Year: 1873

them soon. Everywhere he heard the
praises of Miss L. her playing and singing,
her horsemanship, her beauty and dignity,
until he was quite anxious to see the queen
of hearts. Fred was about to return home,
when he received note, mailed at Glen
wood, containing only these words


MIR. Brainard If still the same, meet
me at the little cottage on the fifth.


MARY.H


How joyfully he read the words, saying
to himself "Then she is unchanged, and
may claim her." Telling his friends that
he was called away on business, he hastily
packed his travelling bag and left the hotel.
Journeying as quickly as possible, he
reached Glenwood on the morning of the
fifth. After changing his dusty clothing
he sought the house of Mary.


AS he trod the well-remembered path,
how many pleasant fancies filed his mind
of their meeting. On reaching the door it
was opened by Mr.. Clayton, who warmly
welcomed Fred Ushering him into the
little room, he went to call his daughter
Again the door opens, but this time it
is Mary who enters. She is the same, and
yet not the same. Time has only height
ened her beauty, whilst contact with so
many different persons had added new
dignity to her bearing. Fred felt that
time had only made her the more worthy
of his love- He approached to meet her,
saying:


"Mary-my Mary-is it not so? for so
your note gave me to hope"


"Yes, Fred, am yours"


After many loving words and brief notes
of the past year, Mary went to find her
father. Mr.. Clayton coming forward,
placed Mary's hand in that of Fred's with
these words sf,a


"My son, she is yours. You are worthy
Of her. May God bless you BOTH"


That evening Fred wrote to his parents,
telling them the story of the past, telling
them that it was his intention to fulfill his
promises at once by making Mary his wife.
He trusted that she would be kindly re-
ceived. .


We will not intrude on the privacy of
that family council, held on receipt of that
letter. They were surprised, yet felt that
he had gone too far to retreat with honor.
They wrote in reply that it would not be
convenient for any of the family to be
present at the wedding but they would
prepare for a reception at home, and in
viting them to their house until they could
find house for themselves, also extending
an invitation to Mr.. Clayton to accompany
his daughter. 9


The weeks passed swiftly away at the
cottage. Fred had made short visit to
New York, but he now returned to claim
his bride.


1t was lovely day in October when the
happy couple stood before the altar in the
village church and plighted their vows,
leaving the village Immediately after the
ceremony for the city. Mr.. Clayton in
formed Fred during the journey that Mary
was not penniless bride, giving him at
the same time check for ten thousand
dollars as gift towards purchasing a
house. Hfa a.J4


AS they neared the city Fred became
very anxious as to the reception Mary
would meet with from his friends. But
she seemed not in the least to doubt her
power to please. As the carriage drew
up before the door of the elegant mansion,
obsequious servants opened the doors,
showing the bridal party into the drawing
room, where the family were assembled to
welcome them home. Mary had dropped
a thick veil over her face, and as she leaned
ON Fred's arm he could feel her tremble-
he thought with fear. His mother stepped
forward to welcome her new daughter,
when, Mary, throwing back her veil, turned
her laughing face to them ALL


Why, Minnie Clayton, where did you
come from9'


"Mary (or Minnie, if you prefer) Brain
ard If you please. said would come to
see you soon. hope you are glad to see
me"


Fred stood by in utter astonishment at
this scene, hardly knowing the meaning.
His wifes welcome was so hearty that
they seemed for time to forget him. But
turning to him they said


"We did not dream thai you knew Miss
Layton"


''Neither did |, Cor Mary's name was
Clayton, and this is her father, Judge
Clayton, introducing the latter who had
just entered the room, having waited be-
hind lest his sudden appearance might
hasten the denouement Of the plot.


Yes" explained Mary, ''when learned