dark eyes grew wistful and heavy with unshed 
tears, and not a smile rested on the weary face 
from whence dimples had all disappeared. 
“Say to Mr. Howard that I am encaged this 
evening!" This from Zide Berkley to the 
wondering servant, who hardly knew whether 
she rightly understood the message. “ Yes‘m," 
roplled the girl; “ but—but ma’am, Miss ZipK, 
did you understand rightly the gentleman’s 
name, ma’am?" 
Zide shrugged her shoulders impatiently. 
“ Perfectly, Uridokt ; be kind euougli to close 
my door, and do not detain Mr. Howard longer 
than necessary.’’ 
The girl withdrew, muttering, “Sure, it's a 
wonder.it Is, when she uBed to he so glad at 
the mintion av.his natno, as onybody could see 
Hellke it's madwld 
be a very miserable little Zide, and you know it. 
When, during that afternoon, the steward 
announced a caller for Zide, the young girl, 
wakened from delicious day-dreaui3, went 
down to greet her friend with afaceso glorified 
with happy thoughts that the guest wondered 
she had never noticed before how beautiful 
Zidb Berkley was growing. Later—when t he 
door closed upon that guest’s departure—it 
was the same Zide who retraced her steps to 
the little room above, but with a face so 
changed, so miserable, that the lf.'.te caller 
would hardly have recognized her. And how 
happened the change? Only through a few 
careless words, which Zidk’s friend, in idle 
gossip, chanced to speak. “That young How¬ 
ard Is a queor fellow-, Isn't he? My brother 
saw him last, night quite late in Broadway 
walking with a poor looking girl und giving 
her, in the most lover-like manner, a spray of 
lilies. They were talking. Bon said, very 
earnestly, and Howard didn’t see him at all. 
I suppose he’s In love with the girl, and because 
she's poor is ashamed to be seen with her bv 
daylight. The girl had a young sister -I sup¬ 
pose she was—with her, and their faces, lion 
said, wero as happy as though they had both 
been Fifth avenue belles. I have met him once 
or twice; do you seo him often, Zide ?” 
And ZtDE’s answer was as calmly given as 
though her heart wero not like load in her 
bosom:—“Oil, once in awhile I sea him. He 
has called here, and i have met him out. So 
you think he is engaged and yet ashamed of 
his love, do you ?” 
“ Well,” was the reply, “ I've heard he was, or 
would he sown, but at any rate he is a queer 
fellow and nobody knows much about him. 
Are you going to the matinee to-morrow?" 
And the conversation drifted into another 
channel, while meantime Zide’s efforts to bo- 
tray nothing of her true feelings wore almost 
too much for her strength, and she was only 
too glad when the visitor departed. So now we 
find her locked in her room, suffering to the 
core of her proud littlo heart, but resolutely 
determined to keep her secret safe. 
That evening, contrary to Zide's expectation, 
Author Howard did not call, and Zide was 
spared the pain of refusing to see him, while 
bis absence yet Beemed to strengthen her be¬ 
lief in what had been told concerning him. 
Her face—thanks to pride—was as bright and 
merry a face, after a night of sleeplessness, as 
one would wish to see; but only when others 
were present did the dimples play hido and 
seek with smiles, and the voice ring out in 
snatches of song as usual. When alone the 
AT TWILIGHT 
BY EBEN E. REXrORD 
The twilight wraps the world in- 
Tke twilight still and gray— 
And all the cares of daytime 
It shuts from me away. 
I cannot hear the murmur 
Of restlessness and pain, 
That thrills toy »cml with sorrow 
And longings always vain. 
I only feel the quiet 
That wraps the world about 
And know all din and riot 
The twilight shutteth out. 
Your love, oh little darling. 
Is like a twilight spell; 
It hrlngeth peace to sooth o mo 
In rest unspeakable. 
It wrappeth all about mo 
Its teDder, lov ing arms, 
And I am safe from evil 
And all the world’s alarms. 
With work-day cares forgotten 
And you so near, so near, 
I only this remember— 
That you and love are here. 
wid ’alf an eye, to be sure 
him she Is, bekaae he hasn't bin here fur the 
likes of three days or so, Bodad, it's sorry fur 
him I am.” 
All this thought Bridget while slowly de¬ 
scending the stairs, und at last she reached the 
parlor door. Mr. and Mrs. Berkley had gone 
out, and Arthur HOWARD—alone in the room 
—came eagerly forward, thinking, as the door 
pushed slowly open, that ZruB was entering. 
Only Bridget's honest face appeared, however, 
and the message was delivered. The young 
gent Ionian’s surprise at Bridget's words was 
very manifest, and thinking to comfort him tho 
girl added—“ It's very busy she is, and afthor 
not being well at all tho day.” 
“Here, my good woman,” said tho visitor, 
“take this card to your mistress; there is some 
mistake, I guess." 
Very willingly the girl retraced her steps and 
Arthur How ard heard her knock timidly at 
ZirjK'rt door. A moment, then there was no 
mistaking the clear, distinct tones which bade 
BRIDGE#* repeat her first message, "Tell Mr. 
Howard that I am engaged this evening!" 
There was uo need for Bridget to bring him 
the message this time, for before /.tor. could 
Close her door he had left the house, crimson 
with mortification and annoyance. 
Days passed. Young Howard made two 
more attempts toaee Zi dr Bunk ley, but failed 
each time, and at last ceased to trouble her. 
Mrs. Berkley, much puzzled, questioned her 
daughter, and received the following reply, 
which put an end to further questioning — 
“Mamma, I fear your daughter is fickle, but at 
any rate she lias changed her opinion of Mr. 
Howard, and willuot, be bored with, bin visits." 
Mr. Berkley ventured to make inquiry con¬ 
cerning tho absence of the visitor who used to 
be so welcome at his house, and Zide only 
Ous “running down" before her visit, de¬ 
clared there was “nothing like change of air 
when one got bilious." and proceeded to try 
the same remedy for her portly self; so Zide 
and papa kept house together. 
“01 Zide Berkley, aru'fc you going to join 
the Flower Mission?" “0! yes; its just 
splendid! You ought to Join, Zide!” Thus 
exclaimed two of ZlPB’8 friends, one morning, 
meeting the young lady in the street, their 
hands laden with boxes in which tiny boquets 
were resting, destined to carry cheer and com¬ 
fort to many a sad heart. 
“The Flower Mission?" oohoed Zide, “ Why, 
yes ; fve heard about it. They are doing some¬ 
thing of tho kind in Boston, and l was think¬ 
ing the other day what fun it, would bo to join 
tho society here. But isn't it awfully trouble¬ 
some, girls?" 
“Tho Idea, Zide Berkley!" exclaimed one 
of her companions. “Why, what if it Is? Just 
think how much good wo are doing. If you 
could only see t he fanes of some poor souls 
brighten when we leave tho fragrant blossoms 
in their hands you would not mind fatigue." 
“All right,, thon," Zrnn said. I’ll join you, 
girls; when shall I meet [you next time, and 
where? 
The time and place wore arranged and the 
friends separated. 
So Zide Joined the Flower Mission and 
patiently went the round appointed to 
her share of the noble charity—dispens¬ 
ing with lavish hands the gifts which 
God's abundance has caused to bloom 
for everybody, rich or poor. Tired hearts 
grew light and refreshed. Lonely heart« 
were comforted with the memories 
& brought to mind by the fragrance of 
sweet rn.-os, which seemed to whisper 
l/fir.:-. ,J f dear, far-away homes. Languid eyes 
rgr' 1 grew bright in admiration of tho rich 
iC'5 beauty which bloomed and blossomed 
gfov' before them. Blessings followed the fair 
rtfe i young girl as she moved from door to 
door, basket on her arm, and sweet flow- 
A «rs In her hands. AndZiDE’s heart began 
M'O to feel at peace again for the first time 
V since, so many woeksago, she bade pride 
i/Y A turn out of that heart all feelings save 
that which she considered a just scorn 
tM-'z? for a man she had never even seen or 
spoken to since. 
£>*•' “ What can I do for you, my poor wo- 
a, man?” asked Zide, pityingly, ofone who 
ryfiy lay dying of consumption. The withered 
\ jjfo I hands dropped the (lowers Zide a few 
if ®k mom6nts previous had placed in their 
Wjfc/j clasp, and the woman answered feebly : 
“Oh! Mias, if you would read a bit out 
PSoA av the blessed book! Sorra a one has 
|£\ read to me since my darter left for the 
countbry with the leddy she lias gone to 
sew for, ma’am; and little Ellen, sure, 
is not able to read a word, ma’am, for 
it’s no schooling she’s had, do ye see?” 
“ But do you have no attention, my 
poor woman, at all, except when some 
^y J of the flower committee oauio in ?” 
*!»• “Onc’t in a while, Miss, but Ellen 
takes care av mo all she can, and a gin- 
V. tlernau used to come and read to me; 
^ but he’s not been for this many a day, 
^ and I s’pose it ain’t likely a3 he’d re- 
£=/ member the Ukes o’ me long!’’ 
Zide laid her hand upon the Bible, 
§ which was the only book the wretched 
' room contained. “Do you read this?” 
she inquired, somewhat surprised. 
“ Well, Miss.” was the reply, “the giu- 
tlemaii used to read it to me, and I liked 
__ it after a bit, tho’ there do be parts av it 
as puzzle a poor crayther now and thin, 
Miss. Wudyeea let mo hoar a little of 
it now, if yees plaze, ma’am And Zide 
y, seated herself upon a low stool beside 
thebed and turned the pages of the Book 
which could not fail to give comfort to 
?' the poor iuvalid. 
if But as she read iu low, soothing tones 
something slipped from tho leaves of the 
Bible and rested upon her lap. Only a 
withered spray of lilies, which had been 
carefully pressed for weeks between the 
pages of that book, and evidently pre¬ 
served by the old woman's daughter or 
herself as a cherished memento. Zide 
ZIDE BERKLEY: 
And What the “ Flower-Mission ” Did for Her, 
Zide Berkley stood before the mirror in 
her own little apartment, dreamily brushing 
the waves or her brown hair, while her thoughts 
were upon a scene which occurred the previous 
night upon her own doorstep. .Somebody had 
been spending the evening with her, just as he 
had spent many an evening before, and when 
they parted ho begged for a cluster of Lilies of 
1 he Valley which had nestled amongst her dark 
braids all the evening. She gave them at once, 
nod with her own hands fastened the delicate 
spray within his button hole. Then two pairs 
of eves met for only an Instant, but Zide nad 
read a secret in that moment which sank away 
down into her happy heart and made her little 
hands tremble so that she could hardly fasten 
the flowers firmly. No word was spoken, how¬ 
ever, save the low-toned “good night, and 
then, while AimiURHowARD hastened through 
the dark streets, Zide Berkley went up into 
her room and cried Horn sheer happiness. 1 o- 
morrow night he will come again and 
toil me sornethinu —I know ho will I” she 
murmured ere hereyes closed in sleep, 
and In her dreams she wished- fur even¬ 
ing came and the secret was fold in ver> 
truth. But with the morning’s dawn 
tho dream vanished the way of all 
dreams, and Zide arose with rosy cheeks 
and happy heart to wait patiently 
through the day until with the twilight 
hour somebody would. In all probabil¬ 
ity, come to her again. And now, al¬ 
though the breakfast bell lias long since 
rung, Zide is only half ready, while slow- I 
ly the brush posses ovci a wealth of bon- 
ny brown hair, which many a belle, with 
more pretensions to beauty than our 
heroine could boast of, might envy. “If 
he should come to-night and tell me of ^ 
the love I saw iu his eyes lust night, , ^ 
what shall 1 answer? ‘ she tlnuks, with 
a soft blush. “Ah! be will guess how ' * 
all my heart haa gone out to meet his, c? 
without words of mine to assure him of / 
the fact;” and so, with these thoughts 4 
In her mind, no wonder that papa and a 
mamma down stairs, grew i m patient and ^ 
ordered Biudget to ring the bell for the 
third time, “Loudly, so that Mlsa Zida ^ 
would be sure to hear.” _jp 
And at last the young dreamer did hear Vy 
and heed its sum mons. The bright tress- \» 
es were speedily arranged, and presently 4~| 
a trim ltgure entered the dining-room {rt 
and a pair of sweet lips gave papa a kiss 
and a smile before which his frown dis- M 
appeared like the morning mist. '- 1 
“Did young Howard stay rather late 
last evening, my daughter?" asked Mr. 
Berkley, passing his cup for its third 
or fourth filling. “ Cau’t have you kept 
msffjL 
