The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-11-06

ture and belongings as an equivalent Tor
a certain portion of the unpaid rent.
Nov said Dorcas, what is we to
do?e
Poor Mrs. Spencer was all in a flutter.
The Newport scheme delighted her, and
she was very busy looking over her
wardrobe with reference to the coming
visit. Selma had written to the aunt of
an old schoolmate of hers, who kept a
boarding house in the fair seaside city
asking her lowest price for a comfort
able room Dorcas was to go with Mrs
Spencer as attendant and enaid, and
Selma had resolved to hire a room in
New York and board herself as well as
she could
But this has been Il dear old home,
she murmured. 81 wonder who will
sleep in my room; | wonder whose hands
will strike the yellow keys of mammals
old piano and dust my flowing blue
china and arrange the cid fiddle backed
chairs.
The purple sunlight shone softly i'll.
the scent of a stalk Of hyacinths in a
glass on the mantel brought back remi-
niscences of the old southern flower gar
dens, and all of a sudden a voice which
she had last heard in those very gardens
struck on her ear.
~'Selina-have | startled you?:"
MIR. Berkeley
He extended a cordial hand.
Perhaps you fancied that / could not
trace you OUT" said be. But I'M bet
ter at hide and seek than you thought.
She courtesied haughtily. His hand
some countenance fell. Evidently he
was deeply disappointed.
Are you not glad to see me, Selina?'
he exclaimed. "Ah, Selma! Ihad count
ed 50 much on this interview l had
planned to renew my suite ask you
once more to be my wife"
She drew her slight figure up.
='sYou are presuming too much on my
very evident poverty, Mr.. Berkeley
said she. q refused You when | W.
Miss Spencer, of Spencer Vale. Wh43
sort of a ON should ! be if | wel,
now to accept you-simply as a protec
ton against adversityT'
But, Selina9-
Pray excuse me from any further dis
cussion Of the question" said Selma
May | not hope to see your mother"
he persisted
i should prefer not.
DO you know, Selma" he said, after
a brief silence, "that this is a very bit
ter modification to me-
is it, Then what must it be to me?'
she retorted. almost fercely, looking up
at him
He stood a second or two gazing sadly
at her. Stung by the scrutiny, she
swept from the room like an angered
princess.
Half a minute later she came hurrying
back, full of sweet, strange misgiyings.
But he wa gone.
i have let another opportunity slip
byT" she murmured "Oh, heavensl
where is my life drifting TOP
At that moment Aunt Dorcas ushered
in the landlord. a fussy. bald headed old
gentleman with a fur collar to his coat.
Good evening, Miss Spencer" said
he. 81 expected to meet the new party
here"
R'The-I beg your pardon, said Sell
ina.
The gentleman who has purchased
this house and furniture, explained Mr..
Beasley, "and settled it on yourself and
your mother. \ friend of yours, | sup
pose-Mr. Berkeley"
Standing sadly in the shadow Of the
rustling poplar boughs outside George
parIyo1au fa1+ 4ba ,,or,a+ic ipar7apoa IF
another presence. A soft voice stirred
the twilight air, like the far off music of
forgotten days.
Mr. Berkeley" it said-"George!-
please will you forgive mey'
A dead silence ensued.
Wont you, GEORGE" with a little sob
in the voice IL didn't mean to speak
so harshly to you. l didn't know then
what l know now of your noble gener-
osity.'
S~ilence-only silence still.
'If | accept it for dear mammals sake,
you surely will not misinterpret me.
Oh, George! how can you be so cruel?
Why don't you answer me? What are
you waiting for me to sayF'
And still no word broke that haunting
silencel
George" in a low voice, I've
changed my mind. 1 viii be your wife?'
He took her in his arms.
Dear sweetheart he murmured.
Dear little melting snow wreath. |
knew that love would conquer you at
LAST"
When Mrs. Spencer heard of the en-
gagement she said quietly:
81 always thought they cared for each
other, but since your master died, Dor
cas-, my poor head has scarcely been
itself; but make haste and finish the
packing. We are going to Newport, are
we not?"
And SO the wedding trip was to New
port.-Toronto Mail.
a European Idea.