Year: 1866

, boarding house. Mary herself answered


my summons. She started when shesaw
me, and saw her right hand move quickly
towards her heart.


"Mary," said l, speaking calmly, for I
Dad mighty strength of VIII to support
me-" have not come to distress you TEave
come as friend, and humbly ask that
you will give me an audience for few
moments"


She went into the parlor and followed
her. rroIosIngth door behind me and when
We were alone she sat the lamp upon the
table and motioned me to a seat


No." said |, II will not sit down vet
Give me your hand, Mary"


Mechanically she put forth her hand
and took them in my own. There was
wondering look in her eyes,and a slight
flush had come to her pale cheeks.


Mary, " | continued, speaking slowly
and softly, and l knew that moisture
was gathering in my eyes, You must
answer one question. Answer it as you
please and take my solemn assurance that
l ask it only for your own good. Tell
NE, do you love me? No, no-do not
take your hands away yet Answer me
II you can. Fear uot-O, fear not [ had
rather 20 into endless night than do YOU
wrong. Tell me, Mary, do you love me ?"


q cannot speak falsely, she tremblingIY
whispered. For my own peace, perhaps
| love you too well"


"ListeD to me one moment." [ added
drawing her near to me; when I have
told you what l have to tell, you shall bt
/ the Judge


/ She did not strive TO free her hands.
but looked up eargerly into my face. and
her eyes beamed with hopeful light.


"You know John Stanton p l asked.


"Yes," she replied.


"He was NY best friend when We were
at College, and my friendship has not
grown less. He came to see me and told
me the story of the trials and suferings of
one of the schoolmates of his earlier DAYS
Oh, Mary,I know well why my hand was
refused and l blame you not, It may be
that our paths will be different through
life, but shall at least know that be whom
you loved will so live that be shall not be
unworthy Of your kindest remembrance
| know that l have hitherto wandered
into the path of danger, but henceforth
am free from the dread snare. Under the
new light that has dawned upon me
hold the wine-cup to be fearful enemy
and I will shun it as | would shun
shameful life and a cIouded death-bed For
my own sake will | do this, so that my
sainted mother, if she can look upon her
boy ansmile aPproyingIy upon the course
he has chosen.


"And now, Mary, if, at some future
time you should feel that you can trust
your happiness in my keeping, you will
give me some token thereof, and I will
come and ask you again for your hand
and should it be my blessed lot to receive
it, will devote every energy in my being
to make your life joyous aud peaceful
one"


[ let 90 her hands, and bowed my head
to wipe aWay tear. | turned towards
the door really intending to depart and
give her time for reflection, when she
pronounced my name | looked back and
her hands were stretched out towards me


"Not now," / whispered. Il will not
ask your answer yet. Watch me-prove
me. Only give me to know that l have
Jour love and good will"


] stopped speaking, for Mary's head had
been Piilowed upon my bosom, and she
vas yanniro, like = child


Now now y she uttered as I wound
my arms about her. "Oh, Charles 7 never
doubted your truth ] know you cannot
deceive me. God bless your noble reso-
hutton aud let me help you to keep it :"


| cannot tell how long / stopped that
evening. | can only tell that was very
happy, and that my prospect of the com-
ing year was bright aud glorious.


On the following dag-a sabbath, calm
and pleasant-the organ gave forth new
strain. The daughters of Zion were 20
longer in a strange land They had taken
their barps down from the willows, and
within the chambers of the new Temple,
more resplendent far than the old, they
sang the songs that aforetime made 10y
Gus the city of their God. All marked
the grandeur Of the music that sprang
into life beneath the touch of the fair or
ganist on that beautiful Sabbath morning
and ali seemed moved by the inspiration
10 me it was like the holy outpourings Of
a redeemed soul, aud with bowed head
and folded hands gave myself up 70
the sublime influence As Mary turned
from the instrument l caught her eye
Mine were din with moisture, but hers
were bright,gIeaming with serapLic light


Ere many weeks had passed, another
hand pressed the keys of the organ for
Mary was not in the choir She kuealt
before the aItar-by my side-and over
Us both the aged clergyman stretched IS
9 ] 81 A