Year: 1873

ent upon the death of one whom they | felt the warmest affection, and the idea | that others would be influenced by 1t was new thought to the young girl. She had given to her betrothed, | Charles Seaton, the first love of her young heart, believing his love was all her own. In the six years she had lived in Merton, child and maiden, Charlie Seaton had been her devoted admirer from the first, and had recent | ly finished his course of law study and been admitted to the bar. His fortune, inherited from his father, was very small, barely covering his expenditure for board and clothing but he was energetic, industrious, and, without brilliant talent, clear-headed, intelli- gent student, promising to make capa- ble lawyer, if not shining light at the bar.

 Answering her mothers call, Jessie nestled down in her favorite seat at her feet saying, sadly:

 If Charlie was influenced by any hope of Aunt Jessie's money, mamma, it is better to know it now. had sup posed we would have to wait for our wedding day until he had some practice, and you know I have little sum of my own toward first expenses. We could live here, and-There, Twill not think of it any more until the answer comes to my letter"

 '.While you wait, dear" said her mo- ther, ''shall tell you what think Is the explanation of your aunt's singular will? You, who know her only as the gentle, sad woman of her later years, can scarcely imagine, presume, that she was once as bright, hopeful, and sunny-tempered as yourself. I think it is to save you from her own sorrow that she has taken from you the power of giving wealth to 8 mere fortune hunter. She would have you wooed and won for yourself alone and as she has never positively said you were to be her heiress, she has probably never supposed Charlie biased by that hope. Still, dear, it is possible"

 "Yes, it is possible" said Jessie, slowly; "but tell me about Aunt Jes- sic"

 Your grandfather Markham, Jessie, was one of the leading merchants of New York, when your aunt, his only daughter, was introduced into society. Your uncle Hoyt was in good practice as physician, your father doing then fair business, and already married and in his own home.

 It was therefore with the name of an heiress that Jessie danced through her first season, careless, ight-hearted girl, very pretty, and accomplished enough to make pleasing impression wherever she went. She was but lit tie over twenty when she became en- gagged to Stanley Horton, the most fas- cihatlng man in all our circle of friends. Not only handsome and talented-and he was both-but possessing in re- markable degree the courtly polish and winning grace of manners that go so far toward gaining @ woman's heart, the absorbing love that Jessie felt for him seemed mutual, and congratulations were the order of the day, when your grandfather failed. From @ man of wealth he became actually poor, and losing energy and hope, he came with Jessie to share our homo.

 Stanley Horton, the man we all SUD- posed devoted lover, was fully aware of the change in Jessie's prospects, yet he continued his visits, m king no ab- rupt, ungentlemanly assertion of his betrothed. Yet we, who watched her with the jealousy of affection, soon dis covered 0 change in her. She became pale and sad, often fearful, till finally she confded to me that Stanley was evidently weary of her, and had ceased to love her. Even then she attributed the change to some defect in herself, not seeing the mercenary motive till later, when time had taken the glamour from her eyes and heart. She gave him back his ring and promises, thus accepting the position his urmanly con- duct forced upon her, of herself break ing the engagement between them. The first love of her life was the last. She was your grandfather's comfort until he died, and then she went to keep house for Hoyt, who lost his wife and baby one year after his wedding day. When he died he left her the house and money, and she lived there till she died. Still I know she loved you, and I am quite sure her will is not designed so much to keep you single as it is to win the disinterested love of your future | husband"

 There was @ long silence after Mrs. Markham concluded her story, and Jes- sic allowed her head to rest in her mothers lap, under her caressing hand | trying to picture future of easy con- potency shared by the companion of her life. It had it's bright side :; there was still love and happiness for her yet. And then bright face crowned with curly brown hair would come before her, and she knew that the handsome house nor the comfortable income could ever fill her heart if Charley left an aching void there. Suddenly, like Q gust of wind, there swept into the little | sitting room tall, broad-shouldered young man, in gray tweed suit and slouch hat, which latter article found resting place upon the floor, as the young giant braced himself before Jes- sic in an attitude of grim defiance that sent thrills of glad music into her heart

 twill you have the kindness, Miss Markham" said the intruder, towering in his six feet of manhood over Jessie's low seat, to tell me what you mean by that absurd letter Polly handed to me? Was it not fully understood that you and I were to share this cottage with your mamma until attained suffi- cient legal eminence to warrant the purchase of a brown stone front in New York? Was I not deluded into the be- lief that your presence in the culinary department of our establishment was to reduce our expenses to the unlIS O1 our present income? Was it not represent ed to me that my present hoard was sufficient to meet the requirements of two in this domicile In short, Miss Markham, in what way was I ever led to suppose that the fortune of your spinster aunt was to influence in the slightest degree your matrimonial rela- tions in regard to myself? I paused for reply"

 Jessie stood up, her hands meekly folded together, and her happy eyes downcost till the long lashes kissed her cheek.

 "PIease forgive me this time and I'll