Year: 1865

What a pity she could not hear YOU. /
might help'alohg your rather unpremisinl


case. This sceuntry seat wodldn' t make suel


bad home for the old father and mother


wouldit ~


f0r moment al was silent Maria al


most trembled lest Mr.. Denny should TAX


1t upon himself, then and there to aveng,


unmerlted insult, but soon his slow ant


measured words reassured her.


]. am quite as well aware as you, Mr.


Hughes, that my position in life hardly pla


ees me upon an equality with Miss WilIetts


Neither do aspire TO her hand for, a,


much as | admire and respect her, | coulC


not marry girl who was living without al
aim. -


Ralph Denny went up the stepsand entered
tthe house, leaving the two alone upon the
piazza Maria had pressed her hand upon
her head to still the sudden dizziness that
erept over her at his words The Others
had scarcely moved her but his-there was
depth OF meaning, a bitterness too, that
hecould not shake off She did not pause
to hear any more-she had been too long
absent already, and the calm, beautiful night
had lost.its charm She flew down the stair
ease and along the hall to the open parlor.
and stood looking IN upon the gay scene be-
lore her, There was dancing, and nearly
All hereompanlons were upon the floor keep
ing tInIe. to the inspiring music, and a lively
word or jest greeted her as the young gay
creatures passed her, moving lightly through
the dance, but Alaria felt as ifall their words
were hollow and meaningless. She looked
tor another face, which she knew would not
hide behind it an empty heart and in the
bay. window she saw it; shaded by the light
folds OF the curtain, watching the dancers
with no more interest than she had done
The young man rose as she approached HIM
and met her with a grave, sad smile, while
Maria s answering smile was scarcely less
empty. lie drew chair within the recess
and as she moved it a little farther from the
light her hand touched his.


Why. how cold you are, Miss Willets.
and your face seems very pale. Are you


He gave an eager and searching glance In
to her face.


y might return your words, she replied
turning away her head


Perhaps so, he said, quietly, and then
there was silence


How much the young man wished, that
evening, she was little girl again, and he
her father book-keeper, that he could draw
his arm about her and warm her chilled fin
gers IN his and listen to her pleasant, trust
tul talk, as IN the happy days gone by. But
they were children no longer. She was a
gay, worldly woman to him, who scarcely
saw her now except under some unnatural
excitement, but he knew that in her home
she had grown selfish and unmindful Of the
comfort and happiness those about her and
only IN society, where she reigned supreme.
was she the brilliant woman he saw her to-
night And he was in business on his own
account, struggling up, as best he could,
with an honest heart and strict integrity Of
viii for a basis


Arm you going to dance the next set
with me Maria asked, at length, little
-imidly, but with playful manner, she as
sumed to hide the deep feeling. Il was
engaged to Mr.. Hughes; but he is not here,
| see, and do not care much about dancing
with him to night


Ishould be most happy, Miss Willetts,
but do not wish to intrude upon a previous
engagement.


His tone was very cold, and his man
ner distant. Maria 5 eyes were filled with
tears.


Il know you think me very bad Ralph,
my dear old friend, the truest friend / ever
had, but | am going to try from heuceforth
10 do some good, and Las, a5ne aim in
life. "


She left him alone IN anlazement, and in
4 moment more was waltzing with a lady
friend as if no serious thought had ever
lawned upon her mind. He was at a loss
to know what had caused her so suddenly to
re-echo his words he half believed she had
heard them at any rate, he was glad at her
good resolve


Maria was not sorry when the last guest
had departed, and she could 90 up to the
luet OF her own room to think How often
some little word will affect our lives, some
simple act Of good or evil go with us through
time into eternity.


She was not sleepy, though it was very
late. She placed her lamp upon the table
near the bed and stood looking a moment
At the sleeping face of her little sister.
There were traces of tears there which were
a reproach to Maria. She remembered then
what a disappointment it had been to the
child when she had forbidden her from com
ing to the parlOr to be in the way, and how
The little lip had quivered and the eyelids
dropped, and SO she had cried herself to
sleep. She bent over and kissed the inno-
;edt face. The little one started up and
opened her eyes very wide.


t0h it is you, Maria and the face
3louded. Have they all gone? / listened
10 the music and sound Of their feet, till |
went off to sleep and dreamed | was there.
Did you have good time p


Pretty good r and Maria emphasized
.he words with anotherkiss; but / was sor-
" little sister was not there VIII you for
1--WE me darling? Next time you shall come
lown to the parlor and stay till the last Wis
Itor is gone, and sister viii see that you have
Just the best time.


ooh won't that be nice?


The child brought her hands together
gleefully, and turning over her bright head,
dropped off to sleep again.


Maria turned the lamp low and sat down
BIZ the window. The moon was set, but the
stars seemed to shine all the more brightly
that their rival was gone; and Maria looked
up to them with hardlya thought Of their
beauty for the remembrance that was rank


ing in her breast


without an aim in life ! Strange /
have never thought Of it before. Gaiety,
dress, fashion, my own employment, have
taken up all my time, and Ralph knows too
well have spent little kindness or thought
Fulness upon anything beside. There is not
one person happier or better for my being
ID the world. / do not suppose one Of my
gay, adorable friends who were here this
evening cares straw for me besides my
money and social position, and the pleasure
hat may bring them But what shall be
my first step Where shall begin the re
orm s'Would / had been some maiden
coarse and poor F"


sgKNhatsnever thv hand findeth To do. do