Year: 1871

The only time ever tried matchmaking in my life was when was seventeen, and then SO burned my fingers over the busi- ness that took care never to meddle with it again. was living at the tune with my stepmother, on her farm, near Ballymena. My father was dead, and my stepmother did not like me. She had placed me for a time with a milliner in the town, but find ing it expensive supporting me apart from herself, had taken me away again. She was thinking of a second marriage, though did not know it at the time. But this I did know-that she had written to some distant friend of my father in America, who had unwillingly consented to take me off her hands

 don't think it would have been half as hard for me to make up my mind to die, for was shy little thing, without bit of courage to deal with strangers, and my heart was fit to burst ut the thought of leaving the very few friends whom had to love, and my own little corner of the world, where the roads and trees knew me. But felt it would have to be done, and lay awake all night after the letter arrived, trying to think how I should be brave enough to say goodbye to my dear friend Oracle Bryne, and to Gracie's lover, Don Eell Mcdonnell.

 Oracle was the cleverest of all Miss Do- rams apprentices. Sue was an orphan without friend to look after her, and she was the loveliest girl in the country. Peo- pie said she was proud and vain, but 1 never could think she was either. She and l loved one another dearly, though I cannot think what attracted her to poor plain little me. She had plenty of admir- CTS, and she queened it finely among them; but the only one to whom would have given her with all my heart, was Donne!l Mcdonnell. And, oh dear! he was the very one whom she would not look at.

 Donnell and were great friends, and I had promised to do all could to help him with Oracle. He was young and strong. and as bony a man as could bs seen. He had 8 fine farm, all his own, some three miles across the country from my step- mothers place. If Oracle would but mar " him, she would live like lady. and drive into Ballymena on her own jaunting car. But she was always saying that she would go away to London, and be great :" West End" milliner. This terrified me badly. seeing that London is such wicked place.

 My stepmother was always crying out that Gracie would come to sorrowful end, which made me wild; and as lay awake that wretched night l thought great deal about what might happen to her if she went to London by herself, and she so and not having friend at all. And I wished with all my strength that she would marry Donnell Mcdonnell be- fore I went away to America, which would ease my mind about him. For I felt the greatest pity in the world for kind big Donnell's disappointment

 My stepmother was provoked at my sad face next morning, and called me uugrate- full. But when cried bitterly she got a little kinder. and in the evening allowed me to go to Ballymena to see my friend, Gracie. So. towards sundown, when the snow was getting red upon the fences, T wrapped my shawl about me and set off for the town. sobbing loudly to ease my heart, all along the lonely road, where there was no one to hear me but the robins. The brown trees against the dusky red sky, the white swelling lines of the fields, the dark chimneys of the town on before me, were all blent in @ dismal maze, when who should leap over stile and stand beside me but Gracie's great lover, Donnell. told him my eyes were watering with the cold. and he turned and walked alongside of me for Q good way, while we talked of Oracle, of course. He was very angry at her, and said she was playing fast and loose with him and making him the sport of the town and country. I took Gracie's part. and so we went on till we came to the last white gate on the road, and began to meet the Then I told him that was going away, and he looked so vexed that l nearly cried again. I felt so glad to see him sorry.

 "Weli, little Bet, said be, "we must give you good dance over in yon farm house of ours before you go. And in the 

 "Tll see to your business. Donnell. |" said l. smiling. "Neyer fear but I'll do your business to the last"

 Then he shook my two hands until he nearly squeezed them into jelly, and left me.

 When I went into Miss Doran s it was past the work hour, and the girls were put ting on their bonnets to go away; Gracie was only sitting close to the candle, putting the flowers on ball dress for one of the country ladies. She. having the incest taste. had always the honor of giving the finishing touches to the most particular work. She looked very tired, but oh, so handsome! with her pale cheek against the yellow light, and her dark head leaning over @ mass of white and rose color tulle.

 "A bud here" she said, "and a spray there, and the have done. You'll come homo and sleep with me. That cross step mother of yours won't see you again to- night"

 "Dont talk in that way, Oracle, :" said I, "but came intending to stay" And the the work being finished we went home to her lodgings.

 A lovely bunch of flowers was lying on her table, and she laughed and blushed, ,and looked beautiful when she saw it.

 "Who is that from, Gracie?" said I. "Donnell?"

 "No, indeed" said she, tossing her head. But I was sure that it was flo, for she looked as happy as possible, lying rest ing herself in her arm. chair beside the fire, while set on the tea things. She looked so glad, and the shabby room looked so snug, and our little tea. drinking being so easy, could not bear to tell her the bad news now, and began to set about Don- nell's business. B "Grscie," said l, "I wish you would marry Dennell soon."

 "Soon ?' she said, opening her eyes, and looking at me angrily, "Ill never marry himI"