Year: 1873

How beautiful she was in her superb
calmness, so graceful, so mild, and yet so
majestic! All! 1 was a younger man
then, of course, than am now, and pos
sibly more impressible; but l thought
her then the most perfect creatare had
ever beheld. And even no,o, looking back
through the gathering mists Of time and
the chilling frosts of advancing age, and
recalling what she was, indOrse that
earlier sentiment-she lives in my memo
ry now, as she lived in my presence then,
as the most pei feet creature ever beheld.


But, alas say it not in pride, not in
eXultation, but in very sadness OF heart,
hers was "the fatal gift of beauty" and
fatal, indeed, in her case it proved. 1t
was snare to her feet; it was her ruin
and her overthrow. l firmly believe it
was her leauty which led to her destruc-
winning, she might still have been
But why do anticipate? 1 will tell you
the short sad story, and you may judge
for yourselves. Poor thing poor young
thing! Perhaps you will think, IS have
persuaded myself to do, that she was
innocent-the victim and not the crim-
inal-" more sinned against than sim
ming" But l will tell the sad story as
impartially as l can, and you may judge
for yourselves only remember she was
but mortal, and SO are you, and judge
leRiently, as you would wish to be
judged. l shall never forget the first
time Deheld her. l cannot tell you just
how long ago it was; it does not seem so
very long q time to me, for l am an old
man now, and to the old time slips rapidly
by. Yes, am an old man now, and
was not young man then-at least had
begun to look upon myself IS confirmed
old bachelor Q believe my young
nephews, Frank and Charlie, had been
looking in that way for some time; but
young folks de not always know as much
as they think they dO(-when certain
business matters compelled me to leave
my own quiet, somewhat secluded, but
beautiful residence in the country, to re.
side for six months in the, to me, distaste-
full hustle of the city.


Old bachelors are said to be particular,
and proverbially hard to suit (; and | dare
say it Is true-at least l know | found il
very hard to suit myselfin a city boarding
house, even though it was to be (thank
Heaven for thatD only very temporary
home.


Igot list ofall the best clearinghouse
in town, and l took them all in regular
course like medical drugs but (the fault
might have been in mel do not say it was
not) found objections at every place:
come decidedly necessary element Of com.
fort was lamentably wanting, or some un-
necessary element of discomfort was Ia
mentally obtrusive, to suit the fastidious
taste of man who, in the luxury of his
own home, had been pampered and petted
and humored by an idolized only sister: il
was not in the nature of things that
should be easy to suit.


At last, having nearly reached the close
of nv list, as well as the measure Of my
hopefulness, went to Mrs. Honey void s,
and there, in her small, unpretending es-
tablishment, l. General Leslie Anchester
having been subdued, trust, to a proper
and humble state of mind by my past ex.
periences, agreed to take up my abode
The situation was an excellent one, cen
tral and easily accessible, but not too pub
lie; the house small. but neat, tasteful
and home like. My landlady, who had
she said, no other b0arders, was quiet
well-meaning, kindly woman. had beer
told she was what Is termed "a decave(
rentlewoman;" but there was certainly M
appearance Of decay in her bright, intelli
gent face, quick, light step, and erect fig
ure (; so conclude the term was hgurativ'
and nnanCl8l. my CuouUCi was picooou
one. and faultlessly neat In all its appoint
ments; the table abundant, and vel
served; and If It was not home to me, !
came nearer to It than my late explora
tions had left me any hope of.


And it was there first met her! Tn
indulgent reader must bear with me If II
this little narritive f0rbear to give an.
other name than the personal pronoun
have used already. When you reach tn
close of my story you will, think, un
derstandand appreciate my reticence upo
this point. Perhaps she had no lega
right to the name we called her by.
Question If she had; and even If she had
why should /, at this late date, give pal
by a needless disclosure? Why drag fort
into light events which Il 9 slow ashes {
time have drifted over and partially Obli1
Grated? Perhaps


There are TO whom that name was dear


For love and memory g sake;


When these the voice Of Rumor hear,


Their ipmost heart shall quake.


How will thew hope, despair, and grieve-


Believe, and long to disbelieve-


But never cease to ache;


sun doomed in sad suspense to bear


The hope that keeps alive despair''


She was sitting in the drawing-roor
when went in-sitting near the window
but not at it-near enough to see, but no
to be seen by the passers-by; and as m
ave frat rosfed unOn her | was struc