Year: 1870

gar, and we will arrange the matter be-
fore you go away. As you suggested
the plan you must help me get up the
disguise


A few days afterward, feeble-lOOking
old man rang the bell at the Orsney
mansion. A pOmpOus servant answer
ed the summons.


Are the ladies of the house at home .
asked the old man.


The servant eyed him over and SEEM
ed at loss what TO say; at last he said:


yes, they are at home; what do you
want, old man "


Il have some trinkets to sell; perhaps
they would like to buy some, and help a
poor old man, who is trying to make an
honest penny


We'll, I don't suppose they will buy
anything of the likes of you; however
III AK So saying the servant disap-
peared, but presently returned, and
took the old man to the common sit
ting room, where the ladies were.


On sofa, by the window, lounged
Julia, clad in an old faded wrapper,
slippers down at the heel, hair done up
IN pug, looking if not decidedly slat-
ternly, certainly not magnificent p
She was reading a novel, and never
glanced up; her mother, q pale, quiet
looking lady, sat stitching on some deli
cate fabrics. This she laid down and
told the old man to be seated.


i have some trinkets to sell. Perhaps
you or your daughter would like to look
at them. Shall I open the pack, mad
am


Julia Lere looked up from her novel,
and seeing her mother had laid ABIDE
her work, said pettishly.


Mamma, If you lay that trimming
down so often, you will never get 1t
done in time. You know Mrs. Orten's
party is tomorrow night, and am de-
termined to have my dress done. Fred
Alton is to be there, and want to look
my best. Send the old man away, and
have the servant watch him as he goes
OUT


The old mans face Redeemed at this
speech, and bowling to Mrs. Orsney, he
said: you need not send your servant
to watch me; am no thief Miss and
strobe out.


WELL said he as soon as he was fair
Iy out of the house, 'one of my dreams is
dispelIed, but it is better to have ones
eyes opened before than after marriage.
To think that slatternly, pettish girl
was my queenly Julia. Well, am be-
ginning to find ALPS not gold that gilt
ters. To be taken for a thief! Bah 1
don't care what you take me for, Miss
Julia; henceforth you are nothing to
me. And now for Mrs. King's-I won-
der if Ella will stand the test-pretty
EIla-sureIy there can be no deception
about her If she fails me, shall lose
all confidence in Womankind, and live
a bachelor to the end of my days; but
here is the house, and now for scene
seeOnd.'


He rang the bell and waited. Pret-
soon light footsteps came along the hall,
and the door was opened by Ella her
self. She was neatly dressed In pret.
ty morning dress, and had on a white
apron daintily rufded. The old man
bowed low, and asked if she would like
to look at his wares.


I am q feeble old man as you see,
Miss and I cannot do very much, but
try to make an honest living, and per-
haps I have something you would buy.'


i don't know said Ella, kindly, but
come in and rest, you look tired, and
perhaps mamma viii buy something


She led the way INTO pleasant par
lor, where sat pleasant-faced hdy
reading.


Mamma, here is an old man who
says he is trying to make an honest
living by peddling and I told him you
buy sOmething-yOu will wont you
Mamma dear I?


ELLA, your generosity will be the ruin
of me yet, am afraid, said the mother
with q smile; but let me see what you
have, old man-perhaps you have some
thing that want


DO buy something, that's u good
mamma said Ella caressing her, for
dislike to have him GO away disap-
pointed


My daughter, I do believe you would
patronize all the poor people In the
city, if you had the means


The various articles were displayed,
and Mrs King selected some she said
she needed, paying literally for them.
The old man was profuse In his thanks
to the ladies, and doin up his pack, took
his departure.


We'll, 1 have not been deceived here
thought he. Sweet Ella how charm
ing she did look, and how good she
was. What a contrast to Julia


That evening he had q call from his
friend Jack Avery. Jack wanted TO
know how Fred's masquerading adven-
Curen8Q come Out. ne IOuuu LnBL young
gentleman in high spirits. why, Jack,
how are yOu2 Pm glad to see you, but
/ was Just going out. You will excuse
me won't you, old fellow, especially as
am going to call on the ladies'


'Oh, of course; but before you go, tell
me how you succeeded in that little
plot we managed the other night


'Capitally; and am under lasting OBJ
legations to you for suggesting the plan.
I am in no doubt now as to which of the
two young ladies desire for wife. In
short, am going to call on Miss King
this evening, and learn my fate


We'll, Fred, Here's a hand, my trusty
friend and success to you.' And Jack
sauntered off, wondering how long it
would be before all his chums were mar.
rled and himself left solitary and
alone


Fred called on Ella, proposed, and was
accepted, and they were married six
months ago. So far he has not regret
ted his choice, though Miss Julia orsney
says, for her part, she can't see what
Fred Alton saw to admire in Ella King.
Julia still lives in single blessedness,
waiting for the coming man.