Year: 1869


ed her lips upon the jewell.


"Dear, Leon, how much he loves me
Oh, if could be all he wishes, and keep
down this hasty temper of mine %


Already the quarrel had become mat
ter of deep regret, and the warm little
heart was ready for reconciliation, when
the supper-bell put an end to Alma's day
dreaming.


She was spoiled beauty, this warm
hearted, quick-tempered Alma Crofts,
motherless from her infancy, the idol of
loving father, with whom no one could be
angry spite of her thousand oaprioes. She
was the centre of attraction in all the gath
erings amongst her large circle of friends
She was a perfect brunette in the glossy
hair and great black eyes but her com
plexion rivalled that of the fairest blondes,
and her tiny graceful little figure was as
full of life as that Of fairy, The object
of admiration, and the recipient of attcn-
tion from number of gentlemen, whom
she was accustomed to meet in society.
Alma most unconsriously grew coquettish
in manner, distributing her smiles and fa-
vors freely and accepting many offerings
which one more sensitive about encour-
aging attention would have declined.
That she was vain, giddy, and coquettish
al could see, but only few read the prom
Use of nobler and better impulses under
this worldly surface.


Leon Harris was one of the few who
could pentrate the crust, and read some
thing of the warm, true heart beneath,
that only needed some strong motive to
wake it to life. He, with his grave, re-
served nature, seemed strangely unfit to
mate with this butterfly but with the in
consistency of love, he gave his whole
heart into her oapricious keeping, hoping
that an answering love would rouse the
noblcr portion of her nature. But he was
too eager for the change that could only be
wrought gradually. Accustomed to so
much adulation and attention, Alma found
it difficult to give up the unmeaning civil
tiles so long giver to her. She loved Leon
truly, recognizing all the noble, high at
tributes of his nature but she was wor-
ried into pettish resistance by his too often
attempts to mould her into the quiet, re-
served woman he wished to sec her.


Two loving hearts, united by the attrac-
tion of opposites, Leon and Alma needed
only patience to become, each what the
other most desired. Time, the great fash
ioner, would have laid his finger on each
heart, tearing away something Of the cold
reserve of one, and the gay vanity of the
other. But they were young and impa-
tient and, while the one wished to wrench
the other suddenly and forcibly from all
associations and habits, the other hun
gered for some words of praise and flattery
amidst the continual fault-fnding and
blame. Leon did not mean to be unkind j;
but his very love made him too exacting,
too impatient to see the loved one perfect.


"Supper-time !" said Alma, springing
to her feet, and letting the faded flowers
slip unheeded from her lap; leon will
soon be here, and, when l thank him for
his beautiful ring, will tell him that
| | will try to become all that he wishes
Dear fellow if he only knew it love
him with my whole heart. had rather
have one smile from him, than fifty hon
eyed speeches from another but that
crooked twist in my heart makes me hide
away my love too often. I will try to be
more dignifed If he will be good-naturcd
again"


Fitting quietly down stairs, as her
thoughts took the above form, she reached
the dining-room just as her father and
Aunt Mary sat down to the table. There
was constraint on the whole party. AL
ma was listening for well-known knock !;
Aunt Mary was sadly wondering if her
giddy little niece had not thrown away her
own best hope for happiness and Mr..
Crofts was unusually grave and distracted
AS he rose from the table. he said to AL
ma, II want You in the library for few
moments !'


Wondorin-, half fcieh'ancl the young
girl followed him. With gentle gravity
he motioned bcr tn a seat, and spoke =
Alma. Leon Harris came to my Office
this afternoon to accept situation which
six months ago h. declined, because he
did not then wish to leave home"


What position I" Her lips would
whiten and quiver in spite of all her eff
forts.


The agency for the business in Cana
da. My agent there wishes to return
home, and is only waiting for some one
to be sent in his place, to give up the sit
uation. There are very few who could
take that place, but Leon is one of the
few"


He waited for her to speak, but she sat
with her face half averted, silent.


81 was panied Alma, more panied than
l can express, when he told me that this
late acceptance of my offer was caused by
the late rupture of your engagement. l
respect Leon, and had hoped to call him
my son. and when / heard that you had
been mistaken in your feelings for him,
sorrowed for my own disappointment as
well as his. Do not think, my child, that
l wish to force your affection you are
the bestjudge of what will make you hap
py; but am sorry you were so hasty,
for l fear you have given deep, lasting
wound to true, noble heart"


! Pride and love! How the two were bat
l a.