'What a wife she would have made me! I should not be in this state if I had her to look after me. She has a kind heart-always smiling, always happy.'
'Mr. Meeker!'
The shrill voice of Arabella is heard.
Hiram groans in spirit.
'Don't you think you had better be wheeled to your room? You know I dine out to-day.'
'I prefer to sit here. Tell Williams to come to me.'
* * * * *
The shadows fall thicker and faster.
Still Hiram Meeker sits by the window.
Despite my real inclination, I have a morbid desire to linger by his side.
* * * * *
I hear the sharp ring of the prompter's bell! The curtain is about to fall. I _cannot_ stay in the gloom alone with that man!-Good by to you, Hiram!
* * * * *
I breathe again-in the cheerful streets, surrounded by bustling, earnest, sympathizing humanity.
* * * * *
Reader, what think you? WAS HE SUCCESSFUL?
APHORISMS.
NO. II.
One may effect an _absolute_insurance_against_all_real_evil_ by the adoption of a single rule, i.