Year: 1877

Mona stood by the window, deeply
considering.


How the beautiful prospect, the world
of rose-hues, wax-lights and golden
promises allured her


After all, would she bo doing justice
TO herself or the rest if she declined the
broader, brighter life stretching out
befors her


Every one added to the burden press
ing on the Rodman paternal shoulders !;
the cloud of care ha not been allowed
to fall upon Mona, but she kney in n
vague way that the general shabbness
which had stolen by imperceptible de-
grees over the family was unavoidable
in making the two ends meet even her
support removed would be n Tightening
of the load.


81 have made up my mind" she
said, with sudden resolution, turning
to make the announcement just rs the
door opened and Robert came in.


'GoingP That is right, he said, ap-
provingly, while storm of reproaches
and remonstrances broke frsm the
younger boysS


They had a better right to her than
Mrs. McIlvane hew would she get
along without half q dozen fellows to
fight her battles, and-pathetically-
what in this wide world would they do
without Mona?


"Oh, will be placed so L can make
that all right. Do You think / am going
to take all the benefits and give none Z
There shall be a shower of golden fairy
gifts, take my word for it, and such
things have a wonderful effect in s)lac
ing broken hearts. I've heard"


Mrs. Rodman looked up in surprise
at this burst of cynicism from Mona
but the girl had fitted away, with the
momentary bitterness yelling up into
one low, passionate cry as she found
herself alone.


sob, it is well 1 am to go wheR ht
shows l have worn ont my welcome
here"


The next moment she was ashamed o
herself for that ungenerous and unwar
ranted reflection upon those whose af
fection had never failed her, but th,
knowledge that Robert would willingl,
sec her depart hurt her all the same.


She could not know what stern repres
sion the young fellow had put upon him
self, how he had argued that it would b,
unfaiN to take advantage of her ignor
ance when she stood upon the threshold
of the sphere to which she properly be
longed, or what strong faith he had tina
she would go through the world un
scathed.


She was not one of them properly.


Motherly Mrs. Rodman had taken tn
lonely little orphan into her heart an,
home.


All the boys from manly Bob down Il
tiny Steve We'd with each other in doinl
homage to the little queen.


That was the state of affairs whel
Mrs. McIlvane came in her carriage ON
day with proposition that took Mona
breath away.


"My DEAR" said the stately old lady
''your father was dear TO me once as
son. hope his daughter will not refus
10 me the comfort and happiness whicl
she alone can give. Every advantage
can offer shall be yours. These goo,
people have a family of their own the
will not miss you, and it is a very lonel
old woman who is begging for the boo
of your companionship.


She might have added very despoti
and jealous old woman, too, who had al
ready resolved that the day which shoul
transplant this flower of girlhood int
her home should sever her connection
with the "good people to whom Mrs
McIlvane signifed her desires with af
able condescension. Aud so Mona passe
from the humble home circle into th
sphere of wealth, fashion and splendol
where Mrs McIlvane was proud to intro
duce her 1lrOtege.


The freshness and sweetness whic
had charmed her patroness had powt
TO charm the world-at least that part {
the world which was embodied in Mar
Chantrey.


. Mrs. McIlvane looked on well conten


Mark was her ideal of perfection
nearly as it might be attained amor
mankind.