The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-04-06

in high good humor. Edward Batters-
by had met him, and had invited him
to dine at fashionable restaurant that
evening.
"Men are made of tougher materials
than you fancy" Uncle Wake replied,
with reassuring smile. HE looked
well enough when l saw him. Take
my word for it, that headache was an
excuse for in-temper. Don't be fussy
about him, my dear. He will find his
way back to you when the fit is over"
Then he brought one of the books
that were piled upon the table, and be-
gan to read a poem aloud. The verses
were well chosen, and his voice was
pleasant to her ears. So the afternoon
glided into evening, and when Mrs.
Wake came home, more pensive and
shadowy than ever after her visit to
Jessie, Olive was able to meet her with
cheerfulness. 1t was hard to see Mich
ael's vacant place at the supper table;
but Uncle Wake encouraged her with
smiles, and talked quite openly Of the
absent lover
'If he does not come in on Monday or
Tuesday, shall go and look him up"
he said "Ah, Mrs Wake, how unrea-
sonable you used to be If I ever dared
to have headachel 1t is only women
who are allowed to be invalids. A lover
ought to have an iron constitution"
"You always had, his wife remarked,
"but Michael is not made of iron, and
he looks as If he had nerves. Perhaps
he is little irritable sometimes. l
know he has short manner, but what
is manner when a man is hardworlsing
and steady? When looked at our poor
Jessie to-day, Icould not help thinking
of olives good fortune"
For years, everybody had been talk
ing to Olive about her good fortune.
Who was she, that such n clever young
man should have set his heart upon
her? The girl had always been hum
BILE and grateful, and she was humble
and grateful still; only subtle change
was stealing over the. humility and
gratitude. She did not think less of
Michael, nor was she less lowly in
mind, but she had begun to use GER
tain faculties which had been undevel-
oped in her village home.
She had learned lately that there are
certain aspirations which cannot be
stifed, even ut loves command, with
out self-degradation. Truly he who
findeth his life in this world only, shall
lose it; the worship Of things that per-
ish in the using destroys all spiritual
life in the worshiper. Olive had found
out this truth.
When she lay down to rest that night
she fell into peaceful sleep, and
dreamed of the old downs and fields OF
her childhood. Michael was roaming
with her through those calm meadows,
rich with the purple and gold of sum-
mer. He was once more the younger
and simpler Michael Of the past; they
were happy in the old-fashioned way Of
rustic lovers. Then Jane and Aaron
Joined them, and they followed the
course Of the rivulet through the grass,
and laughed for very gladness of heart.
She awoke suddenly in the light Of a
London day, with that dream-laughter
ringing in her ears. And then all the
bitterness of yesterday came back like
flood, and she remembered that she
and Michael had drifted apart.
But downstairs there was 'the'every
day life awaiting her., full Of its whole
some work and chesrfulness. And
there was a note from Michael, ad
dressed to herself, and written late OF
Sunday night.
dearest Olive" III RAM, do moi
wonder at my absence for few days
/ hope TO bring you good news when
come. My'head Is better.
"Yours as ever, NJ. c."