TRIED.
Lisle Mercur went home early this
evening. Little Pet had said good-bye,
after dinner, with heavy eyes that fol
io wed him all the way to the bank, and
kept reminding him of some they had
once closed in death in the same house
hold. "Willie was just buried three years ago
to-morrow. The father went lightly up
the stairs, straight on his way to the
nurserj-. As he turned at the head of
the stair-case, Mrs. Mercur stepped out
of 'e di.ssing-room door into the blaze
of the hall lights, egantly arrayed for
an evening party. She paused in sur
prise ill seeing her husband home so
early. Pretty and piquant as she stood
before him, her delicate Leauty, as soft
and ethereal as the dress she wore, quite
dispelled the the stern expression on his
lips, and the reproach in his tones died
down to simple surprise, as he asked:
"Are you going out to-night, Fanny?"
- "Yes. "Why not?" she inquired, in her
fluttering, girlish way.
"Your baby, dear," the husband said,
in a sad, reproving sty e.
"Pshaw, Lisle, she's only a little un
well; and Lette wiU sit by be. She soys
ti e clii.d is fond of her, and begs of me
to go and enjoy myself. She is thought
ful of me," the young wife added, casting
a reproachful glance at the earnest face,
looking with sare, disappointed inquiry
into hers. "She says I must not shut
up b'ke a nun."
"Do you ihink your French maid cares
more for you than I do, Fanny?"
The small hands worked uneasily,
opening and "hutting her fan. She was
alwajs jost when this strong man's love
si)oke to her in this twofold, unappeala
ble way. So she ignorantly pushed aside
the steadying hand that would have
gilded her into beautiful womanhood,
and said the least bit peevishly: "Come,
Lis, don't bo always making me sol
emn. Say good-night and kiss mo and
toll me to go and be happy."
Tlo hrsbaud bent over and kissed the
red I'psheld up coaxmgly to b's, and,
encircling the slight waist fo: a moment
with his arm, said in his deep, sad way:
"Co and be happy, Fanny."
She glided down the stairs and sprang
into i e ca.f'age waiting for her at the
doQr, but could not shake off the st.-ange
feeling that her husband's manner had
inspired, until fairly launched into the
whirl of giddy enjoyment at Mrs.
Grange's. Lisle Mercur watched her
graceful, retreating figure until it went
out o s:ght. As the front door closed
after her her he turned heavily, with the
great want his beautiful wife so lightly
comprehended, and walked to the
nursery door. It stood slightly ajar. A
litfe querulous voice kept repeating.
"No, no; Pet wants Flvnn."
"Sh! sh! Lette's hore. " Lette's better
than Flynn.
Pet turned on the pillow and looked
at the fussy French girl with childish
incredulity.
"Pet wants Flynn."
Lotto was becoming annoyed at the
child's iersistcncy, and pushed back her
chair patiently.
Mr. Mercur was about to open the
doo and go in, when he heard a rustle
ai ihe foot of Pot's bed, and a pale,
weai -faced woman glided in from a
room adjoining the nursery, and stooped
over t'e restless child. Her ''js touched
the 'Ou cheek, and two fat arms went
rourd he neck, like love-chains from an
angel's heart. Pet was quiet now. She
needed no hushing. The touch of
Flynn's cool hand was always enough
for her. Lette went bustling through
the dco -at J e foot of the crib. After a
while Flynn unlocked the lingers clasped
about lie neck and holding them in her
own, . .i i.o.vu bv the beds;de and looked
at the head nested on the druty pillow.
Her white illegib"e fa e was partially
turned toward the hall doo. , where Lisle
Mercur stood with a fathers pardonable
curiosity. He a1 ways regarded his
young sister's governess as a calm, gen
tle womar. with soul enough for her
position. To-night lie caught a glimpse
of something more. That strango power
toward which childhood leaps in
stinctive1, , wa.ched. unslumberiug, self
guard ;a . .h steady gaze, thrilled in the
low sure v Iterance of her conscious
words; assorted itself in her lightest
touch. Lisle saw why his child wanted
FI3 nn. She was one of those
women who, when one once knows
them, breathe poetry to the very ele
ments, even though they shrink from
talking or singing .c. To such, it must
no; through uniry hands, all dabbing
at is freshness. So she took to this fair
chihl. anu whispered her sweet thoughts
to her. And they grew lo quietly and
naau-ily tog"ther,"that even the close
sighted jather never know of the union
until the aight when accident showod
him Pet's compauionship. And his pret
ty wife flashed back in his face the truth
th?Las.or spiritual communion he was
alone.
Pet lay so still he thought she must
be falling asleep. Then he heard her say,
softly :
"Mamma's gone, Flynn."
Flynn smiled.
"Mamma was pretty."
"Why didn't God make Flvnn pret
tier?" "God knew," Flynn said, reverently;
and the child raised her eyes as she did
in prayer. They came back brightly
again.
"Mamma wore beautiful flowers!"
"Where?" asked Flyn.
"Here." Aad the little hands went to
gether over Pet's bo3om.
"PetVFlynn's flower."
The sweet face brightened with a mis
chievous smile.
"Wear yours wheyo mamma wears
hers."
Flynn understood. She gathered the
little form up in her arms, and , -.reused
it close to her loving woman's heart.
This bud she was nurturing would open
one day into Flynn's beautiful blossom
not mamma's.
So thought papa as he walked outside
the door, while the pale governess walk
ed the nursery floor with the burden on
her breast, and at 'ast laid it down sleep
ing on the bed. Then he went back to
his room and waited for mamma. She
came home long after midnight and
slept late in the morning. When she
met her husband at dinner she said in
her clr'ldish way, quite oxultiugly, "I
knew Pet would be woll enough off.
Lette said she was quiet and slept well."
The fathe thought of weary feet going
to and fro in the nursery, and the low
11 -llahv cammed softly in jis baby's er .
'hinhing of the subtle music of this a .
man's voice, he forgot what mamma wr.i
!. ..1 O H
saying, or !hat sho was there. So 110
revelation was made.
Mrs. Mercur grew feverishly fond of
excitement and party &o"ug. Her hus
band's romouolranees were unheeded;
and at last, growing weary of her weak
accusa'ons and insinuating comparisons
of his conduct and Lette's, ho gave up
the f.ltempt of restraining her, until he
saw that her health was :..:)idly giving
way. Then he plead with her,
gently but earnestly. She laughed
at his fears, and turned to
the pleasures she was madly pursuing
with renewed eagerness. Duty urged
him to more uecided action. He led nor
to her mirror one morning afier a night
of distpaHon, and bade he confront the
sunken cheeks and glassy eyes staring
back in her face 1'ke a solemn warning.
She gazed for a moment like one trans
fixec , and the truth fastened slowly on
her unwilling consciousness. She qould
not . iar .',. S e turnod fiercely toward
him, and with a wild gesture, almost
shrieled: "Stop your idie plating. I
w"l live while I do live."
The erd of her race was reached at
last, and sho lay down to die. It was a
grim place she was verging on. The
phantoms and shadows wore all passed.
The real chasm, the gouuine g?oom, were
just outs:de. Should she go back, seek
ing a:d of the p easu re-hunters, through
this p-ace they had led her to? Ah! they
we 0 cheerless guides now.
M am dying, Lisle," she whispered.
He gathered her cold hands in his warm
ones, but ho coul not remove the chill.
"1 am dying, Lisle!" die shrieked,
piteously. He bowed his head over her
pillow till his 1'os touched her damp fore
head, but they xiad no comfort for her
here.
"Help me, husband!"
Ho codld have helped her once. Ho
could on'v turn, in his deep distress.and
groan now. A quick thought flashed
through him hopefully. "Shah I call
Flynn?"
The dying eyes looked up imploringly.
She came white r id marble-liko, as she
who lr v tb "re in her agony would be
soon. Lisle could not see the hope
which ho rged to read if there were
hope of i;"e in h-s wife, tho lids lay down
so heavry on hereres.
Fanny turned to ner, with a wild plea
in every lineament of her suffering face.
"God must do that," said a firm, sus
taining voice, close in her failing ear.
"Where is He?" gasped the whitening
hps.
"Here, Fanny, closer than I can come
to 3011."
"J ? I could see Him! If I could feel
H'm! " she ced clingingly, as if reach
ing out in the 1 ark.
"C. I L in as you me. Ask him to
help 3o 1 as you ask me. He loves better
than Fanny. He can go further than
I. to is right here. Can't 3-011 see Him
can t 3oa feel Him said the low voice
in tones I'jat thrilled ono with the con-
"oasness ol an invisible presence
x'ho look of terror went from the
r astly face, and the fa'nt shadow of a
'coming smile paused on the itying lips
that Oj y 1 ..d breath to sav:
"Y e-s."
Sho was gone where they could do no
more for her.
Lisle Mere- left Pet with Flynn, and
went v broad. Two years passed, and ho
did not return. Then came a letter,
saying he would sail in two days moro,
in tue Solitaire.
Tow., d the close of summer, just at
twilight one evening, they two sat alone
in the window seat of the library, look
ing ; tl 3 ol lighthouse far up tho
beach on the lloclrv Point.
" !t 'ooks ugly, don't it, Flynn?"
"Yes," said Flynn, thoughtfully,
looks looelv and bare and grim in
"It
the
dayli'it; bat how was t last mght?
Pel reinera bored hov the storm raged
and the sc. roared all night, and how she
clung to Flynn, -w-'d with fear lest they
shou'd all, home, sea and winds, bo
whirled together in terriWo destruction.
Then, liniiig in through the chamber
window, gleamed that solitaiy light
from the old tower, and Fivnn said:
"Look, child, what is it like?"'
"Like a star of hope, isn't it, Flynn?"
Flvnn said: "Yes.' and hoped it
might bo such to those at sea. She did
not w ijisper the (..readful fear she had in
her heart that a vessel, homeward
bound, might go down that dismal
night. Sho smoothed the little head
that might be fatherless, and wove that
in her prayers.
Later in tho evening came a messenger
saying that the Solitaire had foundered
in the sLorni the night beforo, and it was
reliab'y reported that all on board had
perished. Almost within sight of home!
Flynu iasid learned to fear cruel tiding3.
So 30 one knew how she felt. The
servants gathored, whispering in the
hall. She went out, and bade them dis
perse, in a busky voice, until Pet was
asleep. The lamps were not lighted,
ana iney could not see her pallid face.
She took the child to her chamber and I
sat beside her untilshe was asleep. Then
she moved like a sta'tuo down the stairs
into the presence of the cowering
servants, who were waiting as if by in
stinct for her commands.
"We will have no lights to-night," she
said in a voice that thrilled through
darkness. "Let a?l retire and the house
be quiet; to-morrow will be soon
enough." There was no need to say for
what it would be soon enough, and they
went from her presence awe stricken and
oppressed with gloom. When they were
all one she went back to the window
seat :"n tho library, where she had been
sitting with Pet, and, kneeling down,
buried her face in tl 0 cushions. The
murmur of the waves bi-eaking softly on
tl e beach came in at luo open window.
Lisle Mercur sailed a -week in advance
of the Solitaire, contrary to his expecta-
t;0tl Avve:i j,e AVrote. When the news of
... . . , , . r, 1
that vessel's wreck reached his famil3' he
was already impatiently moving toward
hoire. It was still comparatively early
in i ho evening when he alighted from
the coach in front of his own house.
Surprised at finding it closed and dark,
ho went around toward the back part of
the premises, intending to arouse one of
tho .ervants. As he passed the library
window ho observed that it was open,
and, springing to the low balcony, he
was going in when something suddenly
arrested his attention. Stooping over to
examine more closely, he was startled by
the siht of a human face half buried in
the crimson cushions. Just then tho
moon came . om under a cloud and
shone full upon the object at which he
stood gazing with deep perplexity. Ho
saw now that it was x' jvnn, half kneel
ing, half reclining, as if she had fallen
asleep in tie midst of player.
He called he: softly by namo, h."' she
dfu not move. Then he spoke in a L ader
voice, r" aost roughly, but there came no
o lse. He grew alarmed. The scror
an sjook like an aspen. He raised her
. ead reverently and tenderly, and laid
it aga 1st his bosom, smoothing back tho
hair and gazing fondly- into the face he
had looked upon ignorantly unappreciat-ing-,
times without number. How pre
cious it ssemed to him tl en, as he
groaned aloud: "Great God ! I have
come back for this?" He thought sho
was dead that a now and deeper desola
tion than ho ha 1 yet known was upon
him.
Ah he gazed the nostrils slowly dilated,
the 'ain lips parted, and t'jose dark nrys
terious e3'cs opened full on his. The sea
b ;v: ?, the m.1 inur of the waves, were
rc uane '. j ho : (he moonlight cor
in: r. e op . window, all this was
nr a!, but this fa e with its passionate
energy, this brea'oi; against whicn she was
held so tighthy w.iat did ' mean? She
would see what it meant; so sho made a
strong effort, and sat upilght. S.'e had
passed throng a a great agony, and she
hp .l dreamed a short, sweet droam. It
was over now, aid sho must go back to
her self-sustenance. In a moment of
miitiial silence she called up her old
habit of calmness, and said as firmly as
her weakness would permit her to :
" Wo feared v-ou were drowned."
"I knew jon would, and hurriod
home on that account."
"The servants are horror-stricken, but,
thank heaven, Pet is spared what I
feared sho must know soon."
"Fty-nn" the pale face turned so that
(he moonlight would not strike it so
'. oa.'lv "did any one else grieve for
ire?"
She trembled visibly, and tried to say
something verging close on propriety.
"Sparo me this, Flynn," he said, plead
ing. "Coa?e down from this distance
at which 1 hare viewed you, and tell mo
at once what ask."
"How .ar won hi 3-011 have me come?"
she asked, v '.th a quiet significance that
he understood at once.
'Not bevond the borders of female
delicacy. I forgot in the intensity of
the moment that I had not met you there
with a broad avowal of n' love
love such as men seldom give to a
woman, Flynn."
She looked a him as if to comprehend
his meaning, and said, musingly: "I
hnve wandered so long I am lost now."
"Come home, Hyiin, ho said, reaching
out his arms to her. "Lay your head
where it 'ay helpless- a moment since.
Trust me. To mine."
Her head droijped where it was to rest
hence orth.
"Tell me why vou knelt here like one
dead?"
"For you," she said, shivering. "I
thought Arou we -e dead."
"Then" vou love me?"
"Oh, Lisle!"' the fervor of her words
thrilled through h'.s so.il.
"How ong has this been, Flynn?"
"Since I came hero as your sister's
governess.'
He started suddenly.
"Peforo Fanny?"
"Yes," said a voice, tinged with long
borne sorrow.
"F.xin, Flynn, yon have suffered!"
She' smiled a smile borne of deep soul
struggles.
"lthas not been in vain." The mask
was all off now. Lisle Mercur saw the
loviag, purified character shining
through the face he held to his lips.
"Yon shall suffer no more alone,
darling."
llouse-Cleamug. Mrs. J. D. S.
writes: UI find washing soda better
than ammonia or soap for cleaning
house. It should be kepi air tight
Avhen not in use. I keep mino in a
self-sealing jar. A littlo of it is a
great help on dirty paint and oil
cloths. I think, too, there is less
danger of the paint being left
'streaked' if one begins at the bottom
of doors and windows rather
than
at, the top."
A LUCKY BIB.
What tho deuce ails mo ? Where am
I, au3'how? Wherever am, springs and
mattresses must be scarce, for I know I
am laid out on some mighty hard sub
stance. Wonder if I'm cead ? I feel
mi. like it. Maybe I am stretched
out icady for the doctors to carve me.
T ' were my first thoughts, very
ch( . ' ' idec.7, as I became conscious.
I co-Mil ne'iher soeak, nor move; but I
soon 'earned that I could hear.
A door opened, footsteps approached.
I felt a cloth removed from 013- face, and
a voice, which I recognized as that of my
intended father-la-law, said:
"He hasn't changed much." and his
companion, whose voice I recognized as
fcr bv's, the undertaker, said lightly :
" tico's is just where .vou are mis-
ta! 0.1. Mr. Muffins; he looks
sight better dead than alive,
does IViscilla feel about it?
a cussed
but how
Take on
much, eh?"
"Oh! no just enough to appear well,"
said the father of my alliancod, with a
chuckle. "Sho never cared much for
Smith; 'twas his stamps that she fancied.
My P'iscilla is a practical girl and-wort
in for his dimes, his carriage and greys.
aitiiomrii a
ii i
the same time 1 inrsc o.vn
auu ww juuui-y uu uiuu-puicu xuuaiu,
the artist, but re's poor as Job's turkey,
as the saying is
"Well, she can have him now for all
this poor cuss, t ..n't she?'' said Sowerby
beating a lattoo with his digits on ncrv
chest.
"I presume so, but she will wait till
the year is up, for fear of gossip, you
know."
"Bat who gets his money, seeing tho
poo: cuss has no relations?" queried the
undertaker.
"Oh! that's all right. You see, my
Pilsciila is a sensible girl. Before sho
p omised i.) many him she had him
make Ips wUl in lier favor. Poor Smith
was rather sappy, you know; had noth
ing against him, however, although ho
was dencedl3' Lomely, and such a barn
door of a moi'wi, always open."
"Weil, said the cheerful voice of the
unde.aker, "his mouth is shut tight
enough now, I reckon; he'll never open
it in this wor'd again. I reckon his im
mortal part is now with the angels."
And my mortal L . is also with the
angels, thought I a fine pair of angels!
I felt indignant at their clumsv ridicule.
I tried to shut n'v fist, but the devil a
s Hit was to it. I could do nothing but !
listen. He then beKan to measure mo i
foiir- collin. I had heard that under
take whistled joyfully wl on they got a
measure. I believed it to be only a joke
ou tho craft; but Soerby actually struck
up the air "Pull I)own the Blinds," in a
subdued trilling whistle while he meas
ured mo.
"A nobbv casket and 100 hacks, eh,
Mr. Muifins? Must make a big thing of
it. The cuss leit lots 01 monev. anil re
member he was to be 3-our Priscilla's
husband. Must have a splurge, Mr.
Muffins," said the worthy undertake3',
with an 030 to his own pocket,
"Well. I don't mind if the coffin is a
little nobby looking; but 100 hacks!
The deuce! Just send one or two for the
mourners, and the rest who come to
attend the xuneral can furnish their
own xigs or hoof it, whichever suits
them.'"
The3' covered 103 face again and left
me to mv own reflections. I had often
heard ;t remarked that meditation was
good t.e soul, and this was the best
chance I ever had of trying it.
An hoar must have passed and the
door was again opened, and two persons
eame. v ,'ispcring along, to where I lay,
aril . :e voice o: ni3' promised wife fell
ou in v ear.
' ..read to look at him, Mr. Howard;
he was so homely when living, he must
bo 1 ig j. 11 wl'ei: dead."
I groiiud my teel'a in rage as I remem
bered how often she had gone into rap
tuies, or pretended to. over my noble
brow and expressive mouth, and would
sol coin l.y declare that if I were taken
from .le'-she wodhl ent2r a convent, take
theb' io .veil andnoger more behold the
sun. One of them raised tho cloth, I knew
thoy we-e looking at me. Howard was
the V..ap . je was spoone3' on, whom her
fat'-er nad mentioned.
"Seems to me you don't feel very bad
aboafc his dying, Miss Muffins," exclaim
ed I o.vard. deliberately.
"Well, to tell the truth," said my be
trothed don't ca'0 very much about
it. Jf ie mid lived t suppose I should
have mar. 'ed him, b "ause ho was rich;
hul '- was getting :iout sick of my bar
gain, foj I know I should always be
ashamed o'' him."
"But vo.i loved him," remarked
Howard.
"No, I didn't ! My affections were
wasted long ago on one who never re
turned mv love." And mv fast-fading
idol sighed heavily. They jad now cov
ered my face again, and were standing
within a few feet of where I lay.
"About how long ago, Miss Muffins? '
asked Howard. .
"Oh, about a year or so, with an-
othe '""h .
"Aboat the time I went away?" inter
rupted tho cautious Howard, coughing a
little. , ,, ... .,
"Well, yes, about that length of timo,
assonted my dear affianced.
"Now, Miss - Mu-Muf-Mufhns you
oh' you don't meant to iusmuato that I
I-I,oh1 oh! oh! too much bliss am the
luckv "
"I don't mean to insinuate anything,
Mr. Howard;" and tho angelic sweetness
of her voice became somewhat metallic.
Now. see heie Pris-Fris-cilla oh!
let mo caU vou by that melodious namo.
See here! I r ays loved you, not for
your bcautv, Cod knows, but for your
artlessnessf 'pon my soul I did, and
would have proposed to you only I heard
you were engaged to the chap that is
stretched f-here." .
"Oh! Mr. Howard!" said Mrs. Smitk
that v. a to bo, giving a little squeal.
"Don't Mr. Howard me. if you re
turn my affection you must call me by
somopet names. Call me Harry call
me Loey but for Heaven's sake don't
Mr. Howa-u me, my own Priscilla!" said
Howard, :!i a quivering vbice. Then I
heard a movement of feet, accompanied
by a loud lip explosion. Moses! how
mVd I got! I tried to kick or grate my
teol'a, but the devil a kick o- g.-ate could
I raise. I v. as obliged to gr. J and bear
it. Bear it I had to; but grin I oouldn't.
Soon mv comuanv left, and I was
again entertained by my own pleasant
thoughts, until I aWn felt the cloth
gently removed from my face. A softr
warm p Am was .id on my forehead, and
the low, sweet voice ol Minnie Kivers
w. 'spered well, no matter what.
unit came so diu the neighbors-to
U13- wake; and from iwo od crones who
sat near me I learned lo my horror
that I was lo be buried next day.
"Of con ? tie you are coming to the fu
neral to-morrow, Mrs. Frizzlobaum i
said one of them.
"Oh! dear, yes, surely. I hope it may
, tlj0 V iQ o the cemetery.'
j thon conSeiousne!
consciousness, and the next
I heard were the ating voices of Pris
cilla, my fiancee, and hoi mother. Ap-paieit-
they wore brushing, dusting
and giving the room a general slicking
up before tho fureral.
"Is Howard to be ono of the pall-bearers?"
asked tho vo'ce of my mother-in-law
that might have been.
"He would be, gladly, but he hasn't a
suit o'i black clothes," said my sweetest.
"Why, Priscilla! my child, don't you
remembev Smith's black broadcloth; the
suit is brand aew. I kno- it will fit
Howard. Call him in he's sitting in the
kitchen and let him try them on."
Now, this black su't was a particular
favorite ol mine, a perfect fit, that set my
person off to & eat advantage, and it
made 1113 blood boil to hear them talk so
coolh- of transferring it to mv rival, to
be worn at my funeral. I was getting
very mad now. I felt the crisis was near
and that I should either die or explode
if thev meddled with mv black suit.
Priscilla iook it down from the peg I
knew it, for I heard the buckles ingle
and made for the door. I tried to shake
my fi -t, and yell at her, but all in vain,
and there I Jay, outwardly calm as a
lamb, m- inwards boiling with wrath. It
was too m;ich! The deepest trance could
not have held out against that suit; with
a power, al effort I sin-ung up and
howled. Priscilla dropped my clothes,
her mother tho duster, and both
hounded out of the 100m squealing like
shot rabb'.ts. With a-iliculty I managed
to get ni3' clothes on, and had just got
iusja0 my pants when Mrs. Muffins and
het daujer, headed b3 the undei taker,
peered in at tho door; a motley company
of women and smutty-faced children
stood in their rear. Such scared-looking
wis; enough to amuse a dead man. So
T 1 1. .l Tl t 1
I x luuyutti. Lt ttua uut vcijr uecuiuiii ,
out I laughed peal after p-'al tj.'I my
sides began to ache. Then the tinder
taker ventured near me, sa3'in,, rather
dubious:
"So 3'ou are not dead 3'et, Mr.
Smith?"
"Well, no, not exactl.y; sony to dis
appoint my "friends about the funeral,
however.''
"Yos," he assented absentlyf "bad,
rather thrt is ahem!"
Fooled out of the dimes, carriage ind
greys, my gal, thought I, as I looked at
Priscilla.
"C4o sjeak with him," said her father,
in an uuderloTc; "act 3-our art well."
Tiie now began to gather around me
and to congratulate me on nn- narrow es
cape. I noticed the - cried a great deal
more than when I was dead. Priscilla
came and hung on my neck, sniveling
desperate. I gave her a not over-gentle
pvish from me, and tohi her to wait
next iime tilt I was safely buried before
she mechod w'l-h ni3r clciaes.
"Oh! Iam so g'ad!" she said, sweetly,
without appearing to notice what I said
about my clothes, "that you are not
dead, dear. My heai t seemed withered
and broken to see 3-011 l3ing so cold and
while. I wept bitterly over your poor,
angelic face. 103- darling."
"Oh, 3es, yoa (I'd. I heard you and
Howard take 0.1 a,n fur'o.is rate. It was
a very lucks- C e "o me, my ducky."
"Con hi 3011 hea. she gasped
".1 rather think I con'd,"! replied.
"So good -by, my noble girl; 3-011 can
have the pleasure of calling Howard all
tho pel; names 3'ou can lay 3-011 tongue
to." She made a bee-lino for the open
door, and her pull-back was tho last I
ever saw of her. Howard never married
her, and I hear she s.:ll lives a life of
single blessedness. As I am writing this
piece a quiet little figure ideals to my
side, and a sofi, while hand, which sends
a thrill o' pleasare to my heart, is laid
lovingly on my shoulder ; yes, the hand
of Minnie Rivers, now Minnie Smith,
m3- wife.
Mouth Disinfectant. A lady asks us
to name some harmless mouth disinfec
tant. It is not u good sign to have a
mouth that needs disinfecting. There
must be some fiult with the stomach, or
liver, or bowels. The first-1 emedy should
be ) regulate the diet and other habits,
so that the functions of excretion shall
be perfectly established. Then if tho
mouth requires clensing with anything
more than pure soft water, a harmless
lozenge may bo made by rubbing 21
grains each of permaganate of potash
and hyporoxydalo of barium into a mass
with sugar and glycerine, and dividing
it into U parts. A very ill-smeiling
mouth will be thoroughly disinfected by
it3 occasional use. Herald of Health.