Margaret's Test; Or, Charity Its Own Reward.

"Ah , said Lee , "that reminds me of an odd circumstance . I received a letter the other day , recommending to my notice a pooi- famil y in Allen Street ; it was signed Charity , and very earnestly advised me to go and see them . " "And did you go ? ' asked Margaret

, quickly . " Not I ! " was tho laughing reply . " I haven't time to waste in hunting up all the destitute families in the city . I should have my hands full . " " But the famil y may be suffering from want . "

"If they are , Charity would be in better business in relieving them himself than in sending anonymous letters of advice to others . " Would Herbert Leo have laughed so merrily if he had known the effect of his

want of feeling on her whom he was most anxious to please 1 " I think , after all , " said Margaret , when Herbert had withdrawn , " that I must go and see Mrs . Green myself . If Henry Ainsworth is no more charitable than

Herbert , she will fare hard . " The ladies arrayed themselves for a walk . A few minutes brought them to the residence of the poor widow of whom they were in search .

To their surprise they found , on beinc admitted , that a cheerful fire was glowing in the stove , while a pleasant smell ol dinner filled the apartment . On a table by the side of the widow were some medicines . The hearth was brushed up , and the room , though scantily furnished , presented a neat and comfortable appearance .

Margaret looked around in surprise . "I was led to believe , " said she , "that you were hi great want . " "So we were , " eaid Mrs . Green ; "but , thanks to the generosity of a noble young gentleman , who stepped forward to our

relief , we are no longer so . " " Indeed , who has thus befriended you 1 " " His name is Ainsworth , lie sent for a doe ! or for me , and at his own cost purchased fo'd ami coals ; so that , by the blessing of inl I ope soon to recover my healthand

, then all will go right once more . " After a little more conveisation . Margaret and her cousin withdrew , leaving with Mrs . Green some money for her present necessities .

Margaret's Test; Or, Charity Its Own Reward.

That evening Herbert Lee offered his hand to Margaret Bailey , and , to his surprise , no less than his discomfiture , was rcjerted . A week afterwards Henry Ainsworth made his appearance . Ho seemed unusually

thoughtful . "A penny for your thoughts , " said Margaret , gaily . Ho looked at her earnestly a moment , and then replied : —

" I will indeed tell you the subject of my thoughts , and ask you to forgive mo afterwards . It is , I know , an act of presumption for a poor clerk to speak of love —of marriage to a wealthy heiress , but I cannot keep it secret longer—I love you ,

Margaret , with truth and sincerity . Do you pardon me 1 " "No , " said Margaret , promptly , "for you have said nothing that requires it . And if you indeed think me worthy of taking , you may have me and welcome . " " Do I hear aright ? " was the delighted reply . " How have I deserved such good fortune ?"

" Listen , and I will tell you . I had resolved never to marry one unless I was convinced that he was charitable . Last week you received an anonymous letter recommending a poor family to your charitable notice . I find you have visited them and relieved their necessities . I feel that I can

safely trust my happiness in your hands , since you have so nobly stood the test . " "Truly , " said Henry Ainsworth , as his eyes lighted up with gratitude , " charity is its own exceeding great reward . "

Is The Pope A Freemason?

IS THE POPE A FREEMASON ?

BY THE EDITOR . Much attention has been given lately , for many reasons , to this question , both by our Order and the press , not at all unnaturally we think , though the answer

be not so easy to give as some of our good brethren maybe hastily disposed to think . It cannot be replied to , for instance , off hand or without some authority , as that is only to repeat the old random and mistaken system of Masonic