Year: 1873

family, and his uninterrupted health
and prosperity, what wonder is it if hope
deferred made the heart sickP


But yet she bravely struggled on,
hoping that in good time all would yet
be well, and resolved, at least to keep
her head above the waves of despair,
and not lose her confidence in that
kind, heavenly Father who has prom
sed to be friend to the friendless.


She became almost isolated. She
was strict in her attendance at church,
but, aside from this, she was seldom
seen outside of her school-room, or the
limits of her humble boarding place,
where she spent most of her time inn
proving her mind-adding to her stock
of knowledge-thus fitting herself for
future usefulness.


At the end of two years from the de-
parture of her lover, the little town of
Warwick was thrown into state OF e3-
citement by the news that Philip Am
burg had returned from his European
tour. Speculation was rife in reference
to him, and the gossips OF the village
we're busy and clamorous over the
probable course he would pursue on
his return. The prevalent opinion was
that he would trouble himself no more
about the penniless village teacher, and
as he was known to be among the
wealthiest and best educated young
men in the country, the hopes OF many
forlorn spinster revived.


But what did Philip do? He elearned
something of the true state OF affairs
from a fellow passenger in the stage
that conveyed him from the railroad
depot to the village of Warwick, and
his indignation at the treatment Of his
betrothed was aroused. The fact that
for long time he had not received n
letter from her was as annoying and
perplexing to him as was his silence to
her, but he resolved to see her at once,
and get an explanation from her own
lips.


On the evening after his return,
Philip called upon his betrothed at her
humble home, and the town clock
chimed the small tones of the morning
before he took his leave. He received
from her lips full account of her mis-
fortunes, and the treatment she had re-
ceived from former friends. The fact
that no letters had been received by
either, was traced to the treachery of a
clerk in the post-office, who suppressed
them, carrying out contemplate re-
venge for having been, in the days OF
her affluence, rejected by our hero's be-
trothed. When Philip was put in pos
session of all these facts his wrath knew
no bounds, and he resolved to be re-
venged on those who had ill-treated
her who was dearer to him than his
own life. This resolve was taken and
his plans formed, Caroline consenting
to them.


Months passed after this night, and
he had never been seen to call. on Miss
Lothrop, and the impression generally
pervailed that he had indeed dropped
her acquaintance. In the meantime,
many were the festivals, the parties, the
picnics, etc., to which Philip was in
vited-all of which he scrupulously at
tended, and no expectant candidate for
matrimony, or maneuvering mamma,
could complain that he was remiss in
his attentions. Numerous parties were
held also, at which our hero and his
probable prospects were thoroughly dis
cussed. Not few hearts fluttered Joy
ously over some little delicate attention
received from the lion of the day, in
spring hope that the owner of
said heart was to be the favored one who
would at no distant day figure as Mrs.
Philip Amburg.


Finally the fact was announced that
Mr.. Amburg had purchased the finest
property in the town, rehtted and
thoroughly furnished the house, and
would give a grand reception party
soon. All was now excitement and ex-
pectation certainly he was going to
marry and settle in the place ; but who
was to be the favored mistress of his
magnificent home?


The time for the party arrived, and
at an early hour the spacious parlors
were filled with the elite of the neigh
borhood. The host appeared among
them with smiles, and with the greatest
possible amount of urbanity. The
hours passed, and, after variety of re-
marks, among which it was plain to be
seen that more than one cherished the
fond hope that she was to be the favor
ed woman who would reign as mistress
over that splendid mansion, that out
shone in its furnishing any of which the
village or surrounding country could
boast, Philip retired to a side parlor,
and, after an absence of few moments,
appeared, with-could it be possible
Did not their eyes deceive them ?-the
village schoolmistress by his side, with
her arm resting within his!


As the pair stood facing the wonder
ing crowd, Philip thus addressed them:


"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to
present to you the former schoolmis-
tress of this village, who has been my
wife for the last two months. | am
well aware of the treatment she has re-
ceived at the hands of some of you, but
now that she is the mistress of my
home, and the sharer of my fortune,
she can well afford to forgive her ene-
mics, while she and every candid per-
son must look with contempt on those
men and women actuated by such con-
temptible principles.


They all sat for several moments as if
they were thunderstruck. Their air
castles had all tumbled about theirears.
Not only had the despised schoolmis-
tress taken the place many of them had
hoped to fill, but here was plain init
nation that their future society would
be dispensed with.


1,1f &c t1,n loft