Year: 1867

!. Coming out from the opera on
o evening jostled in the crowd, l fel
a hand clasping my arm, and
J, musical voice exclaimed:


"You good for nothing!
] thought 1 had lost you! What
: frightful crush! l do believe m,
arm is broken, and my dress ruin
ed"


I was on the point Of replying
) that 1 agreed with her, but re
strained myself, laughing inward
ly at the novel position in which
, was placed, and wondering wht


my fair companion could be. Ev
identity, she mistook me for hel


brother, or possibly, her husband


judging from the familiarity of


her manner, for she added, in g


sympathising tone:


"Forgive me, Ralph-your poor


head! / am sorry l made yoa


come"


pardon me, madam" said I


"but-"


"Oh, nonsense, Ralph" she
interrupted me. "You have be-
come half barbarian since you
went to the war, to permit me to
seat myself while you stand there
rs if / were your wife, and you
ten years married, instead of your
sister, whose ready assistant and
attendant-in place of better
you should be. Ralph, shall
catch my death of sitting here
and such long ride too!' Here
the lady gave perceptible shiver.
"Do jump in, and sit down, or l
will"


What she would have done l
did not wait to hear; but, taking
my place beside her in the carriage,
we were driven of, whittier knew
not.


"I won't ask you to talk to me,
with that headache, but l want
you to listen to me" began my
companion, the moment we star
ted. 81 wanted to talk to you
coming in, but that little chatter
box, Maggie, prevented me from
saying a word to you. You re-
member poor little Lucy Walters,
Ralph. Her mother died about
two months ago, and the poor girl
has gone to live with the Deans.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dean have been
very kind to her, but it is impossi-
bic for them to do more than shell
ter her. How any one can have
the heart to wound Lucy's feelings
is mystery to me, and yet every
occasion that presents itself is
seized upon by the Wares and
Kings to insult her, even to COM
menting upon the poor girls faith
er's actions, as if she could have
prevented that which occurred
twenty years ago, and | have seen
Sarah Ware initiating her walk,
regardless Of poor Lucy's tears.
The doctor says now that nothing
can be done for her. If she had
good teacher she might in time be
independent; but that would re.
quire money, and you know l
haven't much, Ralph (; but | have
determined to do something for
our old playmate. can save
out of my allowance at least one
hundred and fifty dollars, and
now if you will double it what will
that not do for Lucy? If am cor
rect it will enable her to attend
the school of design and take pri-
vate lessons in art for year; and.
at the end of that time, if Lucy
is alive, she will show the world
what a woman can do. / know
you will give your share toward
the sum, like a good brother, as
you are"


Here my companion became
quiet, and the question presented
itself to my mind


"How am / to escape from this
awkward position honorably?-
Here I have been guilty of listen
ing to communication intended
for the ear of another-have been
guilty of an inexcusable deception,
practiced upon a stranger and a
lady knowingly. Perhaps the
honest plan would be to acquaint
her at once with the mistake, and
solicit her pardon,