Year: 1879




was always hopeful, with very little false
pride about wealth


Besides, she was a little romantic, and
when her father gently broke the news
to her Of their losses, she received it with
SO much ease, and buiIt so many castles
about their happy little country home,
that Mr.. Phillips felt himself growing
mora hopeful than he had been for years.


Eva sat down and wrote little note to
Harry, telling him to come Immediately
to see her, as something of importance
had happened, that might cause him to
| wish tho engagement broken.
But down deep in her heart she trusted
him, with n trust that knows no shaking.


Sitting in the twilight, waiting for him
to answer her summons, she built many
castle in the air, and laid many a plan
for the future, when she and Harry had
settled in their sweet little cottage.


When she thought If her offer to re
lease Harry from their engagement, she
would blush to think with what scorn he
would refuse it, and with what pride she
would point to his devotion when Cousin
May should come TO console with her
about her losses.


As the twilight shadows crept slowly
along, and the gaslights outside began to
glare and throw out dazzling bright
ness, a lonely feeling began to take pos
session OF her, and over her stole sick
ening fear Of desolation and a dread of
coming evil.


Perhaps Harry had not received her
note! Perhaps he was ont of town, He
might have been waylaid, and even now
was lying near her, bleeding and dying


Just as she was getting nervous and
excited over his non-appearanca she was
startled by ring at the door. Bat it was
only note For her father, and so she
sank down again on the sofa, with her
fears increasing, until she received a
summons 10 ''come to the library"
Mr.. Phillips held before him an open
letter, and, as he saw the startled look
Oh Eva's face, felt almost afraid to let her
see the contents.


But she had recognized tie writing,
and seeing his panied look, said, LET
me read it, papa, for I must know tbs
worst"


Mr.. Phillips watched anxiously the va
ried expressions passing over her face,
and felt that seorn was the most prom
inent of all.


Still he feared for the future, and won
dered greatly at her calmness.


The note was only cool, matter-of-
fact, business note, asking "a release
from their engagement, stating "that he
had learned of their losses, and knowing
that 1t would be years before he could
support Itva properly, thought it best to
free her" SAID she thought it best not
to answer Eva's note in person, as ct
might cause a scene," which he always
avoided, when possible, and requested
Mr.. Phillips to forward a formal release


But Eva passed that night in tears and
sorrow. She began to realize her disap-
pointment i'll Harry's steadfastness, and
felt, at times, as if no one in the world
could be trusted.


When the morning dawned, she felt
weary and nervous, bnt had anaIyzed her
feelings, ana found herself able aud will
ing to give him up as far as her love went
but could not bring her mind to face the
sarcasm and derision of her young
friends, and especially of Coz May.


Harry Miller heard with dismay of the
disasters attending Mr.. Phillips. lie
rushed wildly around, inquiring Of this
friend and that, until he found one that
could state positively how matters stood.
Finding that llr. Phillips had lost Eva's
fortune, as well as his own, and that
nothing remained but the home they oc-
cupied and their country house, and that
the city home must be rented, to support
them in their country home, he sat down
to plan some way to rescue himself from
this dilemma, as he considered it.


Eva was the girl Of his choice, and, as
he admitted TO himself, the one he would
have married il he was rich enough,
''even if she hadn't 4 cent" But as he
had nothing but his profession, he must
look for some one that would bring mon
ey to him, even if he had no love for her.


He could never wait, for years, tolling
and delving, to make fortune for him
self, and to pledge himself to make for
tune for both was too much.


SO he looked at it in business way,
ard at last sat down in business manner
to write the note, which might, perhaps,
break the heart of Eva Phillips.


"She had always seemed to be a very
sensible girl, so when she knew how he
was situated, she would not blame him.
He hoped she wouldn't make fool of
herself, and with slight tinge Of regret,
but great deal of philosophy, as he
termed it, be sent the note to AIr. Phil
lips, requesting a release.


Lighting a cigar, he seated himself to
await the answer, and think over the
many chances and few heiresses awaiting
him when his freedom should be pro
claimed.


After enumerating half-a-d dozen, or
more, he suddenly paused at the name of
May Barrows, Eva's cousin. 'She dotted
on him, he knew, and besides, wasn't she
the heir to her graDdmother's large es-
tate? Hadn't Eva told me so, besides
stating, May would be worth one hun.
dred thousand in her own right?" Sup
pose it wasn't half what he expected Eva
to have, wasn't it pretty snug fortune