Year: 1873

I a bow too many or bow too few on
my Sunday bonnet. Worse, though,
Mr.. Brodhead had been to her.


"My DEAR she began, as sweet and
as cold and stiff as a dish of frozen
custard, 81 want to have a serious talk
with you on serious subject. And
perhaps may as well say at once, Mr..
Brodhead has solicitated the good Of
fees of Mr.. Coliss and myself between
you and himself.


He seems to be an earnest admirer,
but very difident one. What should
you say to the idea of entertaining a
proposal of marriage from him ?"


"I couldn't think of such a thing for
q moment, Mrs. Corllss. I have no
expectation Or ever wish to marry any
one" said I, feeling very much annoy
ed.


Mrs. Corliss sighed severely. "Mar-
riageis divinely appointedinstitution,
said she, ''and not to be lightly set
aside without due consideration and
prayer. You are not now prepared to
give final answer to so important a
matter 1t comes upon you suddenly.
Take time, my dear young friend, to
think it over carefully, prayfully, and
with view to what is your duty"


Mrs. Corliss shut her lips tight, as
though to keep her teeth in, and then
kissed me good-night-a soft, clammy
kiss that made me feel as though |
wanted a lump of sugar. Accordingly,
| went into the house and ate one, and
thought no more about Mr.. Brodhead
for month and day.


At the end Of that time, Aunt Kent
asked me to 90 down and do up her
caps. Aunt Kent was a dear, good old
lady, who lived in yellow and white
cottage at the end of the graveyard,
where her husband and her seven chill
dren were lying in one pathetic row,
under beds of heart's-ease and forget
me nots. But when they went she
adopted all the world into her great,
warm, motherly heart. So though she
lived alone with little cream-colored
greyhound, she had a large family,
and whoever was sick, or sorry, or
needy went to her, as we'll as whose
ever wished for sympathy in health
and gladness.


Dear Aunt Kent! When | went in
there she sat knitting a clocked sack
for young Mrs Gables first baby,
with such look ofpeaceful repose on
her face, that one would be willing to
60 over the same weary path of suffer
ing, if it should lead at last into such
a land of rest.


81 don't know when I've felt sor-
rier," said she, when | was settled at
my work by her side, ethan | did for
somebody who came to me last week
in love affair." He is man of whose
love any girl might be proud, but he
is so full of humility and self distrust
that he doesn't even dare open the
subject to the young woman herself
And | don't know but it will cost him
his life. He says he is sure it would
if she should refuse him, and l guess
he is right about it,


In an instant, Mr.. Brodhead flashed
into my mind, and my heart grow
harder than the meeting house steps.


"Why, Aunt Kent" said |, ''it is
too absured! He has already been to
the minister and the minister's wife,
to ask them to intercede for him.
wouldn't have man anyhow, after he
had made such goose of himself"


Aunt Kent opened her eyes in mild
astonishment, and then remembered
she had named nobody. So l stopped
suddenly and felt my cheeks begin to
burn.


"Dear child" said she tenderly,
'when you have seen a few more of
the ups and downs OF life, you will
think more of a good mans love than
you will of these outside manners
Mr.. Brodhead told me he had been ir
his strait to some of our mutua
friends, but he supposed they had not
spoken with you. And we musnt
Judge him by the standard we would
apply to some people. He is shrink
ing to timorousness, especially with
ladies. And he says he is consciou
that he always appears his worst be
fore YOU Poor man! I've seen hin
sit at church with his eyes fixed OF
the ribbon of your hat, as it tluttered {
little in the wind, and look so hungry
and hopeless, my heart just ached fol
him.


This time my face flushed will
anger as well as shame


az feel humiliated, Aunt Kent,
said l. 81 hope nobody else has seer
him make such silly spectacle o.
himself!


"Bella, my dear. you are wrong"
interposed Aunt Kent gently. "W'
must take people as they are, not a.
we would have them. The man il
cast in a delicate, sensitive mould, anc
this is nearly or quite matter o
life and death with him. doubt i
you are loved again by so worthy
man and | am sure you will not bt
any more sincerely. hope you vii
not be so misguided as to throw ava.
such treasure, only for romantic
notion


: l could not laugh at Aunt Kent
tender earnestness, but l shook m,
head and felt immovable from tn
bump Of tirmness down to my boot
soles. And thus ended the third les