The Press., 1891-09-03

w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT.
 Cdrs. Kate Tannant woods, in Union signal, A Little New England Maid.
 Continued from last week.
 "Women learn,
 By an instinct men never obtain, to discern Each others true natures"
 -Osoen Meredith. A WEDDING AT GLENRIDGE. 1 The school life at Brodford was far from irksome to one of Maida's tempera- ment. and her second year found her not only making rapid progress in all her studies, but developing into type of wo- manhood quite unlike most of her com- panions. Her spirit of mischief was, hap. oily, not dead, but subdued and refined partly by the gracious home influence, partly through the girls innate love of justice. If her weekly letters to her mother were cherished, so, also, were those received from that mother. They were like sisters in their outpourings, and Maida freely reported her foolish acts, well knowing that the reproof which came would not only be tempered with mercy, but prove absolutely just. The only girl one cannot trust is the girl who cannot trust her mother.
 It was quite impossible for girl with Maida Hale's endowments and gifts to move on serenely without attracting the attention of the opposite sex. Already several of Phil's college friends had avow- ed their allegiance, and yet the girl saw only one goal before her, namely: to take Bessies place at home.
 One of her home letters during the lat ter part of her second year at Bradford will show clearly how much the mother entered into all the plans, hopes and fears of the daughters life.
 It began in the usual manner, with some expressions of affection, gave a careful account of the studies and duties for the three days since leaving home, and ended thus:
 ''I think, dearest, that you will be sor- ry to know that Phil's friend, Oscar Knight, has actually proposed to me. I was very sorry; he is fine young man, and all the girls are charmed with him, but l cannot understand why he should write to me.
 "In the first place, never intend to marry; Pm too deeply in love with 8 sweet woman called the 'Blessed;' she fills my heart so full that there is no room for stranger to abide there. Then, am too young, too foolish, too uncertain, even to think of such a thing. As soon as graduate (since you and papa urge my doing so), I shall come home to Glen ridge and make you happy and miserable by turns, as I have always done. Sweet sister Bess must be married and I shall revel in preparing her outfit, although I | am not yet convinced that Horace Calcott is the dearest man in the world. He is to her blinded eyes and that must satisfy us.
 "Now, darling, want you to write me at once, how I shall answer Oscar. It would be terrible too break up his friend ship for Phil, and yet must be firm, for you see from this letter that he has been thinking of this some time, and his fami- ly, also. If that clear head of yours and your tender heart can give me hint how to say big NO, in 8 gentle way, I will not allow myself the three days for care- full consideration which he offers.
 "You can understand, as you always do, how feel. Help me over this bridge, dearest, as you have over so many. am how much it means to Oscar, nor am I vain enough to believe that he will break his heart over your madcap daughter, | ~%f~es- t B, MAZDA" Every mother will know how Mrs. Hale sighed as she put down the manly letter of Oscar Knight, and every mother will also know how like fine, sharp, heart- thrust the truth came to her, that her child, her loving, romping, gifted girl, had passed from the gay delights of child hoods garden of sweets, under the arch way where womanhood begins.
 Development never touches more vi- 1 tai point in human lives than the mother experiences when her boy is no longer hers, or her daughter, so close to her heart, goes from her to lean upon another breast.
 l The young see only the brilliant bow o1 promise; the more advanced see the clouds and shadows, and know only toe well, that .sr
 'Sun, and shade, and shower must come l Into the lives of all."
 Mrs. Hale understood her daughters true nature. She knew that the frolic some, vivacious manner concealed z wealth of love and tenderness and hel mothers instinct told her, that not once but many times, would this experience bt repeated with Maida. 5t5Estt.LE
 Bessie had voluntarily settled hersel in life; her quiet temperament and retir ing disposition left no room for doubt as to her happiness. Duty, with her, wal doing always what was next her hand and although her lover sometimes exhib ited some impatience, especially when thu new parsonage was completed, Bessi merely said, 'I cannot go until Maida ii here; no life could be happy or success full if it began by neglecting the most un selfish parents in the world, and the dea old home." Maida disposed of Mir. Knight and wen on with her studies, while he fitted t Europe and returned therefrom, engage to 8 maiden quite the reverse of hi first love. ~
 So another year sped on. Mrs. Hal seemed stronger than she had been fo years, and her charitable work extende itself to some of her neighbors. Her col respondence was extensive, and largel confined to her own sex. Women of a > ages turned to her for comfort, and youn