New-York tribune., 1891-12-27

gateu oy Anne, nor Anne influenced by greed and
{"ousS ana the worst form Of nepotsm, cared.
~ was the fashion in the house to speak of Miss
Sparkles as ungrateful, wild-tempcrcd. negectful.
impossible. IL was the fashion to pretend that
all and smndry had borne many things because of
her FURIOUS passions-because of her neglect Of
uu% aud tnat they were all well quit of her. an
incubus as she had become And Oracle took
her place galantly, and played into her aunt's
nahds, nc IA as twas IL was intended she should.
In the relghborhood where this little story was
enacted lived wealthy man not only little but
a, great deal Older than Miss Sparkles He had
always admired this bright, vivacious. clever lit
ness her good humor, general ability, keen per
cepions and perspicacity. He had admired and
loved her, and in some sort envied his neighbor
ant little singing-bird for whom he, too would
have been fain to find suitable cage. But il
never occurred 70 him TO disturb existing arrange;
mentS, and he kept himself too tightly in hand
TO allow himself to regret, to desire TO plan.
Wnep, however, the pretty girl was dispossessed,
and SO unfairly and so unceremoniously treated;
though it over within himself. wondering if it
would be possible-if it would be wise-if it would
be right? But, nothing venture, nothing win.
and at least he might sound Miss Sparkles her
self, and hear what she thought about the mat
ter. Would She? Gould she? He was thirty
hearty, and at sixty he matched her twenty-five
with not too bad grace. AT all events he loved
her and was willing to give her his name and his
fortune il so be that she could love him and con-
tent herself as his wife.
And when he asked her, the little GIRL bruised
and sore and desolate as she was, unprotected.
frendless, homeless, turned to him with that
gratitude which, when mixed with respect and
personal liking makes no ill substitute for love,
and said Yes, she loved him well enough to be
his good and faithful wife. and she would spend
all her strength and energy in making him happy.
so that he should never regret the trust he had
placed in her"
And thus, is often in life. her trouble be
came her wellspring of JOY. and her fall was the
platform on which she found her prosperity.
The marriage turned well-in all respects grandiy
well. Miss SparjSles, with her brightness and her
vivacity brought the sunshine of youth and
gaycty into her husbands erstwhile gloomy house.
Loving one else, she loved him with her whole
heart. and never knew the moment when she re-
gretted her marriage. Nothing could he more
harmonious than her life, nothing more prosper
ous nothing more perfect. 1t was a round Of
pleasantness and and uninterrupted food Of
sunshine; while poor Mrs. Grahame. between Anne
and her niece, was as grist between the upper
and the neither millstone-iron between the ham
mer and The anvil, and could no more call her
very soul her own. And her beautiful store Of
linen dwindled strangely and rapidly, and what
left went into decay, and was left TO ruin un-
repaired. This was he punishment for listening
TO malevolence, and bein- weak enough 10 believe
evil reports unsubstantated by facts or proofs
THE Queen.