Nevada County picayune., 1886-01-28
A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS.
GOrEY's LApY's BOOK.

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 Marian swept the scant curtain back from the narrow window of their poor room.
 Dark and cloudy, she replied, the cold dreariness of the new day striking chill to her sensitive, heavily. burdened heart. A tired. hopeless look swept over her deli. cate, noble face, leaving slight drOop at the corners of her mouth, shadow in her eyes. Ethel saw the change of expression. and for moment her own grew less cheer. tul and bright.
 Never mind, there will be rift in the clouds by and by, she said, with renewed hope.
 am glad you have such faith, pet. said Marian, still looking out on the street.
 A poor beggar crept feebly along, his rags fluttering in the bit ter wind, and in pity for a lot sad der than her own, the girl lost some of her discomfort. She turn. ed from the window with bright CT expression and put on her hat and cloak to start out on that weary round of music lessons which were their support.
 I am sorry to leave you all day Ethel, but 1t will be late before l can get through.
 Do not fret about me. Marian. Mrs. O'Malley will come in and give me my lunch and a fresh glass of water; and 1 have this beautiful lace to mend for Miss Constantine and that magazine you brought me yesterday to read. Oh, shall be fully occupied until you return. Well, well, it's comforting to have so brave and busy little sister at home. ] think of it often when l am ont, and it gives me courage. said Marian, bending over the coach with tender, misty eyes. The crippled girl clasped the slender hand caressing her hair, and drew it down against her pale cheek.
 Am l a help to you, Marian! Oh. that thought makes me unhap. Ipy! l lie here such helpless, useless creature; sometimes have feared that 1 was only burden to you.
 Never think that again dear one --never. If it were not for you l She broke off, and stopping. kiss ed the sweet, pale face resting on the pillow, but when she would have moved away, Ethel held her a moment longer.
 Marian, darling, do not lose yonr faith and hope. There will be clear sunshine after awhile, and all the dark clouds will vanish.
 l will try to think so, she replied ..S al, ed the moment she left her sisters presence, and memory began to bring up one by one, the events of the two years just passed.
 The girls had been left ophans at an early age, but with property sufficient to supply all they could ever need, not only of necessities, but even luxuries. Their guardian controlled and managed the mon- ey, and they lived in his house, un. der the care of his good-hearted maiden sister. Ethel had always been lame and delicate, but Marian went out into the world. seeing and enjoying it's beauties and pleasures, | Walking swiftly along to give her first music lesson, she drew a sharp breath of anguish, as memory too faithfully recalled all the glory and happiness of a three months tour in Europe, with a party friends, lust before the downfall of fortune. At the vett outset they met Mark Keller. handsome, travelled, and to the young girl a very king among men. He joined the party and sing led'her out as the object of his at- tentions. The routes they travelled he had been over before, and he pointed.out all that was beautiful or interesting. It was a golden sea son, and tho. girls heart surrender cd in spite of womanly pride and reluctance. But she had no cause to feel shame or to believe her love unsought for. One mellow, moon light night, in an old Italian gar den, he stretched out his hand to .sJ