Year: 1873


4 hostess charmingly. 's
'Hiram Biddleford was not so ola
as some men, and as keen as a briar
IN some things, and Dorothy knew
nothing of men, except what she
had read in books, aud of course
that was all stuff and nonsense
! "A fine match for her, truly and
Martin looked out over the tops of
the intervening trees, at the itnpo-
sing gables and red chimneys Of
! the smart brick house Hiram Bid
dleford had put up on the handsome
site for miles around. Life was an
uncertain affair with the stontest.
the most rugged; aud rejecting
on the alarming symptoms which
overpowered him at times, Dolly's
guardian thonght very seriously
about providing Dolly with a good
home.


There was no girl anywhere-in
all the world-for that matter, who
deserved better things than Doro-
thy. She was young and beautiful,
and why should she not look up,
and although Lawyer Blddleford
was not just the sort of man Martin
would have chosen, yet he felt that
he could trust him to do right dby
her.


Ard when he had arrived at this
satisfactory conclusion he felt as if
a hand had taken hold of his hsart
and given it a strong wrench inside
his bosom, and he very nearly hated
the owner Of the red brick house
across his own velvety lowlands.
But this was selfish. He would
not give way to that desire, stronger
than his wish for life, to keepD
thy in that lonely house, to- bear
him company, and, perhaps, close
his eyes at last.


# only Dorothy might like Bid
dleford.


That would make it easier he
thought-or tried to think.


Perhaps Mrs. Bowles was right;
woman know more Of each other
in such matters, and she had no
doubt studied this ones nature too
we'll to be mistaken, and she, had
very often expressed it, thats Doro-
thy was a girl with no real deep
feeling for any one except herself,
and quite in love with an easy life,
which means fine things to wear,
and the best to eat and drink.


And a woman may even learn to
love a man who will provide her
these and love her moderately well.'


And so, Dorothy's suitor had
been encouraged by the two most
interested in her, and given to un.
derstand that he need not fear for
his suit.


The day came when he was to
gain Dorothy's consent, he had al
ready asked her guardian.


Martin stood withinsthe folds of
his crimson curtains, looking after
the man he envied more than all
other men in the world, and saw
him ride away witbouta backward
glance, but with conscious pride
and a sense Of victory.


At,least, SO it seemed to Lorford,
who hid his face in his hands and
groaned aloud. 4


A black cloud suddenly obscured
the sun, a deep, ugly shadow lay on
the golden meadow, and the gloomy
pines outside, and denser4 one on
Martin Lorford, who realized
everything in one moment. The
revelation came too late to effect
him any good. He had been all his
life a dreamer, and an idler, per-
mitting other men to bear off all
the prizes while he. looked on.


A step broke the stiffness, and
light dress rustled over the floor.
Dorothy had come in to ask his
blessing.


Could he trust himself?


He turned with a strange smile,
his lips dry, and the hand ne held
out burning hot.


'And now my Dolly is quite hap
py, I hope. I know all about it,
dear. Hiram Biddleford asked me
for you a month ago.


Dorothy leaned against a chair,
and changed color, righting herself
in a moment.


Il suppose I am become so tire
some to you here, at the Crofts,
which is all the home Lever had,
you know, that you and Mrs:
Bowles zealously seek to dispose OF
mep


Dorothy was waking sup' at Al
great rate.


Dorothy!


well, why promise me away to
a man for whom [ never had the
least degree of liking, without so
much as asking my leave, if you
did not wish me to leave you?


Leave him. Q, if it might be