Year: 1876

without knowing i'll The things We
look for, the sweet anticipations Of life
slip, Oftentimes, away from US, one by
one. We know not where they have
gone, or why, but We do know that where
there was Joy and hone, naught lives
save desolation! And there are others
that come down like Gods white winged
angels, and rest, and help, and lift us up,
and thus the odd things are made even,
and the rough corners rounded and made
beautiful.


Mrs. Arnold was true to her word,
and when the light of another day had
won the world back to her beauty, she
looked upon the young girls face and
knew that she would live. Then she
that should be redolent of good works,
and rich in faith and love. "We will
take her home to our hearts," she
thought. {" | am sure she is as fair with
in as without; the face is almost always
an index of the soul. She will not dis
appoint us, am sure"


She was very willing to listen to the
strangers story. Moreover, she was,
like her husband, charitable, and there
was story in their lives-a sad, a very
sad One-that they never referred to
from choice. The silence in regard to
their "skeleton" had been unbroken for
years until the previous night, when her
husband had put the question that had
brought back the old ache in her heart.


"You are very much better, almost
well, but / intend to keep you in bed to-
day. AN ounce of prevention is worth
pound of cure so the old .proverb
says, and l believe in it. By-the-by,
what shall | call your


The girls voice was low and sweet, as
she replied: "My name is Grace Ar
mold, and l have been married ten
years."


Mrs. Arnold started forward: "What
did you say-Grace Arnold? Why
and then she stopped, saying only, go
on, / am listening"


"I was only fifteen when I married,
and had never known trouble. Father
and mother denied themselves many
comforts in order that l might be edu-
Gated. They were so good to me-taking
all the rain of life and leaving me the
sunshine. One summer, when l came
home to pass my vacation, l met Fred
Arnold, and soon came to love him, to
long for his presence, to miss his pleas
ant words and little attentions. The
idea of marrying him used to cross my
mind from time to lime. but l lived too
entirely in the present for it to prove a
source of anxiety.


eat last-I remember the time so we'll
he told me that he must go away, but
before he went there was a story he must
tell me, and my answer would influence
his whole future for veal or woe. How
swectly the birds sang that day; how
fragrant the flowers were; but none OF
the precious gifts of nature were to be
compared with this great benson of
love that had come down into my life.
Then he told me all about himself. His
father was a rich banker, but very
proud, and my darling feared that he
should have little to offer save his heart
and willing hands; would l be satisfied
with them?


"a week from the time he said good
bye he returned to claim me. He was
very honest, telling me plainly that his
father had erected a barrier between
them that could not be broken down
this side the grave. We were married a
month later, and he brought me to Phil
adelphia, where we were left to fight the
battle of life as best we could. Two
years after baby boy came to us. How
glad and happy l was! Fred wrote to
his father, but after some time an old
friend sent word that the family had
gone abroad and their whereabouts was
unknown. My baby remained only ten
months, and then God took him."


The girls eyes were dim with tears,
and her voice failed for moment. The
figure in the chair bowed her head
lower; then the story went on. "Things
went against us after that time. My
husband lost his position and l could
not aid him, my health was so wretched.
One night he came home and told me
that he had received an offer to go West,
and if l were willing he would 90 out
there first, as he did not want to take
me into a wilderness. In a month he
should be back, at the utmost. Days
and weeks passed on, and / heard moth
ing. My money was nearly all gone, 40
| was obliged TO leave the comfortable
boarding place where he left me and
rent little room in an obscure part of
the city. Then tried to find position
as seamstress, but no one would engage
me because l came without any kind OF
recommendations and l had no friends
to whom / might appeal. Two days ago
l heard, in an indirect way, that if
would be in a certain place at seven
o'clock | might hear something of my
husband. 1t was my last hope, and |
clung TO it as l have to the only thing
that remained-my wedding ring.
went and waited for more than hour,
but no one came, and then the knowledge
that it was cruel piece of deceit-may
God forgive the author of it! After
that wandered up the street, knowing
that unless l begged must starve.
asked and was refused. Then l remem-
bered nothing more until l opened my
eyes in this room and fancied was in
Paradise. This is all / have to tell"


Mrs Arnold's face grew whittier and
winter, and her hands were clasped in an
agonized manner, showing that she was
undergoing some terrible suffering. She
looked up full in the girls face. There
was an indefnable something in the
eyes of the elder woman that caused the
other to hold her breath and say: "Did
you know him 2'' For answer Mrs. Ar
mold crept nearer and nearer, until the
young girls head was pillowed on hel
breast, while, amid sobs and tears, she
said: "God has forgiven me, at last
Oh, my child, my childw


Ten days later young man in West
ern town might have been seen busily
writing what appeared to be an import
ant document. From time to time ht
10 thot In " haf.Nrx