Mattie:—A Stray (Vol 3 of 3)

and they in the humble ranks of life knew nothing of his whereabouts. From Paris his father had received a letter t

urice wrote; "you who are ever indulgent will excuse this flitting, which I will account for on my re

gh he shook his head over his son's eccentricity, after the receipt of the incomprehensible epistle. "Another of those little weaknesses to which Maurice had been subject," thought the indulgent father; "

pt his curiosity to himself, and did not even mention to Mattie the advice which he had bestowed upon his cousin. He knew how the matter had ended well enough; Maurice was in earnest, and would beat down all doubts of his better nature developing itself at

ee to act. He was not happy in his freedom; his heart was growing heavier than ever, but he kept that fact back f

of speech to his lips, a laugh with him-the old rich, hearty laugh-was not a very rare occurrence; he believed himself resigne

words, signs, sighs-he was only biding his time to speak. But he remained in doubt; it was difficult to probe to the depths; he was a bli

mistaken; he had no power to make any one happy; his confession might dissolve the partnership between Mr.

is old straightforward way one evening when Mattie wa

nt to bespeak your sole at

was the reply. "Shall

not mind, f

re,

time beginning,

business-you'r

he work it throws in my way. But don't you fi

Next to my daughter, do yo

ave you ever thoug

rprised tone, that was somewhat feign

if she'll

tly together-it was coming true at la

e echoed, again. "Well,

blind fellow like me? Is it qui

see where the objection is, exactly, Sidney. You're not like most blind men, dulled by your affliction-and Mattie is very

Sidney, a little peevishly. "If she could not love me, a

er, young frien

not refuse y

dearest, best of girls. I," laying his hand on Sidney's

iet way of entering upon the subject. But Mr. Gray was of a quiet, unworldly sort himself, and took Sidney's love for

ows thoroughly your character. It's an unequal match, remembering all the bye-gones, perhaps-but you are not likely to

er!-good

u need-and what a true comforter she will be to you. We Grays are of an origin lo

a b

dvantages of having possessed a forefather who came over with the Conqueror. William the Norman brought over a terr

y lau

at light before. What an a

affected, Sidney. Have you

hing

the crabbed, disputatious loc

good friend to me, and will kee

young man. I'll go

velation had disturbed his work; he would try a little silent praying to himself-a selfish prayer he felt it was, and t

s face, and Sidney was wrapt in thoughts of the change that

t awhile. We may as well end th

ehind the counter with his stock, said

s at Camberwell. The father holding aloof