Year: 1873




of the individual in question. You can
judge for yourself that 1 dislike him most cor
daily"


II am sorry for that, Nellie-not for the
reason you suppose, so you need not smile
but as he is Mary's relative, l regret that he
is disagreeable to any member Of our family


"Oh! you need not fear on my account.
shall rather enjoy playing off on him the game
he thinks he is playing off so well on US.
feel sure there is no love lost between himself
and the Elmwood household"


"Dd he speak of Mary to you?'


"Yes his conversation was principally about
her, and think it was the manner in which
he spoke of her, that first made me dislike
him."


81 thought he professed great fondness for
herr"


"Why he is devoted to her. You never
heard such praise as he bestowed upon her.
but at the same time, whenever he spoke Of
her marriage with John, it was always as il
we were indebted to him for Mary having be-
come member of our family. He advised
this, and he advised that! Now, it is my pri'
vate opinion, that he knew nothing at all Of
the matter, and think I shall tell him 80 the
very first chance I have" ......


"Hush Nellie. You must not talk in this
way. Neither of US have had time to know
Mr.. Howard yet, and perhaps we may both
be mistaken in our ideas about him. He can
not be altogether bad, for Harry seems fond Of
him and think Mary liked him, too, before
she was married so we must try and change
our opinion of him."


"Then you dislike him also?"


"No, did not say that; but"


"You meant it, Notwithstanding" said Mel
lie, as she left the room, smiling.


I sat motionless for some moments; un'
pleasant thoughts crowded so fast upon me-
that found I would be fit for nothing until
had arranged, in my own mind, what was
best to be done.


Iagreed with Nellie in the opinion she had
expressed of Mr.. Howard. That he had come
to the neighborhood for some other object than
to see Henrietta Lewis, I felt sure; but what
could that object be? For one instant the
thought flashed through my mind that Owen
Morris might have sent him but it was dis
missed as quickly as it came. If Richard
Howard knew anything Of me and my past
he knew it by accident not from any direct
information which had been given him. He
evidently knew something, and I fancied his
intention was to obtain an influence over me
through this means, in order that l might be
of service to him.


He little knew me. I have always conten
ded that the highest order ofloveis that which
is capable of the greatest selfsacri6ce. 1 had
only acted up to my belief and, therefore, had
nothing to be ashamed of. did not know
then, that in sacrificing my own happiness,
destroyed another's. Surely, the bitterness
have endured, has been great enough to ex
plate my not wilful sin! But could think
no longer of our suffering, now that the shad
ow of coming evil was lowering over ou1
household, and already I felt chilled, as if bott
sin and sorrow were near.


I could only wait. In some instances sus
picion does more injury than out-spoken re
proof; but in this case 1 tried to Danish il
from my heart, and judge only from facts.
bowed my head in shame and anguish, as
thought, that after all, Johns wife was the
Stranger" who was to bring ruin and disgrace
on the Elmwood house.


The day wore slowly away. Harry and
Mary did not return until sometime after We
had dined In the evening, when the family
we're assembled again, John asked when Mr.
Howard would be over.


"He is not coming" said Harry.


"Not coming" exclaimed John. 81 Ger
tainly understood him to say he would pay Us
a visit"


eyes, thought so, too; but just before we
left, he came to me and said he would be
obliged to return home, and requested me te
present his apologies to yourself and your sis
ters. I saw very little of him, he was so much
occupied in talking over old times with Mary
Perhaps she can enlighten us farther on the
subject" .. .:.


As Harry said this, Mary, who was sitting
near John, placed her hand on his shoulder
and then rested her head on it. I could moi
tell whether it was done to conceal her counte
nance while answering the question, or only to
draw nearer the loved presence, which is SC
natural when we feel that evil influences are
around US. She did not reply Immediately
but when she did, it was only to say, in an in
different manner


"He said he had received letters from Wa
verify, which made it necessary for him to re-
turn"


"Are you tired, darling?" heard John
whisper, few moments after.


eyes, so tired" said Mary with a sigh
Just as little child would have done.


"Your ride was too much for you. Anoth
er time 1 will not let you 90 without me-
Then 1 can see that you do not over-fatigue
yourself"


eyes, am always we'll and strong when
you are with me-"


The fair young face was still resting on
Johns shoulder, and saw her put her tiny
hand in his Nothing more was said.


I turned away with a feeling Of relief
There could be no sin dwelling in heart
which was filled with such trusting love as
that.


|,II DrTED WITT