THE LOVELY AND THE UNLOVED.
With all his vain and superficial qualities, the young man had a kind heart. He thought of Hepsy most when she was most neglected by others. He knelt down by her where she sat, and took her thin hand in his.
"Come, you mustn't feel bad to-night," said he gently.
She was startled; her heart beat wildly, and she hastened to wipe her tears.
"Has anything unpleasant happened?" he asked.
Hepsy tried to smother her sobs, but they burst forth afresh.
"I've come for you to go and hear Father Brighthopes tell his stories," pursued Chester. "Will you come?"
She was unable to answer.
"It's the best joke of the season!" he continued, cheerfully. "Our company made the sourest faces in the world, when they learned that the old clergyman was to be within hearing. 'Oh, we couldn't have any fun,' they said. They wished him a thousand miles away. And now they have left their silly sports to listen to him."
"I was much happier out there than after you brought me in here," murmured Hepsy, in a broken voice.