that he would offer to break
of the engagement II he once saw that
hideous c~srlcasSe. But heseos ne Ned,