Year: 1879

Mr.. Bulbo was decidedly nervous on
this evening. He was more than fidgety;
for besides constant change of position.
he cast quick locks behind him, as if be
heard some one, aud made many vain
attempts to whistle. His room was
pleasant, and his chair comfortable, his
tobacco excellent, and his pipe coloring
IN a most enviable manner; but he
frowned as he shifted about, and finally
spraug up with a groan. Behind him
was q small closet where his bachelor
odds and ends We're hastily thrust, and
now he ieIked the door open and eagerly
examined the interior.


Such fool" he calculated, as he
slammed the door, and taking up book,
resolutely determined TO read.


What was the matter with Mr.. Bulbo2
He appeared to be well being rosy and
active. He was q pleasant looking mar,
not troubled with age, as lie had not
even reached the youth of forty sum
mers." He was rather prosperous IN
business, and had a pleasant circle of
friends, and no membranes. To look
.nto his frank sunny facc-for Wash
Bulbo (his name was not an unfamiliar
me to patriotic Americans, and had been
.hus ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS a good fellow; TO
nterrogate his blue eyes, no one would
suspect that Mr.. Bulbo Was anything
out the happiest of men. Bat he had
serious trouble which so preyed upon
aim that he was losing his spirits, and
ielt as if he was haunted by an actual
presence. Tt pursued him IN the street,
sought him in his office, but was most
vital in its attacks in his own room during
,he hitherto cheerful hours which he had
,pent vita his book and pipe. II its
dreadful bouy form could be shut in his
.oset-fastened in But no sooner was
ne seated than it would steal out, whis
per its wretcheI suggestions i'll his ear,
and would drive him TO do the foul deed
against his Will, unless lie could find
some way to stltie it.


It was this that stole Mr.. Bulbo's
sleep, destroyed his appetite, and drove
him from blisSful Inconsistencies to a
condition of rueful wretchedness. Fo"
more than a week he had nailed up the
closet door-gone without his overshoes
for that length of time, as they were be-
slowed, and had caught bad cold in
consequence, as peryersely enough the
weather seemed III league with the tor





left town and spent several nights with
friend, bat there had been no escape for
him; and now had returned to renew the
conflict or die


Here lie was as badly off as before, for
there was no use trying To read or divert
himself in any way. Some actual plan
must be devised and pat into immediate
execution; and rs he walked his room,
having thrown open all the windows TO
give himself as much relief rs possible,
he reviewed the circumstances which had
placed him in this unpleasant position.


4 little more thOn year ago the first
stroke had fallen upon him as lie was
enjoying his pipe in the twilight. The
postman's ring had not hitherto annoyed
him, and he gave it no thought as lie
went to the closet for his tobacco pouch,
and quietly said come in in response to
the knock which a moment later Jared
his door. Bat his mood changed as he
read the letter which was put into his
hands.


On breaking the envelope a dainty
note, with dark lines OF grief on the
edges with delicate tracery IN feminine
hand within duttere6 into his lap, while
d iACoNN NiI6IN nIltNSIA SHEEb ItOpitGl
bolll on the floor. lie read first a bit
from ones then from the other. IN some
confusion and dismay. The gist of both
was that Horace Francis, an old friend
of his fathers, had lately deceased, and
left Mr. Buibo IN charge of his daughter
Mary's property until she should attain
her majority.


Hearing such fine reports Of your
business capacity, and having been so
we'll beloved OF your father. l select you
| OF all other men IN the world, dear Bui-
DO, F." the dying man had written. Ths
fortune was large and had many cumber-
some details; but Mr.. Bulbo, for the
! sake OF the trust, and with a certain pride
in the appreciation Of his abilities, gladly
undertook to discharge the obligation.
The lady had forwarded her fathers let
! ter, and begged that all communications
be held with her lawyer, as she hardly
I felt like meeting strangers at present.
Mr.. Bulbo had acquiesced, and for a
year now had, with much trouble to him
self, taken conscientious charge of the
property. often being obliged to neglect
his own business, but had never seen
the lady, their communications having
been entirely through the lawyer. Now,
in his own room, rs he thought OF the