Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 5, Number 6, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 8 August 1874 — Page 2

BUSYBODIES It is a fact, as I've been told That people, in the days of old, Got rich in silver and in gold, No matter what they bought or sold, By minding their own business.

If an InhU irt «]. H«m

one* fame,

T|..a -n Oi They Th«y it*ti

T,r-- n*

r.r

Drtorsaaaed oa

Ttit v'il v..:•••!' very bWlxuMf**

le** **y».

Blf :n 'I' IT 1. A' 1 *.»*! h.'M «H» 'H:". er«nr^wtarlKMty4.

And if V"! WtMH' %".i

vJ-

Antlj: •"-AUK-.V TITLI'L. 111 1 Jastv.' 'Hi*"'11• Andti 1

per i»,

To«aj u-» "'15Y'n Tbw v«ry Ulfc ...^.iniM an,.

W«4l

Bat tf we tA Whothews We find there'* WhobWd«C«ii: iii- ,r.

rshe

Among ttoene-boJrftKxi 1 *.

lw t,h. 11

But let ns no more Of evil tongue*, hn Well bos md From XAD IULU

uuty wako ittak«

rom wuiviuniM juuu uiuuu By minding their owu bwilnws.

Twice Engaged.

BY SUE CHESTNUTWOOD.

"March, you are free. Our engagement from this moment is null." Neil Harmon's voice was inexorable— his light-blue eyes a cold, hard gray The dark, brilliant face of the girl beside him worked as in agony, then the fea tures became set; the rail, proud lips white and firm the impetuous voice, •which but a momeut before had qui"ered with passionate entreaty, grew' still as she answered, simply: *W'- ^iV!

It i» as you, wirfi." They stood quite upon the brow qf the hill, these two. Far up the western sk were piled summer-clomJs, gold-bourn

and crimson with the yet lingering glory of the sun, now quite set their iridescent reflection felt over all the pleasant landscape—on the woodland, on the uti dulating posture-land, where the cattle browsed, on the high-ranged disteat hills, ana glinted ana shimmered with prismatic effect 011 the bosoms of the two rapid rivers, which wound their sfnuous course amidst all these woods and hills, and meadows, making it a goodly land and well watered.

Neil Harmon and March looked all this, as for the last time, together They hnf* been wont to come to this spot together since they were boy and girl. It was little wonder they looked, now, in a silence so intense that it seemed to beat and pulse. March broke it firstthere was a sharp ring of pain in her voice—

Yon are going away

Why

s!iadv.-f

He answered In atone galling in its coldness and cynicism: "Two strangers can .live under the name xoof why may not weT" Tfefl words were incisive, and as sharp as Damascus steel. They severed the last

hope and happiness. If he had avowed his intention to go away, she would have known that he still loved her, and again have entreated for that love's sake now she wap utterly adrift. She brush? ed her hand across her dry, despairing eyes, as if to clear her dated vision, then re-echoed his wordt in a tone bewilderinjr— .'«*•*J *ws^

And these two, turning their backs on the tender, infinite glory of the western light, went together down the hither side of the hill, where the purple twi» light was gathering, and the shadow of the hill reached oat into the valley before th«tn. Not a word was spoken the alienee, throbbing and palpitating In the intensity of Its emotions, followed, them. One of the rivers flowed at the base of the hill. They had been used to panw upon the rustle bridge which spanned its glad watem A rush of memories crowded upon tho woman she caught her breath like one suddenly flidng' a great wind. But the man looked carelessly at the rustic railing over which had so ofUm leant glanced indifrentlv at the waters, black now with the hill's

then at Marrh. and

wa1lenl siwwdv his stransr will, fait thou.:'i onoxi.ivs^d, mod.-nit.ing h-r quick, n« i- to his uven gaiu His ffcee with a sort of, cynical qm.-t, a.sarcasm j.n rest: hers -o inits inftnjf a as is II

.. I, exqnisite pie* reflnoa torture hAs tiv n«-iircd tho for f-p irr-'w Afld at .• .-I «nk vvjwreaeii -I'd. 1 hiT

•Wit!"'I uw in ii WftH mil:. therst-.' :•••. lenirth. I»-M I ed, in*

sl,wl

sg his nipiin v! l.- of I"

l*l !i took in i'-h »n-tl\ .dii the memory-tmunt«*i it a in a if hand, mn-.jj-t. pawrfon.. 1 in in nate i" :!..|.»taltor! Ti.-yrtn-olv e«t lbr ttw d. ^t lw making .1 m* -al .nrer and gro«n

He) Jo^v. 'virfedttlOfl# lttTT'5'h. theif ui tnd talked on. A fewpeeeeftt.il 1 i.rhfg.01 1 Haviiwi' and wns ui.i'jiit Sn

»*nl bn of 1 am art-. i.». ffUui-.i-h mi It had -A it IMMI had IT jrrtrtn

«d. 'A!- at

'ii.

S VUInt u».

•el

jgfnn th hon«( Nf»i A do a.

StU

•m r" ih» fkther dithe «ader !. roaeh-) •CMBIMI and ro*i'

ll w-'iii into the

11.17 we ate

N on and hi« aiater. I^i^dle, a ?.

i-KS, lh.

and *rty, 1 in" ad -:.II ty-lferar, •1 Mrs. Harmon's liw dUld at

j.r,

.,-1 ii,

i,'. 1

stat". March

K« w*. wm cfuii-i dearth aorrows b«r fitthor —her mother at iMtr a atmdl though sufficient fortune,

1 tre

dian. Mr*. Hw^po^i bj«rtt «w •bro«it& Innate jnolWrlwod, had yearned to a W taken tnre. even

v»yhood,

had

SSny elf, Infauag.

..1 ur-

and Mr*.

ntlcpaud yielding bad never iiher of *tr»c4er% thood, wen- si itdlv" laL They

v-»-

iutr

lv opposite in dispo

se .11. Noil waa q«let, H! aiiii «W'-mined, *«d in

... iiiiddi int. that would taavr ffcteftta ^f«atun' of iun«.r vitrMvesUftp^"'ti rr», tumultuous paxin the grip of bis 1 will. Mftroh was all immuU,. A» child ten they had played together) Oan N«MI ij. jRWio to wlifg Mawhu* 1. They Jut I met at h.1. in :U« vacati. n, and tn p.'1 ksan t, touwnt'u', thougUt: »i pouthi^ Nd1 1 "1 and March ylcidnl. So Jiey twere lietrothed, i1 t)ier oonwprehending the depths iu H*® other's nature, which had never l» nsUrred-

At length eAoh had gfraduated and come home to stay. Neil had brought a oollege-friend with him, (RorWwtwriiy name,) a brilluwlL fellow, the pet of we mm* March having spent her life in seclusion, and scarce knowing any other gentleman than Neil, fofctnd a wondrous fascination in, this pleasant, novel companionship, and, because ho was Neil's friend, devoted herself t« his cntcrtainmcut. They rode together, together, sketched togethffr. *, Xeil remained oftenest at .,•

home, wjth his invalid mother, ^p^'irently passive and indiflferent, yet wntolung all this with a sort of white heat in his quiet.hiuo eyes. Not tluit h^ Uvye was wounded—for the mighty passion had never bespn aroused in his flferce, strong heart—but bccause his pHde bad Won touched. Tho result was but, natural. March soon discovered her influence. Her latent coquetry conquered every womanly feeling, she was swept into the bewildering vortex of pride ami sense of power. And not until Roy eston had offered her the true lovo or a true heart did she realize the wrong she Imd done, not only to ene, but to two men. Hoy had gone immediately home, and then had followed tho scene whose latter portion we have depicted.

A short time after they had reached liome. tho tea-bell nnijt. Neil led his mother to the dining-room, then, retracing his steps, weed up and do\\u the long, broad hall, his cold, indiflferent thee a tritte disturbed. Every few BIO-. ments he (USt an impatient glauce at the stairs, as if waiting for some one. At length she came down. He met her at the stairway's foot, thus blocking her way, and, placing a hand on either: *»hqulder. said:

March, whilst we were out, inother had another violent attack of palpitation. Dr. Watson was here ho told her she must avoid all excitement."

March looked startled. She loved Mrs. Harmon as she would an own mother. The gentle lady had heart disease. "You will comprehend, at once,

March,

the danger ot her knowing what passed between us two. Are you equal to anything so foreign to a woman's nature as playing a part?" His tone had in it the very perfection of sarcasm. The angrv blood rushed to her very brow, yet, after the part she had acted, she could not resent tho imputation. "March, let us look at this thing from the point of reason," he said, in his clear, eoherent way "let us boldly analyze our position then and now. After that, we can take up life as we tiiul it. You and I have beon deluded into thinking a mere semblanoe a reality. Astute fate has made our error palpable* It is futile to distress either ourselves or others with a childish mistake. Until mother be able to bear her disappointment in this, can we not still contiuue the semblance? It will bo nothing new, or strange only acting a three with our eves open instead of shut.'1 "The woman's nature was stirred to its

LUU WUHIMl ""W lowest deptli, and swayed and pulsed tumaltooxtsly. ^he looked him, daringly, fail In bis,eyee:

Neil, it is as yon wish. \ou may hHQ to inflict pain you cannot. If I om-c loved vou, MW I hate you. TAG blood rushed back upon her heart, le»V^ ing hsr pale as death. Neil stepped baclc, for the moment stunned, as ll ho had received a blow. A strange, halfstartled fl swept over his passive face he placed u.d hand under her chin, and, raising her face, searched it with a new, keen interest, then, courteously offering her his arm, led her to the dining-room. •mat evening, as was their habit, they went I-. tTvn drawing-room. Mrs. Harim ,n in -J in a cushioned onsy-chair.

Ii biid wh )«d a low -4ool to her side sn-l i:wbmMwing chenille strawlf-rnt's into vchei clippers for Neil. she had begnn them weeks before, bnt hsd scarcely touched them during ljoy Wt-Mou'* isit. «*|Ioshould not see her

S a I

ii a

ifjonii.- ^at plueing the *n while a sort ... tiiat it daring, emperical flni:' m, she |.\,is: mctng a pattern on her tni^n dt-»r-I ,,Nell sat at a distant table, an open

while a sort of moral intuition.

Vxv.k l!"i') him. A *w» -i obn iver i'l iur, thought him tuJliu, ^et, 1 i, 1 time March had glanced bis eyes had leen fastened w.i open page, he had been watcb--V nil the evening. Niii was both ct t*ml intewsted. He txi^r'encttl tune typoof inteileetwal pl '-'iw he in k. 1 ving adlfflJuH matheal 1.1 .,Mi-in. Msr»«h, whom he had 4 fin,- it on kn -"ing to the IWI. an enigma. Within the ftww r» she liad showa him emotions fr. ill I ii'-ir ('pon the hill* *he had entn

ii at

1, Illrl

I'-H!

hi* fonrlvdne"1".

MngWm not 1" |»eroff, her fii' despa i.i.. tier utterdesol el mathavI torn from 1 -vhich she 1 I a 1 !,^d desigm' I tow, (for *n they had ,, wont! stvle It.) Htth dreaming in a a a tancrs. iVn, njpon the .oircs ^,

I, ).ad seen fc. cold and whiU, with d«Aant ev«s, telling Wt« sne hated swl now," ftOling nstumlly into Uw was to play, and embr^dering gjitimn wftn ntter indlffcrtnee. never yet been mmplnsfea»«»

MN if 1 a ii a a a W t- A ""to smile around bis

she was born1 them wlwr* they sat, wheeling an easy rth. They left ialf dir iv bpfore them. At hla appioach a qmck color dyed the girrs cheeks. He bad never called forth that blnah inth Id, wooing dam Again, with the of amoral ahpecApr. tie •ought Jtnalyae that blush, una find the cause ot which ft was the

around his

»!i :i Me wouia nnd March out,

—v ile threw aside his book, and Joined

March was a handsome brunette. night, with his ftittin^ eebM-, che

cbUm* Iwtx U&UMOA ia#wa«ltfUaatti» *lAk u* keen, m-

tnte sense fairly aroused, watched her \vith the clear, critical aeumen of a eouiioiswovir. Mho was talking, animatedly, with her mother, roconntingwomo of hor iKMirdiug-sehool adventuros, with all the alworbeu intorest of a child, and constantly calling smiles to the gentle lady lip3, with her graphic descriptions and fresh, breexy air. At length, with that endless versality 4f thought and net, she ian»ed right in the midst of a sentence, spread her unfinished slipper on Mrs. Harmon's lap, and went into girlish raptures over its beauty then with a little, natural yawn, as if it had just occurred t-o her that everything-was an insufferable bore, she rolled the slipper up, say-

ing, "I'm dull and sleepy." With characteristic inum'siveness, she flung her arms around ftlrs. II nook anu kissed her repeatedly. been her usual way of bidding her good

Neil went to his book utterly baffled. The passive touch of those unanswering lips clung to his, with a strange fascination, of which lie could not rid himself. Ho had kissed her since her childhood, and yet now he could have vowed that he had nover kissed her before.

March that night tossed restlessly upon her pillow, quite cut adrift from all that she had expected 1n life, and, besides, aniFvy aud insulted. Hor last thought, ere she closed her eyes, was, "I liat© him," and vet, when she slept, she re a a is

Tho morrow brought with it another of those changes which tireless fate has over in store, seeming to take delight in seeing the world with wide oyes of wonder, just as gossips liko to tell a bit of bad nows, taking an unhealthy, morbid sort of pleasure in tho horror they elicit.

When the day dawned, March, full of restlessness, stood in her casement, looking out upon the world. All the land was bathed in tho ambient glory of tho rising sun. The lovo of nature was strong in her heart, but now all tho )leasant prospoet before her, with its 11iuite momories, seotned far.farotr sho felt as if her old life had been parted and rent from this present day by a wide, glaring hiatus, which could not be spanned. lu-rt'yes were full of tears— her Hps depressed. It was not thr.t a love, which had never existed, had boon outraged, but simply this: From childhood sho had expected his home to be hers «lway« from girlhood she had expected to be Noll's wllb. Now, doubtless, Neil would seek another wile aim her homo lay quite toyond, in the unrovealcd future. She went back, with a

senile of shame luorUfloaUon, to. the 1 put yesterday. "Are you 'iiits was his home, not

IPC -and

question she had nut yesterday, going away?" This wax his hern. If either left, it wculd lie she. Even In looking upon tho land, she grew homesick for it, as tho sad heart of the Israelite mnst have yearned Ibr tho Canaan he was permitted to see, but not to

I •".I^TnS ujxiu tlioUiul,.beKr»w

TERR?'^UTE SATPHDAY EVEXING MAIL.

At that moment a horseman came, at flying upeod, down the road, dashed tip ttie carriage-way, and reined in at the door. She leaned out, and recognlisod tho clerk of the village postnflice. Rearing that tho ringing of the door-bell at or, unnsual an honr would alarm Mr*. Harmon, she ran quickly down, and met tho man upon the piaiata. lie handed her a telegram, saying—

It has 111 news in ft. mis*, not deUvwd it In haute," little dreaming that he x..ia illustrating the old truism, "bad news travels ftuit." It was directed to Neil. Hbe bade a servant carry it immediately to his room, then restlesaly paced theism hall, almost sickening with a jij. k, 1. .!.•• «if aotnetrouble, «, wonderful Inconsistency of woman's mtitiro 1 when at length she heard his

changed relation swept oyer her. and with strange, uncord rotable l»#hftilne«B. she turncKl and stood in the doorway— her back to the hall. Ho immediately joined her. His ftwse had the set look of one striving to eonquer strong emotion.

March, IiUdlte's husliand died a day or two since of yellow lbver, and L« cille herself to at death's door."

Kverv thought of self was Instantly ttlok b&uah his approach had lost the nt called ftjrtn startled.

teded, leavl Your mother

8HK BOWED UK14 HJSAP A TRIFLE WITHOUT JVOOKINQ AT and looked at ii. There was a new and withal strungely sweet dlgnitv in it that ho had nover seen before. He thanked her then, tltfning abruptly, went out r«lon the piazza. March stood where he

rs. Harmon's It had

night since she was a baby.

iShe gave a

slight, ctureless nod to Neil, which his unsuspecting mother interpreted Ibr one of teasing, and turned to leave-the room. In order to do so, she had to pass directly by Neil's chair. A sudden flash broke the quiet, observant expression of his face ere she passed, he caught her hand, and, drawing hor down, took her quite in his arms, and pressed his lips to hers, then released her, with a little, triumphant laugh, regarding her with eooT. inquisitive eyes. Mrs. Harmon was half-laughing, lialf-scolding him tor "plaguing March so." The girl regarded him in utter silence, for a moment, than tho blood surged to hor very brow. She made no word or comment, but, after an instant struggle, joined them in their laughter, and left t.ie room, calling back good-night to them ere she dosed the door*

had left her, listening to his step, and watching him as he passed her to and fro. Suddenly, he paused directly be

fore hor. March, I shall have to go fcouth at once. Are you equal to taking wire of mother whilst I am gone

The sudden sinkirig of her heart was quite palpablo in her voice. "Yes—but she stopped abruptly* the yriinson tide flooding her chocks, a-j it hax tho previous night. Ho stood beside her, awaiting the completion of her half-ex

March, you shrink from.it I here was nothing contemptuous in his tone— it was very kind.

No, you are mistaken. I am not afc all afraid it was not that"—quite coldly, with tho color dying away, and this sweet new dignity utterly precluding thought of further question. Nell, even in his trouble and anxiety, looked at her with keeu interest, then turned and resumed his walk, a wistful look creeping into his quiet blue eyes, whilst she, white with terror at the fever he was going out to meet, struggled pitifully fur 1

When breakfast was over, and Mrs. Harmon was seated in her cool pleasant sitting-room, with Neil standing at the back of the chair, March knelt besido her, and in a gentle, and withal a strong, womanlv way, told it all. It was beautiful to see the gentle lady unselfishly strive for composure. They could see the fold of her morning robe flutter with tho violent palpitation, yet she said—her voice, though weak, quite steady—

Neil, you must start at once. March and I can' take care of each ot her.". An hour later, March, from an adjoining room, where sho had gone'tb escape parting, heard him bid bis mother goodbye. She was standing at au open window, her back to the room, so was not conscious of his presence until he was beside her, his hand upon her shoulder.

March, are you not going to bid me good-bye?" She turned they were face to face.

her pale aud

Yes, it is of her I am thinking." Fbr iair«i *U eflbrt to the contrary, tho man was unsteady. "She must not know It until alter breakfast die will be stronger then. pXSl'hSbetter tell her, offer was unselfish and womanly. He took her free in his bands, as 1» the fiwi. (jtf Uto atoi3 Um Right usioxe,

March, for tho sake of our childhood 1" he said. She raised her llteo a trifle—he bent his—their lips met. The next moment sho was standing alone, with wild, despairing eyes, and reaching oat her hands to where he had been, in yearning hopelessness, saying over and over again: "Perhaps I shall never see him again!" And in that moment this woman, for thd first time, loved. iktft 1

-•--PART II.'*'

There followed a time when the moments and hours, and days and nights, were fused and lost in a long agony ot ftunpenso* No word cam©—-nothing to break the continued, fearful anxiety. These two women bore it each in their separate way the elder clinging to the

T'onSrler," crying, "though

slay me yet will I trust him the younger, tlriven to the very extremities of despair, seeming quite separated eveu from her Maker, and questioning over and over again, In bowtldered unbelief, was there any tiod, since he did not hear her when she cried? Had nbo been taught to worship what never existed— to put her trust in an illusive, intangible "HUCII^TB* one-half of this world's rolittloR. V/9 believe, because we bavo never had anything to elicit a doubt we trust, beeanso we have nover been disappointed We love—that unreasoning, impulsive love that made Peter deny his Lord. There is little or the "religion pure and r.ndelUed." In its general sense, it may bo defined thus idlegennflections, gKsw soperstitions, inmmous deceit and hypocrisy, and meaningless orisons. .,

It is singular how, every day, (. hrlst's words are lllustratefl. "Kxwpt ye become as little children." 1-aitb, to be perfect, must bo unquestioning. The more man Investigates, tho more skeptical he becomes, nntll he daringly asserts that to think and believe are indl things, as utterly impossible to flu oil and water, forgetting that the reason of which he boasts email

ividual fhseas very

reason of which he ooasts emanated from the Kternal lteason—in other woms» tho l^ouos, t)ie Word, the Christ.

Ho this woman, before a thoughtless tieliever, became a daring, thoughtftil skeptic. Kho never ilej»t SAV®when natun sank exhausted 'neaUi the wear and tear of nerve and brain. Her beautiful dark ftce lost its perfect oval her oyes wore an nnbelleving, defiant expression, and tense lines drew themselves around her lips. In all this time neither of these women siwke of the terrible foar aud dread which In this long silence had lieen thrust upon thwn, quite blotting out everv other thought* Mm Harmon sank steadily under the prolonged excitement. .March watched her with wild, terror-stricken eye*. "Nell was dead she, too, would die. To say that then was ajust «od, was to meek one own Intellect. Justloo and Godhead were Indissoluble. Thus, slnee toew was no Justice, there was no Ood. Tnrne who professed to believe to the contrary, were either eye-rellgkms too orhypo. elites. If there was no Ood, there w«» »o nature and If death was the ^final, men and women were Ib^tolote.

In her blasphemous reasoning, her rcry brain acctuedflrpj Utrwowd

lips burnt themsel and utiy. .... The£*-ai»city faff

1 yea, white

/auadty far^iiuuwn gtsas infinite.

l&lbi

l,tB to» March, I am

has taken the fever and breaking utterly down, she wept and sobbed, March could speak no word of cheer or promise, but only held the lady in her arms, her jtm quite dry. It was drawing near the time for the* evening train to come to the adjacent villa#e. Mra. Harmon had grown, too weak to walk March wheeled her easy-chair gently out upon the piaczai and sat down upon a, low stool at her feet. Thus had they sat every night to linten for the shrill whistle of the engine, and every night Nathan, the uoachman, had .driven over to tho depot.

I stood by, seeming bewildered with the straage things that had broken into their lives. March, trembling and helpless in this sudden joy—this dispelling of anguish—stood looking down into Mrs. Harmon's face, quite mute. The eldest) of the children—a boy of sevenwas striving to comfort the youngest, a tiny little fellow of three, whose lips were turned down most piteousty. At length bin childish control gave way he cried aloud. That Instantly called Mrs. 1 larmon back to life. Sho burst into teari? of mingled sorrow and relief. March, too, fafriv awakened, left her to Neil, and joining the children, took the baby in her arms, with a sweet tender--ness of innate motherhood tliat comforted tiie little fellow instantly. Then carrying him, with each of the others clinging to her drean, she started to go into tho house to see that supper was served. As she passed Mrs. Harmon's chair, she hoard her say:

Neil, March and I have suffered an-

flocking

uish." He turned suddehly, and March's way, laid his hand upon her shoulder, then looked at her intently. His blue eyes burnt themselves black in tho intensity of their gaze. Sho returned the look with that new, quiet dignity that had so baffled him before he went away. He set his proud lipe and allowed her to pass. In this mau's heart had spruug a wild, fierce love, which would not be stifled. Ho had hungered for the sight of this woman's face—fbr the touch of her hand. Now lie had not dared break through the reserve which sho had cast between them.

A little after, tbey were at the table— even Mrs. Harmon, as if having taken a draught from tho elixir of life, being able to join them. March had taken her place at the urn, and was listening to tho gentle lady, telling how Neil bad replied to thoir telegram, though they had failed to receive U—listening almost without hearing, quite content that he was opposite to ner.

Remmie, the babv, was in an improvised high chair at her side Archie and May opposite thefr grandmother. Ma" was a talkative little blonde, and Tjrok_ into their sadness with ner prattle. "This yere is how wo used to sit down home pa right looking at ma, like uncle Noil, and baby by ma," with child-like keenness of eljserration. Mrs, Harmon wiped her eves. March stooped and kissed Iicmmio to liido tho blushing face Noil was watching. "Let's alien sit ibis how shan't us, uncle Neil?" asked th® flve-vear old grammarian.

Yes, May, always," he replied, quite coolly. Allers! uncle Neil. How do you know that Wo can't do nothing allers," objected the elder, a philosophical urchin, whom these late sad experiences had made thoughtftil.

Pooh! Archie, undo Nell made elierv soul ob em step lively, down South he'll do as he likes up here, too."

March was cutting chicken into tiny bits for the baby. Neil's eyes were fastening on her face tho stronger will conquered. Sho glanced up and mot them thev were quiet, cool, determined, aud held hors, as with magiietle force, ftill five seconds then with a smile, half willful, half winning, ho gave his attention to the children. "But, uncle Neil," porsisted Archie, loth to lese his argument, "dftwn South, all tho big people get married! Perhaps aunt March will too."

Nell Harmon's blue eyes grew cold to grovness. Archie was left to speculate at will on the probability.

That evening, this man walked the long hall, restless and Impatient, con •tantly watching the staircase, but she did not come. She put the little children to bed he heard her singing a low lulabv to the baby.

That night passed. The morrow brought a ftwh grief. They found the gentle invalid with her hands folded poaccfhlly upon her Mtill bosom, and the soul's quick pulse of Joy at Its deliverance, falling like a smile abont her restful lips.

March found her thus and in the presence of this greater than death that oonld leave this smile of triumph on

cold, still lips, she staggered in her nn belief, and bowed humbly «nd penitently before her outraged (Jod.

The time that followed was full of exeemttve sorrow. There were those days when tho windows wore darkened, the house was heavy with tho perfhme 01 flowers, and their dead was with them. Neil grew ten years older In this constant preoence of death his lips were set,. his blue eyes dark and n«e. These two, alone in tho world, now, inKtend of bearing their common grief to-

Ether,mantlequite

stood apart, each wrapped his of reserve. Many friends come to offer their syi lor the gentle lady had been loved* March, In her utter loneliness, accepted tt gra«f\»lly? Nell courteously but the moment he was fire®, shutting himself in his room, as if it oppressed him. they had returned from the funeral* March had taken the children to the pleasant, cheerful sitting-room. Remmie was sobbing in a pitiful, homesick way for mamma. May, too, had her chubby fists in her dark eyes. March took the baby on her lap, and encircled May with her arm, and softened her own grief in ministering to thelre. She was telling them of their wonderful Christ, who loved little children. Archie intei and irtwd in distant

window, listening at lengtj the group. Aunt March, docs uuc all about this Christ

Why, Arclj

question. "Cause if h#' gone to be with 1 luakes him lo«JW —_

1 raseed,

Now, when the angry shriek of the incoming train rent the atr, each qolvered as with piin. March took out her watch, having learned to time the horses to

The second.

March, if he doesnot come to-night, I tiiink I cannot bear it." At that moment they heard tho sound of horses' feet the carriage swept around the curve of the road, and dashed up to tho ,door. There was the sound of children's voices, and the next instant, Neil Harmon held his fainting mother in his arms. The threo little orphan children, with sad, wondering faces,

rifle! at the

Mover

liiy#ik: ed no doubt ilribe%ildi hen afraid Neltfohly astonishment at uncle Neil's unreasonableness.

He is very lonely, Archie," replied th« woman, simply. Tho urchin was silent, as if meditating a moment then a plan presented itself. ii -i "Aunt March, we ve got fteapS Of playthings in onr big Wunk,"

Oh, yes! den all my family of chainn I mvin'tj/Keffdto'long ^pell" lAb

4'ato^li Roesey\ si# he d4

slow I"chimed in Remmie. Mareh, followed by the three pair of little feet, unpacked the "big trunk,"' and metamorphosed the tidy sitting-room into a playroom, littered with toys, aud full of children's Jollity. Aunt March, I can take care 1 de chillun now hadn't you better go to see poor uncle Neil asked Archie, having eonsummated his wise, kind, little plan. March went slowly downstairs. Neil sat alone In the still, darkened library his arms were folded upon the table, his face buried in them. Sii« looked at him from tho open door, in indecision lor a moment, then struggling fiercely for control, entered, whispering to her proud heart

He does not know that I love him. I could do it for a stranger." She threw Open the windows nnd lot the afternoon sunlight in, then arranged tho chain in their old familiar places. Still he did not look up. She went and stoed besido him. The soft summer air rustled In her black dress, aud played with tho long curl, which, aooording to the prevailing fashion, she wore behind l»er ear. Once or twice it just touched his cheek she never noticed it. At each of its quick, light touches, tho strong man quivered, whilst tho blood rushed a hot tide up his partially-concealed face. At length she spoke Ins name— "Nell!"

He raised his head Instantly. Sho bad not realised tho immediate proximity, until he sat upright. Her curl rested upon nls shoulder instead of her own. There was something caressing in the way it clung. The man regarded it with a rierce hunger in Ins light blue eyes, then setting his lips determinedly, he to it in is I in to it it winding the dark, glossy lock around his lingers, and once or twice laying it against his chook* The woman «tood by, flushing and paling. It was another of life's misunderstandings. Sho thought him simply absent-minded in his m-ief, so said, with her quiet, womanly dignity: "Neil,It is very lonely here. VVill you cpuie up stairs with tho children and mef*

He unwound tho euri from his lingers and instantly arose. A moment sne hesitated, then drew his hand within her arm, and they went up stairs together.

That little act was the moral fulcrum which balanced their lives for tho next six weeks. March devoted her time to the children. Neil, when froe from lawyers and business, sought the playroom too and, in the evening, when the prattle of little voices was still, he would sit on one side of the library table with his book, and March on the other. In all theso weeks his light blue eyes wore a look of craving ana vague unrest, and bis firm lips were always set. And March's cheeks did not regain their lost oval.

There Is an old truism to tho effect that, "when worse comes to worse, it rights itself."

So there came a morning in tiie early fall which proved infinite in its revelation.

A grate-fire burned cheerily upon the sitting-room lvwrth. Thechilf* out playing.

room hearth. The children were March was sole occupant

of tho rooui. She stood in a casement which commanded a view of the hill, the river, and the bridge of which wo hayo told. All the land was flooded with tho ambient sunlight. Scarce a shadow indented the brightness what few there were seemed focused in her sad face. Some one entered the room. She turned—Neil stood upon the hearth. With a look of fixed purpose, she joined him. "Neil,can you not find some pleasant, elderly person, \fcho would liko to make her home with us?"

He looked at her in blank amazement.

Why, March? The children are too •eat a care. You are palo I have noced it," with a sort of smothered anxiety. "No, it is not that I liko the care." Impetuously, weak and trembling, sho had sat down upon a lounge near the fire. Even its red-glowing flames brought no color to her cheek*,

What then, March?" looking at her, keenly. Her voice was cool and quiet. "Nell, we are not brother and sister, and Iain told that the village issnyingso. It will be pleasanter for me." 1 lo started muttering something under his breath that sounded hard tor the aforesaid village. At that moment the children burst into the room. Remmie ran to March to bo divested of his mu fliers. She took him on hor lap vtith a look of relief. Nell sat down on tho lounge right besido her, and with quiet determination transferred the bttlo fellow from her lap to his. "March, ho is too heavy for you: take his wrappings on here.'' Something in his tone dyed her

pal© oheeks. Sho did as he bade, her hands trembling slightly, Archie and Mav were.both at her knee, telling of their frolics. In tho confusion, and tho little fellow's impatience to be rid of his mufflers, March's hands constantly came,.A in contact with the hand that held him,, and each time her quick flush deepened. His eves never loft her fuee—seeking there a revelation. When, at last, Rommie's chubby little figure was nnrslled, he said. "Archie, take May and Remmio down stairs, anf tell Jane to fix a party for vou on the dining-room table." The children were fairly wild. March, with a sudden terror at being thus left alone —lent he would find her out—arose ab-, ruptly, and went lo the window. "What, can we have, uncle Neil asked Archie, thinking it safest to carry his express command to Jane, who was not noted for her good humor.

Everything good in the pantry' —v half, impatient, half laughing, lhey scampered off, and these two were alone.,.

Neil Harmon was not a man to osculate between two opinioi»*i. He instantly joined March where she stood, AS we have said, this casement commanded^ a ftill view of the hill-s'de where weoks^ before they had stood in the glory. Now, tho morning MiniIght felt aslant its brown slope, 8lifing dow^nto|r the river at its base, and less scintillations uponite riPPijngU surface. All the land w«w bathed.in an-' tumn sunlight—even the rustic, old!bridge seemed glorified.

Both were looking on the lovely scene.^ Nell at length broke the silence.

March, once you told me that I wa«§ a moral inquisitor, and that yon hatedp mo"—he asserted it coolly, as he woul4 some effete fact of the past. The girl, grew pale, and took hold nervously of lCQKO»VlS» 0* TJURD PAQK.J

•v

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