Year: 1871

at shall never be. l will neve
make you my wife, knowing tha
yen do not love rhe-that your hear
is not in my keeping. 1 will not tel
you of my hopes, how 1 hav
dreamed that my last days would b.
my happiest ones-it would not in
terest you. Now l have only to sa,
that you are as free as if l had nev
er seen your sweet face"


He paused for reply, but sh'
made none. Bewildered by her po
sition, she did not know what t.
say.


Il know that l have myself to re
proach," he went on. ''My motiv'
in offering your father my assistance
was purely a selfish one. The con
sequences are only what 1 deserve
1 had no thought of the long year
during which he had been my tru,
and faithful friend, but cruelty tool
advantage of his position to gain
my own ends. Yes, 1 am properl,
punished"


There was a bitterness in his tone
a dependency in his attitude, tina
greatly changed his accustomed
dignifed composure of manner
Half unconscious of what she did
only sensible of pity she felt fo
him, the young girl put her hant
upon his arm, and said softly, ''for
give me-"


Forgive me, rather, my child,
he said, gently, taking the little hant
in one of his, ''for the misery have
caused you. Ishould have knowr
that our paths in life could never bt
one. But tonight, l will not de
tain you"


She did not shrink from him as he
bent down to kiss her forehead, with
his last word. He stepped aside tc
allow her free passage to the house
but she did not move"


"You are thinking of your ia
ther," he said. "Do not be dis
tressed on his account. Remember
me in your prayers tonight, and
sleep sweetly. 1t is all l ask"


He did not wait to hear her fur
ther "God bless your or witness hel
burst Of joyful tears, but quickly
left her.


The morning sunshine streamed
boldly into the apartment of old
Mr.. Warren, where he lay in the
heavy sleep of physical and mental
The forenoon was fal
advanced when a servant reused
him, informing him that Col. Leigh
ton waited him in the library. Ma
king a hasty toilet, the old man left
his chamber and went to join his
friend. The gentlemen met cordi
ally, and Col. Leighton Immediately
that May might be sent
for. They waited but few minutes
before the door swung noiselessly
open, and, wearing white morning
robe, the young girl entered. At a
motion from her father she sat down
at low seat at his feet and then
glanced up with a confding smile at
Col. Leighton, who stood leaning
against the mantel piece, with an
o fface half-sad, haf-ad-



"We are waiting for your answer.
May" said Mr.. Warren.


81 will leave the matter entirely
in Col: Leighton's hands," she re-
piled.


The old man glanced perplexedly
from her to his old friend. Col
Leighton stepped forward.


"My old friend, James Warren
he said, I" 1 met your daughter last
night, and talked with her. l dis.
covered with what feelings she re-
garded a marriage with me, and
cannot allow the sacrifice she would
make for your sake. 1 will never
marry her; she is free. And now ]
have to ask your pardon for the I'M
manly way in which 1 have taken ad
vantage of your embarrassment and
have come so near to destroying the
happiness of your child. Every
power of mine shall be exerted to
it's utmost to relieve you, and all the
reward / ask is the knowledge that
you and May do not despise me
Nay, nay, no thanks. l deserve
rather to be scorned for the part
have acted. But 1 have one favol
to ask, old friend. Will you allow
me to choose husband for YOU
daughter?"


You have my full and free per
mission" replied Mr.. Warren, smi
ling through his tears.


"But 1 hope you will be more sue
cessful in your choice than have
been"


"Never fear" said the colonel
with glance at May. Flingins
open a door that led to another
apartment, he called, Now, my boy
and Mark Winchester sprang intc
the room.


Behold your future son-in law y
said Col. Leighton; and ere the ole
man could comprehend the scene
the young couple knelt for his bless
ing. At motion from his friends
he gave it willingly; and never was
there happier party.


Through the interposition of hi
friend, Mr.. Warren was saved from
ruin, and his daughter made happy
When May that morning asked for
a solution of the problem of Col
Leighton's knowledge of Mark, hi
replied, 81 did not wait in the gardeI
to no purpose, little one." And sh'
understood that he had overheard
her conversation with her lover
Through his influence Marks talen
as an artist became known to thu
world, and a few years afterward hi
became popular painter and
wealthy man; and out of gratitude
to his benefactor he christened hi
first born son Edwin Leighton Win
chester.


Anecdote of A. n. Stephens