Year: 1873

ago, and which will furnish a key to the
above scene.


Henry Markham was left widower
early IN life with one son, Albert who
In his infancy developed a precocity of
mind and brightness of disposition that
made him the pet and tyrant of all
about him. By the time his childhood
was passed he was fully convinced that
the earth was made especially for him
to live upon, and that it was entirely
beneath his dignity to acknowledge the
authority of any one, his father in
cluded. Things progressed III this way
till he reached his twentieth year, and
had become i'll every respect a very fast
young man, when Mary Craige. an or
phan daughter of an old friend of Mr.
Markman's, became member of their
family. Mary was just sixteen, and as
pure and noble by nature as she was
fair in person. Albert was at once
charmed by her, and the old story was
acted over again, as it will be to the end
of time-they loved each other. For a
time Albert abandoned his dissolute hab-
its, and his fond, unhappy father began
to hope that the nober part of his nature
would rise above the weeds that over
shadowed it. and assert itself master in
the end. Vain hope The fetters of
vice, when once firmly fastened, can
not be thrown off at will Albert would
listen with penitent sorrow to Mary's
reproaches, and promise amendment,
only at the first temptation to fall into
the same vices again. But through all
her love never faltered, and soon con-
stituted the only shield between him and
his father, whose forbearance had almost
reached its limit.


Thus things went on till Mary reached
her nineteenth year, Just ten years be-
fore our story opens, when the old, time
honored firm of Markham e. Co. was
brought to the brink of ruin by heavy
defalcation, and the crime lay between
Mark Eldon, their confidential clerk, and
Albert Markham. The world stood
aghast-so stunned that it knew not
upon which to cast the odium. But it
was soon decided for it; Mark Eldon
came forward and demanded the severest
examination, and Albert Markham fled
without a word of defense, or leaving a
clue by which to trace him.


These were fearful days in the old
town; so fearful that gossips spoke with
bated breath, and people crossed over
to the other side when Mr.. Markham
with the air of stricken Roman passed
by. And Mary, how did she stand the
blow As women of her nature always
do-patiently, silently, with a resigna-
ton that was more pathetic than the
widest grief. The day after Alberts
and told her that he cast him off forever,
and forbade her ever to mention his
name. Mary bowed in obedience to his
command and never, till the evening
our story opens, had the subject been
mentioned between them.


Thanksgiving logs were minGling their
ruddy glare with the sunbeams over the
slow when Mary greeted her guardian
at breakfast.


"God bless you, my child :" said he,
kissing her brow. "This is true
Thanksgiving to me, and may we have
many more as bright. Mark called last
evening after you left me to say that
the young people are to have grand
sleighing party to-day, and to ask You
to go with him. | ventured to promise
for You, and also asked him to come
back here to supper, and to have a
merry time IN the evening. Do You like
it, my dear?"


Mary's heart swelled almost to
choking. The last time sayety was in
the Markham House was IL one of Al
bert's repentant moods, when he had
been the light and life of all. But she
smothered her sigh, and said she was
pleased; and he continued:


MARK will call this morning for his
answer. Thank God, my child, that
you have been able to make q noble man
happy"


Mary bent over her plate i'll silence,
and before Mr. Markham could say
more, the door opened and the object
of their conversation entered. Mark
Eldon was man who could be described
by one word-correct. His books when
offered at the time OF the trouble were
perfectly correct. The regret he ex-
pressed for Albcrt's offense was correct.
His after devotion to Mr.. Markham was
correct to word The persistent
patience with which he had sued for
Mary's hand was correct, and the man.
ner in which he stood looking at her
from his cold brown eyes was correct III
the extreme.


GOOD morning, Mr.. Markham, said
he, addressing himself to him first. 81
hope | am not untimely


"Not at all Mark. j was just telling
Mary of our plans for the day"


"And she approves ?' he asked, with
the correct amount of eagerness. Mary
raised her ewes from her plate, and
though she was as white as the china,
she extended her hand and said with
smile:


81 am delighted, Mr.. Eldon moth
ing could be more charming.


You are too kind" and he pressed
a proper kiss upon her hand. Mary
drew it away with Il shudder she could
not suppress, and Mark seating himself
at the table, the meal proceeded with
cheerfulness.


The morning passed. The Thanks
giving turkey was eaten, and Mary
stood waiting by her wrappings for the
Jingle of Marks sleighbells.


By n fortunate combination of cir
she had not been alone with
him since her conversation with Mr..
Markham, and she now awaited hum
with that strange mixture of eagerness
and dread with which we always meet
the tragic moments of our lives. At
last the bells sounded She seized her
furs with nervous haste. and a bright
red burned in her cheeks. MIR. Mark
ham opened the door.


Most ready, Mary? Mark says
wrap up warm, for it is very cold.
Then seeing her brilliant cheeks and