Year: 1878

angelic Marion was to see you IN sucn
plight, what would you do ? did
not escape her sensitive ear. Then
they came to their boarding-house and
both went in.


Poor little Marion, who had never
known a care 1t was hard to love
an idol and find it clay.
Marion did not often return home
from parties alone, but Prescott had
told her he had some urgent business
to attend to and would not be able to
see her home. She had refused all
the many offers, preferring to go by
herself tonight. She needed no COM
pany, and was only too happy in the
thought that Prescott loved her.


But now all was changed. She was
angry that she had not found out his
fault before. Of course she would
never marry him now. Her reverie
was interrupted by the coach-man
opening the carriage door and saying,
respectfully, You are home, Miss
Marion She recalled her scattered
senses like one in a dream.


She went hurriedly by the cozy sit
ting room, where her aunt always
waited up for her, and where Marion
was wont to come in and rehearse the
evenings proceedings, into her own
room and threw herself on the bed,
giving vent to hard dry sobs. But
she was not left to her own reflections
long, for her aunt had followed her,
and coming in now found the small
figure on the bed, her face buried in
her hands.


why, Marion, my child, what is the
matter? she questioned, in surprise,


Marion turned her tear stained face
to the kind, gentle one bending over
her. Here was help indeed, for she
always went to her aunt with every
trouble. SO leaning her golden head
in her aunt's lap, she tod her whole
disgraceful story.


Miss Liuston listened with a white
shocked face. Then, when it was
done, she said smoothing the curls
from the flushed brow, We'll, dear,
this is a said blow, but you must try
your best to save him.


What can | do, auntie? ? criedSsthe
girl, impatiently.


You alone can do nothing, Marion,
but God with you, you can, replied
Miss Linton, soleinnly.


But would you have Inc marry a
drunkard, auutie ? and the girl shud-
dered.


Heaven forbid, my child but
Marion, dear, we must be charitable
and not judge too harshly. Perhaps
for aught we know, it is his first Of
feuse.


But what shall I say to him when
he comes 10 morrow 2


Then the good aunt talked to the
excited girl till she was calm again,
and left her to "tired nature S sweet
restorer.


The next evening Prescott was an
nounced again, and Marion went
down to meet him with firm resolve
in ler heart.


lie advanced to meet her with out
stretched arms.


And how did my little witch get
along without me ? he cried, pressing
kiss on her white cheek.


"Better than Felix Darcy got
along with you, she returned, with
sCorn.


Marion, what do you mean?' he
cried, hoarsely.


Only that I had the pleasure Of
seeing you and Felix Darcy entering
your boarding house last night


She was watching him intently and
thought she saw the hot blood surge
up all over his handsome face.


MIR. Prescott, l wish oar engage
ment to discontinue and she took of
the sparkling solitaire and held it to-
wards him. But Prescott only looked
at her with dazed expression.


Marion, do you mean what you
say? Believe me, my darling, this Is
the first time ever drank to excess,
and | did not know was doing 50
then. When I had finished my busi-
ness last night, | was hurrying 70 meet
you at the party, for | was through