Year: 1872

est or the hardest labor, so they might live
honestly and independently. The old duke
who had counted his income by millions o.
francs, became plain Monsieur De Victor
glad to earn few dollars week.


"Aunt Pauline's mother-daughter of q
princess-made artificial flowers for sale, and
shared their proceeds with the cousins who
had brought her, little child, out of the
burning chateau, where her father and moth
er lay murdered.


"Years rolled on; children grew up and
married; and another generation was begin
ming to take their places in life, before power
ty was conquered. Something of a start had
been made towards competency when the
gold fever broke out in California, and Louis
Eugene's older brother, was one of the first to
prove that wealth was to be won in that
favored land. Fortune never smiled on q
nobler spirit. Louis shared his riches with
his family at home, and gold begat gold till
there were few wealthier families in New
Orleans than that of De Victor. The war
did not affect them materially. Louis had
the largest branch of the business in San
Francisco He was a strong Unionist; but
knowing it was impossible for Eugene, young
and impulsive, to resist the enthusiasm of the
South, he wrote: Think and believe what
you please, but stick to your business Eu'
gene did so for time but at last could stand it
no longer, and enlisted. He was soon wound
ed, and was home when the city was taken
He did not go back to the army, and Louis
so managed affairs that only few thousands
were lost.


"The family still cling together, and are the
kindest and most loving to each other, and
the most charitable to the poor, of any l ever
saw. Poverty could not hurt, and prosperity
has not spoilt them. Eugene was the first Of
their blood who ever married out of their fam
lily; and when I hear them telling of their
troubles and trials-what they have done
and endured, and how nobly they have con-
quered all diAiculties-I do not feel worthy
Of the petting and loving they bestow upon
me-"


"She is worthy of it" said Madame De
Victor, and she folded the warm-hearted
Georgia in her arms. "Since my husband
and my own children died, Eugene has been
my son, and his wife and infants have filled
all the lonely places in my heart. 1t is not
to be princess I wish any more, but to help
make the little angels like their mother-like
the wife of Eugene"


There were tears in the eyes Of all. Roy
atty could not have added a grace to the
manner of the gentle lady, who so quietly set
aside her claims and so sweetly complimented
Georgia.


At this moment Celeste came in with the
children, and soon grand-mother-Mrs. El-
lott was still young looking woman for that
staid title-and all the aunties were busy in
game of romps with the little ones-French
and English mingling in charming confusion.


The men came in to find all rosy, happy
and tired. Jack was radiant; Mr.. Elliott
half way gloomy, half way resigned.


cit is just the best thing that could have
happened, father. Jack and Russell are both
suited, so throw off that dark look" And
Georgia brought her cheerful good sense to
bear on him, till she had accomplished by her
tact what the rest had failed to do by reason.
Then she managed to corner Jack and say


"I've laid rose-leaf over fathers eyes.
What do you say to my putting fly into
your pot of ointment?"


"I'll say your flies won't spoil its sweetness, !"
and he took her hand and seated her beside
him.


"Well, then, I don't think Conway will
make good farmers wife"


"I have sometimes thought so myself. She
knows she can be free if she chooses. 1t is
left to her.


"And you think she will choose some timer


"I fear So"


EDO you not rather hope SOP"


"Cousin Georgia, you ask a question I have
never answered to myself. I love Conway
dearly, but find it does not give me the pain
to think she is Indifferent to me, that it seems
I ought to feel"


Gall right. You are just the honorable
boy I judged. Now, a fair exchange is no
robbery. I am going to take Conway home
with me for as long time as she will stay,
and if you can't find any one to fill her
place, you will be more blind than I think. u


Jack gazed moment into the clear eyes
before him, and a new light came into his
own.


81 put myself into your hands. See fol-
me and I shall be satisfied"


every we'll, cousin Jack. I have done SC
already, and believe it will be for the happi'
of more than yourself"


"Where are you going to begin your new
life-on what place." asked Conway, coming
up with Grace just then.


"On the Archie plantation, where father
lived when I was born. I have always priced
it because it came by my mother, and hel
grave is on it. I shall sell one of my other
places as soon as receive good offer, and
have something to fall back on in rainy day ,


"You are great person for old reminiscent
ces, but farm ought to have much more
than that to recommend it," said Conway.


"To be sure; and the land on that estate is
excellent There's large tract cleared
which is not worn out in the least The house
is quite good. 1t was used for the officers
headquarters when IS brigade was stationed
there, and that saved it from injury; and tht