Year: 1873

II,


"She has rather a good face, and l should
not be surprised if she is kind to you after al" !"


CHAPTER w.


The family had RETIRED, and I was going my
usual round through the house, to see that
doors and windows we're properly secured,
when, on passing the parlor, I found the fire
burning so brightly, that determined l
would sit up little longer. was nothing
10th to indulge in one of my reveries, unob-
served; for I had much to think over, and
many plans to make for the future. Nellie
would be certain to ask me what was think
ing about, if happened to be near her at the
time, and therefore, gladly availed myself OF
this opportunity for enjoyment.


I wheeled a comfortable chair before the
fire and seated myself, placing my open watch
near me on the table, in order to have gentle
reminder Of the passage Of time. My habit is
always to think over the disagreeable events
first, and reserve those which are pleasant for
the last as it is one of my theories that a
person should go to sleep and wake up as
happy as possible. My list was headed with
Miss Nancy Turner.


The only fear I had, was, that her remarks
might be repeated to Mary before she knew
me sufficiently we'll to feel sure that could
never have said anything unkind. As to the
talk of the neighborhood, I could live that
down, and let time prove who was right.
Having made up my mind to tell Mary, the
following morning, of the conversation which
had occurred, was about to turn to some
other subject, when I heard the sound OF
slippered feet entering the room. Thinking
Nellie was there, said


"Do not wait any longer for me, Nell. Go
to bed; I will soon follow"


I received no answer, and on looking over
my shoulder, saw Johns wife standing near
me! She had on her dressing gown, and had
evidently not retired, as l had supposed.


"What is the matter, Mary ?" asked; "is
John sick?'


"No-I thought heard you moving, and
1 came down to speak to you"


"Let me make you comfortable before you
begin. Your hands are as cold as ice"
"No," she replied, "keep your seat; let me
sit on the rug, and rest my head on your knee,
as have seen Nellie do


"Certainly, if you prefer it." And passed
my hand caressingly over the soft brown hair,
and thought how child-like my little sister was
in appearance. Severalmoments elapsed, and
still she did not speak. Atlength I said


"Did you find your duties to-day very ia
tiguing?"


"No; I did not feel tired till after the Lew
ises left" She clasped my hand more tightly
after saying this, and her voice trembled a
little as she added, II have favor to ask of
you, Matte. Will you grant it"


"Certainly, Mary, if can, I will"


"Ah! that is why am afraid; you may
think what I am going to ask you to do is
wrong"


"There is little danger of that. think I
can safely promise to oblige you" 1 waited
for moment or two, and as she continued
silent, I said


"What is it, my little sister,"


She put one hand to her face as if to con-
ceal its expression, and said


II wish you would not tell John what Hen
rietta Lewis said"


"Why not? 1t can make very little diff:
ference to him, now that you are his wife"


mo, perhaps he would not mind it; but l
would rather he did not know that Il" She
suddenly ceased speaking, and after listening
a moment, she rose hastily, saying: II hear
him coming say you will not tell him."


"Very well, child, if you insist upon it; but
think you are making too serious a matter
of former engagement, or firtation-which
was it?"


Before she could reply, John entered the
room.


"I thought should find you together" he
said. "IfI had not known my little wife was
in such good company, I should have come
for her sooner"


$50 you think you can trust her with me-
John? am much obliged to you for the
compliment, and shall do my best to keep her
out of harms way"


"God grant that none may ever come near
her, Matte" said John, solemnly, as he bent
over to kiss the flushed face now raised to his
AS Mary bade me goodnight, she whispered :
"Thank youw and with a bright smile left
the room. John and myself sat talking for
few minutes, but finding my thoughts were
preoccupied, he soon retired, saying he would
not keep me up longer.


When alone, I tried in vain to imagine why
it was that Mary did not wish John to know
other engagement to her cousin Richard. But,
in thinking the matter over, saw no reason
why he should be told, except, that Mary was
not acting as l should have done; and with
this reflection 1 dismissed the subject from my
mind.


CHAPTER V.


Time passed rapidly away, and when I look
back to that which elapsed then, it seems al
most like a dream. How often ones life
glides on, unmarked for years, by any great