Year: 1878

"If any one but yourself had told m this would not have believed word o it."

 So said Percy Herbert to his frienC Harry Liston, as they smoked their ci gars outside the library window of th' house they were staying at. "It seems perfectly ineredulous that girl like Maud Mesketh could be what you des cribe her"

 'It is fact, nevertheless, Percy; shC is a complete fortunc-hunter and, fal from disgusting the fact rather boasts O. it than otherwise; it Is not much more than month since I saw her, and theT she certainly did not hesitate to speak hsr sentiments on the subject. 1 am glac I have arrived in time, old fellow, as believe you are on the eve of falling il love with her"

 "I do love her, said his friend slowly and with sigh: "and was vain and fool ish enough to think she cared something for me. However, the charm is broken now, for if there is one thing l have q cortempt for more than another, it Is d merccnary woman. The woman marry must love me for myself alone, and not for what possess"

 | The above conversation was heard by Maud Hesketh herself, who had retired to the library for all hour or twO's quiet reading; and, hearing her name uttered by Percy Herbert, curiosity to hear what he had to say about her, made her creep to the open window, where, screened from observation by the heavy curtains, she listened eagerly to all that was said, Never was tho old adage, Listeners hear no good of themselves" 80 thor oughly verified as in this instance; and, | overwhelmed with shame and dislnay, she fled to her own room, where she gave way to passionate burst of tears none l the less bitter for knowing that the ac- cusation brought against her was true one, for, in a thoughtlesS moment, she had uttered the words which were now to part her from the man she loved better than life.

 Maud Hesketh was the eldest of a large family, as poor as they were proud; for, until the last two or three years, their father had been a man of large landed property, but owing to the loss of a chancery suit was completely ruined. The crash had been sudden and most un- expected, for every body had regarded the inning of the suit as certain, and great had been the conStornation when their loss became known.

 Itwas great and a sad change for all but for Maud especially, who, not having been long introduced, and always being made much of, not only for her beauty and brightness, but also for her supposed wealth, the sudden reverse of fortune was almost more than she could bear; and she was often heard to say that never would she marry any man who could not restore to her all the luXur:es and pleas ures she had lost.

 But, unfortunately, she had made that remark to MT. Liston, an utter stranger to her who, staying with lady friend in the neighborhood, had come with her to call upon the Hesketh6 and who, hear ing d young girl make such a remark, and not knowing the circumstances of the case, had very naturally drawn his own conclusions.

 One of Maud's greatest friends was an old school companion, who was now mar ried, and it was at her home that she met Percy Herbert, favorite cousin of Mrs. Carlyon's who was very anxious to bring about match between the two.

 Mir. Herbert was possessed of consider able wealth, and was considered great catch, so that when Maud first arrived she congratulated herself upon her good luck, and laid herself out to be as fascinating as possible. But before many weeks had passed over her head, she made two discoveries-frst, that her heart was irretrievably gone. and, secondly, that money had nothing to do with it; for it was the man himself she was in love with, so that it was dou5ly calling to her to hear her former merce- nary views brought to light, and to feel that not only had she forfeited Percy Herbert's love. but also his respect.

 '.Oh what must he think cf me? How he must dsspise mel" said the wretched girl and, burying her face in her hands, she thought long and earnestly as to the best way of proving the falsity of Harry Liston's opinion. ''I know what I will do r' she exclaimed; "I will play Mr. Liston oT against him. and let him see that can Ilirt with poor man as well as a rich one"

 So. removing ali traces of tears. she dressed herself for dinner with unusual care. Never were tables so completely turned or any one as they were on poor Percy Herbert that evening: for ever since his friend had opened his eyes to Maud's apparent deceit. he had been wondering how he eoal.i best give her to understand that she nes-l not for ti:o fu- tnre shower any of her fascinatiuas upon him; and HOW. withoat giving him one