Year: 1876

Dy This tiny ring OF dark haIr.


Another Thanksgiving morning |
Lilian's little maid wondered what was
the matter with her mistress.


Have your Breakfasts" she had
said, in answer to a timid knock upon
the door. "I shall not rise yet. l want
nothing but cup of coffee, and that I
will take by-and- by"


Eight o'clock ! Why must she go
over that heart breaking time9 Just
this hour, ten years ago, she started for
the dairy to skim the milk for Archie's
breakfast /; just this time she returned,
pitcher III hand, to see in that hateful
mirror the picture that has never left
her memory a moment since. She shall
feel better, she is sure she shall, when
Archie and Ida have left the house for
they are just as present with her now as
they were on that dreadful Thanksgiving
all those years ago. This is nothing
new; she has lived it over every year,
and now she is more inconsolable than
ever. Who would ever suspect the
presence of this CHASTITY intruder in the
life of this beautiful and talented wo-
man9 Not person in the whole world,
for the same pride that dug the grave
has covered it up, and there is nothing
left to mark the spet save the tiny ring
of dark hair hidden away in the upper
drawer.


This time the maids knock is a little
more decided.


"One of the stoojents for you, miss,
and says can you see him right away 2"


GA business woman hasn't even time
to bury her Dead" she murmured, COM
mencing her toilet.


Conscience inquired how many times
this body of her sorrow had been con-
signed to the dust, and how often resur-
rected.


"Yes, / know it has had a good many
funerals" she answered, softly, to her.
self; "but woman who cannot weep
for her dead must do something"


1t was very bright and earnest face
that greeted the young gentleman wait
ing for her in the parlor.


"It is too bad, DOCTOR" he apologized,
=" to trouble you on Thanksgiving day,
but have been through the wards this
morning, and l find that two or three of
the last patients are much worse, and
you are wanted for consultation. Shall
1 say that you will be there"


Certainly" was the prompt answer.
Have cup of coffee with me, and
we will go down together"


Surely this was no love-sick woman
80 learnedly conversing with her visitor.
Beauty and accomplishments at IS!
Beauty perfected by intellect at %.


"The most self-possessed woman in
the college," had been the verdict of
the professors, as Lillian had steadily
pursued her studies. And now, as the
young man listened to the words OF
wisdom from his fair companion, he
found himself constantly wondering at
the amount of solid information she had
obtained.


1t was very foolish--how Lillian did
despise herself for it--but with the Mt
most effort she could not take herself
ont of that Thanksgiving day ten years
ago. AS she listened to the low muir
mur of the doctors voice as he explained
to her this and that symptom of the
sufferers around them, her right hand
still clasped the handle of the silver
pitcher, and over and over again she
was forced to look upon the picture
which the mirror in the old farm m-house
had shown her.


"This is new one," said the physi-
clan, stopping before one OF the last cots.
"She was brought in last night in an
insensible condition, and hasn't rallied
in the least"


Lilian's heart always went out with
unutterable longing to sufferers of her
own sex, and this woman's forlorn con-
dition touched her deeply.


Intoxicated when she fell, am quite
sure" continued the doctor, as Lillian
examined the patient.


Intoxicated, repeated Lillian; "and,
doctor, she is evidently from the higher
classes" And then she stepped to the
foot of the bed, strangely enough wish
ing to get q better idea Of the pallid
features.


"Yes," replied the professor; "but
you ought to know by this time that that
makes no difference.


"Do you know, doctor, where l could
find this womans clothes9" inquired
Lillian, in so solemn a voice that the pro-
fessor looked at her in surprise.


"Certainly - yes," he answered.
"The contents of her pocket are in the
office"


Lillian had lifted the head, and stood
gazing into the dying woman's face with
an eagerness which testified to previous
acquaintance.


"Have You any knowledge of this
womanl ," continued the professor. "I
you think you have, will bring you the
articles L had put away. believe hel
relatives have already peen sent for"


Lilian's self-possession was hardly
proof against the information which the
gentleman returned with. This was the
first thing that met her eyes:
Ida-For the love of God, il you have non,
for the only child You have left, return to you
home. For his sake will forgive everything
and this you know full we'll. have tracked
| you to your present infamous quarters. Write
or tele raph me where the ooachman may TAX,
you up Tor, OF course, / cannot send hin
there. ARCHIBALD


The next letter bore the date of 8
week back:


Willie was buried yesterday. l did m,
best To find you in time to look once more upoI
his precious oaby-fa Oh, Ida, our last dar
ling has gone and his mother was not nea
him May God forgive you for all the miser-
/ Won have caused me a