The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-05-25

he supposed to be living and in the same pros
perous circumstances, of his desire to explore
The Western country ere he settled down to a
business life, he went home with the Captain
of his regiment, fell in love with his cOmrade 8
sister, and married her.
Then, they two, imbued with the same love
of adventure, wandered from State to State of
the wide West. Here and there, as they jour-
neyed, with touch of his fathers shrewd
usiuess insight, he invested his war savings
and a portion of his wife's fortune in blocks of
apparently -valueless land. The building of
cities in these remote places brought great
wealth to him as the years rolled on, but with
undreamed-o of prosperity came also uDdreamed-
of adversely, and in one short day he found
himself alone in that happy, wandering life,
with only little motheress girl to comfort
him.
Crushed by this blow he hethought him of
his parents and sister, to whom he had written
from time to time, but from whom he had ex-
pected TO hear nothing lin his rowing lifel, and
he returned at once to New York.
Alice sighed as she recalled his remorse and
distress when he at last succeeded in finding
her, and her own reluctance to leave New York
and make her home III Boston but she felt that
she had great reason for thanksgiving, since
she had home the affection of brother, the
devotion of child, riches. and the vast oppor
tuuties which ample wealth affords for helpful
charity.
And yet as she sat by the fire. she answered
her vague unrest by whispered confession: !:
" / love him now! even though know him to
be dead. / am listening for his voice, listening
as in the old, old days for his footstep, for his
coming down the street," She put up her
hand and touched the chain which encircled
her neck. at is there" she said, :" his ring!
Ah, it was that ring, it was his dear prayer
book which sustained my courage all those
dreadful years."
Her brothers entrance reused her from the
old dreams of love and happiness which her
retrospect of the past invited. She colored
under his affectionate scrutiny. and hastily
took up a fan. "The fire is hot" she said, with
a slight, constrained laugh, "yet it holds a
fascination for me l can seldom resist at this
hour"
at holds fascination for everyone, /
think" he replied, taking a seat beside her.
"One does not need to analyze it to feel il"
mo" thoUghtfully, since his voice had note
of sadness she was quick to detect He was
thinking of his young wife. she knew. She
hastened to change the subject to one which
would arouse his keen interest and attention.
Il have had IL applicants to- day." she said.
" IL hurts me to think that 10 must be dsap-
pointed"
You had ever tender heart for the unfor-
tunate, / remember. But do you think you
have, at last. found one with the necessary
qualifcatons?"
Il was greatly pleased with one young girl.
/ felt drawn toward her almost at once She
was wholly different from the Others
very young, thought"
Rather too young. Not more than Is or 10,
judge Still. as Dora is so easily guided, per-
haps her youth is not so great drawback"
No. to a child of 10, a governess of 1S seems
as old as one of more mature years"
Then you think | may venture to engage
her?"
"If her manners aud appearance please You,
most certainly l would try her. If she proves
incompetent, she must CO. She has references
] supposc?"
"Yes; oh, yes Very excellent ones"
Then | should consider the matter settled.
You have already had far more bother than I
meant you to have"
Following this advice, therefore, Alice en-
gagged the young girl the next day, and the
following Monday she began her task.
Alice met her in the reception room, and,
with a vivid remembrance of her own dreary
feelings upon entering new situation, greeted
her with warm and friendly cordality. To
her surprise Marian Winter responded with =
scarcely civil coldness.
She is shy, poor girl" thought Alice. Poor
and shy. / must spare no effort to make her
happy with u.s."
She made little progress, however. during the
weeks that followed. In pursuance of her re-
soiFe W Hiahe the young Bifl iiic pri9nter,
she spent much time in the school room, but
here she made no advance in obtaining a
clearer insight into Marian's nature, and re-
ceived no response to the friendship she so gen.
erousy profrered
She confessed to her brother, at last, her dis
couragement. "She will not she simply will
not like ms" she said, half laughing, yet with
tears in her eyes; "and can think of nothing
more to do or say. She is so proud. She will
not even accept concert ticket from me! Yet,
she has a magnificent voice, and is passi0natey
fond of music. She must see that ! wish to be
kind. Why is it that she dislikes me?"
"Oh, young girls are full of whms," her
brother answered, carlessy. "She can have
no reason. | should give myself no further
concern about her Let her go her own way"
Advice Of this nature, Alice knew 10 be sens-
BILE, yet some impulse for which she could not