Year: 1876

! Joy looked at the group OF eager children be-
fore her for an answer.


Minnie had already stepped from the ranks,
and now there sprang to her side boy, some
three years her senior, who said, Il will,
Mrs Lovejoy!"


s.5tand over there, both Of you;' and the
young couple Joined the ranks Of the per-
formers, whose position was ASST gned them.


"What are you doing?' cried merry voice
at the door, and in moment the newcomer
was the center of q group composed Of all
the children in the room.


'Now, Lou, see how you've bothered me,
l shall never get these children sorted again
in the world.


s'But what is it?'


my Clara is going to have atableau party,
and we are taking the fairy tales to illustrate.
I've parts for some of the children and sent
them off to that end of the room.


"Well. sort them out again: come, III help
you; and catching up the book the merry
girl called name after name from those writ
ter.


Beauty and the Beast: Beauty, MINI lie
Stokes; Beast, Henry Wood. Oh, FAM she
whispered, show could your


''Chose it himself, my dear, was the ans
wer "A good joke I call it''-and Mrs.
LnVe]Oy TOOK up ner 'lSt again.


But Louis pitiful eyes, resting on the chill
dren, did not mirror any of her cousins mirth.
Minnie and Henry were standing in one Of
.he window inches, talking earnestly, uncon-
scious Of the soft blue eyes bent SO lovingly
upon them.


Minnie was q beautiful child of twelve
wears with brown curls and dark eyes, per-
feet in form and feature. Henry had the face
of an angel, with the figure of Caliban.
He had been tall, well developed 10Y for
five years of his life, when terrible fall had
ruined his form. His spine WAS injured,
curving till he was almost hump-backeJ; his
hip was crooked, causing him to limp; and
the whole figure was twisted out Of shape and
almost the semblance of humanity. The face
was lovely, blonde, waving hair, large blue
eyes, delicate features, and an expression of
perfect good humor were its leading points
of beauty.


Minnie, the pet Of the whole town of Fair
water, was the warmest champion and friend
of the cripple child of the clergyman, the
Rev. Godfrey Wood. She was the only one
who knew how false was the content the un-
selfish boy professed to his sorrowing friends.
She alone knew how every jest he made up
on his own deformity was sword thrust to
his sensitive spirit; and now, as they stood in
the widow, she was pleading with him to re-
lipquish the part he had chosen. But he
was obstinate; the character would keep him
at her side, and he had determined to take it.


At last all was provided, and the rehearsals
and dresses were the main business Of all the
little folks who were counted in Mrs. Clara
Loveioy's circle Of friends.


The birthday party was complete success
Never had Minnie looked lovelier than when
she knelt over the expiring BEAST whose
false head and shaggy coated figure her ten
der little heart longed to hide from the cur
ious eyes looking at them. AS is often the
case, the names of the performers clung to
them; and for many weeks Minnie's heart
swelled painfully at hearing Henry called
Beautys Beast; but at last the tabeaux and
games faded away in new intrests among the
young folks Of Fairwater.


Years glided by, and Henry Wood was
ordained. He had followed in his fathers
footsteps; and Fairwater was waiting to hear
his first sermon before he left them for the
home and duties to which he had been ap-
pointed.


Minnie an heiress and belle, beautiful be-
most anxious to hear the first effort of her
old friend Years of study and humble seek
ing for the will of master he had chosen, had
set their seal upon the pure, spiritual face of
the young clergyman; and, as he stood up to
face the friends of his life, there was hush
ed awe went around the church. The full
white robes and hood concealed the misshap-
en- figure, and only the fair face spoke to them
Of the boy they had watched grow from
childhood to youthful manhood.


Slowly they dispersed, each wondering at
the eloquence and piety Of the young devotee;
and the next day Henry Wood went out
from amongst them on his Masters service.


In one of the largest houses in Fairwater,
Minnie Stokes sat, reading love-letter Her
rich beauty was fully developed, and every
decoration wealth could give was at her COM
mand From the ieweled band that held her
clustering curls to the dainty slipper that cov-
cred her tiny foot, her dress was exquisite
and costly. She had been dressing for
large party when the letter was brought to
her. With it was bouquet, which she was
implored to carry, if the answer to the suit
was favorable one


She was offered all that had once constitut-
ed her world. Her suiter had wealth, talent
and manly beauty, he adored her, could
match her in worldly position, and give her
home as luxurious as the one she had lived
in from childhood.


81 wonder if | care for him, she said, let
ting the letter lie open before her. Il have
not thought much Of love. My life has been
useless and aimless; aid now when was
thinking l might be better-when Henry
had made me Mink-here is new life of
ease and luxury offered me. | wonder if
care enough for Sir Rudolph Haines to be
his wife3 He is very handsome, very de-
voted; and every winter when have been to
Aunt James, he has made the time pass very
pleasantly. did not think he would follow