Year: 1878

Charles j. Fairfax took a survey of
his position. He looked over his room
his possessions and his prospects. His
room belonged to Mrs. Campbell. He
owned nothing in it but himself and
Spider, his tsnterrier His prospects
were dubious To make the matter
utterly perplexing he was in love with
a lovely girl. who had a stern uncle.
assuming dragonship over her, ard it
was bitter absurdity for fellow own
ing nothing but himself and a dog to
apply to old Hayward Surghnor for the
hand of his pretty niece, Mary Wrede.


Old Hayward Sorghnor loved Mary,
but he would never once acknow ledge
that she was in any way as good. or
eomely, or winning as her mother had
been. Mary did very well. but her
mother had been far her superior.
Mary had q rich complexion, but her
mothers had been fsirer. Msry's voice
was gentle and pleasant, bat her
mothers had been more musical. Mary
had faults her; mother had none.


Old Hayward Surghnor was an
artist. Rugged and rough as be SEEM
ed, he would bring forth scenes sweet
and tender enough to make one cry
with pleasure in gazing upon them.
To keep Mary from getting in love,
and to keep ptrtrait of her mother
which would do her beauty justice.
seemed to be the two single aims of his
life. He had one other weakness. He
loved tanterriers.


Mary mad lived with her uncle. in
his old house. ever since she was twelve
wears old. As she grew older she was
kept under strict surveillance, and
when she was invited to spend a month
at her Aunt Lucy's house in the count
ry, her uncle was 10th to let her GO.
He consented, however. on condition
that she would not fall in love


I'll be careful, Uncle Hayward,
Mary said. demurely; and she was
finally allowed to 90 to Fair Haven.


There Charles Fairfax was visiting
Marys cousin, Henry Fellows. And
there Mary in spite of orders, fell in
love with Charles Fairfax.
Now. Fairfax was one of the best
fellows in the world. only he was poor.
May knew that poverty was a grievous
fault in her uncle's eyes, even if he
could be reconciled to her marrying
anybody. He had horror of poverty,
marrying and brood of children.
May had never gainsaid his words.
She remembered her childhood of pow
erty, when her delicate mother was
worn out by work and care. leaving
two sickly babies to die for her. and
May to be adopted by her fathers
brother


She cried in hopeless sort of way
when her visit was out, and she parted
from Charlie to 60 home; but he told
her to be hopeful, for he would circum-
vent circumstances as surely as they
were in love. And so, at the beginning
of my story, he stood in the center of
his room, looking abstractly at Spider,
while the canine looked gravely back
| at him.


We'll, old fellow, how is it to be
done?' SAID Charles. Spider wriggled
a step nearer to his master and remain
ed silent again, gazing at him with
glistning eyes.


You wouldn't bring me fortune If
sold you,' observed Charlie


Spider yelped.


Hold your tongue, pagan Nor do |
think that old Surghnor would take
you as gift.


Spider wbined.


Yet as you are the only capital l
have, YOU ought to be Of some use.


Spider wagged his tail. His eyes
seemed like two fixed stars.


You are q handsome dog, Spider.
Would you like to have your picture
taken!'


Spider gave short yell of JOY. and
then tried to turn himself inside out.


Il wonder if / couldn't get old Surgh-
nor to paint you. Hurrahl that's q
grand idea Charlie hunted up his
hat ard coat, and he aud Spider tore
down stairs. He went up town. and
walked round and round the house, IN
which sweet May resided, but saw no
signs of her The next day he saw the
servant going out on an errand. lie
spoke to her and enlisted her in his
cause, and she took charge of note to
May. 1t read as follows;


My DEAREST MAY: Contrive some
way to meet me have been looking
for you since yesterday morning, and
want to see you. CHARLIE,


The next day Dinah met him at the
gate and gave him little note from
May. He read it:


DEAR CHARLIE: will meet you at
Central park at twilight. MAY.


At seven o'clock Charlie hied away
to Central park. In - little while May
came down one of the paths. She was
looking lovely.


Now. Charlie, / can never 10 this
again. she said. for it is not proper.
What is it you want to say


Mostly this said Charlie. kissing
her ander one of the trees, ard then
coming serenely out into the light
again But tell me. May. has your
uncle been very savage lately


'Dreadfully" said May. He's been
painting scene where be wants a
newspaper boy aud terrier. He had
a great deal of trouble with one fellow.
He was drea6fully dirty little fellow.
W finally stole box of uncle's cigars
and ran away. and uncle had To finish
his figure without him Then be tried
to get his terrier dog To stand on his
HAD legs while be painted him. He
couldn't get 8 dog to do it. and he's
been as cross as bear for week. !
don't dare to speak to him hardly


1t was getting dark, ana Charlie