The Trevor Family;*

then to ask your consent , knowing as we did your feelings in regard to the Order . " Mrs . Trevor was more than surprised—she sat as one dumb . Before she could recover herself sufficientl y to speak , the Esquire continued : " It may , perhaps , reconcile 3-011 to the idea of your husband being a Mason , if I revert briefly to events that have occurred since his deathand to which I

, now refer in confidence , and in the interest of Miss Rose and yourself . When your husband died , one of the heaviest burdens on your heart was your youngest son , Ralph . He is now contented , happy , and making a useful man . " " Yes , thank God , " responded the widow . "It was , " continued the esquire , " after consulting with the Lodge members , that brother Thornbnrg consented to take Master Ralph in

charge , and in pursuance of Masonic advice he did so . Yon know the happy result . At the same meeting it was decided that your son would need some aid in the settlement of the estate , aiid in appointing me , I flatter myself thousands of dollars have been saved to you and yours . It was at the suggestion of brother Masons that Mr . Upton called upon you and advised yon not to sacrifice your village lots . What that advice was worth , yon already realise . It was after often consultation with his brothers of the

mystic tie , that Frank Glyndon took those steps which have resulted in restoring to you a very considerable property , at but trifling expense . Again I repeat , my dear Mrs . Trevor , all this has been clone , because we , as brothers , felt an interest in the family of a deceased brother , and despite your bitter feelings toward our Order , we have done our dut y by you and yours . Your husband was a Mason at the time he married you . You met him while away from your home on a visitand it was there courting was done . He knew nothing

, your of your predjudices , and discovered them only after your marriage . He loved you too devotedly to wound your feelings , aud he only visited his Lodge quietly , and , from regard to your views , never appeared in public as a member . He has told me that the time might come when he should deem it is dut y to have it made known to you that he belonged to our Order . I believe that time has now come . I am not here to defend Masonry . It needs no defence .

It lives , and will live , in your heart , and in the hearts of millions it has made happier by its beneficent work of charity and good will . It stands , and will stand , in the pillared majesty of Wisdom , Strength and Beauty . I ask yon now , " the esquire concluded , rising to depart , " in the light of the facts I have stated , whether a promise made to yourself , with mistaken notions of the scope and objects of the order , should hold good against a daughter ' s happy settlement in life ? 1 leave the subject to your reflections . Good morning . "

Mrs . Trevor was too confused to more than respond , " good morning , " and stood for several minutes in a profound study . She then returned to her household duties .

CHAPTER XL JUST one year from that memorable ni ght when she had found Frank Glyndon in the parlour , instead of Joel Crawley , Rose Trevor , more beautiful than ever , and with a sweet look of expectancy in her eyes , sat there awaiting one who

had written her a brief note that he would do himself the honour of calling that evening , if agreeable . And at the earliest possible moment to satisf y the demands of the etiquette governing calls , Frank Glyndon was ushured in . " Rose , " said he , walking up to her and taking her hand , " the year has passed and I am here for my answer . Is it' Yes , ' darling ? I have loved you too well to take 'No' !" " It is ' Yes , ' Frank , " answered Rose . " I loved you even when I tried to persuade myself I did not . "