Year: 1879




Mrs. Stoddard was a fine looking
woman Of thirty-five, commanding in
her appearance and imperious in voice
and manner. Her black eyes were still
as bright as in youth aud her glossy
hair as abundant. BY what strange in
fluence she had been dominated when
she gave Mr.. Stodiard the preference,
psychologists must explail, for the rea-
son is not very apparent. Probably her
strong, independent nature instructive
ly though unccnsciously revoted against
close life companionship with one hav-
ing an equally powerful individuality.
At any rate, Mr.. Stoddard was a COM
plete contrast to his wife in most re-
spects. He was small and slight with
light hair and eyes, and quick, ner-
vous manner, that made it impossible
for him to appear aignified, even on
those rare occasions when be tried. He
was devoted TO business, aud quite con-
/ tent that his wife should control all do
nestle affairs, as that relieved him OF
much distasteful thought and care. He
was glad, for the sane reason, TO look
10 her as an authority in all matters Of
art, literature and general intelligence,
aside from business and politics, though
his remarks on any but the last-named
subjects were rare and not remarkably
profound. He was prosperous, and was
gradually amassing wealth, though not
as rapidly as his wife desired, for she
was ambitious and Of a daring, adven-
turous disposition that looked with con-
tempt on the slow, cautious policy Of
her husband. She was a poor girl when
she married Mr.. >, but had she been
possessed, like Mrs Norton, Of fortune
Of her own, she would have invested 10
in accordance with her own financial
ideas, which regarded speculation, rather
than the slow accumulatious Of trade,
as the best means Of gaining wealth
and power. But she did not realize how
fast the love of these things was chang
ing her nature. She did not notice that
she was losing that enthusiasm for noble
deeds and the refining and beautiful ere
ations of fancy and genius that had dis
tinguished her as a girl. She did not
know that the real reason she had hesi-
tated about undertaking the care Of the
orphan of her dearest friend was a self
ish one. She would have resented as
al. -f
Gus and disliked the prospect Of in
creased expenditure, yet this was the
truth. She thought the reason she gave
the true one-that some one else could,
by placing Eiinor in a family where
there were girls, make her sooner forget
her loss and recover her spirits.


But Mrs. Stoddard was not one to do
anything by halves; and, having ac-
cepted the care Of the young girl, she
treated her as well, so far as comfort
and display were concerned. as though
she bad been her own.


Frank Stodiari, the ouly child, was
noble-looking boy, strongly resem-
bling his mother in looks and disposi-
tiou, as well as in mental characters
tics but he had a generous nature, and
dearly loved TO befriend those younger
OF weaker than himself who needed help
or protection. Though much petted, be
was not spoiled, for he had that sturdy
common sense that saved him from fool
ishly believing every faltering thing
said to him, and kept him from suppos-
ing that he was the only young gentle
man whose comfort and pleasure were
Of any consequence. He had a very
tender affection for his mother, whose
best feelings seemed to center in him,
and who had been more than ever de-
voted to him since the loss Of her only
daughter, pale, gentle girl, whose blue
eyes and fair hair cOntrasted no more
strongly with his black curls and fash
ing eyes than did her timid, retiring
disposition with his bold, brave, resO-
lutte nature He had missed his sister
sadly, and it was mainly owing to his
persuasion that Mrs. Stoddard had de-
cided to receive E,inor into her family,
for she was about the same age that
Lily was when she left them, more than
two years before, and in her mildness
and gentleness reminded both parents
and son Of their lost one.


Frank loved bis home, and felt no
disposition to leave it for the society Of
coarse, rude boys Of his own age; but
he was very social in his feelings, and
often, since his gentle sisters death, had
longed for some one to take her place in
his home. so, when Elinor came, his
delight was unbounded, and he at once
constituted himself her knight, for he
was fond Of all such romantic stories as
those Of the age OF chivalry and what
more could an eager, ardent young soul
require than the opportunity to comfort
aud protect solitary, sorrowing girl
like this, who appealed to all that was
manly and heroic in the boyish heart.


But, though Frank loved books and
the society Of his mother and his adopt
ed sister, he was not Indifferent to out
door amusements, for he was a genuine
boy, and enjoyed heartily all in that
line that boys of his age usually care
for, though he was neither coarse nor
rough. He was not a perfect boy, by
any means, aud had his full share Of
faults and consequent trouble; for his
! impetuous nature often led him into