Year: 1866

at all, or make some Sacrlnce IOr my gIdIlH
cation, must look to others for what he re-
fuses me. Jenny. ring and ask if brother
Arthur is waiting in the parlor.


Miss Tilbury sighed wearily. The long
speech which Mrs Tilbury had just uttered
was not devoid of truth. There should not
be srcrifce all upon one side and selfishness
upon the other, she knew too well. But she
was fully conscious also that her brother had
not meant to be selfish. If Helen would
allow herself to be influenced in the matter,
now that trouble had arisen, she felt per
suaded that Charles would see his error and
appreciate his wife forbearance while, on
the contrary, if she persisted in her course,
the breach might be irreparable. With
very heavy heart she heard the arrival OF MIR.
! Arthur Orton announced, and saw Helen
sweep toward the door with the step of
queen. One great pang forced her to follow
and make alast appeal,


ooh, Helen, you ,riU go ?"


yes, Annie, / ,oiU go.


The young wife paused and turned roy
ally beautiful naughty face to her sister-in-
law The anguish in the gentle woman's
eyes softened her little, and she hesitated
moment Then she re-crossed room, put
one little jeweled hand over Miss Tilburys
shoulder, and kissed the pale cheek.


''Do not worry and look so miserable, An
ME. Am going to commit crime, that
you should dread what / do Charles must
be taught what is due to his wife, if he will
not see for himself Do not sit up long, but
! Now, goodnight, dear, silly sister.
| Tears rained over that sister cheeks, and
the beautiful vision glided away, not happi-
| ly, but with that proud spirit OF defiance
and wilfulness that brings its own punish
ment. As she entered the parlor, her broth
er exclaimed in rapture at her appearance,
and his eyes danced with pride and fondness
as he thought of the admiration she must
win. No man entered the brilliant drawing
rooms of the great man of the town that
night with such feelings of contentment as
swelled in Arthur Orton breast. The tenn
porary sense of anger Mr.. Tilbury's refusal
had caused him when his sister apprised him
of her need of him as all escort, faded away
in the delight of the sensation he created
with so lovely vision before him. 1t was
falling of the Ortons to take inordlnate
pride in family beauty and gentle blood. -
From this one weakness had arisen errors
that had marred the happiness of more than
one of the unfortunately gifted race.
And yet it is not to be wondered at if his
head erected itself more triumphantly, or
her cheek kindled as they moved through
! the crowd, hearing upon all sides the com
ments and exclamations her beauty excited.
Her re-appearance In society was In itself
! noteworthy event. Ladies so unusually
handsome are seldom known to give up all
the attractions of the world for a quiet fire
side. and her retirement had occasioned no
little wonder. Now the re-appearance of an
acknowledged belle, more beautiful than III
her first year as n debutdRte, drew scores of
eager and curious and pleased friends around
her.


In short time her tablets were filed, and
she found herself in the bewildering saloon,
gliding through the dance, under a blaze of
lights and ravished by the sound of entranc
ing music. Her eyes burned, her lips wreath
ed with smiles, while the soft glow on her
cheeks deepened to vivid crimson. In the
pleasure of the hour, all her unhappy feel
ings passed away, and she was joyous. New
er had she been so witty and brilliant, never
so courted, admired, surrounded, fattered.
1t was all ike bewildering dream, fairy
scene of eastern splendor and delight.


Mrs Tilbury, is it possible this can be
you? A tall stately gentleman had made
his way to her side, and bent over her hand,
admirer, and report had coupled her name
with his as her most favored suitor, fact
which had given her much pain, for he was
too unprincipled and calculating with all his
wealth, polish and refinement, to win heart
like hers. Many eyes were upon the pair
now, conscious of the pastin relatiOntO them,
and she was compelled to appear cold and
unmoved In fear of misconstruction, even
while she trembled in every limb.


''Ye es, it is indeed she laughed, 'Were
you at loss to recognize me Fie, / had
not thought to be so soon forgotten.


In her effort to appear at ease, she had
said the very thing she ought not to have
said


''Not forgotten" he murmured II was
but surprised. for you have so long foresworn
society How could you be so cruel ? Or
rather, how could Mr. Tilbury be so selfish
as to rob US of our queen ? Some valiant
champion of society's claims should call him
out


What pang shot through her heart Did
this man dare to imply a reproach in his
speech about her husband. Was the old
leaven of his fierce jealousy at work to mete
out an ungenerous revenge for the dlsap-
pointment she had caused him In wedding
another and better man Already the spell
was fading and Misunderstanding cup was ting
ed with bitter drops. From another those
words might have sounded meaningless bad
image from him they could not be so and
as she trembled more violently with involun-
tary resentment, MS Iu1, ,1XeQ eye merclleSS-
ly rested on her flushed face. She had not
expected or thought of this trial And now
sprang in her heart the longing for that fire
side she had abandoned so wilfuly-its safe
ty, security and peace


viii you take my arm for promenade,
Mrs. Tilbury? You look warm"


She could not decline, and placed her gloved
hand reluctantly upon his sleeve. He quiet
ly drew the little member to a firmer resting
place, and walked on ignoring her agitation,
and talking, animatedly on Indifferent topics
until she regained confidence. With her
confidence, pride returned, and sort of so-
phistical vein of reasoning with it which stiff
ed the thought of going away. How silly
she was Did not her position as Charles
Tilbury' wife furnish her sufficient prutec-