Year: 1875

had taken her irst lesson, in great grief
from learning that he was very soon to
sail for Europa. and the thought that
they would then bs utterly and forev or
separated had nearly driven her to
distraction.


felt very sorry-never more so Tor
any human being; her repentance was
so sincere and her sorrow SD hopeless .s.
A dim suspicion had been creeping
through my mind during this last rela-
ton, that | had heard story something
akin TO this before and rs She was
about leaving | reminded her that al-
though we were we'll acquainted as
teacher and pupil, had never yet heard
her name. Apologizing for her Iemlss.
ness, she handed me card as she left
the room | will not say that | was very
much surprised. Tor | had half guessed
the coincidence by intuition,-when l
held in my hand. "Mrs. Gracic Lee"


Yes. it was Harry Lees wife who had
been my pupiI A great many strange
feelings were at work within my breast
during the next ten minutes. | had not
seen Mr.. Lee for soma time he had
avoided the instruction room-a course
of conduct Tor which | had been thankful.
had heard nothing of his intention oil
going to Europe, and felt sure il must be
a new project, very suddenly thought Of.
And why Had my actions anything to
do with it felt sorely distressed before
had done thinking out the whole
matter; and I might have been even
more 50 had | not possessed resource Q
always so dear TO women aud children
that oil doing something.


Now the rest OF this is going to be
very brief. On my oed, that night. the
desire to "do something" born OF the
necessity. took practical shape. and | saw
my way to my revenge on Harry Lee.
Dickens Christmas stories were then in
the height OF their popularity | had
been fascinated by them, and to their
Influence and that OF the approaching
hoy season perhaps my plans were
chiefly due. | hope my imaginary
bushes may be spared, when | say that
TO accomplish it took occasion 10 throw
myself into Mr.. Lees way (of course BY
apparen, accidenD, and that within q
week | hal won him back 10 the
instruction.room and the renewal of ouI
friendly chats, though at such hours late
In the anernoon) that there was nc
chance OF his meeting his wife. That
never labored harder with any pupi
than with that willing but nervous little
lady, to enable her rapidly TO become
not only proficient at the machine but tC
seem so. Then that progressed by
making an appointment with Mrs. Lee
on some excuse as TO my convenience, q
four O'Clock on the afternoon before
Christmas-(C -(Christmas eve at very
early stage of the anniversary, anC
meanwhile gained q character Tor benev
olence By telling my companions il
teaching that they had better 60 hom'
early and thus enjoy the gay sights ant
sounds presented by the. streets on tina
festive season. And then that crowned
the whole by making another appoint
ment with Mr.. Harry Lee, for the SAM
place, half an hour later, having in view
the necessity of bringing him unexpect
edly upon his wife at the very momen
when she should be sewing away at tn
top of her ability.


Once upon time kept al extraordin
ary bug that l had captured, under


glass tumbler.for days, to see the chang
by which il would become somethin
else. 1t effected the change one nigh
when could not see it, and / was lef
very little wiser than was before. An
| know not much more about the pleetin
between Harry Lee and his wife, owe
the sewing machine, that evening befor
Christmas; as (confound itD felt myse
obliged to leave them alone together ju
at the interesting moment, and they ma
male it all up before thought it prop'
10 return


However, i had my revenge. Mr.. lie
I wish to be understood and believe
on this poinD never flrted any mol
with me, however miidly,-"never 4
more" He went to Europe. but lit
later, and took his wife, leaving his lit
son with his notable New Englan
mother, who was sure to take good cal
of him though she might not permit hi
to romp too hilariously. They wer
, kind enough to believe that 1 had bet
of service to them; and / was Il
recipient of certain rings, one of whic
Harry Lee gave me with what ! thong
was rather a conscious look, and Il
other of which Gracie Lee gave nae wi
E no shametacedness and hearty kiss.
saw them together, and at hon
again, 10 pretty new home over whic
taught by some mistakes in the past. Il
wife was sole mistress. apparently We
happy, the next Christmas; and l Thu
that Mrs. Lee, under some sort O. ide
that she owed the recovery of her hu
band to her sewing.machine, locke
upon that useful article as a species