Year: 1877

have been playing poker with dominoe'
by way OF variety"


must pass lightly over the tablear
which followed, or my tale will be toe
long; over my mothers apologies, re-
morse, fearful explanations over her in
dignant refusal OF the money; her fna
acceptance OF it under protest, and its
subsequent dedication to the cause oi
missions All this must leave to your
Imagination, and pass to the next scene


III.


George had succeeded at last in heI
efforts at persuasion. George Lenox
was my cousin, and my mothers fayorite
niece. She was married now-married
year ago to Radolf Aronach, one of the
best fellows in the world, and they mad
taken up their abo ie in Hoboken, that
most German OF American towns. 1t
was to the celebration OF their wedding
anniversary that my mother had, after
much hesitation, consented TO 60.


at is to be a very quiet dinner,
George had said; "but Rudo!f has so
many friends who must be invited, that
we have decided 10 give it at the German
Club instead of our own house, which is
much too SMALL


al am afraid it will be very gay and
worldly affair."" sighed my mother; "but
George makes such point OF it that, for
her sake, suppose must go. But re-
member, Frederick, if see any signs OF
dancing, | leave at once, Tor that can
not really countenance by my presence.
There is point beyond which will not
CO."


OF course satisfied her with a cheer
ful "All right and she made her prep
arations with a sort Of resigned equa-
nimty edifying to behold.


My mother was handsome woman
still, in spite OF her fifty years. with .
tall, finely moulded figure, delicate, clear
cut features, unblurred yet by Times
ruthless touch, soft blue eyes, and heaps
OF snow white hair which glistened like
spun silk above her low broad forehead.
was very proud OF her Us looked at
hcr that evening in her sweeping dress
OF black velvet, finished at throat and
wrists with soft falls of creamy lace
Dress and I0ces had been my present 10
her upon her last birthday, and she had
accepted them with mild rebuke OF my
extravaganza, and wore them with an
air OF quiet protest, blended with sub
dued pride, which was charming.


Georgie's fiction OF the quiet dinner"
had hardly imposed upon my mother,
think. Nevertheless, | felt her cling
closely to my arm, with u stiled groan,
as we entered the ore long room which
then composed the entire second floor Of
the German Clubhouse, with its polished
floor and brilliant lights, and the little
curtained stage at the upper end on
on which her eye fell first. There was
no danger to be appreheuded from that
quarter, however, as she soon found; but
scarcely less alarming, from her point OF
view, was the array oil many-colored
glasses which clustered beside each plate
all the way down the three long tables.


What does it mean?' she moaned
family. "Wil they make me drink wine
I Ga, Frederick, take me homer


should not have done 50 il any case,
but it was already too late, Tor George
had caught sight oil Us and FASTENED up,
followed by one Herr Muller, a German
oil the STOUT, Jolly, rubicund type, whom
she introduced to my mother as the son
OF German Protestant minister. My
mothers face partially lost its look OF be-
wildered dismay at this item OF news,
and she allowed him TO lead her to her
place without further objection.


am afraid that at this point my atten-
tion wandered slightly from my mother,
tor Helen was there, the darling, more
beautiful than ever in her draperies OF
pale blue and paler salmon, with tea
roses and lorget-me-nQts nesting among
the ripples OF her sbonny brown hair
with her pure proud face, and her clear,
stesdfast brown eyes, and the gentle,
tranquil grace which, of all her charms,
was the one which had most attracted
me.


OF course Helen knew nothing OF the
state of affairs between my mother and
me. She would have broken off our en-
gagemeut in an instant, even at the risk
OF breaking her own heart, had the faint
est suspicion Of it entered her mind
Fortunately my mother and she were not
likely to be brought into close contact iol
the present. Even had they been, Helen
would probably account for my mothers
indifference on the ground of her being
still ignorant OF our engagement, which
was an affair of only months standing
As for me, thought it best to let things
rest as they were until the way should be
cleared, OF which my mothers involun'
tary gambling had already given me
good hopes.


The dinner was thoroughly German
affair. Servants, dishes, conversation