Year: 1875

word or action to show that considered
the new condition of things other than
the best that could have happened.
Poor Laura never knew to the full ex-
tent my position with Ralph; and he,
if he remembered it, was so blinded by
his new love, or so deceived by my
changed. manner as to apparently have
forgotten it. After a little self-control
on my part, through which none could
see my torture, there ceased to be any
remarks made upon the subject, and at
length Laura's engagement was made
known publicly. must say, he was
more explicit with her than with me.
They were now always together. Ralph
had obtained an extension of his leave,
and it was announced that his marriage
would take place in the autumn. They
were perfectly happy, and I, as the elder
sister, was made their only confdant.
Even your mother was deceived, and
thought l had never loved him. So I
bore their love-passages with what out
ward hardihood l might, and even re-
PEELED Laura's light bantering at my
promised old maidenhood with pleasant
jests and smiles.


"The sixth of August was Ralph's
birthday, and, at Lauras request, we
determined to give sort of fetG. There
was no prettier place in Sandwich than
your fathers, and it was specially adapt
ed for such festival. The house stood
on a high bluff, at the base of which the
sea dashed upon huge rocks, while away
to the right hand, lay the long line of
yellow beach, with the little village ris-
ing gently up on the slope of the side
hill.


"From the edge of the bluff, looking
off on the water, we could see the light
house on the point, and beyond, nothing
but the broad blue ocean, as far as sight
could reach. Usually there were ships
in sight, for it was in the direct line of
the coasting trade; and used to sit for
hours in the little srlmmer-house at the
foot of the garden, and watch the sails
as they skinned languidly by, and listen
to the dull roar of the surf on the rocks
below.


"The grounds were extensive, and
half way down the hill there was a grove
of noble old trees, just the place for a
picnic; and there We're invited all the
friends we could collect on that fatal
sixth of August to celebrate Ralph's
birthday.


"We began the day early, and break,


tasted in the grove. Then the younger


ones danced, while I, with those who


outlived the taste for such amusements,


looked on, and chatted the time pleas


antly away. Ralph seemed on this day


to have caught Laura's own light heart


edness, and was merry and full Of life as


any. At noon we dined in group to-


gether, sitting on the ground, carpeted


in natures brown and green fabric, anC


then Laura and Ralph sitting by me,


almost forgot what might have been,


and entered fully into the spirit of theil


happiness. How gladly, in the long


years that have passed since, have [ re


membered that hour, and been Thankful


in the ighto of what happened afterwards


that for the time, at least, every senti
ment but tenderness and loving glad
ness towards those two went out of ny
heart. After dinner was over, we thre,
rambled among the trees, and looked OH
over the ocean at the passing sails, ant
1 do believe were each and all of u
really happy.


"When it grew cooler, and the SUI
was getting low, we all went down to tn
beach, and wandered up and about, pick
ing up pebbles, watching the sea-gulls
and, finally, Ralph proposed that W
should take a sail, as there was pleas
ant breeze blowing. I was never mucl
of a hand to sail, though [ liked to loo
at the sea, but Laura was fond of it fo
Ralph's sake as well as her own, so the
: went to the little dock, and Ralph go
out your fathers boat and helped Laur
, into it.


81 remember so well how she locke
as she sprang lightly from the littl
wharf into the boat. She had on whit
muslin dress, fastened at the neck with
little pearl brooch he had given her, an
Q held in one hand her broad straw hat
with it's long blue streamers floating i
t the breeze, while her bright golde


curls danced low down ON her shoulders
9 Just as she seated herself, L remembers
S her shoes. In spite of all our laughin
3 at her, she had insisted on going to tn
7 .fete in pair of white satin shoes sh
9 had bought for dancing, on the plea tha
: they were easy to her feet, and the gras
, would be dry and would not hurt then
I and she had no others she could dane
in. The poor shoes, however, ha


been sadly stained by this time, and no.
Y fearing her feet might be wet, I called t
g her to let me send for some stouter ones
o but she only laughed, and taking thel
r off, made a great show of wrapping thel
: up nicely in her pockethandkerchief, an
s slowing them away in the stern of th
t boat.


|, $50 they went off, and as I climbe
o the hill, and occasionally turned back t
d look after them, L could see them sittin


side by side, he with one hand upon I'll
g helm, and the other arm passed fondl