Year: 1879

tnlng. AL OHeS Pi''ho' a'' oho9 AoP>o' "
ones troubles, have been as her own, so COM
pletely does loving mother enter into the
feelings of her child. And between a wild
owed mother and an only son should imag-
inc the tie to be particularly strong. But
don't fear that you will be without friends in
the world. 1t is impossible that such should
be the case."


She then rose, and ringing the bell, desired
the servant who answered it to bring some
refreshments. He speedily returned with a
tray full Of the most expensive delicacies,
which he arranged on little table in cor
ner of the room, and then withdrew, leaving
Madame and her guest to the undisturbed
enjoyment of their repast. Wilfred, who had
partaken of late dinner, felt no great appe-
tite, but he was charmed by the grace with
which his hostess presided, and was more
than ever impressed by the distinguished and
dignifed air which seemed to sit so naturally
upon her, and which had at first given him
the idea that she was of noble birth.


So quickly and pleasantly did the evening
pass by, that he WAS quite astounded when
the clock ON the mantel chimed eleven. He
had been too much entertained to note its pre-
vious warnings, and now rose with an apollo
sy for having stayed so long.


"Make no excuse" replied Madame d'Ar-
cy, in cordial tone. II am delighted that
vou should have been so we'll entertained,
and must take it as a compliment that the
society of an old woman, like me, should
have made you lose sight of the hour. You
have not kept me up, for seldom retire be-
fore midnight. 1 cannot sleep earlier, if |
try. Will you come again soon?'


81 shall come as often as you will permit
me-" eagerly replied Wilfred. "That is, as
long as I continue here"


"Then come again tomorrow evening, if
you have no engagement. Only remember,
do not put aside any pleasanter claims on
yonr time, on my account"


Wilfred thanked her warmly, and took
leave, more enchanted with his imaginary
princess than ever. She certainly appeared
to reciprocate the interest he felt in her, and,
with his usual modesty, he felt at loss to
account for this circumstance.


Left alone, Madame darcy paced her
sumptuous apartment, her arms folded, and
her fine eyes bent in deep thought on the
ground.


1T appears to me, she musingly said aloud,
after some moments thus employed, "that
Providence, which has denied me so much,
has sent this young stranger here in answer
to my wish. Strange, if such, indeed, should
prove to be the case! How similar, in some
respects, are our conditions in life! And yet,
how much he lacks that / could bestow-
wealth, influence and how much, ifhe would,
could he bestow on me in return. My heart
has craved sympathy and affection so long;
and he seems to be one whom I could love,
and who would give me his affection if knew
the right means to awaken 1t.


1t was long past her usual hour for re-
tirng when she went to bed that night. Her
brain was full of busy, though as yet scarce
ly defined schemes, and she was trying to de-
eide how she could best put them into execu-
ton, or whether, indeed, they would prove
feasible at all.


Her experience of life had been very sad,
and she yearned to taste some sweetness from
the cup which had hitherto been all bitter.


And yet, not quite all. There had been
brief while-long, long ago-when she had
tasted few exquisite drops, and fondly
dreamed that they were but the forerunners
of lifelong joy. Soon, too soon, the delu-
sion had been destroyed; so rudely, so ruth
lessly, by such cruel and wanton hand,
that her heart had been shattered in the wreck,
and her peace forever lost


At sixteen, Annie Maury had been beau
tv and belle in the village where she lived
the ward of kind old couple, who had taken
her under their care upon the death of her
parents. Petted and caressed by her indul,
gent guardians, beloved by her friends, her
existence ought surely to have been one Of
happiness and content. But her spirit was
restless and ambitious, and longed to soar
out of the sphere to which Providence had
assigned her. into one less narrow and con-
fined. An answer to her eager wishes and
hopes seemed to come at last. A young
stranger, stopping in the village, while on a
pleasure tour, met her and was charmed by
her beauty. Some Aattering speeches grati6ed
her vanity, and his continued attentions soon
won her heart. He was Of good birth, hand
some and attractive in his department, and
superior to the generality of those with whom
she had been accustomed to associate. 1t was
no wonder that he took her unsophisticated
fancy by storm, and that the love so awaken
ed within her should soon have deepened into
an intensity corresponding with the depth
and eagerness of her nature. He, on his
part, had at first onl y conceived the idea of
amusing himself with a pretty rustic, for so
he considered her; but he found himself un-
awares drawn into warmer and more ear
nest feeling, and, had circumstances been IA
vorable would gladly have made her his wife.
Such proceeding, however, would have been
quite adverse to the plans mapped out for his
future career. Policy, ambition, the expecta-
tions and desires of those on whose favor his
prosperity chiefly depended, all forbade his
making so great sacrifice. Knowing this, he
still had not the courage to reveal the truth,
but suffered Annie to believe that no obstacle
stood in the way of their union; thus permit