Year: 1873

mocking me, but it was pale and grave.
Mrs. LIE Roy opened her eyes widely, but
was too well bred to express her surprise,
and after introducing me to her husband in
the same terms, invited me into the house.
Hardly conscious of what did or of any
thing except that was still in the presence
of Florence, from which | could not en-
dure to Danish myself, followed them into
handsome parlor, where sat an old lady
whom my conscience told me was the rheu-
matte aunt had so cruelty belied. Flor
ence herself presented me to the lady, who
was fixture and unable to rise from her
chair, and before / could stammer out an
apology and retire, related in her own
way (how different from mine y the mis-
take by which she had been placed in my
care, and the history of the journey, in
which it appeared that Mr.. lie Roy, had
been fellow passenger. When she had,
ended, they all crowded around me, warm.
ly expressing thanks for my "kindness and.
consideration" to my utter bewilderment
and surprise, cordially invited me to re-
main with them, and make the acquaint-
ance of my namesake and family,


l detached myself from all this unexpect-
ed kindness as soon as could, for fancied
l read aversion in the flashing and pal
ing face and dropping eyes of Florence,
and with one last look at her left the
room. A moment after, and 1 felt tie
touch of light hand on my arm, and,
turning, saw with mute surprise that she
had followed me into the vestibule.


"Mr. LIE Roy" she said hurriedly, 'I
cannot let you go away misunderstanding
me as see you do. If I was silent,
while you humbly apologized for the noble,
generous and honorable conduct, l was too
much astonished, afterward too much
moved and grateful to speak. 1 owe
you more than can say, and should be
miserable indeed if a false shame, which
You see has not prevented me telling you
this, should prevent you from continuing
an acquaintance so strangely begun.
Trust me, sir, | speak the TRUTH


don't know what answer | made for
the revulsion of my feeling was almost too
great for words, and the rapture of know
ing as looked down in that lovely face,
that it was not for the last time quite took
away the little sense had remaining.


If you want to know how felt, ask a
man who is to be hung how he would feel
to be reprieved.


Well, how time flies 1t certainly does
not seem five years since all this happened,
yet cousin Jenney (my cousin Jenny now
SO bitterly reproaches us in her last
letter for our not visiting her in all that
time. We have again undertaken the
journey, but under different auspices, since
Florence is Florence Dundard no more, and
sleeps upon my arm in the cars 10 more
blushingly, but with the confidence of
wife of nearly five years standing and
registered our names in the hotel books as
" MIR. and Mrs. lie Roy" and blessed my
lucky stars as read it over.


Even while write, Florence, lovelier
than ever, as think, makes a great pre-
tense Of arranging our baggage at the
hotel where we stop (and which has re-
minded me by the past transactions to write
down this story, or comes leaning over
me 10 call me +" dear Chester,' in stead of
"dear cousin Frank" as five years before,
and to scold me for being SO stupid as to
sit and write, instead of talking with her.
Was ever man SO happy from a woman's
mistake. ...af bste .sH4 f