Year: 1878

EXPLOITS.


True he arts are more than coTonets,


And simply faith than Norman blood"


Sauire Atherton owned fine place,
and had plethoric rent roll, SO that
money need not have been an object IN
the selection of a wife for his only son,
Cyril.


Not being Of a romantic temperament
he had gwen but little thought to the
matter, merely looking upon it as es-
sential that at scme distant time Cyril
should form some suitable alliance, $50
that the name need not die out ; but
there need be no haste, and a fortune
must be among the lady's advantages.


What, then, was his surprise and
dismay when Cyril came to him one
morning and asked his consent to a
marriage with poor young girl, the
orphan niece Of a small farmer, who
lived some three miles from Atherton
manor.


A stormy scene ensued. They part
ed in anger. Cyril mounted his favor
ite "Madcap" and rode at once TO
Deepdale farm. Hilda saw him coming
and met him at the door.


The rash young lover had not waited
for his fathers consent to WOO her,
and they had been betrothed for several
weeks. He had led Hilda to his home
and given a daughters portion Of love.


1t was hard to tell the bitter truth,
and in his anger and disappointment he
did not soften one harsh word his
father had said, even to calling Hilda
a mllkfaced doll, whose pearly teeth
and bright eyes had captivated him in
spite of his better judgment.


but We'll be married in spite ofhlm,
won't we, darling? He'll come to his
senses then, I'll warrant. He'll think
it all right when he can't help himself


Hilda's roses paled as she listened to
the eager boy, and the happy light
which had made her dark eyes so bril-
liant, had died away in sombre shadows,
but she answered with gentle res0lu-
ton:


mo, Cyril, two wrongs never made
a right. 1t doesn't sound like you to
say such a thing. We are young, and
we can wait until your father changes
his mind"


That's what he'll never do said
Cyril, gloomily. If he takes a notion,
an earthquake wouldn't move him. If
we wait for such a thing, We'll wait
forever


Then it will be with clear censci-
ence. Your father Is an old man, and
1t might shorten his life, if you his only
sen-should prove disobedient and un-
grateful. cannot come between you
and your father


Cyril listened to her with flashing
eyes.


Then you will throw me over. l
who worship the very ground your feet
have touched. Oh, Hilda, l did not
think it of you. My father was right.
he continued gloomily. He said all
women are alike selfish and mecena-
ry.'


Don't Cyril know you cannot be-
lieve it OF me. Hear me Ifyou were
to be crippled in mind and body, and
rniserably poor, and no one else had
prior claim to you, 1 would work my
self to a shadow for you, 1 would work
myself happy in doing so. 1t is be-
cause l love you better than myself that
l will not let you do wrong. But | will
promise to 90 solitary and alone, so far
as human love is concerned, to my
grave, lift so be that we cannot marry.
Dear, dearest, Cyril, 20 home to your
father and do as he wishes, fully and
entirely. Gods blessing will surely
rest upon the dutiful son.


Her voice broke. With a wild i'm
pulse she threw her arms around his
neck aud kissed him again and again
between her sobs. 1t was her farewell.
The next moment Cyril was standing
alone in the porch, and the heavy door
was shut and bolted between them.


After few moments Of bewildering
hesitation he mounted and rode away.
He could not but think forgivingly OF
Hilda, as he recalled her anguished
sobs, and felt her kisses burning upon
his forehead-she who had ever been so
chary Of her caresses.


Strive as he might, he did not again
see Hilda. 1t seemed as though some
unseen messenger was ever on the
alert to warn her Of his approach. AT
last he grew desperate, and determined
to leave home. His father procured
him a commission in the army. He
wished for active service. and, as it was
the time Of the Crimean war, he had no
difficulty in carrying out his purpose
His regiment was one of the first sent
out.


Hllda heard of his departure with tear
full eyes. Still she did not regret the
course she had taken. Following the
noble example Of Florence nightingale,
she went to one Of the hospital training
schools to fit herselftO follow her SOL
dier, if necessary, and nurse some poor
victim OF the war back to life, or to
soothe his dying moments if he was be-
yond help.


But other work was in store for her.
A letter from home brought news Of an
oo;,lon,;c of tho moot fatof tvpe of tv-