Year: 1876




time the subject was forgotten.


Judge OF the surprise of Acton
when next morning in the breakfast
room he espied among the walters
the girl of whom he bad been speak.
ing. making herself useful, but still
here, as elsewhere, eyincing To an OBJ.
server the distinctive air of a well
bred ladv.


What, the deucel Ralph, as true
as you live, there is that Miss Hill
among the walters She must be
doing it for wager, or an expert
ment, or Something of that. Why,
she is the finest looking girl in tle
house! Compare her with some of the
more wealthy ladies here-there is
no comparison!'


THE name in the hat" suggested
his companion, 81 believe it is the
same one. If she would be waiter
she would trim hats Reverse of
fortune perhaps. III find out If pos
sible."


But it did pot seem so easy to find
out. No one seemed to know her.
and the lady was unapproachable, by
virtue of the quiet dignity which en-
folded her. a


At length Acton determined to
make bold push. He loitered
around one day aud fortunately
found chance TO speak unobserved.
She was sorting out napkins Il
beg your pardyn-but-Mi~s Hill
did you ever seesthis writing?"


She starred With great surprise
that be should kaow her name, aud
then, as her eyes fell on the writing.
a vivid crimson saffused her face. as
she recognized the lines written il
girlish fun.


He was answered before she spoke
Yes, that is my writing | was
trimming hats iust spring ana
I thought would write something on
the inside Of that Up, never thinking
to meet it here"


IL dropped my hat in the water
when | was fishing few days ago,
aud, as the lining was all wet | tore
it out, when this came to light. SIN
gular that should .ud il and then
meet you here


SILLY quotation. might at least
have written something sensible. Let
me destroy it now" and she extended
her hand Tor the paper.


with your leave | will keep it as
a memento;" and ne stood moment
wishing be dared fuihll the entreaty
contained in the poetry, and thinking
how sweeIly it would sound from her
scarlet lips.


But her air forbade, any familiarity
such as might be taken with some in
ber position, and she went on wit
her work in a manner thai seemed To
dismiss him He walked off think
ing, an win that girl if she is poor,
if it is possible, | believe she is a
jewel


And when wear II on my brow,
The world may wonder, but it will not laugh


He was rich, handsome aud above
the average in character. She con-
tinued to be the one attraction for
him, and going to his room one day
he pehned the following note:


Miss HILL: Will you favor me
with an interview? have felt in-
terested in you ever since fret saw
YOU, and it increases daily. My po- |
sition and character are good, as |
can prove to you, aud | trust you
will acquit me of any but honorable
intentions. You are evidently in a
position beneath me, but when ! see
you dignity even that my respect aud
admiration increase Please do net
say Inc nay.


CHARLIE ACToN.


Fredreetta read the note and ap-
preciated the. .manly tone, but conclp-
ded she had better refuse this request
at present. The next day he receiv-
ed this note from her pen:


Mr.. ACTON: | think it best to re-
fuse your request at present. My
position has been different as you
suppose, and | suppose was once
your equal ], socially; but should it |
be known that |. in my present Ca
pacity, had an interview with the
wealthy Mr.. Acton, it might cause
unpleasant remarks After | leave
here, if you still wish it, you can call
at-street aud | shall be happy to
meet you. Thanking you for your
kind interest in my welfare, remain,
elc.,


FREDREETTA HILL.


Aud with this be was obliged TO be
satisfied


Six weeks later we find him ring
ing the bell of The house in the street
she had mentioned. During the |
weeks hat had interviewed he had |
grown more and more infatuated, |
and she could not misterpret the ten
der lock in his eye whenever il
CHANGED 10 meet hers


She me, him with frauk, pleasant
welcome aud less dignliied manner
then when he had seen her before
She looked more beautiful than ever,
in his eye. in black silk, with ruso
color at her throat, lighting up her
somber dress aud rendering more
vivid and striking her rich, dark
beauty. Charlie felt enough In love
when be looked at her to thea and
there clasp her in bis arms and give
ber the request in the lines she had
written But there was Il wcman to
be won, and he could not take any
such method at first, or be might lose
her


Miss Hill, thank you for grant
ing me this interview aud for the evil |
dent confidence you have in me.
VIII you pardon my curiosity and
tell me why found you in an inferior
position!"


"The old story. My father died
and left my mother and me penniless,
aud then we found our summer friends
had flown. She only lived few
months after that, aud | an only
child, petted, hattered, had to face
the world alone have not found