Year: 1878

n It was the last night of the year. The widow Bruges sat alone in her apart 'faent- flor she rented but one, and that was small and scantily furnished room, though she managed to make it look qu1teApanous and comfortable by the disposition of its furniture gazing into the embers, which, though they were fast expiring, still sent out genial warmth. i9a Her work-a bit of nice embroidery had dropped into the clean white hand kerchief which was spread over her lap, and her head was resting on her hand her task was so near completed that she indulged herself in luxury she was but little accustomed to-a moments cessa- tion from toil. The light of the lamp, which fell partially on her face, revealed a countenance deeply marked with sor- row and care; but that face was youth 2 ful. still, and grief had not banished beauty from those features-it had but thrown over them vail which concealed their sparkling brilliancy, while it made their loveEness more charming. The 4 pensiveness and quiet submission re- vealed in the depth of these large, lus- trous, black eyes, the calmness and deep thought of that white brow, and the smile of benevolence which played s, around that mouth-it was hard for those features to learn thus to look; the soul was almost crushed before it would for get it's pride; but now heavens seal was impressed upon that countenance so deeply that it could never be obliterated.

 Alone no. the widow was not alone in her apartment. On the humble couch lay child of seven years, sweetly slum- bering. The little girl did not much re- ' semble her mother in her features, though to the heart of her parent she } was only the more dear for that; for in that sweet little face she had ever before

 her the perfect miniature of him whom

 she loved so well, but so unwisely. She loved her the more fondly for that fo1

 though there had been moments when she invoked heavens bitterest curses on ' him who had squandered her wealth al the eFdram-shop and the gambling table and had cruelty neglected, and finally 10 deserted her and her babe-she had long > ago buried the remembrance of his crimes, and thought only of the few

 brief years when they were happy to

 gether.

 The widow sat resting her head on hel hand, and gazing into the dying embers s The nightwas cold, the snow lay thicl ? on the earth, and the wind was sweeping 7 about her dwelling. She thought of tht z hundreds in the great city who were tha , night suffering from hunger and cold v and her heart went up to heaven in grati

 .tude for the nercies with which it hat

 surrounded her. It was true, all tn,

 money she possessed on earth was bi

 of silver lying on the table beside her

 and that she had promised little Anno | should purchase her, on the morrow, New Years gift. But then her rent fo heinexti quarter was paid, she had tue

 and provisions enough to last her fo the next fortnight, and the work she ha' aDso nearly completed would bring her

 scanty, but sure pay. The widow wa

 thankful, for she knew what utter dest

 tuition was.

 ssaa1 The wind moaned more loudly an sadly about her dwelling.

 e#" Heaven have mercy on the poor tc

 night, and may not the cry for charit

 fall upon deafened ear p

 As her lips murmured the prayeI there was a heavy footfall behind ht

 window, followed by quick tap at tt