Year: 1878

| Sir Henry was inconsolable in his grief,
he mourned the loss OF his wife truly
| and deeply. The sunshine of his hopes.
clouded, now shone but dimly through
| the vista OF coming years, aud the joyous
home OF few tleeting months before, is
now veritable picture Of gloom. from
| which it seemed that the impress of
| sorrow can never be effaced. Notwish-
standing the hearty endeavor Difference
to enliven, cheer him and dispel his de-
spon dency. old Hagar. it seemed, was
| determined that she should not succeed
Tor she was sullen and mopish, and
whenever the chance presented itself,
she would either by word or action re-
call to the masters mind some thought
OF poor, dear Miss Berny, as she always
called her. This greatly annoyed Flor
ence. Tor this reason she we'll knew that |
as long as he was reminded so contin-
ually of his wife, the longer it would
take him to forget her; and to put all
thoughts OF that good woman aside, was
wha. Florence desired above all things
to effect Therefore she put her mind
into instant operation to devise some
means of getting rid OF old Hagar. whose
presence was repuisive to her in the
extreme Not that she entertained for a
moment the idea that Hagar suspected
her Of foul play, but the shrewd old
negress did, and kept her eyes open ac-
cordingly.


No, Florence could not believe that
Hagar read the guilty purpose o: her
soul. but she was disagreeable person to
have about her. that's all and she was
going to have her out OF her way and
that was certain


Col May nard was going to Boston in
a few days and would he gone for sew
eral weeks. therefore she would have
ample time to execute her plan. While
she was hus cogitating as to the best
manner in which she could accomplish
her desire. from her room window,
which opened Immediately on the street,
she observed man coming that way,
and instantly she recognized him. and
as instantaneously it occurred to her that
person would be the very one to assist
er in the daring undertaking that she
had in contemplation. Stepping close
to the window she concealed herself in
the heavy fold of the curtain and waited.
During the interval her skillful fingers
hastily penciled lew lines on a slip OF
paper, and when he halted and looked
up at the window as he usually did
when passing that way, she let tall the
note, which contained only these words
Meet me in the summer house by the
lake. at ten o'clock tonight" He
caught the note in his hand, and read
as he walked along. This wss done
though. so cautiously that it would have
required a most observant person to
have noted the action. The man having
read the note, consigned it very me-
chanically to his pocket, at the same
time congratulating himself upon this
little circumstance, tor whatever her
h business with him Was, he knew from
!? past experience 1t would prove in his
d favor; and considering the fact that he
was almost entirely penniless, he
thought it happy chance that brought
HIM face to face with what he termed 9
1t most propitlous omen Florence made
j.. hasty retreat from the window. dressed
II herself alone, and with particular care
for dinner. and went below.


!. Col. Maynard was already in the din
ing room, waiting for her, and the lool
r. OF satisfaction which he incautiously be
, trayed at her appearance. was too ap
Florence Shelly's quick perception. l
'@ old Hagar had been present, she woult
have noted this little scene with jeal
u Gus wrathful eye. and would nave hate,
the cousin more intensely than ever 70
trying to win the master from his olt
y love.


lie Florence was carefully assiduous il
her attentions to the Col. She knew
l. very we'll what he liked, and will
}. studied efforts. and premedltated skill
she deity performed many li,tl
/; acts of kindness to please and humo
IL him. and just as her cousin Berenic,
used to do, would sit for hours and sin,
,s and play his tavorite pieces. and he
N low sweet voice would usually quiet th
l. IL.
would go to her and thank her for th
consolation she had given. OF all he
- many accomplishments, Florence ex
celled most in music. She was gifte
g with voice that was not easy to surpass
lie one that with its pure and perfect sweet
ness would harmonic beautifully wit
the most gentle nature-the- warmes
heart; but not to the man who made tn
fatal mistake of Judging her disposition


by the impassionate melody OF her voice


That day Col Maynard told Florence
that he would leave that evening, 70
Boston. whittier he was called on bus
mess. and probably he would be detaiu
ed there several weeks, and he asked
in his quiet impressive manner that sh


would take particular care of his bo
during his absence; upon which Flor
ence thanked him IN her very sweetes
way for the confidence which he ex
pressed in this wish, and of cours
promised that baby should have tn


very best attention while he was me


At last the sun sank below the wester
horizon losing itself IN gold tinted hue
borrowed from heaven. and approaching
darkness once more enveloped tn
world.


Aman completely muifled in a we


studied disguise. passes cau,iousl
down the richly bordered walk OF Co
Maynard's private garden. He pause
= moment as if to assure himself, the
he enters the fairy like bower whic
overlooks the silvsry lake. whose sleep
ing waters are frightened by the man
shadows playing hide and seek upon it


bosom.