Year: 1875

81 have heard some things about
you, Mark, which appear strange to


me. Until you explain them to my
satisfaction l can give you no hope Of
a speedy union"


~ will not ask you to become my
wife, Lizzie, while there is one secret
between us. But what have you
heard ?"


"Why did you give twenty thousand
dollars to Martin Underwood and his
son ?"


Mark looked at her with surprise.
81 did not know that it was generally
known who furnished Mr.. Underwood
the sum to recommence business with.
l hoped to have been the first to tell
you.S How did you hear?"


"Father told us of it at dinner to-
day."


"Of course he calls me foolish, and
says don't know the worth of mon.
ey," said Mark with half smile,
though his eye kindled and his lip
curled at the same time.


"Worse than that. He said he
thought Florence Underwood was at
the bottom of it."


Mark sat silent and very pale for a
few moments while the color of his
brown eyes deepened until they were
black as midnight, and so stern that
Lizzie's eyes fell before their fixed
gaze.


"Did you believe that?"


"No, Mark. Yet l wondered why
you did So"


II had intended to tell you all and
should have done SO before, perhaps
will do SO now, but first tell me, have
l every by word or deed caused you to
doubt my honor?"


"Never, Mark. Yet it is not usual
for a young man just commencing in
life to divide his patrimony with those
in whom he takes no interest"


81 know you must think strange of
me. L also know that the world calls
me a fool. When l have told you
all then if you agree with the world
and pass the same judgment upon me,
then must bid adieu to my dreams
Of happiness, grieving that it was an
ideal instead of real noble woman,
which in you l have loved so dearly.
| was, as you know, the only child of
affectionate parents. My father re-
sembled yours in many respects. He
was a shrewd, close business man.
The love of gain was his ruling pas
sion. Yet he was called honest and
upright. Business men respected him
for his keen foresight. 1t was his boast
hat | should follow in his steps and
after he had retired from active life,
continue to heap his Golfers with
wealth. He early sought to impress
ne with reverence for wealth, and
ong before was old enough to rea-
ION on the subject my little money
,ox was filled with shining dimes and
lollars, the gifts of my father and his
riends. Doubtless he would have
ucceeded in making gold my idol
,ut my mother, whom / almost wor.
hipped, was my ever watchful guide
md instructor, she gave me a bible
ust as soon as | was able to read and |
.lways taught me the meaning of all |


could not understand. So while on
he one hand wealth and worldly hon.
RS we're offered me, on the other
jhrist and his holy precepts were
yer beckoning me to watch that l fol-
owed not after earthly idols. One
ay was at play on the street with
mother boy, when l espied dollar
n the dust; l picked it up and was
boxing at it when a little girl who
ad just passed came running back,
rying, j have lost the money mother
ave me to buy things with. Have
,und it, little boysF l was on the
oint of giving it to her, when my
whispered:


Il shouldn't wonder if that wasn't
er dollar. At any rate she will say


is if it isn't. l wouldn't show it to
err


She repeated her question and he
lid, Il haven't found it. Perhaps you
,St it before you got here


She went back, but l could not play
ny more. The boy tried to persuade
ie to give the dollar to him, but l
ould not and ran home as fast as l
,uld. At the door l met my mother
,ming from the opposite direction.
he called one of the servants and
id, Janc, take this list Of articles
nd get them at Dutton's, and then
Ike them to Mrs. Allen. She sent
or little girl for them, but she lost
le dollar she gave her, and it was
le last she had in the house. Mrs.
Hen is sick and in great need of the
lings.' | followed her to her cham
Or and showed what l found and told
| about it. She bade me carry it
rect To Mrs A Hen and ratnrn n 10