Year: 1873

gentle, sad woman of her later years, can
scarcely imagine. presume that she was
once as bright, hopeful, and sunny-tem-
pered as yourself. think it is to save
you from her own sorrow that she has ta-
ken from you the power of giving wealth
to a mere fortune-hunter. She would
have you wooed and won for yourself
alone, and as she has never positively said
you were to be her heiress, she has proba-
bly, never supposed Charlie biased by that
hope. Still, dear, it is possible"


"Yes. it is possible" said Jessie, slowly,
"but tell me about Aunt Jessie"


"Your grandfather Markham, Jessie,
was one of the leading merchants of New
York, when your aunt, his only daughter,
was introduced into society. Your Uncle
HOyt was in good practice as a physician,
your father doing then fair business, and
already married and in his own home.


4" 1t was therefore, with the name of an
heiress that Jessie danced through her
first season, a careless, light-heartod girl,
very pretty, and accomplished enough to
make pleasing impression wherever she
went, She was but little over twenty
when she became engaged to Stanley Hor-
ton, the most fascinating man in all our
circle of friends, Not only handsome and
talented (and he was both, but possessing
in remarkable degree the courtly polish
and winning grace of manners that go so
far toward gaining woman's heart, the
absorbing love that Jessie felt for him
seemed mutual, and congratulations were
the order of the day, when your grand
father failed. From man of wealth he
became actually poor, and, losing energy
and hope, he came with Jessie to share
our home. Stanley Horton, the man we
all supposed to be devoted lover, was
fully aware Of the change in Jessie's pros
poets, yet he continued his visits, making
no abrupt, ungentlemanly desertion of his
betrothed. Yet we, who watched her with
the jealousy of affection, soon discovered a
change in her. She became pale and sad,
often fearful, till finally she confded to
me that Stanely was evidently weary of her,
and had ceased to love her. Even then
she attributed the change to some defect
in herself, not seeing the mercenary mo-
tive till later, when time had taken the
glamour from her eyes and heart. She
gave him back his ring and promises, thus
accepting the position his unmanly conduct
had forced upon her, Of herself breaking
the engagement between them. The first
love Of her life was the last. She was
your gnndfather's comfort until he died,
and then went to keep house for Hoyt,
who lost his wife and baby one year after
his wedding-day. When he died he left
her the house and money, and she lived
there till she died. Still know she loved
you, and am quite sure her will is not
designed SO much to keep you single as it
is to win the disinterested love of your fu.
ture husband"


There was a long silence after Mrs.
Markham concluded her story, and Jessie
allowed her head to rest in her mothers
lap, under her caressing hand trying to
picture future ofeasy competency shared
by the companion of her life. 1t had its
bright side there was still love and hap
piness for her yet. And then bright
face crowned with curly brown hair would
come before her, and she knew that the
handsome house nor the comfortable in
come could ever fill her heart if Charlie
left an aching void there.


Suddenly, like a gust of wind, there
swept into the little sitting room, a tall,
broad-shouldered young man, in gray
tweed suit and slouch hat, which latter ar
ticlc found resting-place upon the floor,
as the young giant braced himself before
Jessie'in an attitude Of grim defiance that
sent thrills of glad music into her heart.


"Will you have the kindness, Miss
Markham" said the intruder, towering in
his six feet of manhood over Jessie's low
seat, ito tell me what you mean by that
absurd letter Polly handed me? Was it
not fully understood that you and ! were
to share this cottage with your mamma
until l attained sufficient legal eminence
to warrant the purchase of brown-stone
front in New York; Was l not deluded
into the belief that your presence in the
culinary department Of our establishment
was to reduce our expenses to the limits
Of our present income Was it not rep
resented to me that my present board was
sufficient to meet the requirements Of two
in this domicil? In short, Miss Mark
ham, in what way was ever led to sup
pose that the fortune Of your spinstcr aunt
was to influence in the slightest degree
your matrimonial relations in regard to
myself9 pause for reply


Jessie stood up, her hands meekly fold
ed together, and her happy eyer downcast
till the long lashes kissed her cheek