Year: 1863

10 oe lnuepenuent. 1eEc sne WAS tTeateu
as menial, and Albert determined to pro-
cure the publication of her productions,
and thus furnish her with the means of q
livelihood. On the morning that our mar
ativs opens he was accompanying her to a
publishers when his sister saw him. and
gave him the lecture we havo chronicled.


Albert was aware of Gertrudc's accom-
plishm. .nts. and resolved to bring his sister
in contact with her in such a way that she
would be constrained to do justice to her
merits. It was not long before he and his
sister received an invitation to party to
be given by one of their arristocratic
friends. The evening for the party arrived.
Salina was escorted thither by an acknowl-
edged lover.


After the rest Of the party were assem-
bled, Albert entered with noble appear
ing lady by his eide. She was introduced
as Miss Pstro. She was beautiful and
splendidly attirel. Gems and jewels
flashed upon her person, and her demeanor
was that of person accustomed to polite
society. All were charmed with her con-
versation. Isabel was delighted to see her
brother so much interested in one so refn
ell and accomplished. At the request of
the company, she played on the piano. and



sang with a thrilling pathos that delighted
all who heard her. All the company were
fsvorably impressed and delighted with
ber.


The next morning Albert noticel that
Salina was better pleased than she had
been since his offence. lie was aware Of
what pleased her. but thought it best to
allow her to make the first advance on the
subject. AT last she remarked:


al can hardly tell how well was pleas
cd with the lady you brought to the party
last night. You acted wisely Id bringing
one of your cwn station


Then you consi1sr her one Of the patri-
clan order do you?" he quietly asked.


Certainly; l know her to be such.-
She is far from being plebian. You
could not deceive me. Every. act. every
motion. proves her to be Of high birth,
and to have been accustomed to good So
ciety. And then how accomplished she is.
/ doubt whether there was q lady there
who could compare with her in this respect.


"There. sis, ! believe you are right. She
is doubtless the most accomplished as well
as the most talented. You remember the
articles in your last magazine that you so
much admired. over the name Of Cleo?-
Well, she is the author of them.''


II am not surprised to hear that Any
one can SEQ that hers is no ordinsry mind


"Well. sis. how would you like her for
sister-in-law?"


80 that would 'uit me precisely. 1
hope such may be the case"


Then. since it seems 10 please you so
well, have the happiness to inform you
that we are engaged, and in one month l
expect to bring her here as my BRIDE"


Il always believed you would make the
right choice at last. She is very queen.


do you remember the lecture you gave
me for walking with seams stress not long
since?"


"Yes. and presume l may claim some
credit for your wise choice"


81 can astonish you more still. That
lady you admire so much is that self same
seamstress."


That is net possible! You introduced
her as Miss Pctro and the seamstresses
namc was Letner."


"Her name is Gertrude Petro Letncr."


lis it possible that you will stoop so
low as to marry ono who has worked for q
living?'


"You forget the enconiums you have
hcapcd upon her.


IL will talk to you no longer: but tell



you this house will never hold us both."
and she left the room under great excite.
ment.


Albert knew that expostulation was
useless; but resolved not to be deferred
from his purpose. BY his fathers will
the house belonged to him and he resolved
that Gertrude should be its future mis-
trsss. a a8


Time passed on and Selma finding that
her threats were Of no avail. took refuge
with her aunt whose aristocratic notions
coincided with her own. As we shall
have but little more to say Of her at pres
ent, we will remark that in coming in pos
session Of her share of the estate, she mar
ried the man who had long been sueing for
her hand, but was really in quest of her
fortune


Albert brought his bride. at tbe appoint.
ed time. to his princely mansion. and In
vested part Of his fortune in trade. HI
found his wife All that heart conld wish
and never had reason to regret his choice