Year: 1878

the gavety of her son. when n the pres
ence of the young lady. was forced and
hollow; that his compliments were but


ip-service. and that. when he thought no
one was regarding him, his face sank into
the hOllowness OF woe and settled melan-
choly. She had no words with him of en-
couragement, Of reproach, yethe gradual


y became conscious that she was narrow


y watching him and his everv movement.


"He knew the purpose OF the young
lady's visit to his home. and knew that his
mother had set her heart upon her for
daughterin-law. 1t would require some
thing more than an ordinary circumst stance
to turn her from this design. If one way
failed to bring 1t about. she was full of de-
vices, and another way would be tried.


'To be sure. he was too manly to fear
his mother, or to fear that she could force
him into anything that was positively dis
tasteful to him; yet her word had long
been law. He had been bred to dread her
wrath, and to know what hardship it
was to feel her reproaches of censure.
Nevertheless, lovely as was the young Wis
itor, waiting, as it was only too evident she
was. to drop like ripened fruit into his
hand if he only reached forth to pluck her,
he could not do so! He did not do so."


"Why?'


The rattle of the wheels of a carriage,
driven rapidly from the house of the moth
cr down the street one afternoon, attrac-
ted the attention of all within hearing.
and many looked at the vehicle as it
passed, curious at the unwonted speed.
There was on angry flush upon her face.
and her mouth, always firmly set was so
n1n Il Al
formed one straight, unbending line.


Rapidly the carriage passed down the
high street. and, coming into the suburbs,
crossed little bridge that spanned a
creek. 1t drew up on the other side of
this. near pretty little cottage, shaded
by great trees and almost covered by
creeping vines. Scarcely had the horses
stopped before the lady within had dis
mounted. swung open the gate, passed up
the wooden pathway, and without stopping
to rap, or otherwise give any signal Of her
approach or presence, flung open the
door, and standing on the threshold,
looked within.


"Motherv exclaimed the voice of a
young man. in tones OF astonishment, min
gled little with apprehension.


Yes, mothern was the reply with a
sneering. malignant jerk of the words.


at was scene upon which the eye of
any one. and certainly that of mother,
could scarcely look with malignant or
scorned expression.


The room was very prettily furnished.
showing not only that good taste had
predomnated in the purchases. but there
had been as well, no lack of means.


"ln the centre of the room, In large
easy chair, sat the young man. apparent
ly as much at home as though he was the
master of the premises.


On one knee was perched child, per-
haps two years of age. with yellow hair
clustering in thick curls all about its head.
and merry roguish face that but for
the disparity in years, was reproduction
in miniature of him who had been caress-
ing him. Just behind him. and leaning
her arms upon the back OF the chair, was
a little woman of unquestionable beauty,
her dark eyes and hair, and full, plump
figure forming an attractive background to
the Saxon-hued faces in front of her. The
eyes were large and inviting, and the feat
ures were well-shaped and regular; yet
there was lacking, and there was always
lacking. that indetinable expression that
comes from culture and polish which we
are pleased to think contact with polite
society and education gives to the human
countenance. II not these, You could, at
least, read in this young face faithfulness.
abiding love. and the gentleness springing
from pure heart.


The young man had cried ont 'Mother;'
the young woman. just lifting her hand
from caress on the brow OF the young
man, Strengthened herself up to her full
height and began to tremble as she saw
the figure. terrible and awe-inspiring to
her, standing In the doorway, while the
child stopped in the midst of a laugh,
turned halfway round, and flung his toy
down on the floor in front of the new
conner.


"For some moments the lips of the old
lady worked, while she twisted the para.
sol in her hands until the ivory of the
handle cracked and broke.


This, then. is why am to see nv
plans all frustrated + she at length
exclaimed in a fury, and stamping with
her foot upon the floor.


There was no answer to this; but the
young man rising. put the child upon its
feet, and bringing forward chair. pointed
to it. acting all the while like a man trying
to catch his breath.


This is why you have treated nv guest
and your future wife so discourteously.
continued the old lady.


"At one word in this speech easily de-
tected, the young woman started Just no.
ticeably. and looked into the face of the
young man. who went and placed himself
by her side.


THE old lady pushed the chair from in
front of her and stepped further into the
room. She made great effort to be
calm. but while her voice was smooth and
even. her frame shook. there were black
looks in her eyes, and her eyebrows bent
uutil they almost met on her white and
patrcian forehead.


81 am nothing. NV wishes are moth
ing. My plans are nothing. What haze
hoped for, what | have dreamed over,
must all come to naught. Who is this
huzzyp she exclaimed vehementIy. And
suppose this is your brat = As she spoke
she made venomous dart al it with her
parasol. The young woman sprang to-
ward the child and gathered 1t in her arms.


Why don't you speak to me p con-
tinued the old lady. rs the mother be-
meath your contempt. unworthy Of any no.
tice or replyP'