Year: 1879

Leaning over the balusters, LILY Ray
mond heard the question, and the young
mans impassloned reply,-''I don't care
ever to sleep again l''-and starting back
went into her chamber and banged the
door after her.


why, Charles !" Rose exclaimed;
What is the matter ="


81 should be fool were l to tell youF'
he answered, almost rudely; and you
would be angry with me-"


She stood in the doorway u moment
longer, hesitating, the light of single
lamp that hung from the ceiling shin
ing softly over her fair, wistful face,
looking toward her companion, who
had turned his back, and was leaning
from the open window. The blue-hood-
ed mantle she wore dropped downward
from her shoulders, her dress lay out in
rich, snowy folds on the carpet. The
strictness of her training and her nat
ural umidity inclined her to leave him ;
but the recollection of that time so long
ago when he had taken pity on her, and
been the only one in the wide world
who loved her, and forgot himself in
loving, prevented her going. She
went slowly toward him, and after
standing a moment near the window
where he was, seated herself on u sofa
that stood just behind him.


{" am not likely to be angry with
you for telling me anything, when ask
you to tell it," she said gently. 81 don't
want to urge you indelicately; but it
troubles me to see you unhappy, and 1
would gladly do anything to comfort
you, If l could"


1t was impossible to resist those ear
nest, affectionate tones. The young
man turned from the window and seat
ed himself beside her, after asking per-
mission. She looked kindly at him,
and waited to hear his explanation.


Our poor simple Rose was not on the
lookout for lovers, and every new one
was surprise to her. She had not been
brought up to think of such things she
was not able to distinguish between
affection and jealous, exclusive love;
she had never in her life read novel,
nor heard a love-story. Now, the most
she expected was to hear that Lily had
in some way displeased or disappointed
Charles. She was soon undeceived.


"Oh, hush hush - she cried, putting
her hand up to stop him. "You ought
not to speak so to me. You know that
1 am almost nun; and if 1 were not,it
would make no difference. And my
money makes no difference either. If
wanted any one toto think great
deal of me, and my money were in the
way, would give it all up"


She spoke hastily, almost angrily. 1t
was an offence to her to be SO approach
| ed, SO sp ken to. She regarded herself
as one set apart, sacred from all earthly
ties, only now for a season mingling in
worldly gayeties. But when she saw
Charles Wilson's head droop, and
deathly paleness overspread his face, her
heart relented.


" am sorry to pain you, Charles"
she said, in faltering voice. (" 1 like you
very much, and shall never forget
how kind you were to me when was a
little friendless girl"


Lily Raymond, sitting at her window
upstairs, heard step in the entry be-
low, heard the outer door open and shut,
and in a moment more saw Charles Will
son stride down through the garden.
Instantly she OWNED the trouble. In
deed, she had expected it. Looking
after him, she saw that after walking to
and fro in that part of the garden fur
thest from the house, he threw himself
upon the ground, and lay there with his
face hidden in his hands. She had be-
gun by being angry.


GOOD enough for him ~ she had
muttered, when he first went out. "He
might have known that she wouldn't
have him!" But when she saw him ly-
ing there, her anger died away. 81
cannot bear It'll" she said, at length. 81
must go to him, If he hates me for it.
Poor fellow he can't help it If he does
love her."


Looking from the side window that
commanded view of that part of the
grounds, Rose had been standing with
her hands clasped to her breast, watch
ing the young man, wondering, in dis
tress, what she ought to do, wishing
Doctor Thayer would come, half OF a
mind to call Mrs. Coolidge. She heard