Year: 1877

next days clothes to announce in q
shame-faced fashion That. by the way, he
believed he'd look in with me that night
at rehearsal il agreeable.


II was not agreeable it was decidedly
otherwise, for il upset deep.laid scheme
of mine. As Fate would have it. by
means of sundry extra rehearsals for
Easter had made great progress in my
acquaintance with Miss Sparrow during
the last few days, and but for Timothy /
should have called upon her that evening
with the gift OF new ballad. and so,
maybe, have had the pleasure Of escort
ing her to ST. Luke's, to the routing OF
the brotherkins.


Well, could only toss the roll Of mu-
sic under the sofa as gently as masculine
depravity would permit, and conduct my
music greedy friend TO The choir-meetiDg,
ostensibly TO listen TO the chants, though
| knew, and he knew, that he had always
heretofore objected 10 hearing them prac-
tised.


OF course presented him in due form
TO Miss Sparrow when she arrived. He
bowed like worshipping devolee, and
ns she moved 10 her place by the con-
tralto sat down with an exalted impres
sion upon his hat, TO the audible amuse-
ment OF the youthful Sparrows. perched
on the gallery steps. | glanced at him
again duriog the llcst soprano solo. and
saw him in the same position. his eyes
fixed on the singer. Rehearsal over, be
coolly walked up TO her ID proffer his
escort. | verify believe she was too
startled TO decline it.. She accepted his
arm with look OF blank amaZement,
and the two set of together in the April
slosh, followed by the inevitable juvenile
guard Judging from tie bespattered
condition of Timolhy's overcoat that
night, the young ings danced about him
like risky satyrs all the way but he wore
the face of one who has walked with
angels far above this mud ball.


This indifference to his broadclotb
struck me at the time as peculiar. for no
has such constitutional horror Of dirt
that be really keeps up bis muscle BY tho
use Of clothes-brush; still. though / after
wards saw him spread his Sunday beans
with mustard and his Monday bacon with
oil, it was not until late on the latter
evening that ! came to just apprccia-
tion of his abnormal state. Without
knocking he bolted into my room in great
agitation.


For the love of mercy, Hal. tell mo
what TO do = he cried ,upsetlins the piano
stool without perceiving it. You're
younger than l, and understand the ma
tnre OF women better


l did, did II Well, l agreed with
him on hearing his story.


lie had just returned from Miss Spar
rows. The young lady hadn't invited
him 10 call she didn't receive calls now,
in lact. on account OF her fathers rapidly
increasing illness. though Timothy was
not aware OF this. dare say she
thought he had come at my request with
the new anthem had promised 10 send.
and she ran down to the parlor al once,
not even stopping to pul down The vial OF
medicine she happened 10 have II her
hand.


Iiood evening, Mr.. G)olSin. said
she-noihing more nor less; and then
she stood quietly awaiting his me sge,
very pale and interesting. I've no doubt,
from grief and watching.


know Timothy's great warm heart
swelled with compassion Tor The afflicted
young thing. but even to express his
sympathy he would not tonch so much as
the hem of her garment till she gave him
the light, much less would take her
hand.


I'm afraid you're hardly prepared for
what I'm about to say. Miss Sparrow,
be began. pacin the room, and probably
hurlng the words at her like pebbles
from sling. I'm aware 1t isn't
customary for man TO declare himself
on so short an acquaintance, but I'm q
plain, straightforward fellow. desperately
in earnest


Fancy the little sopranos wonderment
seem now to see her 'baby-blue' eyes
opening each moment wider and wider.


Till now | have never met any wo-
man whom | wished to marry Timothy
went on, 'and I'm forty years old, When
at middle age love comes for the first
time to a man Of my temperament. it is
no milk. and ater sentiment, Miss Spar
row. l feel that could give my lite to
make you happy. Will you be my wife ?


You don't mean to say you charged
upon the poor girl in that merciless way ?
| broke in. cutting short his narrative.


He looked aggrieved and sorely
puzzled. What had he done amiss !?
A L - e