"A reiy proper znicded yonng woman,' observed Mr. Perry, Benior, resuming hie newspaper. ' " Exhibits just the spirit I should have ex peotod from her," said the mother. ! "lam agreeably surprised," was the re imark of the elderldaugtater. I "Whatever is to become of her?" ex .claimed the second. " She'll sell all the jjewellery, of course. Those lovely pearls I'" l " Poor Laura," murmured Ellen, the youngest, with tears in her eyes. l' " She's a deuced fine girl," observed Mr. (Arthur Perry rising from the table, " and I'm awfully cut up, you known. It isn't the .money and all that, of course — but the .eoandal of the old fellow's affairs— couldn't ibe thought of. I'll go and write an answer fit once." 1 And he did so. Laura, when she read it, Jtarst into a fit of hysterical laughter. But jebe was well pleased. She had feared that jahe bad misread Mr. Arthur Perry, and that jthe gentleman mi^ht indeed love her as he jhad bo often protested— in which case she f'ould have been bound to her engage lenfc. J' I've not felt happy sinca poor Jaok'and I iquarrelled," she muttered — "But I feel bo now. Oh, Jack, Jack, if only you were here, jyou would fly to comfort and proteot me. I j wonder if ho has forgotten me?" Bhe jmuaed, "dear, old, honest, manly Jack." ' It will fee seen thai troub'o had Wio r {tpci. ia this cbtfe, ol restoring Mies HouMy-ns tnind to its natural healthy tone. She realised, with a full sense (o her vanity and {oily bow much bdg had lost by driving Jack Bransoombe from her side, and no lees, how .much Bhe had gained by losing Mr. Arthur ferry's distinguished alliance. And thus it jifl ever. Adversity is a harsh, but truthful .monitor, opening cur eyes to the delusions, jfchams, mockeries and selfishness which in j>ur times of prosperity we are so apt to ,Bhsrish as truths and virtues due to our own -personal merits.
