Year: 1879

I've often heard it say that people are
happiest when they are young. was
not. l bore several children who died,
and this caused me unspeakable grief.
Soon after my last boy was laid in my
arms his father died, and Rob and |
were left alone. BY this time was
thirty years old. From that time for
twenty years we lived solely for each
other-Rob and |. My father, though
he had ever been very severe to me,
neglecting to provide comfortably or
educate me- yet left me considerable
property in the city. If he had not
come honestly by, could not help it.
And Rob's father left him all the Des-
mond income; so we were not only
well off; | suppose we were rich


We had finally settled down in one
Of the houses belonging to Rob. 1t was
called "Mapleton's Pet" because it
was a wonderfully beautiful estate,
which rich man had spent much mo-
ney on, with view to making it quite
perfect. Finally, in an unfortunate
speculation he was obliged to sell it,
and my husband had come into posses
sion.


MapletOn's Pet was in the city, but
you would hardly have known it; its
lawns and gardens were so spacious,
aud its hedges and fine walls so shut it
away from the dust and din. 1t was
certainly model house, with Its nice
housekeeping arrangements, and its
lovely octagon rooms, with long win
dows and landscape panels painted
great artists. Withal it was small, and
therefore cozy for Rob and L.


Yet, it was beautifully homelike and
pleasant. 1t seemed at last that | had
lived there all my life-we are so much
more alive when we are enjoying our
selves. My youth grew like a dim
dream. Rob was ever the dearest boy
He cared for little that he could not
share with his mother. We worked,
played and studied together-for he
must needs tell me all he learned,
day by day, and so with reading the
books he bought for me, got smatter-
ing Of many things l had hitherto
known nothing of. He went to college,
yet still lived at home, as Mapleton's
Pet was but a mile from the college
grounds. Then he read with great
lawyer, and by and by was qualified to
practice; and as Rob was faithful at
everything, and talented, he was soon
very successful and rose rapidly.


Still we kept mainly to our quiet
home life. He entertained a few
friends sometimes, and / must needs
sit at the head of the table; and some
times he spent an evening away from
home; but though he was familiar with
many persons did not know, none of
them eyer weaned him from his mother.


But Rob had passed his twenty-fifth
birthday now, and knew he would be
thinking of marrying. Nor did want
him to be an old bachelor. Dear COM
panions as we had ever been, knew
that my life was almost spent, while
his was just begun, and the time must
soon come when | must leave him. !
wanted him, therefore, to have good
wife, and to hold his little ones on my
knees. said TO myself that l would
have no mean jealousy of Rob's wife,
but In the same breath | affirmed that |
knew no one in the world half good
enough for him.


One daywhen my beautiful roseswere
in their fullest bloom, all pink and fra
graet, | was called to the door, to see
young lady who asked i'll would like to
send some roses to the Children's Hos
pital.


This was the first time saw Beatrix
Rane. She was very beautiful young
lady, and her rich dress clung about
her, confirming the impression her
manDers gave, that she was one who
had ever lain among the roses and fed
on the lilies of life. Twas much pleased
with her appearance, and urged her to
come in moment, and tell me about
the children In whom she appeared so
interested. AS for the roses, l prom
ised to give her as many as she could
carry away every day while they lasted.


The next day when she called l went
to the hospital with her, carrying Jar