Year: 1872

HNHE next morning Arlington awaited
u the promised communication with not
a little impatience, and when he received it
he could not repress slight fluttering of
the heart as he opened the daintily written
note Its tenor was as follows:


"Respect for myself, as well as for the
generous confidence you reposo in me, finn
pels me to explain the rather equivocal po-
stion in which have been placed since
came here. II is proper to state, that al
though am known as the niece of Mrs.
Doten, she is not a relative; if she were,
know of no reason why should disown
the relationship. .m ato te.


"She attended my mother during her last
illness, and remained in our family until it
was brokep up on the death of my father.
During her residence with us wo were ac-
customed TO address her as "Aunt Doten,"
habit l still retain. My visit to Campont
was solely on her account. / elected to re-
side with her because l did not wish to go
into society, preferring retirement, and be-
cause desired rs much as possible the So
ciety of one who is largely entitled to my
gratitude and love. Otherwise / should
have accepted the kind invitation of Mrs
Reynolds, a dear friend of my mother and
been feted instead Of frowned upon.


81 said that did not wish to go into So
ciety. Indeed, soon found, when it got
noised around that l was niece of Mrs
Doten, that society was not disposed to
receive me. l was very well contented to
be excluded.


"At the solicitation of Mrs. Reynolds,
attended the reception finer daughter, Mrs
Perdan. On my entrance / was about
speaking to young lady whom had met
and been introduced to at Mrs. Doten's
but at once found by her manners that
had taken an unwarantable liberty. Her
remark, which overheard, 'dressmaker S
niece, informed me of the mistake / had
made. was not surprised at the feeling
she manifested, nor did resent it. Ihave
seen the same unamiable spirit too often
exhibited to be affected by it. On the
moment girlish freak possessed me, de-
termined to permit the impression to pass
current that Mrs. Doten was in reality my
aunt and Mrs. Reynolds at once favored
the Innocent deception. 1t seems, howev-
or, that rumor made mo not only niece
OF the worthy woman, but that was to be
her future partner


'But let me now come to what more di-
rectly interests us. Rising superior to the
prejudices of caste you last night did me
the honor Of soliciting my hand. Tt was to
me proof, although | did not need it, of
the sincerity of the sentiments you pro-
fcssed, and believe me, | duly appreciate
them.


"My sole reason in Withholding an answer
was a desire that you should meet me in
the circle in which have been accustomed
TO move, before finally deciding on q matter
that will yitally affect our happiness. l
shall proceed from here to Philadelphia, and
thence go to Newport to spend the warm
season. We shall probably meet there, as
you tell mo that you propose visiting the
latter place during the coming vacation.
If ON renewal of our acquaintance your
sentiments should remain unchanged, |
win not conceal from you that 1t will afford
me the highest qualification. Pray excuse
this long epistle, etc."


In few days after this letter was written
Miss Deblois took her departure. Some lit
tic surprise was manifested by those who