Year: 1866

her as she really was but the best can
do would prove only poor apology, for,
to my mind. no one | ever saw was half
as beautiful as our darling, She was no
tall. stately brunette, who drew crowds of
admiring sutors tn her side; but she won
the love of every one who knew her, and
there was magic power in her laughing
blue eyes to bewitch ever the gravest
philosopher. Her hair Wis of.a rich,
beautiful auburn, changing to waves Of
gold in the sunlight her cheeks wore a
bloom as rich as the brightest rose, while
her teeth we're pure and white as pearls.


She was slight creature, and you
might have taken her for child but for
q certain air which alone bespeaks the
woman. Llstes to her voice SC sweet and
musical, hear her wild laugh ringing out
loud and clear on the morning air. There
is a graceful unrest in every movement,
first you might find her having froic
with her pet dog, the next moment she
would be in the kitchen deeply engaged
in the mysteries of cooking, perhaps af-
ter that she might be playing brilliant
chorus and almost before you could re-
alize it, the music would change to low
mournfa strain, awaking buried hopes
and dreams.


She was never contented with anything
more than a minute at time, and you
might search her room on to find an
endless variety of work put away unhu-
ished Such was my sister Maud NJ the
age OF eighteen, aud know you do not
wonder that my father loved her better
than any one else on earth. She was
his "pet," his "blossom," his "pearl," his
sunbeam" yes, think | may safely say
his "idol." Neither time nor money
were spared to make her happy, for she
alone bore any resemblance to our angel
mother.


Not that my father did not love my
brother and me. Oh, no, for he was ever
kind and gentle; but we were too Lear
like him to be worshipped as was my
sister.


My brother had been travelling for two
years, and now he was coming home, how
soon we did not know, until at last | re-
ceivej few lines from bin stating he
would arrive on the 25th, and should
bring friend with him whom he hoped
would be welcomed cordially.


1t wanted but day Of the appointed
time, aud hurried about to. make the
necessary preparations. trying, however,
to seem as little occupied as possible,
hoping to keep my sister in ignorance
While arranging the window drapery in
the room prepared for the stranger, |
chanced to see carriage drive up before
the door but did not think of my broth
er. Just as | started to go down stairs l
heard well-snown voice exclaim -


'' Fred, dear brother, home once more
How glad am to see you! What a joy
full SURPRISE" and after fond embrace
stopped to catch her breath.


Leading her forward my brother pre-
sented her to his FREUD, saying


"My youngest sister, Mr.. Bennet.-
Charles, this is Maud, of whom have
told you so often"


TIE stranger stepped forward, and tax
ing her hand, bowed gracefully, while
she, with all her usual politeness, bade
him welcome to our hcme.


Standing in the door unnoticed, had
ample time to study his countenauce.-
He surpassed my expectations, for never
in my life had seen one who bore such
type of the perfect gentleman. He
was rather above medium height, with
dark hair, eyes as piercing as the eagle's,
a broad, white forehead and dark, heavy


s"o"ci "hich scrNcu W Udhe q hAou
expression of the mouth seem only the
sterner


Accidentally turning my brother s.
pied me, and in moment more was
clasped in his arms receiving and return
Ing his loud caresses 1t needed no
words to tell me he was glad to be at
home again, or that he loved me as Of
old, warm affection as he presented me
to his friend read in his eye lock of
satisfe pride as he said,-


My sister, Isabel, MIR. Beunet. She
is mistress of my fathers house, here,
Charlie, and also mother .enur lifth