Year: 1869

He assisted his fair visitor into her
carriage, and then made prep arations
for an instant departure.


o.


CHATTER Y.


1t was a cold stormy evening in
March. The rain beat against the
wi windows; the wind swept moaning
through the pine trees.


The heiress of Pine Hall sat alone in
her library. She gaEed musingly into
the glowing fire, and the book she had
been reading fell unheeded to the floor,
as her mind was busy with the past
life seemed robbed Of all its bright
,ints, and the future, as she thought OF
it now, seemed dull enough. She had
found some comfort the past year in
relieving the wants of the poor in the
' icinity, and blessed the soft hand that
could soothe their pain, and give to
them the comforts of life. Another
gust of wind swept around the house,
causing the orphan to shiver and draw
nearer to the FIRE. The moDotonous
sound of the rain soothed her, and
leaning her head against the back of
the chair Lenore slept. There twas
slight commotion in the hall below, but
she did not hear it. A well known
vo ice inquired where she was, bat that
voice was mingled with her dreams.
Clarence Howard entered the room
softly, and stood beside her Could
that be the rosy-cheeked, laughing Le-
more he had last seen! Her fact. was
white, faint pink tinged her lips,
which used to glow with brilliant Grim
son. Her dress of heavy mourning
silk told the story of her loss; her hair
was in plain bands no jewels glittered
on her hands, or at her snowy throat;
one rounded arm from which. the open
sleeve had ia lien, was laying on the
velvet arm of the chair.


Clarence imprinted a kiss on her
white brow. Lenore sprang to her
feet, and was clasped in his arms. Dis
engaging herself, she said coldly:


"You have no right to caress me
now, you who have been so false"


Il was not false Lenorei our letters
were intercepted by your father, who
but will not speak i'll of the dead.
A package of letters were found in his
desk by your lawyer, which proved to
be the ones that each of us thought had
been received, and not answe red. They
were given to me by Miss Helen St.
Alban."


Lenore knew now what her father
had asked to be forg given for. She
could not think i'll of him, he had done
it as he supposed for her good.


"Can you trust me now Lenore !"
said Clarence tenderly.


She placed her hand in bis. 81 have
never ceased to love you Clarence"


A year has passed. In the parlor of
Pine Hall few guests are assembled.
Leaning on the arm of Clarence How
ard, Len ore hears the words that bind
them together for life. The color tinges
her cheeks and lips as brilliantly as Of
yore, and her face is wreathed in happy
smiles. The bridegroom looks proudly
on the treasure he has won; every one
says, "What a handsome couple" Con-
gratulations are offered. Gilbert ST.
Alban says: 81 am glad you are happy
at last Lenore. Though you are lost
to me. you will always have my best
wishes for your happiness"


After the wedding breakfast, the
newly married couple enter their car
riage, after bidding farewell to their
friends. They are going'to Europe on
their bridal tour, and they must be at
the depot in time for the cars so the
carriage rolls rapidly away. Surely
the sun has never shOne so brightly, or
the birds caroled so sweetly as to-day.
And now dear reader, you and / will
bid them farewell, after wishing them
a pleasant journey, and hoping that
their married life will be as happy
throughout as it bas begun,


THE END.