The Press., 1892-09-01

m modest way. but these hopes were nipped by his early death almost in their beginning, and poor Mrs. Lisle was left with an income of about two hundred pounds a year and eight children, only one of whom, Frances, could be said to have completed her education.
 Frances felt that she must manage to earn money somehow or other at once to assist her mother and sisters. But how? Few questions, alas, more difficult. After everything in turn had been duly considered there seemed nothing she was really fitted for. She did not even know enough to continue the education of her younger sisters. She had no special tall ent, and if earn she must had yet to learn how to earn. In this dilemma one solution only offered itself. MT. Fitz- hardy generously came forward with the proposal which her changed manner had prevented him from making before. Frances could not help being deeply touched by the way in which the offer was made. The mother of his wife should never pinch or starve he said; he would undertake to double the small means already at her disposal, and be- sides this Edith should have that two years abroad which her father had prom ised her. ...
 It was a sore temptation. Frances had no hope that she might ever be so fortunate as to regain the affection of the man she loved. She knew she had slain all that by one vain, foolish speech. He had gone away and would not come back until he was heart whole again. But still-she loved him! She knew now that it was indeed John Smith, Junior, the drapers son, whom she fastidious and refined as she prided her self upon being-loved with her whole soul and strength. Loving him so pas sionately she dare not become the wife of another man. II should despise my self," she thought; "I should grow to hate him." And so MT. Fitzhardy had to take his refusal, softencd by many ex- pressions of regard and heartfelt thanks. When he pressed to know the reason- if there were any one else-she stopped him with pale lips, confessing faltering- ly, ''Don't ask; have been very unhap- py; I have no heart to give-I shall never marry; or at any rate, not for a very long time." And with this he had to be content.
 Then came kind Mrs. Smith Frances was obliged to see her, Mrs. Lisle Icing still quite unfit to face visitors. The good woman had come on mission of friendliness. II should like to get to the bottom of that business about Johnny" she said to herself as she rolled along the road to town in her luxurious car riage. "There's hitch somewhere, I'm sure, and what I've got to do is to find out where it is. I must try and make friends with the girl. Pretty dear! I like her little naughty 'stand-off' ways; my Johnny deserves a wife who can hold her head high-he's gentleman. bless him, and ought to marry lady. I wonder if it's the shop that sticks in her throat?-or, perhaps, even-oh, non sense! I can make her like us if I try, I'll be bound. I'll ask her to come and stay at The Grange for bit, just till they've had time to look about them. Poor, dear Dr. Lisle! what a mercy it was that Providence spared him until Johns leg was nice and sound again Here she wiped away tear of grati- tude.
 In this mood, it was no wonder that Frances found her most sympathetic listener to the sad details of their loss. The girl met her in a softened state of feeling too-compunction for the con- temptuous manner in which she had spoken of the poor soul to her son; |some natural tenderness toward the son nfh nf %hn cIo that stripping of conventionalities which is the common effect of the near approach of death or any great sorrow. These made the innate craving ill her for love and sympathy leap out toward that intense sympathy in poor, vulgar Mrs. Smith, which brought the tears to her eyes and the quiver into her voice, and Frances recognized fully that it was possible to reap much comfort and con- solation from words among which the letter HI" was chiefly conspicuous by it's absence.
 Indeed she hardly noticed now the de- ficiencies which had so often made her shudder. It was heart going out to heart, the weak and sorrow stricken ap- pealing to the strong and sympathetic. Mrs. Smith had tact too. ,ie said not a word of her son and hi, ,.bles, but simply drew the girl out tv .,,,c;sk of her own griefs and sorrowed with her. The question of visit to The Grange was Gegatived at once. 'I cannot spare the time," said Frances. ''I must find em- ployment of some kind without delay"
 Here was agrand opportunity. "Then, my dear," replied her visitor, ''I think know exactly what will suit you. am looking out for a nice young lady to come and live with me and be a-a daughter to me in fact. You see am very lonely. MT. Smith is away all day at business and-and my son nearly al- ways off on his travels. or if not he has mans place to male ill the world and can't be always tied to 8 tiresome old woman apron string. Now, I want H.,''.. one who will l>e tender to my failings, and put me in the right way, too, when I make little slips. MT. Smith, he's so anxious for me to be all right, and some how I think it's easier for the men; they're always out and about, noticing things. And the loneliness is trying. An! it's not easy always to be happy, even in big house full of fine things, if you've nobody to love in it! I never was much of hand at fancy work: be, sides, what's the good, when I can buy it ever so much better done; nor books either; they do make me that sleepyl No! what want IS just something young and pretty about me to take an interest in. Now, what do you say! You see, you'd be earning something, which would be 8 real help to your mother, and I can't tell you what a pleasure and comfort it would be to me to have your dear fathers daughter by me and try and return some of his great kindness to us. Say now, my dearie, will you come?"
 And what could Frances do but throw her arms around the good woman's neck and press her sweet young lips to the fat red cheeks which looked so incong1uous beneath the smart, expensive bonnet,