Year: 1870




young men you accept! You know
want d partner as well as you'll"


The speaker was q pleasant looking
man somewhat past the prime Of life. II,
addressed his pretty niece, whose vivi,
blush showed that she understood hi
admonition.


The young men in question were botl
ardent admirers, and constant visitors o
pretty Fanny Roberts but as yet she haC
displayed no decided preference. Sh'
walked and talked with both, and rod
with Albert Melville, put Edward Gre,
never invited her to rlle. Perhaps th
was because he had a widowed mothel
and Invalid sister partly dependent upor
his exertions He was head clerk of tn,
firm of Melville & White, while Alber
was son Of the senior partner


"Why don't old Melville take Alber
into the firm, or at least give him a plac,
in the business, if he is capable ant
worthy ?" pursued. Uncle John.


As Fanny did not know, she very pru
IDENTIFY abstained from any attempt at al
answer. Perhaps il the truth were al
told, the same problem had been several
times presented to heI own mind. and
was as far as ever from satisfactory so
luton. Still, Albert was young man
Of very winning address, and fine talents.
Was it safe to admire gifts apparently
wasted upon an aimless life


Edward Grey was thoughtful and qui
et-grave almost to fault, at least in the
eyes of lively young girl. Still there
was feeling of truthfulness impaired by
his grave sincerity in which the other
was lacking Albert was the most spark
ling, and, to young heart. the most at
tractive; yet she instiActively felt that it
would be safest to love Edward.


"Ill try them,' murmured she to her
self.


Her mother and Uncle John both look
cd up in astonishment, but perceiying
that Fanny was not conscious of having
spoken aloud, merely exchanged glanccs
and wisely forbade to ask questions.


Until very recently Fanny had lived a
quiet life in the country. She brought
with her to the city q great many eoua
try ideas. One of these was that labor
was really more honorable than idleness,
even although not needed as means Of
support. She had shown degree Of
sense and energy uncommon at sixteen
when upon the sudden death Of her faith
70 fond dfh mohfSdf ls6t lsn the schRel YYlh9eEeu her
to remain, and insisted upon earning her
own living. The village dressmaker was
glad of an apprentice; and as village
she was quietly supplying
her own wants and those of her beloved
neither, when letter came from Uncle
John. He was tired Of city boarding
house--he was getting old, hel had
enough for them all, and he wanted a
home Weuld they come and make one
for him? He could not leave his large
business to 90 to them would they
come to him! When might he meet them
at the station, and install his own dear
sister mistress Of his home, as since his
earliest childhood she had dwelt in his
heart?


1t was very tempting offer, and it
speedily met glad acceptance.


Mrs. Roberts was alone in her little
parlor when it arrived, thinking sadly Of
the past, and doubtfully Of tue future.
Fanny arrived home tired with the day S
work, and spirit weary with trying to
please a capricious employer To both
it was a welcome relief. To one it was
merely springing, as in her infancy, to the
extended arms Off beloved elder brother
to the other it WAS the pleasant prospect
of living with dear Uncle John"


AS the pretty niece and probable heir
ess of a wealthy man, Fanny might have
commanded place in the first circles in
the city. Her own simple taste, and her
Uncle's quiet bachelor habits, alike pre-
vented; and at the time Of which we
write, her circle of acquaintance was
somewhat limited. She sat now thought.
fully considering her Unclc's questions,
until her decision was taken.


The next morning saw her in close con
sutation with the fashionable dressma.
ker Of whom she had procured her own
city outfit. which Uncle Johns liberality
had made very expensive one. With
out revealing her object, she yet obtain
ed all needed Information in carrying out
her plans. Fer US Madame ID. remarked :


"Thesc wealthy young ladies have so
many whims but then, they have moth
ing else to do ~


Early one bright morning soon after,
a very plainly put neatly dressed young
lady appeared at the residence of Mrs.
Melville, and timidly announced herself,
as being the seamstress whom Madame
ID. had sent from her establishment.


Seated in the little sewing room, Fanny
had plenty ofleisure to repent her temer
ity, and consider.t the chances Of detection
during the day of diligent labor which
followed.


She was, perhaps. more than compen
sated by hearing from Alberts sister ,ha,
the dress she was making was to be worn
at his approaching marriage with the
wealthy Miss Fitznoodlc, an heiress in
her own right, and one Of the bellies OF
the city.


"kbert has been paying attention to
her for a long time said the young girl
quite delighted with tho respectful silence
of her listener; /" she never gave her con-
sent, however, until last week, and now
we are hurrying the thing up, for Abort
has seemed quite fascinated with % little
country girl he met somewhere recently
/ have never seen her, but her prospects
arc net near so good as those of Ada
Fitznoodlc. Ada's fortune is all in hei


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