Year: 1871

IhcIc WAS uO Otucr alternative.


The old homested must be sacrificed or
Annette Burns must leave its sacred roof,
and 60 out among strangers to earn, by
the toll of her hands, little by little, the
money that was to pay for its redemp-
ton.


Her face was very pale, as she spoke
Of this to her parents, but its expression
was firm and patient beneath that unusual
pallor.


1t was new experience to them all
this stern grapple with poverty. Mr..
Burns, though originally we'll off, had an
easy disposition, and could never say mo"
to the friend that asked him for pecuniary
aid. lie had endorsed for the accomoda.
tion Of two trusted friends, and those
same friends had put their property out
of their hands, and conveniently failed"
Mr.. BIS entire possessions would hardly
satisfy the claims of the creditors; and
now in his old age-a confirmed invalid
with his wife and two children, he
found himself almost penniless.


Elmstead-the family residence-with
its dozen acres of fine land, was mortgag.
ed to liquidate the last claim and if the
amount of this liability was not paid with
in a given time, the Burnses would be
homeless.


TO Annette alone could this helpless
family look for aid. Mr.. Burns was con.
fined to his room for the most part Mrs.
Burns herself, slender in health, was full
ly employed in attending to her husband
and Freddy, the six year old boy; there
was none save Annette on whom they
could depend.


And she? Reared tenderly, petted and
fattered, her life guarded from all care,
what could she do in this struggle with
life's cold realities?


When the trial came, Annette proved
her worth. Elmstead was as dear to her
as her own hearts blood she could not
see it pass into the hands of strangers, and
have her parents and dear little Freddy
homeless Never ! So long as there was
strength in her arm, and money could be
obtained by labor?


And so she made her decision.-She
spoke of it very calmly. She would 20
to Milltown, the great manufacturing city
and secure place in the factory.


How her fathers pale forehead flushed
and how the crimson heat of pride burned
in her mothers cheek at the thought But
the noble girl silenced all objections.


ut is for the BEST" she said 81 have
lain awake all the past night to weep and
pray over it. And now I am fixed. No.
thing can change me-"


but what will Blake Hammond say p
asked her mother.


A soft shade of rose color swept ur
the girls cheek.


"lf he is the true man | believe him
to be, he will bid me God speed If he is
less than that, his opinion can have nc
influence with me-"


Scarcely had she finished speaking
when the postman entered and laid q
note on the table before her. Every
vestige Of color fed from her face as she
read the few words written there ther
pressed her hand against her side like one
in pain.


Directly she went up to her chamber
and came down no more that day. Hel
sole earthly prop had fallen!


At Breakfast she made her appearance
calm and emotionless as usual. She kiss
ed little blue eyed Freddy, stroked the
white kitten that leaped purring on hel
knee, and conversed on different topic,
with her accustomed cheerfulness.


When breakfast was concluded, sh,
laid two pieces ofpaper before her mother
and asked her to read the contents aloud
One was the nste she had received tn.
previous day-the other was her reply.


The first ran thus


"MIss BURNS: Circumstances of which
you must be aware, render it expedienl
that the childish engagement" as We
were pleased to term it, made between u,
30 long ago, should be dissolved. Probab.
ly you will be as ready to agree to this
request as am to make it, Let me hea,
from you soon. Yours truly,
BLAKE HAMMOND,