Year: 1859

AS Sidney thus spoke he looked at his
watch, and then arose and went out. In |
a little while Frank followed his exam
pie, and wended his way towards Mrs
Collins. He found Nellie at home, and
went in to spend the evening. They CON
versed upon various matters until quite
late, and then Frank approached the sub
ieet that lay nearest his heart. He told
Nellie that he could not bear the suS
pense longer. He said he loved her as
he had never loved anotaer-he had loved
her a long time-and if she would be his
wife he would love her always.


Nellie trembled, and it was some mo-
ments ere she answered. But finally she
looked up, and said, with warm, gener-
Gus frankness-


i must answer you plainly, for my own
happiness is as much at stake as yours
Had you asked me this question a week
ago, | should have had no hesitation in
giving my answer. But am not situa-
ted now as l then supposed l was


Nellie cried the lover. as his COM
panion hesitated, what can you mean?
You surely love me. O-you cannot
have given to an


Stop, Frank interposed the maiden,
with a sudden start, you misunderstood
me. | must tell you the TRUTH must
confde to you secret which at first
resolved that l would never divulge. I
only knew it three days ago. You knew
that my father left some property


I did,


And that some few thousand dollars
were left to each of his children?'


/ had supposed So


WeII-in an unfortunate moment my
mother. who had the use of it all, was led
into a speculation by which everything
was lost. 1t all appeared fair and sure
to her, and she ran the risk with the firm
belief that she should nearly double the
property. She lost it all? but she was
not to blame. am sorry, for her sake,
for she suffers much


And what of this? asked Frank, af-
ter waiting awhile to see if she would say
any more.


Why-it leaves me penniless,' return
ed Nellie.


So much the better, cried the youth,
@eizing the fair girl by the hand, for
now 1 can claim you on the ground OF
love alone. l have already made ar
engagements for going into business, and
am sure of income enough to support
Us comfortably. Now will you be my
wife 2


! When Frank West went away that
night he was happy as mortal can be-
His plans for life were all laid, and he
had placed all the scenes of his future i'll
a warm sunlight.


Then you have really consented tc
become his wife,? said Lydia, after Mel
lie had told her the result of the inter-
view of the preceding evening.
Yes, sister-I have
And think you have done a very
foolish thing, Nellie. Since you hav,
: discovered that your money was all los
we had hoped you would look out for ;
more becoming MATCH
Since I have discovered it, returned
Nellie, with marked emphasis. VIVA
Il do you mean Did you know it before


Ye>-I knew it two years ago
+ 'And never told me?'
'Or course not.


But, Lydia-wiry should you hav
( kept such an important matter from me


Because, answered the elder sister
We feared you would be too honest t
keep it to yourself. 1t might have mad
a vast difference i'll our prospects, whetl


er we had ten thousand dollars each, G


mad nothing. We hoped TO see yo


marry with wealthy husband, and the


you wouldn't have missed the money 70
> had lost


And do you think this was right
- asked Nellie, with a look of concern.-


It's deception, and can only lead
= evil


l. There you 60? exclaimed Lydi
~ Just as l supposed. You will .nev,
le succeed in playing the game of life
De You will show your hand at every star
l | have no wish to make a game


my life,' said N.llie, with deep feeln,
ne and those who do so are full as apt
I'D lose as they are to win. had muc
gu rather take life, with all its duties al


responsibilities, as a solemn fact, ar
gu try to live it justly and honorably.


That's poetical l must confess
lat though rather of the psalm-tune orde