Year: 1868

mothers and pray to God to help her to be
good, and to control her feelings.


Chapter VII


Harry arrived at the old home of the
Chamberlains one week before the we'd
ding, and Nellie actually bounded to his
arms, and kissed him halfdozen times,
while even his polite aunt was guilty Of
some genuine feeling. The servants came
tlOcking in, and as the news reached the
field labor was suspended, and old and
young came to hail the master welcome.
Harry felt that home ties were very sweet,
as all looked so happy, and bis cousin Mel
lie SO joyous.


Night had drawn her sable mantle
over the world and the cold December
wind whistled keenly enough to give a
glow of comfort to the bright fire before
which Harry and his cousin sat talking long
after Mrs. WaldOR was asleep. Harry
turned the conversation upon himself, and
told Nellie of the dsrk-browed orphan, and
how after settling marriage portion upon
her he intended his fortune for Tallula, and
wished her to persuade Edward Moreau to
live on where she now was that she might
be companion for her mother and a
friend for Tallnla when her education was
completed, for that he knew the strange
child could never be happy in any others
home.


Perhaps, Harry, you mean to give her
yourself. wish in my heart you would.
1 know shall love her, if but for all the
sorrow her young life has known


Nellie, never allude TO that again. I
would not dream of forming designs upon
The mere babe God has given me. Though
Heaven help me Il ifanother should ever win
her heart from me. Its entire possession is
now the light Of my life. But she must be
free to choose for herself, untrommeled by
any such thought of me-"


After q close examination into business
Harry found that 1t had been 50 we'll man
aged that notwithstanding his extravaganza
and munihcence there was ready money
sufficient for all his purposes, and to bestoW
Rpon Nellie quito handsome little fortune
for two raised in moderate circumstances
Harry spent thelwinter South, looking 10 the
comfort of all, not even omitting single
servant, then started for Europe again
spending several weeks with Talluls err
leaving America, ae vas restless to get rij
of the time which must intervene before h
could take Tallula to his home in the South
when he proposed settling down quietly
to the enjoyment OF home for life, unles
Tallula should give her heart to another
then he felt he should become a wandere
over the earth until death claimed him fo
eternity. Although Harry could scarcel!
tell himself how it came about, he nov
believed fully in hereafter. This tril
Harry travelled with an eye TO knowledge
and became close observer Of countries
men, and events. And as the mind hecaml
interested in useful knowledge he lost hi
relish for excitement, and time passed OIL
regularly and contentedly, although hi
heart often few back to the little hali-elfl
child who had stolen so quietly in anl
taken possession. Notwithstanding tina
Tallula ever came up before him as th'
baby child he had left in the valley at thu
foot of the mountains, in New England
years had run their course, and she wa
sixteen, and was to receive her diplOml
in month. She was valedicterian, AMI
was to write her address in poetry, and Sc
it to music. Her guardian had been &C
quaiRted Of the approaching event, bu
had only written that he would arrive il
time to travel with her during the summer
and that they would not 60 to her home il
the South before the commencement o
winter. So that Tallula congratulated her
self that there woald be no anxious one by
to note all her defects, and put away al
dread, and devoted herself with an eas!
spirit to try and do honor TO the nOblt
woman who had done so much for her, and
long years ago for the mother so dear tt
her heart.


The examination had passed and th'
house was crowded to witness the exhibi
ton Ofa truly talented graduating class al
Harry whispered 10 Edward MOreau:


"Tske Nellie Ia. 1t will not do for Tai
lulato recognize me. would not have hel
nerves unstrung for her part for a little
fortune. Iwlll watch from window, and
keep back in the dark SO that there may be
no danger Of 4 misohaneo revealing my
presence


The exercises pEoceeded, relieved at In
tsrvals BY zusic coming In between the
readings. One afier aaother lad passed
through, and TAllniA sal With quiet de-