Year: 1871

Wetherell continued TO walk the piazza in
a brown study, evidently pondering over
some complicated conception.


Jack was not over-sanguine as to the
merits of his friends 'idea :" and his mus
ings were not altogether of a pleasant ma
ture. He was thinking of Maggie Camp
bell-the pretty, genial, lovabIe girl
whom he had thought himself only flirting
with, but whom he now knew to be very
necessary to his future happiness. Jacl
was an apreciative youth and though not
vain, he felt that he had made decided
impression on the lovely Maggie, and, fur
ther. that his intentions were not in the
least displeasing to the young lady's moth
er and now the whole affair was to be
kicked over for want of few paltry dol
lars for he knew that the condition of
things could not be kept secret, and,
once out, the game would be up, for the old
Lady would be very shy of trusting her
daughter to young man who must be
either swindler or bad manager to put
it in the mildest form.


The sound of laughing voices washeard
coming up the road, and presently the
gate swung open, and Mrs Campbell and
her two daughters came up the drive to
the house, escorted by the gentleman at
whose house they had been visiting.
Jacks heart gave a big bound as he caught
sight other thin fignre. and heard her musi-
cal laugh; and he found himself grinding
his teeth at the mere presence of a gentle
man in her company. The latter, however,
lett the ladies Immediately, who joined
Jack and his friend on the piazza


1t, was a brilliant moonlight night, and
the silvery light made the lake seem love-
.,zl,
Jack. who had already taken possession of
Maggie, to propose row on the water and
as there were no objections made, Mrs.
Campbell retiring into the house, after
charging them to be careful, they started
for the boats. The girls were in high
glee, and, when Jack proposed that they
should 60 in separate boats and have a
race, they willingly consented; so Jack
took Maggie in one boat, while Tom and
his sister entered another, and they pull
ed from shore to stake which was rae
ing-point, and then the two young men
bent to their oars with will. They were
about evenly matched though Tom, being
the taller, had the longer reach.


The usual racing-distance was mile,
marked by buoy floating on the water,
and both struggled hard for the victory
Usually, in such contests, Jack had come
off conqueror; but this night he gradually
fell behind, and when about two.thirds of
the distance had been passed, the other
boat then leading him about three lengths,
he stopped pulling, unshipped his oars.
and, folding his arms, sat in silence, while
Toms iromcal cheer sounded in the dis
tance.


Maggie Campbell sat in the stern of the
boat, rather surprised at Jacks unusual
fasco; and, as he did not speak, said, in
her low, musical voice:


what is the matter, Mr.. Savage? Are
you not well ?"


Jack did not move for a moment; then
he arose, stepped into the stern of the
boat, and seated himself beside her.


They had drifted in-shore-the other
boat was out of sight-and, as Jack came
so near her, Maggie felt curious sensa-
ton in her left side and sort of swelling in
her throat, while she wondered why Jack
acted so strangely, and what he was GO
ing to do next. He did not leave her
long. in doubt as to that, for passing his
arms around her waist-a liberty he had
never before ventured to take-he said,
very quietly, but very passionately:


Maggie, we are going to part pretty
soon, and may not have another oppor-
tunity to tell you what is in my heart to-
night, and has been there these many hap
Ply hours that we have passed together
| want to tell you that love you, Maggie,
better than any one have ever seen, and
to ask you if may not hope that l have
gained a little of your love, too. / am
sure need you-oh, ever so much--and |
shall want you to be my wife, if you will
hot now. if you odn't like. but whenever
you can feel willing to come to me, and
let me take you all to myself, to make
God permitting-a happy home for both
of u.s.


Maggie's face had been bowling lower
and lower, and now it was entirely con-
.cealed in her hands; when Jack ceased
speaking, he found she was sobbing,
while the little hand which he clasped in
his, and tried to draw away that he might
look into her face and read his destiny,
was moistened with her tears.
For a moment he spoke not; then he
said:


maggie, dear, have l offended youp
Don't cry! And, if | have, l promise
never to speak of this again, but to shut
my hopes and wishes up in my own heart
and make no sign.'


You see Jack was q lawyer, and knew
how to plead his case, and this time he got
his verdict.


Dropping her hands, she turned her
sweet face, wet with tears, toward him.
and said.


II am not offended, but it was SO sud-
den"-here she laid her hand softly upon
his--''but if you will have faulty and
imperfect girl whom you have made to
love you, will be your wife whenever
You wish and mamma consents.n


The next instant Maggie's face was
slowed away somewhere under Jacks
coat, and then series of curious noises
was heard, after which Jack jumped fran
tically back to his seat, took his oars, and
at once began to propel his boat with the
most Incredible swiftness down the lake,
Maggie meanwhile arranging her hair and
collar, which had somehow become slight
ly deranged. and then sitting quietly with
soft smile on her face, watching jacks
marvellous strength and dexterity in man
aging the oars.


! CONCLUDED IN To-MoRROw's PAPER.