The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-22

ers household had gone to the Maryland
mountains, and the massive master Of
the establishment was treating himself
to a months vacation.
Almost all the pretty girls were gone.
What more natural than that Mr.. Noel
should so frequently seek the society Of
the prettiest of all, even if she were en-
gagged to Frederick Lane, as people said
she was before he went away? There
was no monitorial Amos to call him off,
no one to bid him turn his devotions
elsewhere; and she herself could see no
harm, for was not almost all his talk Of
Capt. Lane? Was he not his legal and de-
voted friend? The captains letters came
every day, and he seemed pleased to
know that Noel had such pleasant things
to say of him, and was so attentive-or
rather kind, because it wasn't really OH
her account that he came so frequently.
To be sure, Capt Lane did not say much
about the matter one way or the other;
and if he saw no harm, if he expressed
no dissatisfaction. who else had any right
to find fault?
Her mother, was the answer that con-
science pricked into her heart quicker
even than she could think. For days
past the good lady's manner to Noel had
been gaining in distance and GOODNESS.
"She is i'll at ease-worried about papa"
was Mabel's attempt at self satisfying
plea; but conscience again warned her
that she knew better-far better. Her
father, engrossed in business cares that
seemed only to increase with every day,
had no eyes or ears for affairs domestic;
and so it resulted that when Noel came
sauntering in at evening with his jaunty,
debonnaire, joyous manner, there was no
one to receive him but Mabel, and he
wanted no one more.
"Does Capt. Lane know Of this and
approve it," was the grave question her
mother had at last propounded.
II have written to him with the ut
most frankness, mother" was Miss Vim
cents reply, while a wave of color swept
over her face and a rebellious light
cleaned in her eyes, land he has never
limited at such thing as disapproval.
have. If he had not" -
But the rest was left unSafu.
Poor Mrs. Vincent! She turned away,
well knowing that argument or oppo-
sition in such matters was mistaken
policy. The words that sprung to her
lips were, ''Alas! he does not know you
as do!' but she shut those lips firmly,
vigorously denying herself the feminine
luxury of the last word and the launch
ing of Parthain arrow that would have
made, indeed, telling shot. If heaven
is what it is painted, there can be no
more joy over the sinner that repenteth
than over the woman who tramples
down her fercest temptation and
"bridleth her tongue" Mrs. Vincent
deserved to be canonized.
And meantime, how went the world
with Lane? Faithful, honest, simple
hearted man that he was, holding him
self in such modest estimate, marveling
as he often did over the fact that he
could have really won the love of be-
ing so radiant, so exquisite as Mabel,
he lived in dream that was all bliss
and beauty, except for the incessant and
all pervading longing TO see her-to be
near her. He loved her with an intensity
that he had no means of expressing.
Not waking instant was she absent
from his thoughts, and in his dreams
she appeared to him, crowned with q
halo such as never angel knew. He
used to lie awake at times in the dead
hours of the night, wondering If the very
newsboys and worlnnen realized their
blessed privilege, that they could step
upon the fagstones that her little foot
had pressed, that they could see her
face, perhaps hear her voice, as she
strolled in the cool of evening along the
graveled pathway Of the little park
that adjoined her homo. Loving her as
he did, his heart went out to any one
who knew her, or was even familiar
with the city where she dwelt. He had
felt for years q contempt for Gordon
Noel that, at times, he had difficulty in
Now he was tempted to
write to him, to shut out the past
open confidential relations and have him
write long letters that should tell Of
her.
There were three men in his troop in
whom he felt vague, mysterious in
terest simply because they had been en-
listed at the old rendezvous on Sycamore
street, only three squares from her home.
He was so full of hope and faith and love
and gratitude that the whole garrison
seemed to hold naught but cheer and
He never dreamed of the
stories the men were telling or the conf
dences women were whispering about
the post. Noel had written again to
Mrs. Riggs, and Mrs. Riggs had not
spared her information. 1t was now said
in Queen City society that this engage
ment was of Mr.. Vincent's making. He
had been associated with Lane in some
speculations that proved disastrous. but
the captain had shown such command of
money and had put up" at such an OPP
perfume moment that they came out in
good shape after all, and Us soon as the
old man found that Lane loved his
daughter he insisted on her accepting
him. The information about Lanes
coming to the rescue with money he had
heard from Mr.. Vincent himself-as in
deed he had. One evening when they
were for the moment alone, ia burst of