Year: 1878

frankly, all that he felt : 1t could not make
much difference, now that he was going away
except that, if she rejected bis suit-as, Of
course, she would-he would carry with him
q heavier heart than he otherwise would.
But then he would have time and opportuni,
ty to cure himself of his wound, unobserved,
and almost anything was better than sus.
pense. 1t was not his nature to conceal his
feelings. 1t was wonder he had been able
to conceal them so long.


MARY" he said, presently, speaking in a
very quiet tone-more than ordinarily quiet
though his heart was beating as fast as love.
lorn boy's-"Mary, I am going to make a
confession which will surprise you very much. u


She looked at him questioningly. He could
see in her face that she had not the faintest
idea of what was coming. Indeed, what could
be farther from her thoughts?


"It's the confession of secret which I have
cherished long time" he went on, land
which would not make before, because did
not want to disturb your tranquil thoughts, or
give your gentle heart pang by forcing you
to give me pain; but we shall not be together
much longer now, and no matter what an.
swer you msy give me, We shall be better able,
when apart, to 20 back to our old relation
with each other, if it must be that we shall so
20 back. Mary, your guardian loves you so
dearly that he cannot bear the idea of relin-
gushing his Office of trust, even when you
come of age. He wants to extend it through
his lifetime. Shall you be willing for that p


Still she looked at him, not comprehending
yet something 10 his look and voice-some-
thing that he could not quite control--sent a
little tremor through her, and faint flush
stole into her cheek.


my DEAR" said the Colonel, taking her
hand, II see that you are very far from un.
derstanding me. and am not surprised at it j.;
but will speak plainly at once. love you
with the best love that man can give wo-
man. Though you are but child to me in
years, yet would fain have you for my wife,
if such thing we're possible Can you for
give my presumptions I hardly dare ask,
Can you return my lovei"


The flush deepened to crimson OIL Mary'a
cheek, and her face dropped. She was very
much startled, and at FIRST it seemed as though
she could not frame a reply. The Colonel,
in his agitation rose from his seat and walk
ed quickly to and fro in the path just in
front of her. At last, as she still neither
moved or spoke. be stopped again, and laying
his hand on her shoulder, said, in tremulous
tone


Don't mind answering me, Mary 2; I shall
not be hurt or sngered by anything you say
No word of yours can change my love; but
I would not constrain you, from any consid
GRAFTON for me, to answer me otherwise than
as your heart dictates. If it must be no,
will try and bear it like man."


-~-"But, perhaps said Mary, faintly,-"it
may not be no"


The Colonel bent over her, his face flushed
aud eager, the light of new born hope
kindling in his eyes; but before he could say
any thing more, Mary rose from her seat
half turning from him as she did so. please
let me 60 in now," she said plaintively. 81
want to think it overt seems so strange"


go, my darling-and God bless you, u
said the'Colonel. He kissed her hand with
the chivalrc tenderness of an old knight-er.
rant then stood and watched her slim figure
as she moved away. Not for worlds would
he have detained her an instant against
her will, or striven to hasten the decision up.
on which his happiness depended. He did
not see her again until late in the evening
when lights we're in the sitting room, and the
teathings on the table. The servants we're
moving about, and Maurice, on lis couch, was
discoursing of his last campaign. By and by,
when all was quiet, and only they two we're
left in the room, Mary came to him, of her
own accord, and gently slid her hand into
his.


lis it to be yes, Mary?" he whispered.
And she softly echoed, EYES," The Colonel
put his arm around her, and gave her his first
kiss. The moment was, for him, one too full
of sacred happiness for speech. Mary's first
agitation had quite passed away. She was as
tranquil now as ever, and scarcely blushed
when that seal was set upon their compact.
After while they talked little about their
future prospects and the separation that was
now so near at hand but on this last theme
the Colonel could scarcely bear to dwell.


The next TWO weeks passed rapidly by.
Mrs. Blanding was written to, accepted the
Colonels proposition, and two days before bis
departure, was installed in her post at Moss
lands. On the eve of starting, Colonel Dacre
said few words apart to Maurice Cleveland,
solemnly imposing on him the trust which
was now one of especial import.


"Remember, Maurice" he said, II leave
under your protection my promised wife.
Be brother to her; guard her happiness,
her welfare, as you would your own. She is
very young, very inexperienced, as innocent
as child, as pure as an angel. 1 con6de her
to your keeping as a priceless jewel-as my
greatest earthly treasure. l know you are
worthy of the trust"


II shall strive to prove myself SC" said
Maurice, gravely, as he pressed his cousin 8
hand. "Rely on me to carry ont your wishes
in every particular"


And then the last. tenderest parting words
were said by the Colonel to his betroth-
ed, and he rode away to the wars; while
she turned back to her quiet, daily life, and
serenely pursued her accustomed avocations,
showing no sign of any inward commotion