Year: 1871

self, perhaps trifie colder than usual. bu } Amy felt that it had better be said tha } night. Vi '4E And it was said She told him all-tha IS. all that she knew. for she did but hal understand the riddle she herself had made She told him the facts. and as much of th

 truth as she knew. But it was fo him to decipher the rest But her elo qnence failed her. Under Ralph's glanc the thoughts that had seemed natural an, the words that had seemed to fit them alik grew exaggerated and fanciful His swa, was upon her, and she beat against hi calmness as if it were rock. He listene, quietly, grimly; and once when she sai, some word of her love having overcom

 her strength, he clenched his hands an. muttered, Great God, it is hard to bear! but only once.

 l When she had finished with piteous ap peal to him not to think hardly of her, h. said:

 Amy, l do not quite understand wh, have been betrayed into disloyaty ant come to renew your allegiance. or is # he cause you wish to leave me?'

 His voice sounded deep and hoarse as h. said the few last words

 

 "Oh, let me go I want you to let me go. am not worthy of you-not the wo man whom you should marry. Let me go Ralph!''

 He rose and said, "Give me tonight to think. l cannot answer you so suddenly. My life turns on it, and yours also. To morrow morning you shall have my an. swer" Then he left her. The night made its mark on those tbree souls. however differently it was passed; for love and passionate grief, sorrow and dis. appointment brand themselves indelbly on all human things upon whom they fall. The next morning early Ralph sought the cottage. 'Amy," he said, 'I have thought for you and for myself, and may God do so to me and more also if aright but death part thee and me-

 She shuddered at his words as if she were hearing the sentence of death pro nounced upon her. He took no note of it. but went on in the same infexible way:

 'It Is better for you, for us both, that you should be my wife. Listen to me. Victor Hayward cannot, will not, I should say, marry you. You are fragile and young "a woman wbo most emphatically needs strong arm to fight for her and protect her. Here you cannot stay if our. engage. ment is broken and go away You will go forth into the world to fight an unequal battle and succumb. This is your only al- formative. I love you, and think I un- derstand you. Life with me will develop your stronger self. The enervating atmos. phere of luxury in which these people live, the climate itself. are injurious to you-a plant of northern growth. With me you will be braced and made strong, and can make you love me. This is all mist, this fancy of yours, and the sun will melt it away. l have decided I will not release you. You can break with me, forfeit your word, and the burden of q broken promise will rest on you always. I trusted you, and now you have failed me, but I still trust myself. l am sure, and am stead fast. will marry you if you will keep your word.''

 He looked bold aud strong, almost no. ble as he spoke these words. and stood m. right and infexible before her.

 She looked at him, and her whole soul gave way. She did not love him, but she was unable to resist him; hls stronger will had met her feeble one and trampled it and at ttnasu lliSSha felt this, and he felt it; ed to be illuminated by sudden light, Uuv light in his eyes that gleamed upon her, was that of power, not of love; and hers gave back only dull reflection of submis- sion. Her heart had recoiled from meet ing her coEqueror.

 "Well, Amy" he said, twill you keep your word?"

 s.I soiH," she said

 ''Then, one thing more: you will write to Mr. Hayward, and tell him the truth as you told me?" s7.. ..s .gza

 "Yes." she said, ''I will. I must do that" >s

 ''Do it now, then. I will see that he gets it, and then it is all over. Do not fear quarrel between us; would not con- sent to quarrel with him."

 ''Let me write," she said; and he led her to table where there were pens, ink, and paper. She drew sheet towards her, wrote 8 few words, and then said, as if she was stunned and weary: "Write for me, or tell me what to Say" r. !,

 He wrote the note, which she copied as if mechanically till the last words, when she shivered and added few words, which he let pass. The note ran thus: ''I write to tell you that have determined to mar. ry MT. Holcombe. This being so, I scarce ly say that it IS better that we should not see one another again. Mir. Holcombe for gives the wrong have done him, and I am ready and willing to keep my promise to him. You could never have married me. and it is better for you as we'll as for me that this should be tue end of our sum mer's dream. Believe that shall always wish you well;" and here she added, ''and believe above all that loved you" She signed it, and it was done. Ralph drew her to him, held her tight against bis heart for moment--said, "Amy, you shall be happy" then left her.

 That night Victor Hayward left his home suddenly, saying he would return in few days; but they grew to be weeks, and he did not come. Ralph urged on his we'd ding; and when three weeks had gone by they were made man and wife, It was a very pretty wedding-the bride a little paler, the groom perhaps trife sterner than bridegrooms are won't to be; but still all went well and smoothly. The summers glory was oyer, the early autumn had come, and there was but little of the south wealth of color and perfume about the day | that saw them married. Ralph liked if better so, and Amy thought it did not at ter. They went away to thelr new home. and found it awaiting them, simple and modest, but very fresh and full of com | fort, with old Mrs. Rolcombe at the door, all sober, gray and brown.

 Three months after Amy was sitting alone at twilight, when the door of her lit l. -k.~.. IL