Year: 1873

is poor man; no one could be poorer
except yourself. If he were an Ordinary
man this ought to deter you, for he would
have to toll in way you know little
about to give you bread to eat. He is not
common man, but with great career
before him, that is, if you, a chit of a girl,
do not step in to spoil it. He is too gen
erous to tell you this, perhaps, but l have
no scruple in hurting you when it ought
| to be DONE"


"Tell me about his career" said Lola


''The great person who introduced me
| to him in London" continued Granny,
''said to me, This will be distinguished
man in a few years hence if he only re-
gains his health, and keeps himself free of
encumbrances. I shall keep an eye on his
career and push him onward if l can.
Gray talked to me about it during our
journey down here; told me all his hopes
him. | said. You must beware of foolish
marriage The worst thing that could
happen to me- was his answer. i hope
you have nothing dangerous down in your
countryp | remembered only my grand
daughters and that they were a great deal
too sensible to take any interest in him. |
never thought OF you at all, child; yet
hers you are doing the mischief, being
neither wise for your own interests, nor
generous in looking to his. You have
ruined him so completely that he is gone
to refuse an offer which would have given
him fame and fortune had you not been
in the wayn


"What is that offer?" asked Lola.


can expedition in sailing next week, to
the North Pole, or somewhere thereabouts
What they are going to do | am not sure
about; but they are scientific men; and
they have induced Arthur Gray to be of
their party. A few short weeks ago he
would have looked upon any one who had
prevented his accepting this as an enemy
Now he goes to London to refuse it, in
order that he may pin himself to drudgery
and obs curity for life; that he may live in
repining over what you have selfishly
forced upon him, he being far too gener-
ous to dsappoint you.'


Lola did not answer word, but stood
with her face turned away, looking into
the forest; and slowly turned away, and
began walking like a sleep-walker toward
an opening in the trees. Granny looked
after her angrily, too full of Arthur's
wrongs to have any pity tor the girl whom
She counted his enemy. can obstinate
monkey" she said to herself, wrathfully,
and muttered her way back to the house,
while Lola spent two long hours alone in
the forest, Only the trees, and the river,
and the singing grass saw her struggle; ;
when she came back to Granny her face
looked gray and old II will Join the
gentleman, tonight" she said, 'sand 90
to Paris with him."


Now that Granny was triumphant, a
new feeling Of pity came into her heart.
But she knew she had done her duty, and
that Lola was behaving we'll She patted
the girl on the shoulder. and sent her
home to pack up her things, and made
vague promises in her own mind that
something good must certainly be done
for Lola


When Gray came back from London,
there was no Lola in the forest country,
and Granny explained to him how pru-
IDENTITY the girl had acted.


''4ou could not expect of her that she
would not seize a good offer when it pre-
sented ITSELF" she said. at is very well
for men when women are found with
little common sense. She will have the
advantages in Paris. and will make a good
marriage. Lola is wise girl, and as tor
you. you will get over it


"Certainly," said Arthur; ''he would
not interfere with any woman's prospects,"


And then he also went alone into the
forest, and complained that the world had
never seen faithful woman. The grass
sighed again and smile curled the edges
OF the leaves of the trees, but not thing
limited to him of Lola's sacrifice. That
night he was again in London, and the
next day he sailed with the expedition
As he looked over the ships side, ambitl-
Gus hopes rose IN his heart, and subdued
the pain that would have fingered still.
The sea-foam gathered over the past cf
few months. The sun Of the old world
set brilliantly upon what lay behind him;
a summer dream, blue mists. dancing
trees, sunny idleness, children's voices,
and woman's face framed in the purple
shadaw among leaves. All the Year
Round.