Year: 1874

so economically. If / marry well, then
1 can help Lucy and Anna and HELEN,
and the BOYS can be educated at Col
lege"


81 hope we shall realize ali you anti
cipate, my darling" said her mother, as
she kissed her daughter tenderly. at is
the first wish of your father and myself
that you and your sisters should be hap
PLY settled in life. 1t would be hard to
have YOU go from us; but you know, my
child, as well as /, that our slender means
will not give us luxuries, and that some
times we are even forced to go without
some comforts of life; so We hope that,
by fortunate marriages, our children will
be more easily situated. And so We will,
Bella dear, believe that your third offer
will not only be more to your taste, but
will, in all respects, be just the one to
ensure your happiness"


az am confident it will mamma; though
l shall not want to leave you," replied
Isabel.


But the winter passed away, and no
other offers came to Isabel Hascomb.-
The next season had hardly begun, when
she was taken i'll with fever, the result
of attendance upon little Eddie, who had
contracted the disease from playmate.
So that ended her prospect for the sec
ond season!


Now our story really commences with
Isabels twentieth birth year, and the
third winter dawned. At that time Lucy,
the next sister in order, was also of age
to appear in society. But Mrs. Hascomb
wisely decided that it was best not to
bring on another of her daughters until
her eldest was disposed Of SO she sent
her second away to pass the winter with
an uncle in a distant town, as he had
kindly offered to take one of the chill
dren. And so Lucy's winter dress was
gotten ready; and, with her one trunk,
she was escorted to the depot by large
portion of the family, and took the cars
for the place of her destination; and Isa-
bel remained at home to prepare for an
other winters campaign.


The latter had grown prettier since
her illness. Her hair which had been
cut, was now coming out in short, close
curls; and the flush of the rejuvenated
blood in her veins shone out in the
warm, bright coloring of her lips and
cheek.


At this time, Allen Lansing, nephew
of Esquire Burrows, came to study with
his uncle. This young gentleman was
talented, hot-headed and wealthy, and
in him Isabel found her ideal.


Lansing on meeting Isabel, immedi-
ately became most devoted lover. He
brought her gifts-beautiful, expensive
bouquets and books of poetry and music
and read and sang with her many an
hour of the pleasant winter evenings
He was also lavish of his money on 9TH
er members of the family, making ac
ceptable presents to the sisters and bring
ing toys to the brothers; and Isabel was
very happy in his presence; and thus the
winter passed on.


In the spring, one evening, he came to
see her by appointment. 1t was raw,
wet night, with the breath of winter yet
in the air, the wind moaning and sigh
ing, and a cold, sleety rain falling with
out. Isabel sat in the parloralone, wait
ing for her lover, who had, the previous
evening, asked for this private inter
view; and, as she sat there with expect
ant heart, her ear caught the sound of
his football upon the pavementsoutside,
and, with quick blush, she started as
she heard his well-known pull at the
bell, and in a moment rose to welcome
him.


But an hour later she sat there alone
again, the bright smile gone from her
countenance, the color all fed from her
cheek and lips, and sad, weary expires
sion, pitiful to behold, resting thereon
instead.


The wind without came sweeping
round the house, driving great gusts of
rain and sleet against the windows, and
beating hard and strong against every
thing which opposed its power, covering
the late travellers, mufled up. in their
great thick overcoats, with an icy mail,
and making them shiver and hasten on
more quickly to the welcoming home,
whose fires burned brightly, as if in an
ticipation of their coming.


But the young girl, left alone in the
parlor from whence Allen Lansing had
just departed, sat there cold and icy as
the storm outside; for a wind, chill as
that of the raging blast without, had
swept over her soul, and, for briei
space, she yielded to its breath.


And this was the reason of the change
that had fallen on Isabel Hascomb. AL
len Lansing had come that evening tc
tell her of an engagement he had formed
the preceding summer with a young girl
of his native town. 1t was the old story
Lansing had supposed he read his OWL
nature Alright, and pledged himself tc
Minnie Reeves, who had really loved
him devotedly in return. Her parents
had been consulted, and they were bounc
by mutual promises to each other.
81 thought loved her, Isabel, until
knew youw he said; "but, when we met
you completely dimmed and efaced he
image in my heart. Isabel, tell me
what shall I do?" he asked in conclu
sion. have been wrong in seeking you


society when I was bound to another
and deserve only your censure. I hav


been selfish, but only love you. Oh, b.
generous, and tell me what shall be m,
fate p


"I cannot guide you, Allen," she re
piled at first, in voice sharp with pain
"Do not ask mel Your own sense Q
right will tell you that quickly"
"My heart, Isabel-my whole bein


pleads for you-only you! But say tha
you will be my wife, and no other clain
shall stand between usw he exclaimed
as he caught her hand.


/ "Allen, do not ask it !" she replied, i