sat down, 
‘I’ 10 ** 1 U ' r S,^’r <,BA ' aml “ mcget iirt'Sttaeu!c 
y °SbT^pled'llto arm gladly, aud, obi two rooms lj».kcd Ilkaa bdofllmold Ho".r 
bow grateful to bar wound,* bcanwaa.be lr ““ 6 ^'t* "totwo girla aal down, 
seclusion of the cool, quiet room, and how In he c.ir results of their 
thoughtful if was in IIcoh to be so long I Smt 
netting that ice! She tried to show her laboi. me uorarj 4i|w 
Gratitude by exerting herself to talk, but it room floor, plants and vines fi led the win- 
wi r*eaw effort, and a. Inst Huun said, .Iowa, her Hubert, portrait amiled down up- 
w as a ureaiy enou, ou lbem from ,,] lC . wall, opposite hung n 
abruptly : Utmolite carved book-rack with their favorite books 
“ Yon surely w.U mbJJmb^ B1! ,tuet,eaBb,od nbonlonbrack, 
but you look so tired shal etg uir1 tlJe j no i>ze library clock occupier 
ri “fob‘if v“n please!” abeexclaimed,rising the mantel. Her motion', work-table and 
Uli, it >ou p rase sewing chair stood near one window aru 
2 cowd to say ber own writing dark at the other. In tin 
tlicii \\ \ • * % t , j • ! ijApir room wan the cfvrpcst mid most ol tin 
“good-nigl.t" to Eya, bndmg be. a Inst t molbeAowubcdroom, will 
the conservatory, where she and Pirn, bad , rcM „„ s While the; 
111 .0 early till were resting ,bus, the dozened and be 
Hvoh succeeded in ber eye, when | mot ber^ 
seeing .but anmetbatg was annas, sbe , 3. Mf laughing and l.al 
XTto -n ItorparttoV over toibe city to live, 
silence I loan asked, In n misebievous tone, inserted Utiou, who now appeared i t tb 
Do you still regret the parly dresses?' 
“ Ob, no, indeed 1 T never want another! . * , ick „„ a „,i Nora bold u 
exclaimed Nona, Impetuously; Unm,, fcji- jj ^ Mte J v ,, ioll slll! had torn while bam 
iug she had belruyed hersell.ahc added with pictures. And so, amid jests ai: 
u forced laugh, “ It is well to make a value » „n S «esaion of their ne 
It was over often and Hugh spent a good at four. Ami so they arranged it Eva 
lie share of his evenings there. Nona was some- miming during the day am 
„e limes invited to parties by her old acquaint- Annin dividing Ibe night Imtween them 
a ,Z bn, she never went, because '•sbeln.d Mm. Hakkbk was Yery kind and reqnm^ 
„ no dress,” sl.e said, but really because she little of Annin in, possible. 1 was a dr a 
i .. . ..i l., mu..if u..i.in in <1 11 *.ordeal fill strain on N oka to watch halt the m jit 
mom floor nlants and vines tilled tut* win- i«».« .* “ , ' 
dows her rallied portrait smiled down up- one of her Society Iriends who ^redcoldlj 
on th«*m from lh‘ wall, opposite hung a at her or gazed with unwonted interest a 
carv'd hook-rack with their favorite books, the shop windows, and even when she lead 
two or three statuettes stood about on brack- of Leonard Gordon a >n«riag» wUitbe 
cts and the bronze library clock occupied lit tle blonde heiress whom she hadsc . Wit 
CIS, uuu uio * j , * ti,„i luei „ „ tl a Ifiwas silVDnsed tofllld 
III * Hl/A- ilinui y vivvw . , . . i* w i 
Her mother's work-table and him that last night, she was surprised to hml 
stood near one window and ber heart so unmoved, 
..leak ai the other. In the Towards spring Mrs. Christie began o 
watch her anxiously, fearing that she too 
would he ill, the fever turned and her mother 
began to mend, Mrs. Whitney, who had 
been over frequently, took her daughlei s 
place one day that, she. might sit up at night, 
and give Nora a whole night’s sleep-ami it 
the mantel. Her mother's work-tame ami 
sewing chair stood near one window and 
her own writing desk at the other. In the 
back room was the carpet and most of the 
furniture of her mother’s own bedroom, with 
a few of her treasures added. While Ihey 
were resting thus, the door opened and her 
mother stood there, amazed ! 
“ Why, my child!” said she, in a bewil¬ 
dered way, as Nora, half laughing and half 
crying, siezed her and drew her into the 
room, “ I thought we were going to he poor! ” 
“ Not a bit of it, ma’am; its only a rune 
on her part to get. over to the city to live,” 
asserted Hugh, who now appeared in the 
doorway ami glanced admiringly about him. 
“ I should like to know if that doesn’t 
look poverty-stricken !" and Nora held up 
her sleeve which she had torn while hang¬ 
ing the pictures. And so, amid jests and 
| laughter, they took possession of their new 
it—E va dancing began, the bridesmaids were a little 
3 ra and relieved from duty, and Hugh drew Nora 
in them, into the cool conservatory, which was like a 
Iqnired as hit of fairy land with its many-colored 
i iv dread- lamps glowing among the foliage. They 
the night found a seat sheltered by an ivy screen and 
vas about sat down—N ora talking animatedly of any- 
begun to thing and everything, as iflier life depended 
l she too on postponing the words which she felt im- 
er mother pending, all the time despising herself for 
who had her foolish cowardice. Hugh, vastly amused 
laughter’s at her unwonted volubility, made little re- 
p at night, spouse, and at last she paused through sheer 
jp—audit lack of any tiling to say. After a short 
wets there silence, Hugh, lightly touching the flowers 
So by the in her hand, said, in a low tone, “ Nora, did 
mu, um, I.™ —* . wonderful what recuperative powers there silence, Hugh. J.guuy loucnmg ne non . 
her heart so unmoved, , . . , . c wii,,. in hor burnt said in a low tone,” Nora, did 
» «•«*«' to,co move,calm and peaceful, eyes Hashing tbrongh ,e,,s. ” ,boy said- 
She did what she could for ber morning and 
of necessity, ° ’ 
But liUGH knew that, she had taken leave home, 
of more than “society and party dresses ” chapter iv. 
that evening, and while he pitied her, there Great was their astonish men f on going 
was deep down in his heart a glow of satis- down to breakfast the next morning to see 
f ucl ion. Annie’s beaming face. 
evening, and went to her work with a heavier 
heart every morning, the kind hearted An¬ 
nie promising to look in upon her mother 
often. But at last, one sultry morning in 
May, she seemed a little flighty, and Nora 
saw that it would not do to leave her alone 
any more, though she did not know how 
they were to live if she should lose her situa¬ 
tion entirely. But she must, go to the office 
to warn them of her absence, anti when she 
got there they insisted she must remain till 
they could find some one to relieve her. The 
day wore on tilt Nora was almost frantic at 
the thought of her poor mother suffering 
alone, when, about four o’clock some one was 
found to lake her place. 
what I little needed telling—that. I have one 
friend true as steel, whom the storms of ad- 
CHAPTER v. friend true as steel, wnom me swims ui mi- 
“No, Eva dear! you must excuse me from V ersity have no power to chill!” 
that. I really have no dress, and the condi- “ Ami was that all ¥” 
turn of my finances is particularly depressing But Nora had no word farther for him, 
since mother’s illness. 
and after a pause he added : 
“Bull will take care of that!” pleaded “Nora, darling! since I have been so 
Eva, but Nora shook ber bead, ber cheek happy as to deserve the title ot friend, 
flushing a little at the suggestion. may I not hope to be something nearer ?” 
u Now, Nora, I cannot be denied in this 1 The murmur of distant music ami the i»- 
You know the bride often furnishes all the toxicating perfume of tube-roses floated 
dresses, and you must not let your pride spoil l0ll nd them while he waited, and the quiv- 
my wedding;” and the sweet blue eyes filled C1 i„g ]jds persistently veiled the teiMale eyes 
with tears as they watched eagerly for signs j n which he sought to rend his fate. At last 
of relenting. At last Nora, seeing that her timid hand stole, fluttering, into his—and 
friend’s heart wns really Set on her being Hugh was answered, 
bridesmaid, yielded to ber proposal, only - 
uiui to take «ei piacc. stipulating that the dress should be very sun- 
The sky had clouded over, and, caily a» 1(J _anvthln" that will not. disgrace the 
was, the street lamps were lighted, tie ,, fts 8lit! laughingly expressed it. 
• .. -a lit..,, otorwliltf Cllt/I Wit'll! nfllil (*, * 
rain was failing steadily and the wind came 
in gusts that almost took her off her feet. 
lut nun. - 1 1 11 1 111 ---- - 
Nora passed an almost sleepless Right, “ Yes,” said Mrs. BARKER, the Jumuaoy, g b(J wag toiling on with an umbrella in one 
struggling to east from her heart the image answering their surprised looks as she came l)un( ^ pevem i packages containing dainties 
that had so long been tli# subject of her forward to show them their scats; she came ^ j’ CJ . mother in the other, ami her,heart 
Eva departed with an air of triumph, and 
a week or two after came a lovely white tulle 
dress trimmed with pansies and looped up 
with trailing vines. Nora found it spread 
out on her bed when she came home at night, 
CHAPTER VI. 
“ Mr. Dawson, I wish you would find some 
one to take my plate as soon ns convenient.’’ 
” That is not so easy to do !” said Mr. 
Dawson, taken completely by surprise. 
“ Would an increase of salary—” 
» Oh, no !” interrupted Nora, hastily, “ I 
am perfectly satisfied. I he fact is I ha\e 
maiden reveries. She was indignant that i () me a few days ago and begged me to hire fl j| cd with the bitterest feelings she bad ex- out on ^rhed \v Inns ie c -1111 it* um hl u inore advantageous situation offered 
there should remain a fraction Of regard for lier in any capacity, and as 1 happened to „ nce U ,c loss of their property- and couldu t help an exdm latum of delight 
-* * -- ’ *— 1 . it really was so pleasant to nave a new 
go I —ftlUl SliC IC5H uniy umn .. 
liad gone no farther bet ween them ; and yet stood, smiling nnd Idnsbing, and taking hei 
—and yet 1 hand said, earnestly 
Towards morning she fell into an uneasy “This is a 1'cal pleasure! I shall nevei 
slumber, and did not, wake till her maid forget your kindness, Annie !” 
came, with her breakfast, to tell her that People stared a little at the odd, new 
Mr. Sccddkr was waiting to see her. Dress- boarder who seemed so glad to see a ” aerr- 
i„ g hastily, she drank a cup of coffee and ran nn ( /” but Nora cared never a hit—staunch 
down to learn his errand. This was no less friends were too rare not to he appreciated, 
than that lie had found a purchaser for the humble though they might be. Nora re¬ 
house who would like to occupy it as soon mained at home that day, resting, and giv- 
as convenient. Her mother, to whom lie big the finishing touches that had been 
had already communicated the news, lay omitted in yesterday's hurry, and she was 
quietly weeping on the sofa, and Nora her- delighted to sec how interested and content.- 
self was almost staggered at the necessity I ( >d her mother seemed, now that the change 
ti =EH s i is sxx&rsxz 
WniTNKY! SI,a gave a little sob of relief— Tl«> *• h* 2 
it was so unexpected, you sec—and he kept 
on talking in his quiet, matter-of-fact way, 
till she was composed enough to speak, when 
he asked gently— 
“ Is it a new trouble, Nora?” 
It. did not. lake long to draw from her all 
“ A-h 1” looking curiously at her, “that 
dothed like the lilies of the of—housekeeper V" 
iL thought for the mor- “ Well-yes,” assented Nora, greatly con- 
nod as she turned round fused at being so readily understood, 
mother’s admiring gaze. “ Ah, well 1 1 am sorry ! We have never 
pretty garment away, and bad a more competent, attentive operator 
wen. steadily on will, her work for the on this line, and we hoped to keep you- 
"■"™ “« “ SlLriSl'ZS “ittBltot., and stammering that si. 
that would not be entirely beyond her means, 
hut everything cost so much! Once she 
for leaving so soon, “ It " ill lull me to go,” 
sobbed Mrs. CinusTlE. “ But, mother dear,” 
said Nora, gently, “ there doesn’t see to be 
any other way.” 
“Oh, child! you are young and like 
was really made. 
The next morning she entered the school, 
and though sll© still was at home evenings, 
she feared that her mother, being left alone 
parlor till she went up to see liow her 
mother was. She found her about the same 
as in the morning, though Annie said her 
foyer had been very high during the day, and 
would remain till her place was tilled, she 
made her escape from the office. 
A week or more elapsed before she was 
entirely released from her duties, and at lib¬ 
erty to make tier simple preparations for her 
bridal. It seemed queer at first to have so 
much time at. her disposal, hut the strange¬ 
ness wore off after a while and she felt only 
' all day, would become home-sick and low ^ )Ue t j oCtor> w ho had been there about 
spirited; but she settled down In her sewing ^ pwmouncC( j p “billions fever.” 
’ mid reading almost as contentedly as it she ’ t down w ; t b , v troubled face to 
change. spirited ; mir sue sevneu »'*"•■■» 
Nora knew that it was sorrow that made fuu i leading almost as contentedly as it she 
her mother so unjust, and was silent. had been in her own house. This was a 
“ Have yon looked for a boarding place?” great, relief to Nora, and she went to her 
asked Mr. Scoddeh in a low tone, after a studies with a light heart. She goon became 
tiu.ii.ii. -* *- • mnfti time at tier disposal, mu me sinuige- 
was a set of emeralds which she had1 h<»^ > • ^ ^ off ^ & wllil , and she felt only 
herself and worn only a few tunes th_ , entire freedom from business 
do—ami alto took lltora will. 1; Yc , sl ,„ , K ,,r to- 
when sl.e went to the reheiusal. Eva was the experience which she had gained 
delighted with them, and declared she should S> ' 1 . , lo n lJGH >• i 
^ ^ Uttd r a n h S toZlZnZ l^ritad 
delighted wun tuem, aim o - 
nrlre them all the more highly that they had s f) l.ardly, and 
, . ooii nfivfii' he £ 
lone pause. Nora roused herself and said very much interested in her new pursuit, 
“ no,” but she. would do so at once, and in about two months a situation was 
“I think Mr. Die Came will take most of given her in an up-town office where t ieie 
your furniture with the house; but your was a great deal of business done. I he 
pictures are articles of* virtu', and had better publicity of her position was at lust wij 
be sent to some dealer in such things to lie unpleasant to bur, hut as she grew accus- 
sold, as he can get a good price ’’-and after touted to it, she began to enjoy ber ’work^ 
Nora went down wim a iroumea i” 
make her report, to Hugh, who fell himself 
powerless to aid or comfort her in this new 
trial; and, promising to bring Eva in the 
morning, he went, sadly away. 
That was an anxious night for poor Nora, 
as she sat by her mother's bedside, listening 
to her delirous ravings, and reproaching her¬ 
self for having left her so long alone. She 
been worn by ber friend. 
While Noha was dressing for tbe wedding 
a bouquet was brought her from her grooms¬ 
man. As she turned it. round, enjoying its 
fragrance and admiring the exquisite ar¬ 
rangement of the the snowdrops, rosebuds 
and pansies of which it was composed, it 
struck her that the snowdrops were very 
much out ot season, and that the green was 
sold, as 
• further advice Mr. Scupper was about What queries she raised, and what romances 
to depart, when Nora said, “ if lie would she wove about llie people whose odd talis- 
wait a moment, she would go with him as manic messages pasted through her hands. 
far as the Whitney’s.” She hoped to per- What ft world of joy and sorrow the bnet 
suade Eva to go with her room-hunting, but sentences revealed to her ! Not a i ay pasM a 
Eva had a headache, as a finale to last night’s without interest, and she became a most in- 
dissipiition, and could not venture out. vderate drea.ner-MUmg n. ^ ^ . ' 
Hugh offered himself as substitute, how- and talking along the magic w pcs w it pco- 
ever, and they went over to New York lo pie in all pans of the world, bomelnnes 
look at several places, of which he had ai- was a little hard to go to the office early on 
ready obtained the addresses. After two a cold, bleak morning, or when the■ »<uu k 
hours’ wearisome search they fouiul just in torrents, and espeua > c . u \ in ° 
tot" life wo»WH**l>»w »" of myi'tle—:»ot at all like ll.o cn,.YC„ ; 
littkltoartak.al.o.lM liave l<» struggle on if 
the dear mother, for whom it was sweet to 
labor, should betaken away, and sl.e prayed 
earnestly that this might not be, 
Annie brought her breakfast up to bet 
and soon after Eva’s welcome face appeared 
in the doorway. She sent Nora down to 
| satisfy Hugh that she was not ill after her 
night’s watching, and when she came back 
sl.e found Eva with her hat and cloak off 
softly tidying up the room. “ Now, Nor a, 
dear" putting her arm around her friend as 
she spoke, “you shall lie down and sleep 
awhile, and then go to the office and leave 
me as head nurse, with Annie for counsel” 
usually carry - and the thought flashed »»ff 
through her miml, “Could there be any them 
special meaning in it?” Then, after liesi- !UU 
tilling a moment, half ashamed of her own nml 11 
sentimentality, she hunted among her hooks smsin 
Providence that gave this opportunity «t 
testing myself—as well as my Iriends ami 
I ffever knew the luxury of rest till I hud 
tired myself with work.” 
Time passed swiftly on, and the wedding 
day drew near—for Hugh would not con¬ 
sent to a long engagement, ami Nora saw 
no reason for insisting on it—she needed no 
time to know him better, and her mother 
was pining under the discomforts of hoard¬ 
ing house life. Ilucn bought a house near 
the one that was being fitted up for Phil 
and Eva on their return from the South, 
and it was almost comical to see the enthu¬ 
siasm with which he devoted himselt to us 
mums wetuisuiuc owvu j. -- ? ’ , , .. . • m sue SOOKC, )uu — 
what Nora wanted—two very comfortable days of summer, but her imlo.miauic fttr ii«e r and then go to the office and lea 
rooms, at quite a reasonable price. She and energy carried her through, c 1" ' , meashcful nm-se, with Annie for counsel 
liked the looks of the landlady of the house suuded her mother, will, a great deal on > • „ y ou Gear chikl 1” exclaimed Nora, wi 
and of the street, and went home quite cully, to accompany the u utemeys to t ie , t ot * lt . urK “ what should 1 do witho 
juliibuiL Mo.tnU.iua for a few weeks, Imt Mmi knM ““ , „ w ' n , „ ol f„ r you to confl 
That evening she called the servants to stuck to her post, to the g.ea tmuss vourself here—your mother would not li 
her and paid then,, telling them that she Eva. with whom she had usually .pent the f s ,„.„.. 
wished them to look for good places, hut summer somewhere, in the bygone m PP> ’<* Afv mother suggested it and you km 
should he glad to have them remain till she 
went. Annie, her maid, entreated to l.e al¬ 
lowed to go witli her, saying she would 
gladly work for her hoard alone, but Noka 
days. Hugh, too, was surely very much 
disappointed, and astonished his mother and 
Eva l> 3 r deserting them in the bight ot the 
season " to attend to some very urgent bust- 
me as ueau nurse, , . , vr this novel “billet-doux," that she was 
.. YOU dear cl,lid ' cxcla.mvd Noka, tv , ^ ^ ^ Bl ,. ikiuK eIgM _ and 
a burst of tears, “ what should 1 do wltl.out J ny W as to be at half pnst 1 She 
you! But. it will not do lor you to confine ^ i^ ti j v to finish her toilet, and 
yourself Imre—your tnoll.ei would not v ^ ^ 0G iy just ready when Hugh drove up. 
it, I am sure.” Throwing her cloak around her, ami snatcli- 
“ My mother suggested it and you know ^ ^ preci()lI , bouquet, she 
there is nothing 1 enjoy more than mu. n g. S ^ mother’s room to kiss her 
And how are you going to get along if you ^ ™ lightly down stairs, 
bud—Thou hast stolen my and ndencet Nora ’ b ()W n plan was to 
“ Snowdrop—I am no smnmei tuenc. ceremony at the litUc church that 
“No, that you arc not, Hugh! sad she ^ landed i.cc they had moved, with 
softly; “you have been weighed in the si . . f lim i|i, s and Mr. Scud- 
balance and not found wanting!” She sat m> 0,11 )U * > to drive directly from the 
SO long musing over the sweet message ot deh phm i ,. finally 
this novel “ billet-doux," that she was church to be ili 1 1 ^ <m]y Ai{mhtr 
ttio Alnrk'R Htrikiug eight — aiul agiced upon,* • - on ,lv 
slipped into her 
how ,'eyouiF^ may good-by, and then ran lightly down stairs, 
your salaiy? I here, non . yott ^3 ^ chcekg pretliIy fl us hed-with the hurry, 
some very urgent ; gracefully, and let me 
but when he casually jest M wet. yiuu D ^ 
ItiLlUUU iMiwu, . - 
ing Hint the ceremony should he et y 
enough to allow of a lunch at her hous - _ 
fore they started on their journey. - • 
Christie had accepted the invitation « 
Hugh’s parents to he llieir guest during 
daughter’s absence, and tbe two mo -eis 
had volunteered to have the new 
perfect readiness on their reUiru - • > ’ 
with all the dignity of a two ^ 
rience of liousekeeping,promised toad 
could not take advantage of her loving ness” in the city; but when he casually J 0) / 1his BO fa,” and almost before of course . nfflike all affairs of rience of housekeeping, promised ton. ‘ 
faithfulness, though sl.e was much affected mentioned, in one of his letters, having see. knuW it 8 b e wa « tucked up and the The ceremony p. ^ expectation, valuable assistance. Hertears 
bv tbe girl’s unselfisliness. The cook, un- Nora, they understood I.is business, and n8 drawn, and even while she was still the laud. A long ^ 0 which few Poor lachrymose April put aside l.ei 
. . T.. , ■ . • , ... , .1 . XTyv„ » wntt un IpSK CUIIIUIIS nittit •*, >*• n.n.v o four fin 1*11111 WOlCtS. tO WHICH IL IV t uv/t j ill SIUHIJ 
uuiimmi'.o', - — — ’ --- - , »» rl 
by the girl’s unselfishness. The cook, un- ! Nona, they understood his “ business, ami 
grateful like the most of her clan, said, with | .smiled at. each other. Noha was no less 
•■weary rifle closed ami aliefell .Uea a few word., to » l cl, few J hN face «- 
. . * . , tp. ... Hatfnpd save the little bride, whose cUai Ttipreivasnetl 1 
dismayed at the prospect, but too proud to 
show it. 
This sudden desertion, added to the tear 
the cool twilight, she accepted these little 
attentions gratefully, wondering how she 
could have gotten through the summer 
Nora awoke, greatly much else)— then 
that her mother would grieve herself to without them. At last. Mrs. Christie re- 
death, decided Nora to move sooner than 
she had intended. So one clear, cold morn¬ 
ing Mrs. Whitney came up and took Mrs. 
Christie home with her to spend the day, 
Eva and Nora went over to receive the 
goods ut the rooms, while the faithful Annie 
turned, greatly refreshed by her sojourn in 
llie country, and relieved to find that her 
tovnt anti —, a, ll,e WflnH^r 
mutlinr more quiet sl.e — to Eva's „ K eueml" lu’ilto 
generous plan, and went off to the office 
w bere they were glad enough to see her, the 
.. ■ , TtiPie wasmnn- 
rustftll smiles to grace ^bridal Th«e 
jent so ing else remarkable about- h q 
> heard ding save that 1 loon 1 , »P l0V j >rds . “ In 
excite- of tl»u service, adding after the • . jn 
“nnrtv ..I in Itoalllt,” - ta.-jK jlS 
the country, and reiic*\eu 10 now operator having succeeded in making a 
daughter did not seem to liave suffered megg f [ f lh0 work u beady. At evening Eva 
friends, and “ society in general m «>e 
brilliantly-lighted drawing-rooms. 1 heie 
was little opportunity for talk among the 
bridal party, as a constant succession o con- 
, , , * • j im-oa ui vuv .. w- — - j 
remaining behind. home, and Nora watched a part ol 
The fall and winter passed quietly an Annie insisting on relieving her 
without any event worthy of record. L\a ° 
work already. At evening m a um... demanded their alien- the di: 
, and Nora watched a part of gnttulatoxy- t however, when the merit. 
nificance of the words to these t\\ 
To be ever active in laudable P l ” s ^ g J of 
the distinguishing characteristic 
