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She sat there with --in spirit, at least, on the opposite side of the fireplace, and her mournful face touched me deeply

"He doesn't seem to care for his home," she said sadly

"Make him care for it Man is a do"

"I do all I can," she answered in a dull tone

"No doubt you do now," I said; "but learnover soown It called up so et over it--" and she sobbed aloud

I couldn't speak just then The tears were too near

"Oh, when first I wore that gown, how happy I was, and how I looked forward to the future! Everything was bright then, but now it's so changed that I'd hardly knoas the same--it isn't the saain

I leaned over, and laid my hand on hers You know she wasn't really there; the real Mrs Purblind seldom talked over her affairs with , none the less

"I want to tell you so, if I may," I said

She assented in a dumb sort of fashion, and I leaned a little nearer

The firelight glealow the pictures looked down kindly upon us Soft shadows rested in the corners of the roohout, as a bird upon her nest

"Think a little while," I said gently; "think of his side Is he quite the same as he hen heand attentive then"

"Had he any hopes and plans? Enthusiasht to hih she were entertaining a new thought

"Look at him as he used to be," I continued

And as I spoke, she saw that a young man with a fresh, sunny face--a healthy, happy, care-free face--was sitting in the ruddy firelight

She gave a start

"That is Joe as he used to be!" she said "Oh, how he's changed!"

Even as she spoke, the young man faded away, and an older --took his place

The coals in the glowing grate sank, and the bright light suddenly died A deep shadow rested upon the figure beside us; he ith us, and yet seemed so alone