Year: 1861

mine. Will it please you to have it thus ?"


The young man consented, and the ar
rangements were made accordingly. aa;rsl


The evening came, and Mark was ush'
cred into the house OF Clara's friend, whom
he had heard called Mr.. Sampson. This
Mr.. Sampson was an old man of patriar.
chal appearance; quantity dressed, his hair
and beard white as snow, seeming never to
have suffered the approach of razor or
shears. He received Mark with touching
kindness it was he who gave the blush
ing bride away. 3as ac


"Now, my children" said Mr.. Sampson,
after the ceremony had been performed, and
Mark and Clara were man and wife, 4" you
are about to commence the ascent Of lite's
hill together. Be true to each other ; be
true to honor and duty and" he added,
raising his hands while the big tears started
to his eyes, "may God guard, guide and
bless you!"


Mark loved that old man-he learned to
love him at once and he promised himself
much pleasure in visiting him.


81 never knew before that you bad
such friend" be said to Clara, when they
were alone.


"Oh," she replied, with warm light
breaking through the moisture of her eyes,
he has been my friend since my father
died. He has never been called upon to
serve me much, but still love him as a
father. And you will love him, Mark, as
you come to know him."


There was much wonderment in society,
when it came to be known that old lothian
Wilton, the retired banker, had disinherit-
ed bis son and the gossip mongers had a
busy time about it for while. Some said
that old lothian had done just right oth-
ers said that he had done just wrong;
though they could not fully exonerate the
son. Others there were who, knowing
Clara, sided with the youthful couple, and
denounced old lothian as monster of the
first water. The more sober and rational
ones-those who had known Jotham Will
ton through bis long and useful career
were at loss how to understand the mat
ter. At first they were unwilling to be-
lieve that he could have done such thing
as disinherit his only child. 1t did not
seem reasonable. "Of three promising
children" they said, d" Marke's the only one
left to him, and it cannot be that be has
thus cast him off" But, fnally, when they
found that it was really so, they shook their
heads and said that Jotham Wilton was
deranged.


In the mean time how was it with Mark
Wilton Like a new being be stepped
forth from the old Inheritance aud put
forth bis hand to work for himselt. He
remembered his solemn pledge, and he was
determined to redeem it, He said that he
would show to the world, and to bis father,
an independent aelt-sustaining man, and he
meant to do it, Aud then in bis new home
he had an angel to sustain him. By every
word and deed, by every look and thought,
did Clara seek to sustain and encourage
him.


For the first six months Mark made but
little apparent headwsy. Yet he was dill
gent and hopeful, and faltered not. He was
| punctual at his office, attending to such bu-
sioess as was left with him with prompt
faithfulness, and devoting all his leisure mo-
ments to study. In bis Office and at home
he studied, and the harder he worked the
more did he find to work for. His pride
bis pride was leading him op-pride sharpS
ened and intensified by resentment; the
most powerful incentive that could have
been given him and he was determined to
rise to distinction. He attended the courts,
listened to the best pleaders, and then,
when alone with his wife, he tried impromp
tn cases over again.


AT the expiration of six months be was
engaged to defend party who had been
sued for trespass in removing a building be-
longing to the plaintiff from land belonging
to the said defendant. 1t was q case in
volving some nice points of law, but Mark
Wilton proved himself equal to the
emergency, and gained a verdict for his
client.


Mark had now gained the first round of
the ladder, and be kept his gaze fixed eager
ly upon the top. Another case was soon
gained by him, in the conducting of which
he displayed such marked ability as to call
forth the encOmiums OF the court.
| When it became known that Mark Viii
ton was rising man, he had business
enough but be would not put bis hands to
| all that was offered. 1t was soon known 10
the courts that be was conscientious man.
And, furthermore, it was discovered, as be
did more business, he was punctual, faithful
and honorable.


1t was an enviable reputation for young
lawyer, but be had worked hard to gain it,
Aye, he had worked without ceasipg. At
home and in bis Office, over bis books and
over his thoughts, he had been busy, with
an eye to the one idea of bis life. Step by
step he worked himself up, feeling, at every
advance, that be was coming nearer to the
station from which he could demand of bis
father such recognition as one man is bound
to give another, who merits it in honor
Alb, that was the high goal of his pride-to
reach station in life equal to the one his
father bad reached before him. o, how
proud would be be when be gained it.
But, when be had gained it, what would