Year: 1870

that lies in those two words. had no
brothers and sisters.


We lived in large city, my father
was recklessly extravagant, and had
spent almost all bis wealth when | was
born.


Ofmy mother know little; she died
before can remember Ny uncle has
told me that she was q beautiful and
good woman.


l think my father loved me, although
he was not at all demonstrative, and
never used any of those endearing
names, by which children are want to
be called.


/ can remember him as a silent,
gloomy man. When was about six
years of age he died, and | was alone
in the world. The landlady of the ho-
tel where we boarded kept me with her
for some time; our last dollar had been
spent in paying my fathers funeral
expenses, and she was too kind heart.
ed to send me to an orphan asylum,
though ! always felt that she looked
upon me in the light of an. intruder.
She often used harsh words towards me,
and dwelt on her great benevolence in
keeping me with her. About two
years after my fathers death, a gentle
man called to see me, who said he was
my uncle. He had not known of my
fathers death until a few weeks before.
| have since learned that there had been
misunderstanding between them be-
fore, which had been the cause of their
estrangement.


My uncle took me to his home, where
l met with my aunt and cousin, the
latter a little girl of my own age.


My aunt was naughty woman
who was vexed at my uncle for
taking me there. But this made
no difference with the kind man, and
he has tenderly cared for the orphan
child of his brother. | was sent to
school with my cousin Helen and re-
ceived all the accomplishments that
she did.


At eighteen we graduated and came
home. / was determined not TO de-
pend on my uncle'S bounty any longer,
and resolved to find suitable situation
as governess. / informed my uncle of
this, but he would not hear to it. He
said / was old enough now to be some
company for him, and l would incur
his displeasure by such course.


So was compelled to relinguish the
idea One day my uncle brought home
to dinner young man who was a par
ticular friend of his, and who was prao-
ticing law in town some twenty miles
from my unele's country residence


Ernest Hastings was 4 model of man
ly excellence and beauty. Helen and
myself were in the parlor when he en-
tered. My cousin was beautiful and
witty. | was, in consequence of my
early training, somewhat difident. 1t
is no wonder that he devoted his at
tention to her, with only an occasional
remark to me.


Uncle Elton invited him TO come
whenever he found it convenient.


He came frequently after that, some
times to take us out riding, or 10 spend
the evening with us. always left
him alone with Helen, when l could
do so without seeming impolite.


Once when he called, he found me
alone in the drawing room After
few general remarks, arose and said l
would call my cousin. He seized my
hand, and said;


"Why do you always run from me?
Is my presence so dstasteful to your


Then he told me that be had always
loved me from the first. How happy
/ wasl to know that some one cared
for me- that to one, at least, I was dear
est of all else, was happiness unspeak-
able. When my uncle was told of it,
he was delighted beyond measure.


"Ah Florence" said he, "you have
won noble heart. think my quiet
little niece has done we'll"


My aunt received the news with in
difference; she cared but little for any
thing that concerned me.


Helen looked little chagrined at
first, and then congratulated me warmly.


Ernest often brought his sister (then
unmarried) to see me; she was his only
living relative. Ispeak of Mrs. Law
ton, the lady who often visits me. Those
days were ones Of unalloyed happiness.
was eagerly draining the sweet in my
cup, alas! / little knew how soon