Year: 1871

was very sure l never could be pretty, and l
thought that nobody would ever love me.


One day Mr.. Marshall came to dine. Extra
attention was given to the house and dinner.
Ny aunt had been very wealthy for a short time
when first married, and from her husbands fail
ure had saved few things, which gave the
house an air of means and style-some articles
of fine table silver and some handsome oil paint
ngs, remember.


With my assistance she served the dinner her.
self, and managed to be richly dressed to appear
at the table. She was cool and stately but l.
who had fingered until the last moment in the
kitchen, making gravies and serving up vegeta-
bles, was so tired that could hardly speak.
never talked much, though, so it was not no.
ticed apparently. Mr.. Marshall conversed of
books, pictures and music, all of which Julia
was acquainted with, and it was agreeable to
listen to them. was sorry when the meal was
finished.


Mr.. Marshall turned to look at the picture on
the wall when he arose, and after q few moments
my aunt commenced clearing the table. The
dishes were put through slide in the cupboard
into the kitchen. helped her to do this. Ju-
la stood looking out of the window.


When the table was cleared of the dishes my
aunt went out. l sat down and took my sew
ing, thinking that my aunt would be back in a
moment to finish clearing the table, and that
should be allowed during the afternoon, the
place of guest. Mr.. Marshall spoke to me and
asked me to play backgammon. 1t was the only
game of pleasure that | knew, and | was de-
lighted at the thought. put down my sewing,
and he brought the board and arranged the
game. Julia sat in corner of the sofa with
some embroidery. Just MS we were ready to
play, looked up and saw that the table still
stood with its linen CLOTH and the crumb cloth
had not been taken up. Julia glanced at it the
same moment, and then turned serenely back to
her embroidery. put down the dice-box quietly
and timidly


/" Excuse me-" said I, "aunt is not coming
back, and the table must be put in its place."


l took the cover off and carried it into the
kitchen, and then came back, put down the
leaves of the old-fashoned table, and was going
to put it up at the side of the room alone, when
Mr.. Marshall arose and did it for me.


Then took up the crumb-cloth, carried it out
and shook it, and put it in its place in the hall
closet and all the time he stood and watched
me as if in surprise. When | was ready to sit
down again he played very badly. He seemed
to be absent-minded.


lie came to the house two or three times after
that, but not to spend an evening alone with
julia. Pretty soon he did not come Mt all, and
Julia used to cry out and be so cross that she
made the whole family uncomfortable.


One day he drove up to the Goor in splendid
sleigh, for it was Winter time, and the sleigh
ing was very good. Julia was sitting at the
dining-room fire.


"There," said she, jumping up, "he has
come to take me to drive. Now, l won't go a
step unless he asks my pardon for staying away
so long"


Her mother showed him into the parlor and
he asked for me. | went in wonder. He asked
me to go to ride as coolly as if | had been in the
habit of driving with him all the days of my
life and there was something in his manner
that would not let me refuse. | went and he
asked me to marry him. / waited three years
for him, for he was not settled in business then !;
then we were married, and | have been happy
every day of my life since.


One day he told me why he did not marry Ju-
liza. 4" was pleased with her." said he, "but
when saw her let you, guest, leave your en-
joyment with a gentleman to do her mother 8
work, while she sat doing nothing but some en-
brodery, knew she was indolent and selfish,
and she never looked pretty to me after that mo-
ment. 1t it had not been for that crumb- cloth,
Mamie, | should probably have married her,
and been as wretched as am satisfied"
A TooTHLEss PEoPLE.-Terrbe times in War
! renton (Va) are thus depicted by the editor OF
the Sentinel: A few weeks ago a dentist came