Year: 1879

anu VIII, and her pale cheeks began to
show faint pink which gradually deep
ened into vivid crimson. She was in
descrlbably beautiful and imposing. In
that few minutes during which she
stood there silent, her habit of obedi-
ence and entire dependence seemed to
slip from her like garment, and she
became n woman capable of thinking
and deciding for herself.


When do you think you would like
to go ~ the superior asked, watching
her attentively.


j will think about IL to-day, and de-
eide In the morning." the girl replied.
quietly, giving no sign Of disposition
to take advice on the subject.


The interview was becoming con-
strained and awkward.


Doctor Thayer rose to go.


~ will send Mrs. Coolidge TO call on
you In the morning, and you can make
any arrangements you see fit with her
! shall be happy to have you, under her
protection, make my house your home
till more suitable place Is make ready
for you. 1t was Mr.. Stanley's desire
that you should live at the Hail. but
there may be some delay In obtaining
possession Of that. However, merely
called on you as u friend, to announce
to you the news of which | was the
messenger; the business Is entirely In
the hands of your guardian and all your
wishes are to be expressed TO him."


Whether by some subtitle sympathy
she detected the wounded pride and feel
ing which he yelled carefully under a
tone of friendly courtesy, whether che
shrank from being completely In the
hands Of stranger on her first entrance
into the world, or whether her old fond
ness for and dependence on him was
striving in her heart-for whatever rea-
son, the young girls countenance
changed. An earnest softness took the
place of it's absorbed look, the eyes look
ed up into his imploringly and tim
idly.


Will not you even advise me ?" she
asked.


Whenever you may think fit to ask
my advice, shall be most happy to
give it, as far as 1 am able, he replied,
smiling, and turning to take leave of
| the superior. But the smile was not
heartfelt one, and 1t woke no answer in
that sensitive face.


To his surprise, Rose followed him TO
| the door.


g do not want to go out of here, If
l am not to be near you, and have you
kind to me-" she said, when he turned,
aware that she was beside him.
He had only bowed on taking leave
of her now, with real smile, which
her face reflected, he took her hand.


If you choose it, shall be glad. he
said.


And want all the advice, except
in my religion, to come from you," she
said. "There is no one in the world
who has right to command me save
YOU"


He did not choose to say a word, In
reply to an appeal which so entirely
suited him, in presence of any one else.
He only smiled again, clasping her out
stretched hand once more took his
leave.


But it was hardly a happy face which
Doctor Thayer wore, as he drove down
the avenue.


n


A whisper arose in the town of Saxon
"a rumor too wild and strange to be
true; yet every one was anxious to
know how such an absurd story could
have been started The gentleman pooh
poohed it, the ladies doubted and buzz
zed, and meantime II became evident
that something was really the matter
Mrs. Burkhardt was not at home to
visitors; and the servants, when ques-
toned, merely looked mysterious, and
said that their mistress was very much
engaged. Next it was ascertained that
Doctor Thayer's sister-in-law, Mrs.
Coolidge, was at his house, making her
yearly visit month than earlier usual;
and, In the bright moonlight evenings,
passers by the cottage saw slight figure
walking in the gardens or on the piazza,
sometimes accompanied by Mrs. Coo
lidge, sometimes by the doctor, or per-
haps by both. Then Mr.. Markham,
whom everybody soon found out to be
an attorney from England, called at the
cottage every day.


Finally the whole astonishing story