Year: 1861

iOr her own sake must not seek 10 nelp ner'


AS came home, though, did indulge myself
so far as to buy tea-rose in full bloom and
pot of heliotrope. They stood in my room
over night and the next morning l sent Ellen
to her with them, and the request that she
would take care of them for me. had taken
it on trust that she loved flowers, and was not
disappointed when Ellen came back and told me
Miss Nora was so overjoyed TO get them that
she almost cried.


happened to meet her that day as l went up
from dinner.


81 have to thank you again." she said, earn.
estly. am grateful The flowers will be such
company for me-"


! asked her if she would find time, the next
afternoon, to go and see some pictures with me.
1t was when the English collection was at the
Atheneum, and there was painting Of "Hinda"
which | longed to have her see. 1t was the
face OF one who waited and watched and some
how | had associated it with hers. She could
not refuse, she sad it would be such a rare
pleasure she must make time somehow. While
we were talking Mrs. Lee came through the
hall. She nodded to me. hut she cast on my
companion look of singular distrust and dis
like. | noticed it then, ana remembered it
afterward.


She spoke to me that evening about Nora
Hastings. She had observed me talking with
her, she said, and would tell her if l was 60
ing to marry herp | might think it very
strange question: one which she had no right
to ask but if | chose TO answer it she would
convince me that she had good reasons"


had no cause for hesitation. The thought
of marrying Nora Hastings had never occurred
to me- and told her so frankly. | related to
her the beginning of her acquaintance, and its
slight progress, including my invitation for the
next day Then waited for her reply.


81 hardly know what to say, Nj. Prescott"
she began in her insnuating voice, shaking
gently her head, with its long fair curls. 81 am
sure it would be kinder to say nothing and it's
not at all necessary, since you do not think of
making her Mrs. Prescott


"But what if had been intending to marry
her, Madame ?" | spoke little stcrnly, per-
haps, for had satisfied her curiosity, and was
determined that she should make the explana-
tons at which she had limited. think she was
unwilling to refuse me, still she spoke with
hesitation.


at is nothing; at least if any other gentle
man in my family had been going to marry her.
l should have said it was nothing and kept
silence; but l have looked on goa as my per-
sonal friend, and should have told you that l
considered her an artful, designing girl who had
tried to entrap several of my best boarders i.to
marrying her, and had failed hitherto"


| half wonder that this did not shake my
confidence in Nora, but it did not for an instant.
Her face, her pure noble face, was her best ad-
vocate. 1t rose before me then and | replied,
unhinchingly.


81 am sure, Mrs. Lee, that you must be mis-
taken. AS little as l know Miss Hastings, l
would be ready to answer for every act of her
life though she has franbness and simplicity
Of manner which might possibly misead some.
am certain that you do her injustice"


"Let us hope that l do," she said, with a
smile sit has ceased TO be of interest to me
now that know she is not likely 20 affect the
happiness of one whom l consider my friend"
She diverted the conversation into other
| channels but believe | had been little
vexed by her pertinacity in reminding me that
had assured her l was not going to marry Nora
Hastings. | had told her the simple truth when
| said that the idea of such marriage had new
er occurred to me. But now that she had put
it into my head, it did occur to me again and
again. took such an interest in Nora as had
never taken in any one before. Perhaps
could not win her; but if l could-I paused,
and strange, sweet thoughts drifted through my
mind, of what ii would be to be loved and
watched and waited for by such love and beauty
to have her altogether her own. How she
would love her husband, mused-she with nc
other tie in the world Ny dreams that night
were roster than any of the hopes of my by
gone youth.


We had a couple of pleasant hours the next
afternoon, looking together at the pictures.-
Now that had begun to think of Nora as one
who might some day make my world, saw new
charms in her every hour. 1t was pleasure
to show her works of art. She had seen sc
few, and she enjoyed them intensely, and ap
preciated them with such q fine inborn taste.


1t was not the last afternoon We spent togeth
er. Oftenest we went to see some new bust oi
picture; but once or twice | persuaded her tc
let me drive her out into the country, and new
life seemed to bound in her pulses, and youth
ful brightness and hope to tnge her pale face
as the trees shook down their odorous blossoms
upon her lead, and the wind kissed her check
and lifted the hair from her brow. | had begur
to think of her as mine, and to dream font
dreams of how l would cherish her.


went home one evening, when had know
her two months. | had intended to send fo
her, as | did sometimes, and ask her to join mi
in little walk. ! went into my room, ant
presently Ellen tapped at the dour. | opened
it, and she placed little note in my hand
She had been crying, and she said, as she CAV,
me the paper,


"That'll tell you about it, suppose, Sir
Miss Noras an angel and nothing else, and Tv
given the mistress notice. I'm goin' next week
| won't stay where they've treated her so, poo
darlin'w


tore open the note, and bade Ellen wal
while read it. The handwriting was hurried
and irregular; the words went to my heart


oMrs. Lee tells me she has let my rooms to perso
who will pay more. | am obliged to 60 to-day. Sh
intimates that have lowered myself in your esima


ton by my forwardness, and that.l have lost the re
spect of the boarders. This may be so, alas! iea


it is. could bear all else, but to have lost your re
spect is terrible. You were very kind to me, and
was so sweet to have Il friend. DO not think an
worse of me than You can help. II have been toI
ward and presuming, 1t was because | knew so it'll
of life. | shall remember your goodness, and b
grateful TO you forever. NORA HASTINGS"
My poor, wronged, innocent darling If
had never loved her before, should have love
her then, and longed to sheltered her from
cold world in my heart.


"Whcre has she gomez" asked turning t
Ellen. "She does not tell me-"


"She has gone to Mrs. Miles, on Dsrne-s
The lady had given her a great deal of work
and been very to her, and when Miss Nor
found she couldn't stay here she went to he
J with her troubles, and so Mrs. Miles said sh


should stay there till she could look about 70
p a new place"


So there ioere still some kind hearts in tn
t world | thought gratefully, who could sho'
pity to the orphan and the friendless. Go


bless them all! But she my poor little Low,
should never need to seek another boarding
, house if she could only love me, and let m