“I can rob you of nothing, Eugene; no word or deed of mine can add a joy to your lot.” “The word can hardly add to the consent your looks and actions give, Mary, but speak.” “Yes, Eugene! Do with me as you will. I am not worthy, but such as I am, I am yours, since you desire it.” She smiled through her tears, as he printed his warm kiss upon her lips, and the compact was sealed. They were to be married in the spring; to no earlier time than this would she willingly consent. When he had gone, Mary wondered what the bundle of catalogues could mean; but Eugene came every day after this, and in a week the list of books for the Poppleton library was ready. Mary still applied herself with unremitting diligence to her missionary duties in connection with the chapel. John Porter preached and labored among the Protestant poor, and Father McCafferty and the Sisters of Charity among the Catholic. The keepers of grog shops complained of hard times. The reading-room was opened; the books of the library began to circulate; a course of lectures was commenced; and then the keepers of the billiard and bowling saloons began to grumble, as their patrons decreased in number. “I have it!” exclaimed Eugene, as soon as the effects of his enterprise began to be apparent. “What, Hungerford?” asked Dick, taking his cigar from his mouth. “We must have the library building three stories high.” “Is that all?” laughed Dick, who did not regard this as a very brilliant idea. “The structure will be on a side hill. We can have it two stories on the street, and three in the rear.” “No doubt we can; what are you talking about, Hungerford?” “In the lower story we will have a bowling alley and a billiard-room.” “Will you, indeed? I thought you were opposed to these institutions.” “Not to the bowling or the billiards, but to the gambling, drinking, and swearing, which always go with them. We will make these amusements decent and respectable. No drinking, no profanity, no gambling will be allowed on our premises. Young men must have amusements; let them be innocent amusements, and we may cheat the devil out of many a fine young fellow.” “What is the next story for?” “The library, the reading and conversation rooms.” “Good; but a ten-strike in the basement might disturb the politicians up stairs, or upset the lucubrations of the philosophical student, buried in the contents of the Edinburgh or North British.” “The floor can be made of brick or stone, so that the noise will not disturb the readers or the talkers. The upper story will be for the lecture-room.” Eugene was satisfied with the idea, and so was Dick Birch. Both were confident that this institution would place Poppleton one step nearer paradise. New instructions were immediately sent to the architect, who was preparing the plans.