Year: 1877

The tone was one Of utter amaze


ment, and Mrs. Gordon flushed ur


easily, as if the surprise was in som


measure a reproach.


"You see, Aunt Lucy" she sal,


coaxmgly, "this is so far out of town


If Harry and want to make call
or go to any place of amusement,
takes half the night to get home"


"Not quite so bad as that, Lulu
Harry goes to the city morning an(
evening, so it cannot be so very far


"And l have to be up so very early
because Harry does not relish hi
breakfast alone, and Sarah never cooks
rasher quite as he likes it"


"Well," said Lucy grayely.


"Well, half pettishly, a hate house
keeping. I want to have my time fol
visiting and sewing"


"You should have sufficient time for
both, with such perfectly arranged
house, and 50 small family"


There was an interval Of silence,
while her aunt, full Of painful thought,
tried to think Of arguments that were
not censures, to coax Lulu Gordon
from her new resolve.


She was Harry's aunt, not Lulu's,
and her experience taught her the
danger of this new step.


Orphaned when a boy, Harry had
been her life-eharge, and she knew well
where his temptations were suited.


He was frank, generous-hearted
man, fond of society, inclining to good
company" and Of the easy good nature
that is a blessing or a curse, as circum-
stances or strength of principle dictates.


Mrs. Henderson had spent many
prayerful hours in the past, knowing
Harry had not strength to resist many
Of the temptations @good fellowship"
calls forth.


She had known Of his engagement
to Lulu with trembling heart, for
Lulu was an only child Of doting par
ents, and spoiled by over-indulgence.
But the change in his life caused BY
his marriage had exactly the steadying
influence Harry seemed to need.


Lulu's father, who was not rich
man, had drawn up the savings of
years to furnish house for his daugh-
ter, and Harry had selected a cottage
upon the outskirts of the city, because
it combined the advantages of low
rent and a large garden.


He was salesman in wholesale
house, drawing good salary, and his
interest in his house and garden was
that of a boy with a new toy, but con-
tinued long after the novelty was over.


There was a steady, middle-aged
woman engaged as a servant, who
proved efficient and reliable, and Lulu
at first shared her husbands pleasure
in the novel dignity of house-keeper.


The only cloud upon the first two
years had been the death Of beauti-
ful boy, who frightened the house for
six months before he was called to
heaven.


It was a common remark among
Lulu Gordon's friends that her house
was gem, and Harrys pride in it
was very great.


He was constantly adding to the
stock of pretty table appointments,
toilet articles, or kitchen convenienees,
and his rule was to buy the best only.
so that little by little he had collected
q choice assortment of household goods
under his roof.


Through the spring and summer
he would spend the early
and evening hours in his
garden, priding himself upon his fruit,
lowers and vegetables, and if they
,ost as much as if bought in the mar
xet, the money was well invested in
lealth and pleasure, as well as the
lrticle produced.


But while the pretty house and gar
len we're the source Of pride and hap
,iness to Harry. while he studied to