trim little figure at his side, till his own name was spoken in a low and well remembered voice. "Annie Wilmot," he said, extending his hand. "Just now and here," she answered. "This is an unexpected pleasure, though I hoped to meet you later. You seemed lost in profound thought. Not studying a sermon, of course, but perhaps a brief for some poor client." "Not that; I have just heard of your intended marriage to Mr. Fletcher, and was on my way to extend my best wishes and congratulations." "Oh, thank you, Fred; your kind wishes are a great deal to me; more than you think." "My good wishes you have always had, and, more than that, my faith in your future has never faltered. So, you see, if, as some think, our thought has a subtle influence on events that may environ another, no doubt of mine has held you back from success." "Are you a believer in this new thought?" "Not so very new-only a revival from the past. But it is quite too complicated for a street argument. I have not had time to consider it enough to decide its merits. But new ideas are usually deserving a second thought. You know the world moves. "But this is not telling me of the sweet by and by when I shall feel obliged to drop the familiar name of Annie and adopt the more conventional one of Mrs. Fletcher." "Oh, Fred, it will always be Annie." "To me it will. But the looker-on might demand more respect for the wife of Mr. Fletcher. But when the wedding?" "The day is not fixed. In about two weeks." "So soon? Much as we regret the loss of a friend, we are glad for you. You will go from the common comforts of life to wealth and splendor, yet will scarcely know it. The heart that has loved for virtue and integrity, acknowledging no other distinction, will realize very little difference. I only hope the man you have chosen is worthy." y reciprocate my compliments." Fred, good-by," and Annie was gone. en passed in an opposite direction, to his own home, ng his new horse, till he saw the rough, animated y Joe returning from his short excursion with the 'd seen hoss flesh afore," he began on meeting Fred, s, I never was snaked over the road so much like a s in the stable now, and I gin the key to your mother like my nag?" Well, I rather think I do. When a feller's born of liking for hoss flesh, how could he help loving 1 spirited critter as that of yourn. She's harnsum, , too. Then she trots so easy and fast. Jerush! like lightning. You just train her and won't she ut as much as some men. Guess I'll be round ag'in g and see you off." never rose with the lark, so, before the promised , Fred, with his newly-obtained horse, was nearing i Bradford. CHAPTER XXIII. It is most genial to a soul refined When Love can smile unblushing, unconcealed; And the heart's deep affections are unsealed; —TUPPER. CALM and beautiful was the day preceding Annie Wilmot's bridal eve. Night came on with no cloud in the horizon, while the pale moon shed her soft, benign rays on the few friends who had been invited to meet that evening in the parlor of Harry Wilmot. The room was tastefully arranged, and flowers from friends both at home and abroad bloomed in its nooks and corners on that winter night. Annie had never been pleased with ostentatious display. In the pleasures of life, or its tragedies, she had tried to feel it was the common lot and should be met with courage and little demonstration. To-night, the happiest of her life, must prove no exception. Quite unattended, leaning on the arm of Wallace Fletcher, she entered the room where the favored few awaited her coming. Her manner graceful and self-possessed, her dark, intelligent eye and face of kindly love, giving a charm to her features, vieing in beauty with the pink and white of the modern belle. Her dress was of plainest white, with no ornaments save a single diamond, gift of Mr. Fletcher, and in her hand a bunch of white roses, valued gift from the loving children of Mrs. Barlow. Then a few simple words placed in Annie's womanly crown another stonethe precious gem of wife, at the same time giving to her love and care the child of her cherished Edith. When she felt the boy's soft breath on her cheek and heard his whispered words— "You are my own mamma now and will stay with me always"she prayed that her love and patience might never fail while she sought to guide his steps to a high and noble destiny. She had often spoken to the listening boy of his mother's many virtues, to the husband of his gentle wife. There was to be no change. Without a shade of jealousy, recollections of Edith were to be encouraged and her name live on, honored by those she had once so dearly loved. Fred Allen clasped the hand of the new-made wife, and, as a brother's kiss rested on her lips, the unbidden tears told of one unremoved obstacle to her present and future happiness. The elder Allen, though an invited guest, remained sadly at home with visions of the past flitting before his fevered brain. "And yet," he mused, "I have dared think of a wedding gift for the sister," and, rising, he took a small box from the table, in which was hidden a pretty token for Annie, and locked it in the darkest corner of his desk, adding, "never, never," and turned again to his bitter thoughts. The next morning Mr. Fletcher started for their Lewiston home, not, however, till the debt on the home had been liquidated and the property given again into the hands of Mr. Wilmot, unencumbered. "Think not," said Mr. Fletcher, "this is to bring about a permanent separation in your family. Whenever you tire of Holman, or weary of work and housekeeping, my home shall be your home and my happiness be increased by administering to your comfort." "To Lewiston and back," remarked Annie, as the train whirled away from Bradford, "has been my programme for the last ten years." "Have you never been discouraged? I think I never heard you complain of more than one thing." "What was that? the Sherman family?" "Your denunciations of the Shermans could not be called grumbling. I never heard you speak of them without a positive accusation, condensed, pointed and plain. In different tones I have heard you regret your weak position and womanly creation." "Only the condition, not the character, of which I complain. I glory in the fine feelings of a true woman. Her forgetfulness of self, her quick and intuitive perceptions. Yet of what profit are there endownments if she is always to be kept within prescribed limits, even as the Turkish lady is jealously cared for within the harem of her lord." "She will transgress no civil code by taking for herself a wider and, if she please, a different field for action.” "If she would do so, scoffers and opponents would stand round and give her room. But common usage is stronger than legisla tion. "The pioneer of a great reform has no easy work. "Few know the wrong, or understand the necessity of an amendment. The popular mind is dark, the popular voice silent, or raised only in opposition and scorn. Progress is dilatory. Right is a great while in overcoming wrong. The bright examples of a few will, I trust, awaken the many of our women to measure their own strength and make it of some practical use to themselves and the world at large." "Do you think, Annie, the gifts heaven has conferred on your sex quite thrown away? The greater a woman's mental wealth the higher her moral attainments, the happier must be her home |