Year: 1877

Just as the shadows began to groy


long beside Laughing brook two peopl
stepped aside from the road and sa
down upon the green bank, apart from
each other, as two people might wh'
have quarreled, as indeed they had.


One was pretty, dark girl, with grea
black eyes. wealth of ebon hair ant
the sauciest red mouth in the world.


The other, tall, fair young man
wearing single breasted black coat
md with young clergyman written al
over him in the most unmistakable man
ner. He was the Rev. Reuben Eden
and the girl at his side was Ada Romer
to whom he was engaged. He seated
himself stitfiy, and with as much dignity
as one can assume upon the grass.


She founced herself down with n pout
and, pulling off her hat, began to pluck
at the strings in nervous sort of way.


eff you are going to tyrannize ovel
me already I give you fair warming that
shall not bear it, she said. "Ivt
always done as I pleased and always
shall"


"When asked you to be my wife >


began Reuben Eden.


"You we're glad enough to get me, .
interrupted Ada.


Let me finish, if you please" said
the young clergyman. When 1 asked
you to be my wife thought you quite
understood that the husband is the head
Of the house. How will it be with us if
you cannot be taught that it must be SO
We are not married yet, but you should
yield to my wishes. 1t is your duty.
disapprove of dancing. highly disap-
prove Of that dissipated and worldly
young man with whom you have lately
been flirting. You have, of course, not
forgotten that you will one day promise
to obey me. How can you do that if
you refuse to regard my wishes now ?"


eff your wishes are absurd--if your
commands should be ridiculous-I shall
always refuse regard and obedience, "
said the girl.


"Then, as I shall be master in my
own house, our home would be a very
uncomfortable one," said the young
man.


$50 decidedly uncomfortable that I
believe it best that everything should be
attend between lis, said the girl, flush
ing hotly.


"That, at least, is sensible remark, I"
said the clergyman.


Then she, growing white as death,
took from her finger tiny diamond en-
gagement ring and held it toward him;
md he, winter than she, took it from
her and quietly tossed it into Laughing
brook. The hands of thousand little
water spirits seemed to catch it as the
tiny rapids swept it away over the glis-
;,ning rocks beneath. Over each brown
lead it sparkled and flashed, and then
was gone.


Then dignified young clergyman
slowly walked one way and very pretty
young lady, with her round hat very
much over her eyes, took the other, with
out the ceremony of leave taking.


But oh the pain and rage in her
heart, and oh the rage and pain in
his 4!


She loved him dearly, though she was
m innocent little firt and liked dancing
90 much, and he loved her as men only
love once, though he was conceited and
;ntolerant, as very young clergyman
often is.


The girl had done no harm. If she
had, she was frank enough to have own
ed it and begged forgiveness.


And though twinge of jealousy had
,aused her lover to make mountains out
Of mole hills, his rule would have been
gentle when the little soul who had be-
yun to dread it was once his own.


But there, beside Laughing brook,
their ways divcrged. They saw each
,ther no more for many days 10 come,