Half an hour after-to so long a space extended her "presently" — Edna Kenderdine crept down stairs, and then crept on, still quietly, into her sister's arms. "Kiss me, Letty! There are only us two." In a few words-strangely few it seemed, and as if the whole thing were quite natural and known beforehand-Edna told her happy secret, and the sisters embraced one another and wept together, the harmless tears that women are sure to shed, and are not women at all if they do not shed, on these occasions. expected to make; but then you are different -I mean your ideas of things are much humbler than mine. Didn't somebody once say you had quite a genius for poverty?" "He said it," and Edna hung her head, blushing; then lifted it up with a bright, proud, peaceful smile-"Yes, he said it one day on the shore. He knew me even then, and understood me, thank God." And there came before her a vision of her life to come-not an easy one; not that of a woman who slips into marriage to "better herAt first Letty was considerably surprised- self," as servants say—to attain ease, and luxperhaps a little more than surprised-but she ury, and position, and all the benefits which had the good taste and good feeling not to say "a good marriage" is supposed to confer. overmuch on this head, and not to refer, even Hers would be a life in which every energy in the most passing way, to certain remarks of would be tested, every power put to useher own during the last two days, which must which would exact unlimited patience, selfhave been, to say the least, rather annoying to denial, courage, strength; the life, in short, of remember. But if Letty was a little disappoint- a woman who does not care to be a man's toy ed and humiliated-and it was scarcely in hu- and ornament, but desires rather to be his helpman nature that she should not be-after hav-meet-supplying all he needs, as he supplies all ing so confidently placed herself and Dr. Sted-she needs, teaching her through the necessities man in the position of the Irish ballad couplet: of every day how to fulfill the perfect law of love-self-sacrifice. "Did ye ever hear of Captain Baxter, Whom Miss Biddy refused afore he axed her ?" her vanity was too innocent, and her nature | too easy, to bear offense long. After the first surprise was over, her congratulations were given with sufficient warmth and sincerity. "Well, Edna dear, you know I always liked him, and I dare say I shall find him a very good brother-in-law; and really it will be rather convenient to have a man in the family. But to think that after all the offers I have had, you should be the first to get married, or any how engaged. Who would ever have expected such a thing!" "Who would indeed!" said Edna in all simplicity, and with a sense almost of contrition for the fact. "Well, never mind!" answered Letty, consolingly; "I am sure I hope you will be very happy; and as for me”—she paused and sighed -"I should not wonder if I were left an old maid after all, in spite of my appearance." Which catastrophe, so dolefully prognosticated, would have awakened a smile yesterday; but to-day Edna could not smile. Though her joy was only an hour old, it was so intense, so perfect, that it seemed to absorb the whole of life, as if she knew not how she had ever lived without it. Thinking of her sister who had it not-who did not even comprehend what it was -she felt so sorry that she could have wept over her. own. Edna knew she should have a hard life. Though Dr. Stedman was still tolerably ignorant about their circumstances, he had taken good care to inform her every thing about his She was well aware that he was poorproud also-perhaps on account of the poverty. She guessed, with her quick-sighted love, that his temper was not the sweetest in the world— though she could find excuses for that. she believed in him-she honored him, for she had never seen any thing in him that was not worthy of honor; and, last little fact of all, which included all the rest, she loved him. But Letty shook her head pathetically. "Ah! if there is one thing more than another which I should object to, it is a long engagement. It wears a girl to death, and cuts off all her chances elsewhere. And suppose in the mean time she should receive a better offer?" Edna dropped her sister's hand. "Letty, we had better talk no more. If we talked to everlasting I could never make you understand." She spoke sharply, almost angrily; and then, seeing no anger, only mild amazement on Let But Letty's next words dispelled this tender ty's beautiful face, she repented. With the regret. 66 Still, Edna, if I were you, I would not be in any hurry to give the young man his answer. And in the mean time we will make some inquiries as to what sort of a practice he has-whether he is likely to be in a position to marry soon-and so on. Certainly it is by no means so good a match as I myself should have yearning that every woman must have at this crisis in her life, to fall on some other woman's neck and ask for a little love-a little sympathy on the new strange path she had just enteredshe turned back again to her sister, who kissed her once more. you always did; and had your own way, too, in every thing-I'll tell him so, and frighten him." Edna smiled.. "And what does he say to you? Do show me your love-letter-I always showed you all mine!" But this was a different thing quite. Edna closed her little hand fiercely over it-her one possession, foretaste of her infinite wealth to come. It was hers-all her own, and the whole world should neither pry into it, nor steal it, nor share it. "Well, never mind. You always were a queer girl," said Letty, patiently. "But at least you'll tell me when he is coming here. This is Saturday-I suppose he will want to come to tea on Sunday?" And so the misty, beautiful, wondrous dream condensed itself into a living commonplace reality. There was a note written, which consisted of the brief word "come," naming the day and hour. This was sent by their servant, who looked much astonished, and hoped nobody was ill and wanting the doctor; and then the two sisters sat down side by side, for even Letty was silent a while. At last, however, she could hold her tongue no longer, but began talking in her smoothly flowing inconsequent way. "I wonder what sort of a house he lives in, and whether it is well furnished. Of course we can't go and see-it would not be proper; but I will try and find out. And this house of ours I suppose it will have to be given up. No man would like his wife to go on keeping school. He would never let her work if he could help it in such a common way too. Ah, Edna, you are the lucky woman after all! I wish I had somebody to work for me." "Do you ?" said Edna, absently. "Oh, how nice it must be! To have nothing to do all day long, and every thing pretty about one, and perhaps a carriage to ride in and no trouble at all. Heigh-ho! I wish I were married too, though it shouldn't be to any body like Dr. Stedman. But my dear, since it is to be, and you are fond of him, and, as I have said, you are your own mistress, and must please yourself: do just tell me what you think about things. In the first place, what ought your wedding-dress to be ?" "Please don't "Hush," Edna whispered. talk any more. I can't bear it." And then she threw herself into her sister's arms, and eried passionately; half for joy, half for sorrow. So the day ended-the day of days which closed up forever one portion of the sisters' lives: a day, to Letty, scarcely different from any other, but to Edna, like that first day which marked the creation of a new world. She scarcely slept all night; still, she rose and went to church as usual. She was neither afraid nor ashamed. She knew the Great Searcher of hearts would not punish her, because in every thanksgiving was a thought of him, and every prayer was a prayer for two. She walked home with her sister through the green lane-Letty vaguely wondering what church Dr. Stedman attended-she hoped he did go to church regularly somewhere, for nothing made a man look so respectable, especially if he were a doctor. Edna had a sweet composure of mien-a gentle dignity such as had never been seen in her before; inasmuch as more than one stray acquaintance told her "how well she was looking." At which she felt so glad. But during the afternoon-the long still Sunday afternoon-with the warm jasmine-scented air creeping in through the half-closed Venetian blinds, some of her nervousness returned, her quick restless movements, her little abruptnesses of speech. She went about from room to room, but could not sit long any where. Letty watched her with a condescending interest: rather trying to bear. "It's natural, dear, quite natural. I used to feel the same myself when one of them was coming. Dear me! what a long time ago it seems since any body came to see me ! But even one's sister's lover is better than none. I hope you will settle with Dr. Stedman to come every Sunday. And he might sometimes bring his brother with him, for it will be desperately dull for me, you know. Well, I declare! Punctuality's very self! For it is just five minutes to six, and I am sure I see a gentleman striding down Love Lane. I'll run down stairs and open the door; shall I, Edna ?" Edna assented, but she could not utter a word more. She stood at her window-the window where she was fond of sitting, and had sat so many an hour, and dreamed so many a maidendream. She watched him coming, a tall figure, strong and active, walking firmly, without pauses or hesitation, and though sometimes turning the head round to glance-Edna guessed whither! There he was, the ruler of her life, her friend, her lover, some day to be her husband. He was coming to assume his rights, to assert his sovereignty. A momentary vague terror smote her, a fear as to the unknown future, a tender regret for the peaceful, maidenly, solitary days left behind, and then her heart recognized its master and went forth to meet COMING. him; not gleefully, with timbrels and dances, but veiled and gentle, grave and meek; contented and ready to obey him, "even as Saralı obeyed Abraham, calling him lord." Edna long remembered, in years when it was a comfort to have it to remember, how exceedingly good Letty was that day; how she went down herself to welcome Dr. Stedman, and behaved to him-as he told Edna afterward-in a way so womanly, friendly, and sisterly that it took away all his awkwardness; and by the time another little light footstep was heard on the stairs he was found sitting-as quietly as if he had sat there every Sunday for years-in the great arm-chair by the window, with his face, pale indeed, but radiant with the light of happiness, the one only happiness which ever gives that look, turned toward the opening door. It opened, and Edna came in. I have said this little woman was not beautiful, not even pretty; but there was a lovesomeness about her-her neat, small, airy figure, her harmonious movements, and her dainty hands, which often grew into absolute loveliness. least would, in the eyes of any man who had the sense to love her, and prize her at her worth. Woman as she was-all woman-she 'vas "Yet a spirit too, and bright, At And something of an angel light." And as this man-this big, tall, and, it might once have been, rather rough man-looked at her, standing in the doorway in her lilac muslin dress, his whole soul came into his eyes. Though there was in him a mingled expression of dread, as if expecting that while he gazed her wings would grow, and she would fly away from him. He rose, and advanced a step forward; then he and the lilac angel shook hands-humanlyin a most commonplace fashion. After which Letty, with astonishing tact, discovered the immediate necessity of "seeing about tea," and disappeared. There are those who despise small rooms and homely furniture; to whom Love is nothing except he comes dressed in fine clothes, and inhabiting splendid drawing-rooms. Of course, under such circumstances, when Poverty enters in at the door, the said Love will surely fly out at the window. He has been far too much accustomed to think of himself and his own ease. Undeniably it is very pleasant to be rich, to inhabit handsome houses, and be dressed in elegant clothes; and there is a kind of love so purely external, selfish, and self-seeking, that it can not exist unless it has also these things. But the true love is something far far beyond. And Edna, when William Stedman took her in his arms-just herself and nothing more-in her common muslin gown, with no attractive surroundings, for the parlor was small and humble as well could be-asking her if she could love him, and if she were afraid to be a poor man's wife-Edna knew what that true love was. They sat long talking, and he told her every thing, including a little confession which perhaps every man would not have made; but this man was so conscientiously honest that he could not have been happy without making it-that his first passing fancy had been for her beautiful sister. "And I like her still-I shall always like her," added he, with an earnest simplicity that made Edna smile, and assured her more than ever of the love that was far deeper than all telling. "And-before you get anxious about it, I wish to say one thing-Letty shall never leave you, if you do not wish it, and I will always be good to her. Who could help it? She is so charming to look at-so sweet-tempered-so kindly. I like her exceedingly; but as for loving-" Edna gave one shy inquiring glance into the passionate face, then, in the strange familiarity -sacred as sweet-which one little hour had brought about between them, she laid her head upon his shoulder, saying, gently: that she took it quite naturally. Then, with a little commonplace quizzing-not ill-meant but rather inappropriate-she sat down in Edna's place to pour out tea and enjoy the distinction of entertaining "the man of the family." When the meal was ended, Dr. Stedman, in the aforesaid capacity, which he accepted in a cheery and contented manner, proposed that they should at once enter upon the question of ways and means. "Which means being married, I suppose?" laughed Letty. "Yes," he answered, with a deep blush, and then dashed at the subject abruptly and desperately. "I do not wish to wait-not a day after I get a hospital appointment which I have been long trying for, and have now a good chance of. With that and my profession we could live. And Julius, he will have enough to live upon too." "Will he live with you? Then how can I?" asked Letty, bridling up with a sudden fit of propriety. "No, not with us," was the answer, strong, decisive, almost angry. "As she knows," glancing at Edna, "there is two hundred a year which, if necessary, he can have-part or whole; but I will not have him living with me. Two men in one house would never do ;" and then he told, cursorily, the "slight difference"-so he called it-which he had had with his brother, and how he had not seen him since, Julius having gone next morning on a painting expedition. Edna looked grave, but Letty listened with considerable amusement. "And so Julius-I may say 'Julius,' as he will be my half-brotherin-law, you know--wanted to come and see us, and you prevented him? And if this quarrel had not happened you would not have written? Perhaps you would never have made up your mind to ask Edna at all?" The silly woman had hit upon something like a truth, or near enough thereto to vex the man a little. "I assure you, Miss Letty-but excuse my "I am not afraid. I know you will never explaining. Your sister knows all." love any body but me. And when at last Letty came in, after a most lengthy and benevolent rattling of the doorhandle, William Stedman went up to her and kissed her like a brother. "It is all settled, and you are to live with We never mean to part with you-except to somebody better than ourselves." us. Thus quietly, in his brief, masculine way, he cleared off the only weight on Edna's mind-in the only way in which it could be done. And as she looked up to him with grateful eyes, loving him all the dearer because of the tenderness he showed to her own flesh and blood, he inly vowed that he would never let her know how in resigning his first great happiness of a married home all to themselves, he had made a very great sacrifice. Letty thanked him, not with overmuch emotion, for she was so used to be first considered, Yes, Edna did know-all the pride-all the pain-the struggle between duty and passionthe difficulty of determining right from wrong honor from cowardliness-rashness from fearless faith. Many a man has gone through the like before his marriage-the woman neither understanding it nor pitying it—but Edna did both. She laid her little hand on his "No need to explain, I am quite satisfied." "And Julius?" persisted Letty, who was beginning to find second-hand felicity a little uninteresting. "Does he know of all this between Edna and you?" "No; but when he returns on Monday I shall tell him." "And what will he say?" "I think he will say, as a brother should'It's all right. Be happy in your own way." "But if he does not ?" said Edna, tremulously. William Stedman looked vexed. Perhaps he knew his brother better than she did, or was less accustomed than she was to think of others. "I do not contemplate any such impertinent interference on his part. But if so, it can make no difference to me. When a man of my age chooses his wife, no other man, not even his own brother, has a right to say a word. Julius had better not; I would not stand it." He spoke loudly, like a man not used to talk with or to listen to women; a man who, right or wrong, liked to have his own way. Truly he was far from perfect, this chosen of Edna's heart. Yet he had a heart too, and a conscience, and both these would have understood her momentary start-the slight shadow which troubled her happy face. But though the happiness lessened the peace remained, and the love which had created both. "I think," she said, very gently, "that Julius is too generous to make us unhappy. He may be vexed at first, having had you all his life-and only you-like Letty and me here. But perhaps he is not quite so good as my Letty." heard inquiring for the Misses Kenderdine; also, in not too gentle tones, whether Dr. Stedman was here? "It is Julius," said Letty. But what happened next is serious enough to require another chapter. CHAPTER XIII. JULIUS STEDMAN entered the parlor in a rather excited state. Not with wine - that was a temptation impossible to the pure-living, refined young artist; but his excitement was of a kind peculiar to the artistic and nervous temperament, and might easily have been mistaken for that of drink. His face was flushed, his motions abrupt, his speech unnaturally loud and fast, and as he stood shading his eyes from the sudden dazzle of the lamp-light, even his appearance spoke against him; for his dress was dusty, his long hair disorderly, and his whole exterior very far below that standard of personal elegance-nay, dandyism-which was a strong characteristic of Julius Stedman. He bowed to Letty, who was the first to advance toward him. "I am ashamed, Miss Kenderdine, of intruding at this unseemly hour; but my brother-ah, there you are! I have found you out at last;" and he darted over to the doctor's chair. "You're a pretty fellow, Will; a nice elder one, and teach him the way he should go-a good, honest, generous, candid—” And thinking of her gentle sister, and contrasting their ways with the fierce ways of these two men-lover and brother, with whom her lot was to be bound up for life-Edna trembled a little; but the next minute she despised herself for her cowardice. What was love worth if it could not bear a little pain? In the darkening twilight she loosened not, but rather strength-brother!-a proper person to lecture a younger ened, her clasp of William Stedman's hand; and as he went on talking, principally to Letty, and about common things, the size and arrangements of his house, and his means of furnishing it, his good angel might have heard that the man's voice grew softer and sweeter every minute. Already there was stealing into him that influence, mysterious as holy, which, without any assertion on their part-any parade of rights or complaints of wrong—makes all women-Christian women-if they so chose it, the queens of the world. Already the future queen had entered into her kingdom. He was still talking, being left respectfully by these inexperienced maidens to take the man's part of explaining and deciding every thing, when there came a knock to the door, so sudden and startling in that quiet Sunday evening that the little house seemed actually to reel. man. 'Probably some one for me," said Dr. Sted"I left word at home where I might be found if wanted; a doctor is always liable to be summoned, you know. It is not an easy life for him or for his household," added he, with a slightly shy and yet happy smile. "Oh," cried Letty, "I wouldn't marry a doctor upon any account, as I always said to Edna" whose conscious blush showed how completely the good advice had been thrown away. But just this minute the front-door was opened and the voice of a man, hurried and eager, was 66 "Julius!" cried Will, catching him by the arm, and speaking almost in a whisper, command yourself. You forget these ladies." "Not at all!" And there was no abatement in the shrill, furious voice. "I have the highest respect for these ladies. And out of my respect, as soon as I came home (unexpectedly, of course, like a fool that I was, to make it up with you), and found where you were gone, I came after you-I came, just to tell them the plain truth. Miss Kenderdine, this brother of mine, who comes sneaking here on the sly-" "Julius!" Not a whisper now, but thundered out in violent passion; then, controlling himself, Will added, "Julius, you are under an entire and ridiculous mistake. Either leave this house with me instantly, or sit down and listen to my explanation." "Listen!-explanation!" repeated Julins, and looked bewildered from one to the other of the three whom he had found sitting together so familiarly and happily in the pleasant little parlor. 66 Yes," said Will, laying his hand firmly and kindly on his brother's shoulder, "I will explain every thing: there is no reason now why I should not. I objected to your visiting here, because you had no right to come; and your coming was an injury to these ladies, and would have exposed them to all kinds of un |