Year: 1875

by growing rosy and happy, and
giving me corner of your freside now
and then. Now, my dear, am going
home to write to Walter"


But before the letter had accomplished
its journey telegram shot past it, carry
ing terror to Walter Hope.


"Come home at once; Susy is danger
ously ILL.,"


Oh, the heart sinking, the bitter re-
pentance All the weary loneliness of
the last six months were as nothing to
this horrible fear. Susy, little, tender,
loving Susy, i'll, perhaps dyingI Walter
Hope had hardened his heart by saying
to himself that Susy never loved
him. But he knew it was false; Susy had
loved him. He had taken her, petted
child, from her tranquil, happy home,
put her where every hour there was
temptation to some fresh extravagapce,
and then, when she, like q child, craved
indulgences beyond his means, had
roughly granted them while depriving
her OF his protection and presence. And
she had fretted herself i'll.


Oh, how the long journey tortured
him If ever he could reach Susy and
hear her say she forgave him, he would
never leave her side again, If her life
was spared, and she still craved the ex-
trayagances of her friends, he would try
by love and gentleness to win her to more
reasonable wishes Over and over again,
In the long, tedious journey, he lived the
few short months of his married life.
every harsh word rising to torment him,
and all Susy's winning charms reproach-
ing him. If she died, he would never
know happiness again. Perhaps she
was already dead So the solf-com-
muning went ON. He had led busy
life In the six months that poor Susy was
frettlng her heart away in sef-reproach-
full sorrow, and had had but few hours
for meditation. Long, Woodworking
days found him utterly weary at night,
and IN his rapid movements from place
to place, the frequent changes from hotel
to hotel, he did not miss home comforts
as he must have done in more settled
life. Home had indeed never been more
than name to Walter Hope, who had
boarded under his uncle's care since he
was a mere boy. The privacy of ones
own house, ones own table, were to him
misty possibilities when he should have
won sufficient fortune to buy house.
But he felt with bitter force what q
desolation life would be to him if Susy
died.


A very pale, anxious face greeted
Uncle Montague as ne waited on the
platform of the depot for the earliest
Western train by which Walter could
return.


"She is out of danger I" he said, be-
fore other words of greeting were ex-
changed; Every weak yet, so you must
meet her as calmly as you cam"


Then, as the two drove across the
city, Uncle Montague told Walter of
Susys legacy, her present, and her good
resolutions.


"She is the dearest little woman in
the world,' the old man said, "and
you must make her happy now. There
is good woman in the house now to
keep it in order till Susy is we'll Then,
Walter, let her have the care herself.
Even If her inexperience brings some
temporary discomforts, love will soon
teach her how to remedy defects, and
she will find her happiness where true
women seek for it ever, at home God
help those who have no such heaven of
rest"


The carriage stopped before the pretty
stone house, but Walter scarcely saw
the cheerful halls as he sprang up the
stairs to Susy's room. Once there, he
remembered his uncles caution; and,
opening the door softly, he went in with
a quiet step. A very weak but very
glad voice spoke his name, and he bent
over the pale face on the pillow, his voice
low and tender, murmuring loving
words.


"Our boy" Susy whispered. "I
meant to tell you the day you went
away"


"What brute I was Can you for
give me, Susy p


"Hush, love; it is I who should ask
forgiveness. But you will not go again,
Walter"


Never The wee darling! She him
curl his fingers round mine. How old
is he, Susyl"


ga week old tomorrow. Walter let
me call him Montague"
Sc should have asked it,,


So through sorrow and separation
Walter and Susy found the road to hap
piness, and it would be hard to find O
cozier home, more gentle, loving wife,
or sturdier boy than greet Walter
Hope every evening when he returns
from his days business. He colored
with deep pain when Susy put into his
hands every draft he had sent to her un-
cashed, but he has invested them for
the use of Montague Hope, Jr.,
while Susy wonders if ever again fine
clothes or jewelry can tempt her to speak
a cross word to Walter.