Nevada County picayune., 1886-01-28
future life, she could not withhold the promise to be his wife.

l am happy now, she whispered, flushed and shy, but radiant.
 They wandered long among the flowers, feeling that heaven lay about them; but the next morning the girl received bad news from home. She only made out clearly that her presence was needed and with only one regretful sigh for the bright dream she had cherished, she began preparations for the long journey. Keller earnestly begged to be allowed to accompany her but she gently refused. He must go on with their friends. and.if she needed hin would write for him to come.
 I shall come on in a few weeks, whether you send for me or not. We must finish this Interrupted tour together, Marian.
 She returned home to find their guardian dead and their fortune gone. swept away by some ill-ad- vised speculation Tbe maiden la dy sought a home with relatives, and Marian Ray found herself among the the worlds workers, and  with helpless invalid to take care of. Helpless, did say y-nay, she was the only hope and comfort of poor Marian's heart, for her handsome, wealthy lover came not, and the letter she wrote to him explaining their reverses of fortune, remained unanswered. She tried to think of him with contempt, to hold the love that failed in the honr of her bitterest need a. valuelsss; but she only succeeded in tormenting her own faithful, loving heart, which, in spite of pride and reason, clung to that short, sweet romance with hold death alone could break.
 All day she walked from house to house through the bitter cold, while the clouds hung dull and heavy over the city; but when her days work ended, she started home in the evening, a strip of blue had appeared overhead. She lifted her eyes to it and saw the clouds part wider and wider, until the rift had become a broad, bright space across the heavens.
 Dear Ethel! She would rejoice in that and call it happy omen, but 1 cannot, she thought, with a tender smile that ended in a sigh. It was dark when she reached home, and hurrying eagerly up stairs, she pushed open the door, anxious to be with her sister as soon as possible. They were care full with fuel, with everything; me- cessity forced them to study econ Omy, and Marian expected to find the room in darkness, only a scan. ty handful of coals in the grate- she entered tu find a glowing fire and the table set with dainties' whilo the little tea-kettie steamed merrily on the hearth.
 Ethel! she cried, hastily throwing off hat wraps, and turning toward her sisters bed.
 Oh, Marian, sister, cried the in valid, in a voice trembling with strange emotion; then Marian felt her heart leap in suffocating throb of pain and rapt,iro, for out of the semi darkness of the corner Mark Kellar advanced, with Outstretched hands to meet her.
 Marian, havo you no welcome for mel
 A chilling remembrance of all his silence and neglect swept over her, and pride rose in arms:
 Certainly, I--I welcome you, Mr.. Keller, she said, stiffiy, and step ping back d little.
 What! Have you forgotten? he cried, in keenest disappointment. No, sir; it is because remember that l can give you no ffiendlier greeting. 1 wonder that you can expect it after such long neglect and coldness. l canitOt pass over such sights.
 But Marian, he did not get your letter, and he could not come when he intended. for a hurt received among the Alps kept him a prison CT for several weeks, and then he had to search and search, and has just found us, said Ethel, half rais- ing herself up, the crimson firelight giving even her pale face a roseate