Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-09-18

He found Nora at home, and more
over she seemed disposed to welcome
him with extra cordiality. In little
while he managed to make the CONVEX
sation drift toward Bessie.
Would she be married when the pro-
fessor returned from Europe?
'Oh, dear, no; not till she is twenty
one."
'Is it not rather a mesalliance?"
Noras eyes grew dangerously bright.
Certainly not Prof. Mark Tyler is
wonderful chemist and geologist-a
man of worldwide fame. 1t is great
honor for Bessie to be loved by such
great soul"
"Will you be glad when she mar
ries?"
Very"
"Yet you will lose your friend?"
"By no means. She will remain 1T
home, and the professor and are vesy
old friends; he knew me when was a
little girl"
''Indeed Perhaps you may marry be-
fore Miss Bell"
81 may do so. | have no specific
against doing such thing eventually;
but am quite sure shall not do so
immediately"
"Why not?"
because | cannot afford it. am
just one of those women who would be
likely to make a m,eSallidnce-in money
matters repeat cannot afford it
just yet. / have at present another ex-
travagance before me, a great deal
nicer than husband"
II should like to know what it is"
"a long European tour, with, per-
haps, a peep at the Pyramids and a
ramble about old Jerusalem"
'Ohl dcar!' said julius, in a tone
half serious and half mocking II
should have no chance, / suppose,
against such temptation?"
"None at ALL" she said, positively;
and though she kept up the bantering
tone, it was quite evident to Julius that
| if he asked her in sober earnest she
would answer just the same with a
slightly different accent.
But Nora, with woman's ready
tact, turned the conversation, and
gradually led it into a very unusual and
practical channel-the nobility and the
necessity Of labor. The glowing
thoughts, the plain yet hopeful truths
that fair young woman uttered, julius
heard for the first time in his life that
night. Mover before had he realized
the profit and the deep delight which
might spring-and only spring-from
an honest career, no matter how hum
BILE or laborious, if it was steadily pur-
sued until success crowned it. She hid
none of her own early mistakes and
struggles, and then, alluding to her as
sured'position and comfort, asked julius
show he supposed she had won it?"
by your genius" he said, admiring-
ly.
"Not so, sir; but by simple, persever-
/ ing, conscientious labor in the path l
had marked out for myself. There
FORE" she said, with a bright, impera-
tive face, 'go home tonight, Mr. May,
choose what particular form of law you
will study, throw yourself with all
your capacities into that one subject,
and success is sure to come. Depend
upon it, the world is not far wrong in
making success the test of merit"
"You have made a new man of me,
Miss st. Clair" said Julius, enthusi-
astically. "When have proved this,
may come in to see you again?"
He had risen to go, and they stood
with clasped hands-"1hen you may
come again" Nothing more was said,
but they quite understood each other,
and Julius went ont into the clear star
lit night determined to make himself
worthy of good woman's acceptance
before he offered himself again.
Next evening Bessie and Nora sat in
the freight, slipping their after-dinner
coffee; it was an hour for confidence,
and Bessie said, rather sadly:
Poor Julius Maybe asked me to
marry him last night"
Nora turned quickly, but said moth.
ing.
THAT is, he wanted to marry my
money; everybody knows that if he
loves anybody really, it is you, Nora. y
"He called on me, too, last night,
said Nora, land saw he was in trouble
so gave him something to do. Moth
ing like that old, old gospel of work
when you're in trouble. When he haG
done it, told him he might come anC
see me again"
Surely you would never marry him
You will just have him to dress and
take care of"
"All men need women to care fol
them; else why were women madei
But l think Julius will do very wei
yet These elegant carpet-knight'
sometimes don armor and take the
world by surprise"
Not much-lg," laughed Bessie.
Remember how England's :curlet
darlings' stormed the Malakoff anG
battered down Sebastopol. am going
to trust Julius May for a year or two
! think he'll do"
"We shall see."
"Yes, we shall see. Time proves al
things"
Time proved in this case what has
often been asserted: That every WON
an influences every man she comes in
contact with, either for good or bad.
julius went steadily TO work, used
with economy the remains of his patri
mony, became known among lawyers
as hard-reading, clear-headed, steady
young man, and in little more thar
two years he ventured to call again on
Nora St. Clair and ask her certain
question, to which she answered, with
pride and confidence: Yes"
Another evening Bessie ahd Nora sal
slipping their coffee together in the
cleaning of an early summer evening
Bessie" said Nora, Julius MAY
nslzed me last night to marry him."
Going to do so, Nora?"