Year: 1873

= HI
p He was a young man, with a reason
ably good education and pleasing pres
enee. An average American of the
city-bred sort !; bright, active and very
much in love with her.


She, pretty and sensible, though
trifiing and snowy on the surface, loved
him after certain shy, unspoken fash
ion. rat


Both knew it, and had not exehang-
ed word, hardly a look expressive
thereof.


Like children, one was afraid and
the other dare not.


He was at work in store trying to
win money to enable him to marry her.
Very proper in him, to be sure. Vir-
tue is always rewarded and his employ
ers had given hints that if he good
he should be " taken in"


With her hoped-for love in view. he
tried hard to be very, very good. But
the firm suddenly suspended, failed
and utterly stopped, and the poor boy
was penniless. .r.


Under these very unhappy eircum-
stances, what ought he do? He was
absolutely without means of support,
and the engagement should be broken
off. .s....


How could he ask her to wait-wait
for him-perhaps for years. Wait
while he searched for clerkship, that,
when obtained would not support them
both. Her father was man of busi-
ness, and possessed of some wealth.
What would he say to such folly?


Surprised at the sudden strength of
character his trouble had developed he
took manly stand and resolved he
he would call on her, bid her farewell,
and leave her with his love unsaid
He would suffer alone. Perhaps time
would cure the smart. People said it
would, though he did not believe them.
Come what might, he would stand no
longer in a false position. He would
see her at once ..I...


With heavy heart he took up his
cross and his way at the time. He
would be man at any rate, and see it
through, whatever happened. Refus-
ing to look to the right or left, he went
rapidly on, and presently, with beat
ing heart and nervous fingers, rang her
fathers bell.


She herself opened the door to
him. Smiling, clad in simple morning
suit, and, as if to add to his sorrow,
full of winsome merrimeut and gayety
She asked HIM into the parlor, that she
was just then flirting a feather duster
through, and they both sat down in
the sacks of sunshine and shadow be-
hind the group of window plants.


After some common places she said !:


See The slip of geranium | cut
from the bouquet you gave me. 1t has
rooted already. I'm glad. 1t will
make nice plant-a remembrance of
the flowers. ..-.


He smiled family, and pretend to be
interested. Somehow his thoughts
would wander to something else. For
a moment he was silent, and she said
that he was not very amusing, and that
she would return to her busting.


But he had story to tell her.


A story! Now that was worth while.
She sat down in low chair before
him. She sat down in low chair be-
fore him, arranged her drapery as pret-
tily as possible, and said:


Begin please. I'll be good"


He had brilliant idea. He would
tell his whole story effectively, and
see what she said to it. He would
sketch his own case, and while pre-
tending to amuse her, draw from her
manner and answers some hint of what
he had best do. If she took it as mere
fiction, no harm would come of it, and
he could depart with clear conscience
What if she took it as truth? What if
she saw through.the pretense? That was
not very likely, and-yet-if She


The story, please-if you have not
fallen asleep. Poor boy He has to
work..so hardr'


He began.


Once upon atime there was a young
man, and he fell very much in love
with a. girl"


Girl is better


Pardon me and 60 or"


With an effort he resumed, while
his eyes began to grow very bright.
She noticed it in silence.


He loved her very much, though
he could not tell she returned his love.
He had not made-how shall | express
it? There had been no overt act.


Had not proposed you mean.


"Yes, and for most excellent reason.
His business prospects did not warrant
it. Though everything was smiling
and cheerful, still he thought it best to
wait till certain events of financial
nature took place.


"Couldn tsupport her? Very prop
er in him to wait.


He WINGED under this, and with an
effort continued the story. a.r7


He expected a promotion, and
hoped that when it came he should be
in a position to marry.


How very nice p And she smiled
in peculiar way that puzzled him.


With some hesitation he went on.


well. Just as everything seemed at
its best it-it-everything broke down. .


How sad ! don't like the story
Tell me something that's pretty and
nice" 9aE EEf


This was the most cruel blow of all
He at once froze up. She was a shall
low beartless thing, unworthy of his
love, and he fell to thinking how he
had been deceived.


She sat the while in calm silence
towing with her feather duster, and in.
wardIy harassed by storm of conflict
ing emotions. Love, doubt, sorrow
and a great happiness struggled for ex
preston. She glanced slyly at him
He seemed crushed BY great sorrow
His fingers we're nervous, and the lid
| cha l;nn his ares nlOYed nnlcklV as /