Year: 1862

sound Of breaking waters had entered her
heart.


The family of Theodore Sterling was
one that pridcd itself on its wealth and
fancied aristocracy. The heart of his
mother and elder sister was set upon his
wedding the neice of an old friend of
Theodore's father, wealthy banker, and
the proud and worldy-wise women were
quite appalled, at the idea of his marry
ing the teacher Of his sister-a woman
without family, wealth, or position, as
they termed it. A few remarks on the
subject to Theodore convinced his family
that he considered himself the best Judge
of the woman most fitted to satisfy his
heart and mind, and that he would in no
wise brook any opposition where his dear
est rights and interests were involved
Mrs, Sterling and her oldest daughter
were resolved to prevent an engagement
between Theodore and the young teacher
il they could possibly compass their pur-
pose.


Perhaps there is nothing like pride of
wealth aud family that will harden a wo-
mans heart and eat like a slow rust into
all that is tender and pititul in her ma
ture. The ladies' silenced their conscicn-
ccs, or tried to, By thinking that the 'cnd
justified the means and the younger
sought private interview with Gertrude,
and frankly Informed her that her brother
had eyinccd an interest in her which made
his family fear for the happiness of the
lady to whom he had been tactly engaged
for several years, and whose young life
would be bl,ghtcd if the iaintest suspic-
ion of the gentemaus truth or honor en-
tered her heart 1t was a plausible story
told with an air OF truth, and Gertrude,
in the simple honesty of her nature, never
for Il moment doubted it. She promised
never to reveal the story she had learned,
aud, all her highest instincts shocked at
the idea Of gaining affections to which
another had better claim and title, she
solcmnly resolved that she would at once
terminate the acquaintance between her
self and Theodore Sterling.


And she did, for the next time they
both met he asked her that question which
only the day before would have crowned
her lite with all earthly JOY and blessing
to hear, aud then and there Theodore
Sterling received refusal--unqualilied,
absolute. He was astonished, wounded,
half.niignant. He could not suspect
that his mother or sister was at the bot
tom Of this change in Gertrude'S manner.
But it effected all that they desired, aad
the neice OF the banker was now, through
their management, frequently thrown IN
his way


She was a pretty, impuIsive, and warm
hearted girl, without any great depth OF
mind. it is true, but Theodore Sterling
heart was wounded, and he wanted rest
anl tenderness, and SO in less than SIX
months the heircss was his wife.


The life of Gertrude Wooster had gone
out into the chill and darkness again
She had resigned her situation and OBJ
tanned another hundred miles away,
where the old associations would not har-
row her quite SO keeny, and for two
wears more she bore her heart-ache brave
ly and silently and laborel diligently, and
,heu the strange titlings camc-hcr uncle
Dennis had lied suddenly of a paralysis,
and She was the haircss Of all his wealth.


And this is the sad story Of the life of
Gertrulc Wooster. No wonder that She
stands at the window with the great slow
tears rolling down her fair checks, aud
that her heart rises against the dead as
She murmurs, Too late--too late -
And then she wandered what she should
do with all this wealth which had fallen
to her, and which seemed to mock her
wlth haunting thoughts of what Knight
have been" And then the pale, sweet
face rose suddenly into conservation and
exultation.


-. 1t is Gods aft, murmurcd Gertrude,
q" and | will take it with reverence am!
gratitude from hun, and Will do good with
1t in my day and generation.


And when she turned away from the
window there were no tears, only sol
emu light aud rejoicing on her face, ior
She remembered that her beloved were
with God and needed no more the wealth
of this world.


And for the next year Gertrude Woos-
ter did do gool-not with hish-sonndlns
charities or gracious gifts that set her
name where many should see and do IT
honor, but her donations dropped like the
dew in thirsty places where she was
scarcely known The struggling, the dell-
cate, the sensitive received silent gltts
aud never pressed the hand that bestowed
them, for the springs Of her benevolenec
poured through still-aowing channels,and
Gertrude Wooster learned how good and
meet thing it is to bless others silently.
And then the blessing come to her.
She sat by the table one Autumn night
with her face bowed over her book, on
which the shaded light fell with its soft,
tender radiance. Ii was wild, weird
Autumn night. The sky was hung IN
dark gray clouds, through h whose thick
folds looked the sweet face OF neither
moon or stars and the wind moaned and
frettel aud then rose into fierce cries as
it seemed for the lost beauty of the SUM
mer. The night was not without a GER
tain charm and power for those who had
hearts to understand it. and the lady sit
l. - 4 l,sa.