Year: 1876

4WO, 4hOhtsbS uC AONOo
them both. 1t does not seem possible,
nevertheless 1T is true and, stranger
still, they both loved him. He was not
worthy OF half the good things the fates
showered on him with such lavish hands;
but who in this world ever get their
deserts2 1t is thoroughly false theory
that virtue brings its own reward long
ago it might, but now it certainly does
not, or Opal Garthorn's life would have
been happier. AS long as Opal could
remember she had worshipped her
cousin Montague. AS child he was
her hero, and as she grew up her chief
delight was to be noticed by him.
When she "came out," and he seemed
to take pleasure in being with her, her
Joy knew no bounds; and at length
when he asked her to be his wife, she
could hardly realize that the dream of
her life had come to pass, and he felt as
If he could not do enough to show his
love for the beautiful girl who had
promised to marry him.


Montague Garthorn was well off, and,
his parents being both dead, he had
become "spoilt child" in all his rela-
tons households, and many Mistress





excellent pdrti for her daughter. Great
was the surprise of the Garthorns gen.
orally when it was known that he intend
ed making his distant cousin Opal his
wife.


Opal's love for him was so unselfsh,
so womanly (and how much deeper is
woman's love than mans can possibly
be y. When 1 say she loved him with
her whole heart, better than life, my
words seem cold and passionless, and
cannot convey the meaning of her de-
votetlness.


When he asked her to marry him soon
she would not listen to him, but stipulated
for another year of freedom, because
she might see some one he liked bet
ter" and with whom he would be more
happy. Her delight consisted in seeing
him happy, so she said, and so she
meant, no doubt but really she felt
such confidence in his entire devotion,
and judged him 80 much by herself, that
she never for q moment realized the idea
of his loving any one but her. Mon
tague Garthorn considered that if he un-
derstood one thing thoroughly, that one
thing was himself so he was annoyed
at her doubling him even in this loving
way, and he resolved to prove that no
woman of lures and wiles could infu-
ence him when he had the assurance of
OpaPs love.


Opal was standing at the drawing
room window, gazing into the twilight
for her lover, while her mother and
father chatted together. At last she
hears his footstep or the stairs, and they
are together.


"Opal, will you go to the tlieeter to-
night2 / have promised to meet Archer
there"


"Must you go, Monte


"Well, dear, 1 think must but
went you comet"


Opal does not want to go, and she
does not want him to 60 without her
but before she has time to make up her
mind what answer to give, her mother
settles the question by saying she "can-
not allow Opal to go, as she is tired with
days shopping"


Montague remained few minutes
longer, then rose to take his leave. Opal
was dull, felt a leaden weight at her
heart. What fors-surely not because
her lover was going to meet man at the
theater. Nevertheless she could not
throw the gloom of, and as she bade
him good-by tears rose to her eyes and
seemed to tremble in her voice; so much
80 that even Monte, the most unobserv
ant of men, noticed them, and was more
afectionate in manner.


You are tired, Opal, my child; go te
bed. dear"


at is not that, Monte; but feel a'
il was losing you; as If this was to bt
our last good-by."


"Nonsense I" and with another kiss
be was gone; while Opal gazed on hin
for the last time-at least saw for the
last time the man who loved her as h,
loved no other woman.


Mr.. Garthorn sauntered leisurel,
along, intending to take hanson dowI
10 the Strand, when he remembered tina
as he was alone he might call for Archie
at his lodgings. Instead of taking
cab, he resolved to go 10y train to Cove
street, where his friend lived. If Opa
only knew what would come of that littl
railway journey no earthly power woul,
have prevented her going with MONTE
10 the theater. He was thinking it wa
bother to go TO the play. as it was sur
10 be hot, and it would have been mucl