Year: 1878


~orshipper at his shrine for many
wears. In all the world thore
was nothing so nearly perfect to
Miss Jane Danforth as her princely
brother. Whatever he did or said
was right with her, so when he
brought the elfsh- looking little
beggar girl with him and said he
had adopted her, she made no OBJ
iections but received her kindly.


It was fairy land to Lee. The
luxurious rooms, brilliant lights,
and glowing fires made her rub her
eyes expecting to wake up and
find it all dream. In the early
light Of Christmas morning Mr.
Danforth led her into. his studio.
Standing in this room that was SO
nearly perfect in it's appointments,
with walls lined with splendid pic.
lures, works Of the greatest ar
lists the world has ever produced,
and With rare statuary grouped IN
the corners and alcoves, the child's
face grew radiant and Rex. Dan
forth was satisfied with his ward.


Mr.. Danforth b s fashionable
friends assured him that Lee
would become a great beauty, and
that he was one Of the best men
that ever lived. Away from him
they shrugged their shoulders
and declared the little thing was
hideous. and wondered what could
have possessed fastidious Rex
Danforth to adopt her. Mr.. Dan
forth knew what his friends
thought, but smiled with serene
Indifference.


When violets began to bloom,
the Danforth mansion was closed,
and it's master and his sister
sailed for Europe, carrying Lee
with them.


* x X * x x *


Six years later, in the dreamy
glow Of a September day, o ship
steamed into New York harbor.
A tall man, . young girl, and a
middle,aged lady stood on the
deck, watching for the first
glimpse of familiar land marks.


How good it is to be home
again. said Miss Jane Danfortb,
with a smile of satisfaction, as
they entered the carriage waiting
for them.


Mr.. Danforth, laughed. MY
dear sister, I did not know that
you were getting homesick.'


Save the few grave lines in his
face, Rex panforth looked the
same al thirty-six as at thirty.
The years had brought him fame
and he stood with the few Ameri-
can artists that could claim the
gift of gonius.


There was not an added thread
Of silver in Miss James hair, and
the placid face was unchanged.


But see! who would recognize
in that tall, graceful girl, the lit
tie waif Of former years? A
sweet face with a lovely scarlet
mouth, solemn black eyes, and
crown of ebon hair half shading
the broad brow. She was not
strictly beautiful, but there was
nameless charm in the earnest
face that won more than a passing
glance.


She had never been to school,
Mr.. Danforth and his sister were
her teachers, and they were fully
repaid for their trouble. No girl
could learn more rapidly than she
did, and young as she was, her
mind was we'll stored with useful
knowledge. She was seventeen
Old friends were met and hearty
hand clasps returned, and the Dan
forths were soon as securely set
tied in their old place as if they
had never been absent.


Lee was soon drawn into the
circle of fashionable society. Those
who remembered her former life
chose to forget it now, and paid
their court to the ward and heiress
Of Rex Danforth with great
ardor.


She was soon a belle, with
scores Of lovers, all of whom she
refused. There was one, however
that wouldn't take DO for an an
swer, and persisted in his attcn
tions.


The months passed rapidly anc
Christmas eve came again. Rex