, 1899-01-05

should have won the heart of a man as
high in the worlds favor as Ernest
Melrose stood. 1t would not have seemed
strange to me had she vol royalty. IL
my eyes she might have graced any
throne.
So l wrote her of his visit and its
wonderful results. How father improved
day by day, and how with health came
hope and courage, SO that soon the
clouds would scatter and we should
have her home again.
But she answered, begging me never
to think of her except as happy; that in
Mrs. Marvin she had found a second
mother and in her work only pleasure.
She rarely mentioned DR.. Melrose's
name, but / could well understand why
she was silent.
So the winter passed. Two or three
times the doctor came to relieve the
monotony. My parents grew to welcome
him as a friend, and /, in my heart of
hearts, as a brother, for l felt sure l
had guessed the secret of his love for
Maude.
He talked of her so constantly, tell
ing me how bravely she did her duty
and how her beauty of character far ex-
ceeded even the charm of face and form.
We looked to him almost as our de-
~liverer, for fathers health and vigor
were at last restored, but when he asked
him for his bill he laughingly replied:
THAT was a private matter with Miss
Maude. She is TO settle that"
My father looked amazed. but | could
appreciate the payment he would ac-
cept and imagined their surprise when
he should demand it at their hands.
The summer was rapidly approaching
the time for Maude's home coming
was at hand.
With glad, happy heart l decorated
our room with the roses she so loved
hung fresh muslin curtains from the
windows, Topped them back with sprays
of flowers, all the while singing aloud
in my joy.
I had reason to be happy, for Maude
was coming to a home over which hung
no shadow Of debt. The mortgage had
been paid. What she had saved should
go toward her trousseau when she need
ed one, for father had prospered beyond
all expectation.
At last l heard the sound Of wheels.
Nearer and nearer.
81 bring you a surprise. - she had
written, and by her side sat DR.. Mel
rose. l knew it all. Was it not as | pic.
tured, fancied, hoped; l only know that
an impulse which sprang from some
corner of my brain caused me to turn
hastily up the stairs, and, burying my
head in the pillow, sob aloud.
"Ellie darling! Where are you?"
questioned a sweet, girlish voice. And
/ sprang up, ashamed of my ~momentary
weakness, to find myself clasped in my
sisters warm, loving embrace.
She had come back lovelier than ever.
All, I could guess what had deepened
the flush upon her cheek, the radiance
to her eye!
l smoothed my disordered hair, listen
not a word did she say of him, whose
deep, manly tones l could hear now and
then as he sat talking.
Look your best" she said, with a
roguish tw:nkle-"your very. very best!
THERE am satisfied"
And, taking me by the hand, she ran
rapidly down into the room where they
all sat. DR.. Melrose arose and came
forward with his old smile Of welcome
and made a movement as though he
would already give me q brothers. kiss,
but remembered in time that his secret
was not yet disclosed.
The evening passed rapidly away in
pleasant laugh and jest. Occasionally I
intercepted a glance between Maude and
her guest, full o. meaning, but no II
else seemed to notice it. At last he rose
to bid us goodnight, and as he held my
hand a moment in his he whispered:
"You have always been the most in
d~efatigable in pressing my small claim
upon you. Tomorrow l will present it
to you for payment. May | see you for
q few moments in the morning?"
Certainly" / answered, but my
voice trembled, and l think had he
staid a moment longer l should have
burst into tears.
All through that long night l watch
ed my sister, sleeping so peacefully by
my side. waging my little war with
myself.
How natural that he should love her,
30 young, go lovely! But, ali, why had
my heart gone forth unasked to meet
his? At least the secret was all my own
-none would suspect it.
l had not known it myself until ]
had seen them side by side. With per-
haps a shade lass color, a little culver
ing of the lips, but nothing more, l en-
tered the parlor next morning to greet
DR.. Melrose, who stood waiting for me.
II have come, as you know, to claim
my payment, Ellie. Can you guess it,"
A momentary struggle with myself.
then I answered bravely:
Eyes, l know it all. You have my
consent, DR.. Melrose, although you take
our dearest possession"
He looked bewildered, but suddenly
seemed to understand, as he said:
"Then you know. Ellie? Since the
day ! first saw you in church l have
loved You, have cherished as my fondest
dream the hope of making you my
wifel Darling, You ARE sure l have your
CONSENT"
"But MaudeY" | almost gasped.
"Maude is only too happy in the
hope that | may win You. She lie en-
gagged to u cousin HON she met at Mrs.
Marvin's, and who is soon coming to
claim her. He is n splendid fellow and
we'll worthy of her, Int !, alb, my dar-
ling, can accept DO other payment than