A Rift In The Clouds

Uodej'a Lady's Bcok. "Marian, deav, how is tho morniDg, fair or cloudyP" inquired Ethel Ray, urning on the invalicl couch, where she lay day as well as night. Marian swept the scant curtain from tho narrow window of their poor room. "Dark and cloudy," she replied, the cold dreariness of the riew day striking a chili to her sensitive, heavily burdened hoart. A tired, hopeless look swept over her delicate, noble face, leaving a slight droop at tho corners of her moulh, a shadow in her eyes. Ethel saw the chango of expression, and for a moment hor own faco grow loss cheerfull and bright. "Never mind; there will be a rift in the clouds by and by," she said, with a renewed hopo. "I am glad jou havo such f&ith, pet," said Marian, still looking out on the streel, A poor beggar crept feebly alone, his rags Üuttered in the bitter wind, and ia pity for a lot sadder than her own the girl lost somo of 'aer discontent. Shu turned from the windew with a brighter expression and put on her hat and cloak to start out on that weary round of music lessons which were their support. "I am sorry to leavo you all day, Ethel, but it will be lato beforo I can get through." "Do not fret about me, Marian, Mrs. O'Malley will come in and give my lunch and a fresh glass of water, and I have thia beautiful laco to mend for Miss Constantine, and that magazine vou brought mo yesterday to read. Öh, I shall bo fnlly occupied until jou return." "Well, well, il is comfortable to have so bravo and busy a little sistor at home. I think of it of ten when I am out, and it gives me courage," said Marian, bending over tho couch with tender, misty eyes. The crippled girl clasped the slender hand caressing Eer hair and drcw it down against her palo cheek. "Am í a help tb you, Marian? Ob, tbat thonght makes mo happy! I lie here such a helples?, useless creature; sometimos I havo leared that 1 was only a burden to you." Never think. that Bgain, dear ono - If it wero not for you " Sho broke off, and stooping, kissed the sweet, pale face resting on the pillow, but when she would havo moved away, Ethel held her a moment longer. "Marian, darliDg, do not loso your faith and hope. There will be clear sunshine after awhile, and all the dark clouds will vanish." "I will try to think so," she replied, with a smile - a smile that vanished the moment sho left her sister's presence, and memory began to bring up one by one tho ovents of the two years iustpassed. The girls had been left orphans at an oarly age, but with property suflicient to supply all tbey could ever nood, not only of necnssities, but even luxuries Their guardián ontrolled and managed tho monoy, and they liyed in his house under tho care of his good hearted maiden sister. Ethel had always been lam and delicate, but Marian wei f out into the world, seoing and enjoying its beauties and pleasureg. Walking swiftly along to giye her first music leson, she drew a sharp breath of anguish, as memory too faithfully recalled all the glory and happiness of a threo months' tour in Europo, with a party of friends, just bofore the downfall of fortune. A tbe very outset tbey met Mark Keiler, handsome; traveled, and to the young girl ft very king among men. Ho joined tho party, and singled her out as tho object of his attentions. The routes they traveled he had been over beforo. and he could roint out all that was beautiful or intereating. It was a golden season, and tho girl's heart surronderod in spite of womanly pride and reluctance. But she had no cause to feol shatne or to believo her loro unsought for. Une mellow, moonlit night in an old Ilalian garden he stretched out his hand to her with suddon, passionato words of love, and so eloquently did he plead for the sweet gift of all her future life, she could not withhold tho promise'to bo his wife. "You shall never regret it. You shall be happy," he cried with a lover's confidence. "I am happy now," she whispered flushed and shy, but radiant. They wandered long among the flowers, teeling that heaven lay about them; bat tho noxt morning the girl roceived bad news from home. She only made out cloarly that hor presence was needed and with but ono regretful sigh for ihe bright dreams she had cherishod, sho begao prepartions for the long journey. Kei' trearnestly requested the privilege of accompanying her, but she gently refused, He must go on with their friends, and if she neoded him sbo could writo for him to como "I shall come on in a few weeks whether you send for me or not. We must finish this interrupted tour together, Marian." Sho returned homo to find their guardián doad and their fortune goce, swept away in some ill-advised speculation. The maicdn lady sought a home with relatives, and Marian Ray found herself amoag the yrorld's workër3, and with a helpless invalid to tako care of. Helpless, did I say? Nay, she was the only hope and comfort of poor Marian's heart, for her handsome, wealthy lover carne not, and the letter she wrote to him explaining their reverses of fortunes remainodunanswered. She tried to think of him with con tempt, to hold the lovo that failed in the nour of her bitterost need as valuole3s, Lul shó only succeeded in torinenting her own faitbful, loving hoart, which, in spite of pride and roason, clung tothat shcrt, aweet romaneo with a hold death alone could break. All day ehe walked from houso to house through tho bitter cold, while the clouds hung dull and heavy over the city; but when day 's work onded, she startod home in the evening, a strip oí blue had appeared overhead. She lifted her eyes to it, and saw the clouds part wider and wider, until the littlo rif t had beconie a broad bright spaco across the heavens. "J)ear Ethol! Sho would rcjoise in thatand cali it a happy omen, but Ican not," she thought, with a tender smilo that endecl in a sigh. lt was dark when she reached home, and hurrying eagerly upstairs sho pushod open the door, anxious to be with hor sister as soon as possiblo. They were careful with fuol, with evervthing; necessity forced them to study economy, and Marian expected to iind the room in darkness, only a scanty handful of coals in the grato. Sho cntered to Iind a glowing lire and the table set with danties, whilo the little teakettlo stoamefi morrily on the hearth. rt i W " But, Marian, ho did not. got your letter, and he could not come when he intended, for a hurt rocoived among the Alps kept him a prisoner for several weeks, and then ho had to search and had just found us," said Ethel, half raising horsolf up, tho crimson firelight giviDg ovon her palo faco a roseate tint. Marian's face changed and hor eyes mutely questioned hor lovor's " It is aJl true. Could you bohovo I loved you so lightlyP" he murmured; and this time she did not shrink back whon ho approached, but gave him tho welcome he craved . "'Tisthe rift in tho cloudá. Hope said it would come, and I had faith to beliove, thank God." EtJiel feil softly back among her pillows, her delicate hands ciasped, her eyos radiant.