Year: 1876

C11AT EN- i.


"My dear Esther; surely, you cannot be in
earnest-you are not really bent upon taking
this rash step"


II am not bent upon taking what I consider
a rash step, aunt Lizzie" calmly rejoined the
young lady addressed, beautiful blonde of
some two.andtwenty years. raising her eyes,
as she spoke, from the embroidery on which
she was engaged.


"But every one does-every one must con-
slider it 50. Only think what very brief &C.
quantanceship yours with Mr.. Raymond has
been too brief to give you any insight into his
character"


Pardon me, aunt; I have a very clear in
sight into his character"


$50 you imagine; but, my dear child, how
is that possible, under the circumstances


Under what circumstances p


Call the circumstances of our intercourse
with him. His coming among US as perfect
stranger; our entire ignorance of his antece.
dents-n fact of everything connected with
him."


II am not ignorant of his antecedents. He
has told me all about himself, and all about
his past life"


"But what guarantee have you that his ac-
count is to be relied on?'


1.-The guarantee Of his own word-of his
honor as a gentleman" proudly rejolned
Ether, bright, indignant flush rising to her
cheek, and the tremor Of her voice betraying,
for the first time, the emotion that stirred her
heart II trust Paul Raymond implicitly, and
would as soou lose my faith in heaven, as suf-
fer one doubt of his truth to polute my mind?'


"Esther-Esther You do not reflect upon
what you say" exclaimed her aunt in hor'
ri6ed tone Really, such language is almost
impious-it is, to say the least, most extrava-
CANT and unwarrantable.


"It only expresses what feel, replied the
young lady, resuming her former calm tone,
though her agitation was still apparent in her
ouickly-coming breath and the unsteadiness
of the hand which guided her needle through
her work. "But, indeed, aunt Lizzie, think
we had better not argue the point any farther.
Our ideas are so entirely different, that fear
we shall never agree in this matter"


"And does it cause you no pain, Esther, to
find that disapprove Of the course you are
pursungT


"Certainly it does But when | have tried
every means to convince you of the injustice
ofyour opposition, and failed what am to do?'


yield TO my wishes, like dutiful girl, and
give up this wild scheme, which can only re-
suit in wretchedness to yourself and to all who
are interested in your welfare"


"The number of those is small enough,
said Esther, somewhat bitterly. 81 do not
think need distress myself on the score Of the
trouble shall cause them"


Il think you are ungrateful to speak in that
manner, considering the care and kindness
which have been bestowed upon you from
childhood


"You have been very kind to me, aunt
and am sure have no wish to appear un-
grateful" said Esther, softening. "But what
I mean is-and you cannot deny that it is
really so-that there are, in truth, but few peo-
pie to whom my actions are of much impor-
lance, or who would waste one hour in Ia
mentng my fate, even though should marry
a wild Indian, or bury myself in the depths of
the remotest and most unciviized spot on the
face of the globe


"Well, you certainly cannot quarrel with
Providence for deprivng you of your nearest
relatives = and am sure your uncle and haze
done all that we could to supply their loss to
you, ever since you were placed under our
care. And think you owe it to us now to be
guided by our wishes and our judgment, in a
matter of such Importance as your settlement
in life"


at is because this matter is so important
that | think owe it to myself to consult my
own Judgment, and my own feelings" said
Esther Speaking in low tone, but with un'
shaken resolution in her face and voice
"Aunt Lizzie, you would not bid me disobey
the dictates of my heart?'


81 would, if they were imprudent or wrong
The heart-and this, by the way, is tern,
very commonly misapplied to the impulse OF
the imagination, or of a romantic fancy-'s
not as safe guide as the judgment and expe'
rience of those who know the world and its
ways, and the snares and pitfalls which are
spread for the young and unwary, like your
self"


II am not so very young, aunt. You speak
as though were an unAedged girl Of sixteen


L,,,o hut mat antarp1 vour twenty.