liable person a salary of a fixed and
ample amount, which will make you independent for the time."

"But, aunt, you will laugh at me, I know, yet I do really fear that Kate
will feel this arrangement as a disappointment."

"Suppose I send her a note, stating that you have given me some
encouragement of assuming this important duty, but that you could not
think of deciding without showing a grateful deference to her wishes?"

"That will be just the thing. We shall get a reply to-morrow." With
to-morrow came the following note:--

"_My Dear Aunt Frances_:--Your favour of yesterday took us a little by
surprise, I must own I had promised myself a great deal of pleasure in
the society of our Mary; but since she is inclined (and I think it is
very noble in her) to foster with the dew of her youth the graceful but
fallen stem that lent beauty to us all, I cannot say a word to prevent
it. Indeed, it has occurred to me, since the receipt of your note, that
we shall need the room we had reserved for Mary, to accommodate little
Willie, Mr. Howard's pet nephew, who has the misfortune to be lame. His
physicians insist upon country air, and a room upon the first floor. So
tell Mary I love her a thousand times better for her self-sacrifice,
and will try to imitate it by doing all in my power for the poor little
invalid that is coming.

"With the kindest regards, I remain

"Your affectionate niece,

"KATE HOWARD."

"Are you now decided, Mary?" asked Aunt Frances, after their joint
perusal of the letter.

"Not only decided, but grateful. I have lost my fortune, it is true; but
while youth and health remain, I shall hardly feel tempted to taste the
luxuries of dependence."

TWO RIDES WITH THE DOCTOR.

JUMP in, if you would ride with the doctor. You have no time to lose,
for the patient horse, thankful for the unusual blessing which he has
enjoyed in obtaining a good night's rest, stands early at the door this
rainy morning, and the worthy doctor himself is already in his seat, and
is hastily gathering up the reins, for there have been no less than six
rings at his bell within as many minutes, and immediate attendance is
requested in several different places.

It is not exactly the day one might select for a ride, for the storm is
a regular north-easter, and your hands and feet are benumbed with the
piercing cold wind, while you are drenched with the driving rain.

But the doctor is used to all this, and, unmin