Year: 1871

at that period of my existence.


At first was too astonished to think
Then began to get disgusted, to realize
what fool had been in allowing myself
to be so egregiously fooled, in spite of the
warnings had had given me, from those
who knew what they were talking about,
to be careful. And began to grow mad,
and cast about in my mind how l could
turn the tables on Lucia to her utter dis
comfiture. Thank fortune had MT proposed
and the probability was that l never should
to her, but people would think had all
the same unless by some brilliant man
muvre | contrived to show them how much
they were mistaken.


What if l should propose to Mary?
Would she accept me, as Lucia had said I?
Would mt such an action on my part be just
the thing to defeat Lucia's anticipated
triumph? Somehow, as l thought the
case over, found myself glad that the
case stood as it did. l had been fortu-
nate in finding out the real state of the
case, and might not be more fortunate in
securing for myself the woman had often
thought so well calculated to make some
man happy? think must have been in
love with Mary all the while, only did not
know it. Lucia bewildered and dazzled me
so that l hardly knew what was about.
Now my eyes were open, and began to
see how matters stood,


heard Mary's voice down the path.
She was singing softly. l walked toward
her, and met face to face, as we turned an
angle made by an old lilac bush.


$50 you have Gomez" she said, softly,
giving me her hand. "Lucia got your
letter. If you ask me the question you
told Lucia to ask me, knowing as do how
the case stands, should tell you not to
ask her that important question. You must
excuse me for saying this, Mr.. Sedley, but
butt am your friend, and would spare
you pain. Lucia does not care for you
she is already engaged. Don't give her a
chance to refuse. You had better forget
her if you can" ai "Fi


She spoke rapidly-and her voice tremb-
led little. She did not look at me at all.


MARY" said tenderly. 81 want to
ask the same question of you that told
Lucia to--do you know if Mary Stanfield
would change her name for minep Don't
misunderstood me, Mary, / want yOu. May
have what want?" h,


Such swift, glad light as flashed into
her eyes She lifted them to mine, and
answered the unspokcn question in them
by pressing one little hand, and saying


81 do mean it., Mary Lucia is too
snowy for me. want some one to make
home the best and dearest place in the
world. love you, Mary, and l want you
for my own"


She answered me by putting both her
hands in mine, and by the look on her face
I knew that she had loved me while l had
been under the spell of Lucia's charms.


We heard steps coming down the path.
Lucia and her friend came towards us. She
smiled as she saw me. Now was my time
for triumph. s,t ff 0lrG


81 have come-aud have asked the ques.
tion of Mary that told you to ask. She
has answered yes. Allow me to present
to you the future Mrs. Sedley." 50


said this very coolly. / was conscious
Of holding the trump cards Of this little
game in my own hands at the time when
they were most needed. Noba 3


Lucia heard me through with q very
changeable expression of face. Surprise
defeat were there. She
had boasted Of her triumph too soon.
saw her friend look at her with an evident
desire TO indulge in q hearty laugh at hel
expense, Lucia saw the look, and knew
what it meant, and tears of mortified pride
sprang to her eyes 1t was too much. Fol
a woman who could boast of having won Sc
many hearts, to have the tables turned
upon her when she was almost sure O
having the pleasure of putting her foot oil
lHI grow more confident as the years q
by, that my mistake was a lucky one. Lucii
could never have been to me what Mary i
and many a time have congratulated my
self on ttirning the tables. = N9'''a.
tBr A lady writer blames the men NOR
than the women for the ridiculous fashion
now in vogue. She says ''If all me-
possessing q $780, 900 and upwards shoui