Year: 1872

to Maple River, he said II would b.
pleasanter for TIC than ever before, ant
Rose should be my sister.
| smiled at this. half pitying Lynd on
as | remembered my own experience il
love. But when two years had passet
away determined to return Lyndor
urged it SO strongly. even proposing tha
Rose and he should leave Maple River
if preferred solitude.


| answered, that if he did so l would
never visit the place again, and go be
was content.


took nay way homewsrd slowly
writing sometimes to Lyndon; though
did not tell him tho precise time al
which expected to reach Maple River
for ! wished to surprise him. in a certain
degree. at least. l wished to see wheth
er he was as happy in his married life as
he represented, go would not give him
an opportunity to spread mask of prep
aralion before my eyes.


l: was evening when l reached home,
the twilight of carly spring. The trees
were just budding. the byacinshs aud
daffodils were in bloom, and the whole
air wac sweet. A hush seemed to hang
over the house and over the river. very
soothing to the sense of weary wan
derer


| paused moment upon the porch
The door opened, and servant came
out lie recognized me at once, and
was about to rush in with .he news of
my arrival. but | checked him.


"1s Mr.. Anthon at home ?" l asked
| Yes SIR was the reply; he and
Mrs. Anthon are spending the evening
in the library


You need not announce me-I will
seek them there"


lie bowed. and stood aside for me to
enter, Removing my hat. / passed
quietly through the hall. which was not
lighted. to the open library door.
One glance within, and l paused, as
before sacred shrine. The evening
was slightly cool. and a fire had been
kindled within the CRATE. The bright
flame leaped gayly upward from the
bed of glowing coal, casting sc,rlet
light over the room. The blinds of the
deep eastern windows were open, and
the white rays of the moon came through
the lace curtains, casting shadows of
sway,ng Iiy-belIs and rose cups on the
carpet.


Lyndon sat musing near the FIRE. his
cheek resting against bis hand. and a
soft glow in his eyes az be glanced over
to where Rose eat, with his child upon
her knee--the lite child which bore my
name.


Rose turned more toward the moon
light shading the closed eyes of the boy
as she rocked slowly to and fro. and
softly sang -lumbrous song She was
slender and pale. scarcely beautiful. but
0. how white and pure!


They were so happy, SO content !!
And ], weary pilgrim, stood at the
doorway. as dazed as l might have been
with glimpse of heaven. was very
weary and there was something in that
low song which touched me to the heart
1t was not that it brought sweet remen-
brances of my own childhood. Perhaps
if had ever heard my mothers song, it
might have made me better. purer and
now, as stood. something like rcver-
ence for her whose life was taken for
mine, rushed over me for the first time.
had never known why my life had
been so utterly desolate until now.


How long stood with that weary
soul hunger within me. I cannot tell. Ire
membering wondering, as l looked upon
Roses white face. whether it was the
moonlight, or the freight. or the mist
about my eyes. which cast the halo
round her head.


The servant remained in the hall,
surprised at my strange conduct, or
curious to observe the meeting. turn
ed back and entered the parlor.


"You may tell Them l am here" l
said. briefly. as l passed him.


A moment afterward Lyndon rushed
into the room with his eager welcome.
lie seemed as young and joyous as ever ;
and had grown SO old


"I'm tired" 1 said. in reply to his
questions about my health, "both in body
and mind"


mo wonder !" he exclaimed "You
must never wander away in such a
senseless manner again. We will keep
you here, rose and l, and make you
happy in spite of yourself |"


"you are very good" l answered,
with smile "But 1 fancy the elements
of happiness or misery lie in my own
bosom. Still. the sight of your face al
ways did bring me content. Rose is
we'll. hope I"


80 yes. She is scarcely ever ILL.,
though she may be some paler since the
baby came She was quite willing to
name him for you. She feels towards
you as sister, and very grateful for all
your kindness to me"


| believe l WINGED at this. l was
something of cynic yet A woman's