The Blotting Pad.

she would suddenly wake , and rebuke herself for such follyhow could she be so mad to entertain such an idea—he was so far above her in every way . Poor Harry was much in the same plight as Lucy . He would

not hazard the risk of a refusal , so , although he longed to speak , remained silent . So matters went on for a month or more , very unsatisfactory indeed for both , when a trivial circumstance led to a discovery of great importance .

How lightly people generally speak of trivial things , forgetting the well-known saying " that great events from little causes rise . " This is exemplified in our every-day life over and over again . Events of great moment often owe their fulfilment to very insignificant reasons .

It chanced one afternoon that Mr . Hastings had occasion to go to Miss Ashford ' s room . He noticed that she was in the act of putting a piece of paper ou the blotting pad . On perceiving Mr . Hastings enter , she hastily , in some confusion ,

removed the paper , folded it up , aud put it in her bosom . ^ A vivid blush overspread her face ; it quickly faded , and then she became ashy pale . She rose hurriedly , and quitted the room , without waiting to receive any orders from Mr . Hastings .

Harry thought this a strange proceeding ; she had never acted in such a manner before . Curiosity prompted him to turn to the blotting pad , where the paper had been just impressed by Lucy . He detached it , held it up to tho light , antl then saw , on the reverse side , Harry Hastings—Lucy Hastings —written conjoined together .

Here , indeed , was a delightful discovery ; he need no longer have any fear that his suit would be rejected ; it was very evident that his wishes and those of Lucy wero not in

opposition . Poor girl , she had been indulging in one of her day-dreams , and , in an idle moment , had thus expressed , in black and white , her thoughts and aspirations , little dreaming that her innocent secret would be discovered .

As for Harry , he was overjoyed that his hopes would be likely to be realised . He Avent to his room to think out the plan of action he should pursue . Lucy returned in about a quarter of an hour , perfectly recovered from her agitation , and was soon busily engaged in her accustomed duties .

She had been thus occupied for about an hour , when she heard the bell which summoned her to Mr . Hastings' room . She arose and went thither . "Oil ! Miss Ashford , I wish to speak to you on an important matter , " said Mr . Hastings . " I have mado up my mind you should no longer be in my service . "

" Oh ! Mr . Hastings , " said poor Lucy , terrified , " what have I done ? How could I have offended you that you should come to such a cruel decision ? " She could say no more ; sho was deeply affected . Harry , who had intended to carry out his little joke at

poor Lucy's expense , under feigned threat of dismissal , had a tender heart . He was deeply touched at her distress , aud would no longer make sport of her feelings . He said " Miss Ashford , you are no longer in my service ; nay , do not start ;

but I will be in yours , Lucy . Lot me call you so , dear . I have long loved you , but silly fellow that 1 was , 1 had not the courage to seek the avowal of your love . But I know my passion is returned ; you will not say nay , for here is tho proof that you

The Blotting Pad.

will not refuse to share my name , and become my true and loving wife . " So saying , ho showed her the sheet of blotting paper where she had revealed thc secret of her love .

" Come" now , Lucy dear , what have you to say ? Can you deny this ? " said Harry , triumphantly . "Oh ! Mr . Hastings . " " Stop , Lucy , no longer Mr . Hastings , but Harry . "

" Well , Harry , dear , you have discovered my secret , which I thought was known to myself alone . I have long loved you for your patient kindness and generosity . How I could help ityou have forgotten that the kind teacher has not only taught his pupil business , but something dearer—much dearer—to her

—the love of a noble and honourable man . But I have a confession to make—I bear a name which is not my own , I changed it for one which had been disgraced . I am not worthy of you . "

" Spare yourself the pain of saying more ; I know all the sad details , " said Harry . " You have been a good daughter , a kind sister , and you shall now be my loved and honoured wife . Yfon have changed your name once , you shall now change it again , be assured , dear , for a better . Come to my arms , Lucy , and let me seal my betrothal kiss on your own sweet lips . "

How could Lucy resist such eloquent pleading ? She obeyed the dictates of her heart , and gladly resigned herself to his embrace .

And now there is little more to say . About six months afterwards a young , happy follow , named Harry Hastings , led a fair , young , blushing bride , whom we havo previously known as Lucy Ashford , to the altar .

The sun shone brightly on the wedded pair . We leave to the imaginations of our readers the festivities on that occasion , simply saying that Mr . and Mrs . Harry Hastings went off for their honeymoon amid the cheers and congratulations of the townspeople of Everston .

Occurrences Of The Year.

Occurrences of the Year .

FKOM 1 ST DKCU . MIIKH , 188 !) , TO 30 ni NOVKMUEII , 1900 . DECEMHEK , 1899 . 1 . —Visitation by Hro . the lion . James Hozier , M . I * ., M . W . G . M . of Scotlanel , to Edinburgh Lodge ( Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . 1 . * J . —Funeral of liro . J . Vf . Perry , P . M ., V . ' A ., No . IHO . ¦ I . —Annual Meeting , at Oxford , eif the I ' rov . Grand Mark Lodge of Berks and

Oxon . 5 . —( Quarterly Communication , of . Mark Grand Lotlge—Grant of 100 guineas to thc Din' * !/ TW fu ni jili Widows' and Orphans' Fund—Bvo . John Diniselnlo nominated for the ollice of Grand Treasurer for 1900-1 . Consecration , hy Comp . K . Lctesliwortli , F . S . A ., Grantl Scribe E ., of the Mi-quill Chapter , No . 1071 ; Comp . \ V . 11 . Colo lirst M . K . Z .

li . —Quarterly Communication of tho United Grand Lodge ; Grant of 1000 guineas to ( he Mansion Ifouse War Flint !; Lodges that havo joined the Grand Lodge of New Zealand struck oil' tho roll ; Uro . Harry Manfield nominal eel for tin : ollice of Grand Treasurer for 1900-1 . I ' l-esont . uiim portrait of liro . John Femvick , P . A . G . D . C . Kiig ., District Grand Secretary Queensland , unveiled in the Masonic Hall , lirisbane , by Hro . the lion . Aug . C . Gregory , C . M . G ., Dist . Grand Master .

Meeling of ihe Ladysmith Mark Leidge , Xti . , * i 28 , helel during tho siege . 7 , - Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; Grant of 100 guincVi . s to the War Fund . 8 . —Half-yearly Chapter of the Great Priory of tlio Order of the Temple ; Grant of 100 guineas to the Dnilij 'Vcli'qriipli Fund .,

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BRITISHORPHANASYLUM,SLOUGH. PATHOX—IlKli MAJKSTY THK QUKKN . SUPPORTEDBYVOLUNTARYCONTRIBUTIONS. Ksfablished in 18 : 27 for the Maintenance nnd Kdnciition of Orphan Cliildren from all parts of the British Empire , of nil Denominations whose parents were once in prosperous circumstances . Hoys ami Girls are admitted hy Kleclion , Presentation , anil in some eases b y Purchase , between the ages of 7 and 12 , and are retained until la . A "ood general education and . sound reli g ious training is g iven in both Schools . The Institution is unendowed , and the Directors EARNESTLY APPEAL for increased support to enable them to carry on the good work now being effected by this old established National Charity . __ .. Ofiices . —( 52 , BISHoPSCATK STRKKT WITHIN , K . C . ( 'HAULMS T . HOSKINS , Secretanj . Bankers : — MKSSU * . WILLIAMS UK AC ON , ami MAXClLKSTKlt et SALRHtl ) BANK , Limited , 20 , Birehin Lane , K . C . ANNUAL SI ' IIS'THITION : —For One Vote , 10 s . ( id . ; ( or Two Votes , £ 1 Is . Lll-K UeiXUIeiX : —L ' ur Out : Vole , . Co . ) S . : for Two Voles . XlO * 10 s . LiKl * Pitt * sliSTATION : —JW 50 .