The herald., 1895-07-09

the while having my COPY refused half tho
time, AND the othor fellows Wondering
how kept my place.
All this and much more was easy and
exciting, moro Of triumph and 10y even
than had over imagined 1t would be, but
my pet scheme Of schemes hung lire q lit
tic. Fred got his new position in per-
fectly natural manner. He was good fell
low and deserved it. Still there was no
sign Of an engagement between him and
my Cousin Mary. Then thought, being
an independent girl, she might BE- waiting
to have something Of her own, and after
as protty bit Of finesse a. I ever saw in
my life, II 1t was my own invention---and
small wonder, for had l not schemed at
such pleasant miracles since was 8 yoars
oldf-I managed to provide her with a
neat little fortune Of her own. Still no re-
did not 60 often, for mother would always
lecture me on my habits, and somehow I
never could entirely get over the hurt Of It,
big as was-I chanced to be alone with
my Cousin Mary for as much Of an evening
ns she would be willing to bear my COM
pany.
felt very happy to see how beautifully
sho was dressed in these days, how her
hands were white already and grown
smooth again where tho delicate fingers
used to be rough with countless needle
pricks. The house was O comfortable one
now, my mother was far easier in her
mind and therefore sweeter companion.
Everything looked pleasant around
Mary, and told her how glad was to
SEQ 1t.
did not tell her how glad was to SEQ
her, how in all tho rich and varied Joy Of
my present position, as in all the unutter-
able weariness and dullncss Of my formor
state, to see her was the keenest delight
ever felt or over hoped to feel. Calm,
strong beautiful woman that she was;
perfect in loveliness Of face and form and
character, mine would be poor triumph,
nfter all, II could not contrive to make
her happy
Tsat watching her, and sho watched tho
lcaping flames of the fire, and wondered
clumsily in what possible way could force
her into the happiness which should be
hers, when all at once she rose and camo
to my side.
"Cousin Tom, "she said in that deli.
cious voice of hers. "Why don't you
amount to more, why don't you do your
self justice in some way? Isit'-and here
she blushed beautifully, but the cousin
ship gave her courage, and she went on
"is it for lack of money to make start
WITH Because, you know, I am quito
rich now, because want you to let mo
you'll forgive my awkwardness, won't
you?-to let mo give you some Of 1t, Tom,
q whole pile Of It,"
That blessed, generous, self forgetting
creature! She looked so lovely as she said
1t that my poor brain swan dizzily.
NO." said at length. lit Is not lack
of money, my dear Cousin Mary, but
sheer personal incapacity that prevents
my amounting to anything. l am an or
dinary, stupid follow at best, and my fam
lily are too clear headed to give me that
blind loving faith which makes even
stupid fellows do very we'll sometimes.
"You are not stupid" she cried, "nor
ordinary-I know you better than you
think. You could be something splendid
If you chose Why don't you chooses"
And then she looked at me with such
an earnest, tender, believing glance as
fairly drove me to her feet.
'"Oh, Mary, you blessed angel" cried
to her. could you-would you-is it pos
sible that you, after all, can find 1t in
your sweet heart to make place for such
q useless good for nothing as 13'
And then my Cousin Mary just came
into my arms and comfortcd my sore
heart with q thousand tender words Of
hope and faith. And she said the sweet
est joy of joys to her was that now she
was really ablo to help me with her prec.
ious littlo fortune. And since she values
1t so much 1 have let her help mo with IL
always. AS If any fortune, great or small,
wore to be mentioned in the same breath
with her love!-Impress.