Year: 1870




r over the large pile of letters an
papers that had just been brougI
! N.


TIE mother clutched at the pletl
: 'ric package with hungry look j
lher eyes, that did not escape tn
keen glance Of her companion, bus
as he seemed to be with his letter
She laughed q little as she returne
, the letter to him.


Thinks the old Darby poor doe
heT he muttered as he read; Wi
help him if necessary-nice boy
Isn't going to come home until tn
anniversary of their wedding. An
yet seems willing to waits goini
to have some sport then, she says
to pay for her long waiting. Wei
that ten thousand 1 had intended a
a present to him, on his visit, cal
lie in the bank and accumulate
will invest e in Daisy's name ant
send her the record. You may writ
to her to that effect and he me
chanically folded the letter and gayt
it back, and then sat silent for SOM
moments, as in deep thought.


The long silence surprised anC
panied the wife, and she came anC
laid her still beautiful hand usor
his shoulder, with the same caress
ing touch she would have done
twenty years before.


You are not going to allow thii
to fret you, my husbandF


Not so long as her letters breatI
the same tone as they do row. She
loves her husband, and is proud O
her parents and wishes to surprise
them some day; and see, I can PelT
her! and he gave her letter thai
he had thrown down to take Daisy's
and in which the political leaders ot
his party had offered him the nom
ination for Governor of his native
State.


oh! and you will acceptY sh,
said excitedly.


is my domestic, gentle wife grow
ing ambitious?'


Not for myself-but for our dar
LING. We have only her, and I can
not endure the thought that those
should look down upon her who holC
their position by dabbling in tht
dirty paper of the street; how dare
theyT


why, how proud we are becom
ing! we humdrum farmers, who hav,
palmed our pretty daughter off upor
one of the firm of Stuart & Brother
who is evidently ashamed of his act
in taking her.


Don't, beg' and the smile came
back to the pleasant face again.


AN hour ago l should have an.
swered this letter differently. l hate
the pickering and strife that must
come with my acceptance. 1 dread
to leave the old farm if 1 should be
elected; and you, my gentle wife, do
not crave a residence at the capital.


No, but for my darling's sake,
will go cheerfully,'


And in less than an hour the letter
of acceptance was written, and the
quiet, gentleman farmer, was hurled
into the political arena.


Howard Stuart cared nothing for
politics, and if he saw the name,
never thought of it in connection
with the family Of his wife. And
something of more vital consequence
to himself was transpiring, that
brought a look of care and unrest
to his face. that troubled his young
wife exceedingly.


what is it, HowardT she said one
day, as he came from private in
terview with his mother, perturbed,
and almost feverish.


1T would be foolish, Daisy, to
trouble you with business matters;
especially when they are as desper-
ate as they are


But you 90 to your mother! tell
me, please? and she came and drew
his arm around her, and laid her
beautiful head upon his breast, coax
ingly.


But 1 went to her for assistance.
Would it startle you very much,
darling, to know that in one week !
should be bankrupt


And will your she asked, looking
eagerly in his face.


4 hope not, but am afraid of it.
Some heavy failures have involved
US, and delayed vessel is keeping
us out ofa large sum, and if she is
delayed week longer, l tremble for
the credit of our house. I thought
possibly my mother could help US to
a few thousands, but her drOwry is
SO tied up that only the interest
comes to her, and much as she
" shed to aid US, she can do
nothing


How much do you need just now,
2


Five thousand in all sum that
could easily obtain, but for these
failures that have rendered the mon
ey market so stringent. Inever sup
posed your father liberal, Daisy.
And Wills father-in-law can help us
10 more than yours can; they live
'nugly up to their means, with all
heir display
viii you excuse me a moment,
Howard 2 and she glided from his
'ide and left the room. When she
'eturned, she gave him a small book !
rom banking house in the city, in |
which ten thousand dollars we're en-
cred to her credit.
1T is yours, Howard, my father in
ended it for you on your visit to !
lin, but as you seemed in no haste
o come, he transferred it to me-


Mr.. Stuart sat in mute astonish-
nent, hardly crediting his senses.
why have you kept this from me,
Daisy p


For several reasons; and one was
hat you might love me in spite of
ny accidental surroundings


is your father wealthy?


4 do not know what you people
n the city call wealth, but this sum
5 only little more than he once
aid for two imported animals on
he farm


The man Of business looked With
sort Of wonder on woman who
ad kept q secret so well.