282 RECREATION. 



the old gentlemen on their mettle, way ; she had chosen me in prefer- 



while Steve fixed his great, hollow ence to him, so I did not fear for her 



eyes on me as if he alone understood on that score. 



my reason for opposing them. I I returned to New York after prom- 

 was at a loss how to defend my po- ising to spend the Christmas holidays 

 sition and appealed to Jessie, but, with Jessie. Steve drove me to the 

 talk of a woman's intuition ! My station, and as we walked the plat- 

 appeal was lost on her. She gazed form waiting for the train, he 

 on Steve, and said, "A am sure the coughed once or twice, and clearing 

 quiet and restfulness of this dear old the lump that seemed to rise in his 

 place will restore father's health, and throat, said : 



while I attend to him I can nurse " From the present indication of 



Steve, who, I am sure, is quite ill, the political horizon, it seems to me 



though he will not acknowledge it." that war between the North and 



Steve turned away as both the old Sonth is inevitable. Companies and 



gentlemen turned their inquiring regiments are being formed in Penn- 



eyes on him. As Jessie never al- syivania, and I shall join one of them 



luded to Steve's attachment for her, as soon as the first shot is fired." 



I believe she had forgotten it in her " Steve !" I cried in consternation 



absorbing love for me, especially as and pity, " my poor brother, has it 



she did not meet him for a year after indeed come to this ?" 



our engagement. " I desire no pity, Allen Olney," he 



It was finally settled the Sheldons rejoined, wearily passing a hand over 



should come to the farm and pay a his brow, as though the light was 



moderate sum for board, -as they had painful ; " least of all from you. I 



a sufficient income to enable them to am weary of this life ; in fact, there is 



live in affluence, had they so chosen, nothing but sorrow and longing for 



Steve and father would gladly have the unattainable. I have tried to 



had them without compensation, but live down my despair, but it requires 



Mr. Sheldon informed them he had a stronger will than mine, so I wel- 



preached all his life without salary, come this war ; for all pain will be 



because his income was more than forgotten in one swift shot, and then 



ample to supply his simple needs, will come peace and oblivion. I did 



therefore he would feel more at ease not introduce this topic to sadden 



if allowed to pay his board. your own life, but only to state, in 



This being the first intimation I had case I am gone before the holidays, 



had of my sweetheart being an heir- you are to look under the floor in my 



ess, Jessie turned to me, smiled, and bedroom, three paces from the east 



said : window to the center of the room, 



" You see, Allen, I will not come and you will find a receptacle which 



to you a portionless girl, so there is contains a paper you are to keep for 



no need to work so hard as you have Jessie's sake. It is my legacy." 



been doing." Before I could reply he wrung my 



I considered a moment whether it hand, sprang into the buggy and 



were not best to marry Jessie at once, gave the horse a cut of the whip, 



as my income together with hers The train came around the curve at 



would be more than sufficient to en- the same instant and rolled into the 



able us to live in comfort. I have no station. I cogitated upon what Steve 



false pride, and though I did not had told me, and decided I would 



doubt her love and honesty, I did not have made the same choice had not 



believe in placing temptation in their my love been requited. 



(to be continued.) 



