Year: 1872

/ anxious that you anu youI oisLei ohouiu
honor her. / think we may count upon
your presence p


Mrs. Sturgis had been true friend to
both Harry and his sister, and she was a
worthy and estimablc woman, and after a
little consideration he said he would 60.


The large drawing-room of the Sturgis
mansion was brilliantly lighted and the
assembly was select, not selected upon the
basis of fashion, but culled with appropri-
ate care from the realm of intellectual
worth; Mrs. Sturgis had taken charge OF
Harry's sister; and our hero was proceed
ing to join friend whom he had discov-
evered in another part of the room, when
he met Millie Day. She changed color
when she saw him, and for moment it
appeared to Harry Q. though she would
have avoided the meeting but she pres
emily rallied and greeted him with smile.
Her greeting was very brief, however, and
with q hurried step she passed on, and
Joined the old banker Corydon.


No wonder that men gazed admlrlngiv
upon Millie Day as she moved past them.
She was beautiful in every sense. The
father might pray that his daughter could
be like her; the brother might pray that
God would hless him with such q sister
the child of sorrow and want could but
thank Heaven for bringing such friend ;
and the lover who might win her for his
own could surely declare that earth bore
nothing of womankind more bright and
lovely.


Harry saw her give her hand to Cory
don-he saw Corydon tenderly draw that
hand upon his ARMAND then he saw
them walk away together, engaged in
earnest conversation.


Harry Cowper felt faint and dizzy; but
he struggled against the load and turned
away to other scenes and yet other
scenes could not drive that painful scene
from his mind Could it be possible that
Millie was about to sell herself to Warren
Corydon? He was old enough to be her
grandfather Yet he was a well kept old
man-far more manly and vigorous than
were many Of those pinks of fashion who
claimed to be young men. Never before
had Harry realized how deeply he had
loved the beautiful girl, nor how large o
space she occupied in his hopes of the flu
ture. Fully assured that she was lost tc
him forever he turned away to window
and leaned his head upon his hands. He
thought it best for him to plead illness to
his hostess, and go to his home. He knew
full we'll that he could not appear himself
under such cloud.


He was rejecting thus, when he felt 6
light touch upon his arm, and on turning
he bcheld Millie Day. She was gazing
wistfully up into his face, and there was {
wondrous sparkle in her clear azure eye.


Harry, want to speak with you


Will you come with me 2?


Without venturing to answer in words
he followed her. She led the way to {
small conservatory, where they stood b.
an oleander in full bloom. A brief pause
and an evident struggle, and then Millie
looked up and spoke Her face was radi
ant, and the sparkle of her eyes had deep


ened to fervid glow.


, Harry, l have difficult task to per
form but l have prayed for strength, en-
/ think the strength has come to me- Par
| uOll Ille III dIl uliCij oCCh youl SouAoS
l You know that l have lately inherited


large fortune"


SYeS-I know" said Harry, in gasp
! ing whisper.


t "And already" she pursued, "that for
t tune begins to oppress me. MIR: Corydo
& holds it in charge for me, and he will d
Z with it just as l say. 1t stands betwee


me and very dear friend-a friend who's
| love I prize above all the wealth of tn
: world-and have called you here, Har


ry to ask you if shall give my fortun
up"


E Mile II do not understand"
9 Thrice she tried to speak, aid her wcrd
h failed her. At length she caught her love
o by the hand, and her speech burst forth
y Harry, do you know. that old Pete
J, Phipps is one of the best and truest friend
!; He was clerk inmy fathers store.
u was my father who saved him from prisol
y and who lifted him up from the dreadf'
+ slough of intemperance, and it was 10