Year: 1879

passion. This done, he drew deer
breath and found himself better and
freer man.


A week had elapsed, when, one morn
ing, he received a message from Mr.
Yellop, the second-foor lodger, request
ing the doctor to call. Wondering what
a man of whom he had no previous
knowledge could wish to see him for
Frank descended.


"Sit down, Doctor" was the greeting
he received on entering the room; "and
excuse an old invalid for treating you SC
unceremoniously. / have not been well
for some time, and L have been obliged
to consult my old friend and medical
adviser, gentleman at the head of your
college. He recommends change of air
and voyage to Europe, but impressed
me with the necessity of having com
panion who understands my ailings. BE
knew that you lodged in the same house
as |, and he spoke of you in terms sc
favorable that venture to make you the
offer Of accompanying me, of course
paying all expenses. The pecuniary
arrangements we can speak of hereafter
The first question is, will you come
with me9 Nothing menial will be de
manded. You will travel as my friend
and it will give you an opportunity to
see the hospitals of London and Paris
where we will stop some time. From
what | have learned of you should like
to have you with me, if you can arrange
it 50, and if you have no repugnance to
the society of an old man. Take your
time, Doctor, to reflect upon my pro-
posal, and let me have your answer in q
few days.


"No time is needed, replied Frank
" l accept your offer. Asyet 1 have NO
practice, and you open for me the pros
pect of seeing the most celebrated
schools OF the world"


"Then it is bargain" rejoined the
old gentleman, cordially extending his
hand thankfully. ."We'H both make
our preparations, as I expect to be alb.
sent about year. Call on me to-mor.
row and we will arrange money mat
ters." Frank arose and was about to
withdraw, when he was stopped by the
exclamation: "One moment more;
forgot one thing. The other day met
on the stairs Mrs. Worrom with young
lady coming from your room; was that
your sister"


The blood mantled Franks face when
he replied sternly, No, sir; I have nc
sister, but if I had one I could wish NO
better than that she were as pure and
as virtuous as the young lady you allude
to. who, like myself, is an orphan and
comes from my own native place."


81 like your answer, young man, and
l see we shall be friends. l did not ask
from motives of impertinence or idle
curiosity; I have sister who, like my.
self, is or fancies herself an invalid
She lives only short distance from
town; but, as she receives but little
company, she will feel very lonely dur.
ing my absence. Like myself, she needs
companion who at times can read te
her and cheer her. Excuse an cid mans
abruptness, but never saw but one face
sweeter than the one met on the
stairs the other day. The owner of that
face was my intended wife, dead many
years ago, and this is the reason why
am and always shall remain an old
bachelor. Now, Doctor, can that young
friend of yours fill such position, and
if so, have you the power to persuade
her to do so?"


Confidence begets confidence, and il
was not long ere Mr.. Yellop knew the
mutual love between Frank and Fanny
who was engaged as junior teacher In
a young ladies' seminary. The change
of such a position to the one offered
could be nothing but agreeable, and an
other week saw her installed as com.
panion to Miss Yellop, where she re
manned until the return of the two
gentleman from Europe, after an ab
sence of nearly two years. Frank anJ
she always suspected that the good
matronly Mrs. Worrom had a hand il
this arrangement, and they always
looked upon her in after life as truly
sincere friend. She had evidently seer
better days, and she used to tell with {
smile-and very pleasant one it was
that one day, having made some pur
chases, for which she wanted to pay, she
found, on putting her hand into hel
pocket, that she had forgotten her purse
/" must return to fetch, it." she said
rather embarrassed, to the tradesmar
who had served her.


You shall do nothing of the kind,
answered the brave fellow, drawing out
his till. "I know your time is precious
How much money do you want to finisl
your purchases elsewhere this morning
Whatever you like to name is at you
service. sa1


But, sir, am only boarding hous'
keeper"


al know that; but also know tina
you are respectable woman, and tina
is more than I can say of many of m.
fine lady customers.


Mrs. Shoddy may smile at this ant
Mr.. Stuckup laugh loud and yulgarly
but it is nevertheless true that nature j
not bad judge, and it is from sucl
stuff as this that she makes her rea
ladies and gentlemen.


Reader, my story must have mad
you very dull, if you can not see that i
is going to end in marriage. Before
year had elapsed after his return trer
Europe Frank and Fanny were mad
husband and wife. Mr.. and Miss Yel
lop, however, had grown SO fond of th
young people that they could not bea
| the idea of separation from them. TIL
old gentleman, therefore, bought an
furnished a house in town, into whic
they all moved, and which becam
Franks property after the death of hi
benefactor. Years have passed sine
then, but the memory of this benevolen
old bachelor and his maiden sister il
and always will be, reverenced in th
doctors family. He has been pro-
porous practitioner. Still, in ever
mans life there are hours when he erie
from the bottom of his heart, "M
God! my God why hast Thou forsake
mel" In uch times of sorrow Fran
opens the Bible in which he Keeps th
dried snowdrops and crocuses from b,
gone days, and in looking at them b
becomes more calm, and praises Go
who 80 mercifully saved him from lii
of degradation and shame and mad
him useful member of the comml
nifty:


zone whom the brethren all delight to praise


trusty friend to men In struggling days"



If you don't shut down on the ino