Year: 1873

"Mary, this is folly nay, worse than
folly it is blind infatuation with an
unworthy fancy"


The girl looked up, startled, and the
man continued, Yes, Mary, in spite OF
your quiet patience, 1 have guessed your
secret all these years, and l have borne
with you, hoping that time would tear
the veil from your eyes and show him to
you in his true light. But l have hoped
in vain. You still obstinately hug your
delusion to your heart, and further for
bearance ON my part would be weakness.
My child, think what you are doing.
Look at my gray hairs and failing
strength. In the course OF nature 1t Is
not probable that shall be with you
many more years. And your youth is
passing, too, Mary, and taking with it
the power to bear unhurt the cold In
difference of the world. You cannot be
happy alone, Mary. Your nature is too
gentle for it. You need strong, loving
hand to help you over the rough spots
of life Without it you would shrink
and wither, and suffer thousand deaths
before it came at last to rest you. Think
of this, Mary. Think how l have loved
you; think of my agony in leaving You
to such fate. Think of all, and do not
let the memory of base scoundrel blast
your happiness forever.


The speaker, kindly looking, gray
haired man, bent over the woman, and
laid his hand upon her bowed head.
She did not speak, and after a moment
he continued


MARK Eldon is trne, honest man.
He loves you with all the strength OF
his nature. Your happiness will be his
first and dearest care, and knowing it in
his keeping could die happy. OMary,
do not let that base miscreant stab me
with double-edged sword. Do not let
him break your heart, as well as DIS
grace my name forever. Think OF his
lngratitude, his black"


The girl lifted her head hastily


"Stop stop in PHYS name. If you
can say those words ] cannot hear them.
0my dear guardian, how can it be, that
you, so kind and good to every one, are
So harsh and cruel to him? Think how
long ago it was. Think Of those long
years of remorse and probably suffer
ing. Think of the time he played a
happy babe at your knees; and If you
cannot forgive him, at least think
kindly"


She clasped his hand in both of hers,
and looked appealingly at him but his
brow only grew dark, and he shut his
teeth tightly as he replied


"Why should l think of him when
every thought but makes me breathe
fresh curse upon him-undutlful son,
dishonest man, and false lover Think
Of him. My God, if could but forget
him, and the stain he has put upon r2e!'


He clenched his hands and paced the
floor rapidly few moments; and then
stopping by her again, said huskily:


Pardon my vehemence, Mary; L
should not have given vent to my feel
ings, but an ever-smouldering flame
will sometimes burst out. But enough
OF it Ten years have elapsed since
Albert Markman's name has passed my
bps, and should I live fifty more, /
swear it shall never pass them again.
l renew my curse, and cast him off
atresh, blaek-hearted traitor that he is
May he live vagabond upon the earth,
and may he suffer but hundredth part
OF the agony he has inflicted upon me
NO! no !" rs Mary made an effort to
speak, Il will hear no word for him.
de is as if he had never lived. j bolt
nim out forever And now, Mary,
daughter of my heart, make last ap
peal to you. Will you infict another
stab upon my wounded heart, and rob
my last days of my only light? o.
ENC; my child, you will not /! Let me
teii Mark Eldon yon will be his wife,
and tomorrow will indeed be happy
thanksgiving to us ALL"


+, pallor on Mary's face grew marble
nKe, as rising she laid her hand on Mr..
Markham's arm and said:


Dear guardian, will be Mark El-
Jon wife" And before he could speak,
she left the room.


~. Ahd now | must ask You TO go back
1n me for a few moments, to
'''ae things that happened many years