Year: 1872

THURSDAY, s
The hostess soon returned, and presently had
ready a smoking dish of hot ham and eggs,
which, with biscuits like snow-Aakes, made a
very inviting repast.


By the time the meal was we'll over, the
driver returned, with his wheel mended, and
they took the road again. Harvey, who had
paid his entertainer literally for his own
dinner, noticed the pale young woman ap-
proach and offer to do the same.


"Thats all settled" said the hostess, and
motioned with her hand toward Miss Tucker.


Harvey felt mortified that he should not
have thought to do that kindness himself lie
overheard the poor woman's grateful murmur
of thanks to her new friend and the light
laugh with which they were turned aside He
had come to like the sound Of that laugh quite
as we'll as the driver. He was not sorry when,
on resuming their places he found Miss Tuck
er seated beside himself. He could no longer
bear to be only the recipient of kindness, and
he exerted himself to show to his companion
all those small courtesies of the road which
occasion allowed. He talked very little, how
ever, though he talked his very best; and his
grave, respectful demeanor offered no index
of the feeling, as new as it was delightful,
which really thrilled through all the pulses of
his being. It was not merely respect for the
fine qualities he had discovered in her, nor
wholly his kindling admiration of her rich
and glowing beauty, but an emotion COM
mingled of and far transcending both-a DEL
icate and subtitle pleasure in the presence Of a
large and gracious womanhood, which his
whole mans nature acknowledged and bowed
down to.


The rest of their journey was accomplished
without accident, though not without delays,
and it was quite dark before, weary and mud
spattered, they reached the town where they
were to part and 60 their separate ways.
They had left the stage, and Miss Tucker stood
in the piazza of the public.house giving some
directions about her luggage, when Middleton
approached and, taking off his hat, addressed
her.


"Pardon me-" he said, eff use too great a
freedom. You do not know me, but have
seen too many proofs of your goodness to-day
not to feel that I know you. I see that you
have kindly taken under your protection the
poor woman and her child who rode with US,
and am anxious to share with you the pleas
ure of assisting her. Here is small sum Of
money, which you will oblige me by spending
for her use, and card with my address. If
at any time I can be of further service to her,
you will do me favor by letting me know"


The young woman took the card and the
crisp bank-note that accompanied it, and ex-
pressed her thanks with dash Of embarrass-
ment and timidity which she had not before
shown, but which Harvey thought become her
wonderfully.


"There is one more favor" he added, with
little hesitation, (which I would like to ask
of you. Would you object to give me your
address?"


"Not at ALL" she answered frankly; and
gave it accordingly. lie thanked her grave
ly, bowed again as he might have done to q
duchess, and walked away. The next day he
was at his Office in Boston, and she at her
busy, responsible post in great Lowell mill.


For Just one week Middleton turned things
over in his mind. The result was resolu-
ton and a letter. The last was addressed to
Miss Olympia Tucker, and contained dis
tinct and straightforward proposal of mar
riage. He recalled himself modestly to the
lady's recollection, referring to the journey
they had taken together, and declared that
the impression which she had that day made
upon him was such that he ardently wished
to Journey through life in her company. He
told her who and what he was, his family,
business and fortune; inclosed the addresses
of several persons through whom she might,
if she wished, satisfy herself in regard to his
character and standing; and concluded with
an earnest request that she would permit him
to visit her. The letter, Notwithstanding its
abrupt and rather business.like character, was
one which almost any lady might feel fiat
tered to receive.


When it was sent he waited in veritable
fever of impatience for the reply. A week,
almost another, elapsed before it came. He
tore it open his suit was rejected.


The keenness of his disappointment almost
surprised himself He had hardly been
aware how deeply his feelings and his fancy
were interested in the woman, whom he had
known but for one day, and who had begun
by offending his social prejudices and his fas-
tidiousness almost to the point of disgust.
He took up her letter and read it again. 1t
was written somewhat stiAly, as if it had cost
its author great deal of trouble, and now
and then word might not be spelled quite
correctly; but it was modest, womanly let
ter, dignifed from its very simplicity. She
thanked him sincerely for the compliment Of
his preference, though she felt compelled to
decline his proposal. She had not done so
hastily; she had considered his offer we'll
She did not even affect to conceal from him
that it had been strong temptations for her
a poor, hard-working girl, struggling single
handed with the world. But she did not
think it would be right for her to purchase
ease and enjoyment for herself in that way.
She was not educated for the circle to which
he belonged, and if she were to take him at
III, ,orbon no hastu word he MIGHT repret If