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“ Most beautiful," she returned, astonishe? at ioe artist's his way with his bands. Paolo only halted when he reached manner, and the enthusiasm with which he ded to his own the summit of the house. He then placed a key in a door, a creation.

blaze of light was seen, and he disappeared, locking the door “I am honored by your approval," said Paolo, laying down behind him. his palette, and folding his a:... , to gaze at the picture-a The other stood irresolute, but only for a moment. The Cupid and Psyche-with acrual rapture.

house was built round a square court, like a well; there was a It was the face of the woman, of the girl, timidly impassioned terraced roof. Gliding noiselessly along, the stranger was in and tender, fi! :g tny around with beauty, that had struck the open air ; moving along like a midnight thief, he gained a Clorinda - wit, golden hair, that waved and shone in the sun-position whence the windows of the rooms entered by Paolo with a white, small, but exquisitely shaped forehead ; with were distinctly visible. A heavy sigh from the stranger, who deep blue eyes, fixed with admiring love on the tormenting sank behind a kind of pillar, revealed the countess. The sigh god; with cheeks on which lay so softly the bloom of health was caused by the astounding discovery she now made. The that it seemed ready to sade before the breath from the painting ; | room into which she was looking wis brilliantly lighted up and with a mouth and chin moulded on some perfect Grecian | beautifully furnished, wbile beyond-for Clorinda could see as statue : sbe thought she had never seen anything so divine. plainly as if she has been in it-was a small bed-room, and

"Ab," she said, with a sigh, “ you painters are dreadful near the bed sat an old woman, who was preparing to bring in enemies of woman. Who would look at reality after gazing on a child to Paolo. Just withdrawing herself from his embrace this glorious ideal?"'

was a beautiful young girl, simply and elegantly dressed the “It is reality," replied the painter. "I paint from memory.” original of the Pysche which Clorinda had so much admired.

“Impossible !" she said. “You must have combined the Now she understood all; that look, which she had thought the beauty of fifty girls in that exquisite creation.

consciousness of his own beautiful creation, was for the beloved “No," replied the artist, gravely; "that face exists—I saw original. The child, a beauti'ol boy nearly a year old, was brought it in the mountains of Sicily. I have often painted it before-to kim to kiss. Now all his savageness was gone ; now he stood never so successfully.”

no longer the artist, the creator, the genius of art, but the man. “I would give the world to gaze on the original,” said Clo- He smiled, he patted the babe upon the cheek, he let it clutch rinda. “I adore a beautiful woman. It is God's greatest work his fingers with its little hands, he laughed outright, a rich, of art."

happy laugh ; and then, turning to the enraptured mother, “It is, signora," said Paolo; and he turned away to his embraced her once more, and drew her to a table near the work.

opened window. Women born in the climate of Italy, under her deep blue sky, “What progress to-day ?”' asked the painter, gaily. and in that air that breathes of poetry, painting, music, and “See," replied the young mother, banding him a copy-book, love, are not guided by the same impulses and feelings as in our and speaking in the somewhat harsh dialect of a Sicilian colder and more practical north. Clorinda did not wait for peasant.girl; “I think, at last, I can write a page pretty well." Paolo's admiration. She loved him, and every day added to “Excellent," said the painter, smiling. “My Eleanora is a her passion, His undoubted genius, his intellectual brow, his pretty little fairy ; a prettier handwriting you will not see. I noble features and mien, had awakened her long pent-up and need give no more lessons." sleeping affections. She was herself a woman of superior mind “But the reading," said the young girl, speaking like a timid and had revelled in the delights of Petrarch, Dante, Ariosto scholar ; “I shall never please you in that.” and Boccaccio. Now she felt, how deeply she alone knew. But “You always please me,” said Paolo; "but you must get itd the artist remained obstinately insensible to all her charms, to of your accent. her friendship and her condescending tone, as well as to her “I will try,” said Eleanora, earnestly; and taking up a book intellect and beauty. He saw all, save her love, and admired she began to read with much of the imperfection of a young and respected her. But there was, at all events at present, no school-girl, but so eagerly, so prettily, and with snch an evident germ of rising passion in his heart.

desire to please, that, as she concluded her lessun, the artist It was not long before Clorinda began to remark Paolo's early clasped her warmly to his bosom, and cried, with love in his departure from the palace, his mysterious way of going, and the eyes and in his tone, “My wife, how I adore you !" fact that he never returned until the next day at early dawn, . which always now saw him at his labors. The idea at once One Summer morning a young man with a knapsack on his flashed across ber mind that he had found in Venice some per-back, a pair of pistols in 'his belt, a staff to assist him in climb son on whom to lavish the riches of his affection, and that being the bills and mountains, and in crossing the torrents, was went every evening to plead his passion at her feet. Jealousy standing on the brow of a hill overlooking a small but beautitook possession of her. She spent a whole night in reflection; ful plain. It was half meadow, half pasture-land; here trees, she turned over in her mind every supposition ; and she rose there a winding stream, little hillocks, green and grassy plots; feverish and ill. That day, pleading illness, she remained in begond, a loʻty mountain, on which hung a sombre-tinted pipe her room, shut up with her books.

forest, the whole illumined by the joyous sun of Sicily, which About an hour after dark, Paolo, his hat drawn over bis eyes, flooded all nature, and spread, as it were, a violet and golden his cloak wrapped round him, and his mask on, stepped into a veil over her. gondola which awaited him, and started. Another boat lay on After gazing nearly half an hour at the landscape, the young the opposite side of the canal, with curtains closely drawn. man moved slowly down a winding path that led to the river Scarcely had the artist's gondola been set in motion than the side. Suddenly he heard the tinkling of sheep-bells, the barkother followed. Paolo, wbo had never, since his arrival in ing of dogs, and he looked around to see whence the sound Venice, been watched or followed, paid no attention to it. The came. In a small corner of pasture land, at no great distance two gondolas then moved on, side by side, and that bearing from the stream, he saw the flock, and, seated beneath the Paolo stopped as usual, allowing the artist to land, and con- shadow of a huge tree, a young girl. He advanced at once totioued on its way. Another figure, also wrapped in a cloak, wards her, not being sure of his way. She was a young girl of masked, and with a bat and plumes, leaped out from the other sixteen, the same delicate and exquisite creation which bad so gondola, and, creeping close agaiost the wall, followed him. struck Clorinda on the canvass, and in the girret at Venice. The stranger seemed, by his gazing at the dirty walls and low The eye of the artist was delighted, the heart of the man was shops-hiefly old clothes, ray-shops, and warebouses devoted filled with emotion. He spoke to her; she answered timidly to small trades-very much surprised, but, for fear of losing but sweetly. He forgot his intended question ; he alluded to the track of the other, followed closely. Suddenly the artist the beautiful country, to the delight of dwelling in such a land, disappeared. The other moved rapidly forward in time to ob- to the pleasures of her calm and placid existence ; he asked if serve that he had entered a dark alley, abd was ascending he could obtain a room in that neighborhood in which to reside with heavy step a gloomy and winding staircase. The stranger while he took a series of sketches. followed cautiously, stepping in time with Paolo, and feeling The girl listened with attention and interest for nearly balf

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an hour, during which he was using his pencil. She then re- baw, with secret impatience, the many defects which still explied that her father would gladly offer him a shelter in their isted in his beloved idol ; he felt the restraint of confining small house, if he could be satisfied with very humble lodging her always within a suite of rooms; he longed to give her air and very humble fare. The young man accepted the offer with and space, but he dreaded her being seen by powerful and many thanks, and then showed her his sketch-book.

unscrupulous men; he dreaded ridicule for her peasant origin “Holy Virgin !" she cried, as she recognized herself.

and imperfect education. Hence the defects in his character. “You are pleased," said the artist, smiling.

It was on the afternoon of the next day, when Paolo, who Ob, 'tis beautiful!" she said ; "how can you do that with had been giving some finishing touches to the Psyche, was aba pencil ? Come quick and show it to father."

sorbed in its contemplation. He held the brush in his band, The young man followed hír, as she slowly drove her sheep and stood back a little way, examining it with attention. along, and soon found himself within sight of a small house " It is beautiful! The Countess Clorinda was right," he exwith a garden, which she announced as her father's. She had claimed. the drawing in her hand, looking at it with delight. Unable “Not nearly so beautiful as the original," said a voice behind to restrain her feelings, she ran forward, and, entering the him. house, disappeared.

“Great heaven !" cried Paolo, turning round, pale and The artist smiled as he picked up the crook of the impetuous fiercely; but he started back in silent amazement. There was young shepherdess, and, aided by the faithful dog, began driv-Eleanora, blushing, trembling, timid, hanging a little back, and ing home the patient animals.

leaning on the arm of the countess, who smiled a sweet, sad In about ten minutes Eleanora reappeared, accompanied by smile of triumph. her father, her brother, and sister, regular Sicilian peasants, “Be not angry, signor," she said ; " it is all my fault. You without one atom of resemblance to this extraordinary pearl excited my curiosity relative to the original of this picture. concealed from human eye in the beautiful valley of Arnola. You said it existed. I immediately connected your mysterious They were all, however, struck by the portrait, and received absences with something that might explain all. Last night I the artist with rude hospitality. He took up his residence with followed you home. I saw this beautiful creature; I underthem; he sought to please, and he succeeded.

stood the motives of her seclusion. This day I went to see her After a few days the artiet became the constant companion of early ; I forced my way in. Half by threats, balf hy coaxing, I Eleanora. They went out together-be to paint, she to look elicited the truth from her. Signor Paolo, your conduct is selafter her sheep, both to talk. He found her totally unedu- fish; to save yourself from imaginary evils you condemn this cated, ignorant of everything, unable to read or write, and angel to a prison life ; you deprive her of air and liberty, the narrow-minded as all such natures must be; but there was a

very life of a Sicilian girl; you prevent her from enjoying the foundation of sweetness, and a quickness of intellect, which manifold blessings which God intended for all; you deprive us demonstrated that circumstances alone had made her what she of the satisfaction of admiring a face so divine, and a mind se was, and Paolo loved her. He had been a fortnight at Arnola, pure. But then, you will say, she is beautiful enough to excite and he had made up his mind.

love; she is simple enough to excite a smile. Signor Paolo, One beautiful morning, soon after they had taken up their she is good enough to scorn the first word of lawless passion ; usual position, Paolo said, “Eleanora, I love you with a love she is intelligent enough to learn everything that becomes a that is of my life. I adore-[ worship you. You are the artist's lady and befits the wife of a man of genius, if you will but let ideal of loveliness ; your soul only wants culture to be as lovely her mix with the world. You are yourself miserable ; your life as your features. Will you be my wife? Will you make my is a torment. I, the friend, the confidant, the sister of this home your home, my country your country, my life your life! | innocent and good girl, declare to you that you must change I am an artist; I battle for my bread, but I am already gaining your mode of existence." riches. Speak ! will you be mine?"

“Countess, you have conquered," said Paolo, who guessed “I will,” replied the young girl, who had no conception of the truth, and intuitively felt that her generous heart would hiding her feelings of pride and joy.

find, in devotion to Eleanora, means of withdrawing her atten“ But you do not know me," said Paolo. “I am jealous and tion from her unfortunate passion. suspicious, I am proud and sensitive. You are beautiful--you

"Do with her as you please," he said. “When the Countess are lovely ; others will dispute you with me; but I would slay Clorinda, only child of my generous patron, calls my wife her those who sought you, or offered you a gift. You are a simple sister, my wife is hers for life." peasant girl; those around me might smile at your want of

The result was natural. Paolo ceased to be suspicious and town knowledge-might jeer at you for not having the accom- restless. Eleanora was universally admired; and when, ten plishments and vices of the town lalies. I should challenge the first who smiled or jeered. You must, then, it you can be years later, the artist, after finishing the paintings for the gal

lery of the Palace Bembo, took up his residence permanently in mine, and will make me happy, live apart from men, for me Venice, his wife hud become an accomplished and unaffected alone ; you must know of no existence but mine; you must lady, capable of holding her position in the elevated circles to abandon all society, all conversation with your fellow-creatures which the genius of her husband, and the friendship of the I must be your world, your life, your whole being."

Countess Clorinda, established her right to belong. The Coun“I will be what pieases you best,” said the young girl, tess remained true to her friendship all her life, delighted and gently.

bappy at being the ensurer of permanent happiness to two "The picture does not alarm you ?" he said.

loving hearts, which, under suspicion, fear, and seclusion, must " Will you always love me?'' she asked, timidly.

otherwise have been utterly wretched. “While I live, my art, my idol, my goddess, Eleanora

J. S. while I breathe, I will always love you."

“Do with me as you will," replied the gentle and lovely Eleanora. A month later they were married, her parents being proud,

THE OLD LADY OF THE OLD SCHOOL. indeed, of the elevated position wbich their daughter had attaiped. In the autumn they went to Rome, where Paolo bad Want a treat it is in these days to meet with "an old lady of prepared for his wife's mysterious existence, through bis faithful the old school"-one who is wise enough to eschew peach-blogand attached nurse. He devoted to Eleanora every moment not som silks aud gauze bonnets, and does not consult the “Book devoted to his art, and at once began her education. He of Fashions" when she requires a new dress. There is somefound her an apt and earnest scholar, and at the time of which thing truly respectable in the rich black silk gown, generally we speak Eleanora was possessed of all the mental advantages exchanged at weddings and christenings for a brown lustre ; to be derived from constant intercourse with a man of genius. there is becoming simplicity in the snowy lace cap, with the grey But Paolo, out of his home, was a changed and unhappy man. hair smoothly banded under the full bordering; and there is an He lived in constant dread of bis treasure being discovered ; he unfathomable charm about those side appendages called pockets

we do not mean those shallow modern reservoirs, that are observes, " those writers were so simple. She has also a preonly licensed to carry a laced bit of cambric and an embroidered dilection for “Whittington and his Cat," and "Little Red purse-we mean those ample developments of stitched dimity. Riding Hood." All the juveoile possessions in this depart. You will be safe to find a pincushion, a bottle of smelling-salt, ment are the gifts of grandmamma, and it is shrewdly suspected a thimble, a piece of sealing-wix, a pocket-book, filled with she sometimes bas a peep into them on her own account, without choice recipes and particular records, a pepkaife, some carra- even the excuse of little Tom's wanting to know what that way comfits and Spanish liquorice, a Chinese puzzle and an pretty yellow book is all about. English apple, with not unfrequently, a peg-top, a bag of mar- As regards dancing, she cannot bring herself to understand bles, and a balf-dressed doll—these last items being indicative “ The Lancers" or "First Set," and looks with sometbing very symptoms of grandcbildren.

like contempt on the couple walking through “L'Eté ;" but Indeed, the old lady is not seen in full character without she when the openin; bars of “Haste to the Wedding " are heard, has a tribe of girls and boys of the second generation growing and preparations for “down the middle and up again " are up round her, who induce the exhibition of her partialities and making, then do we see the old lady nodding time with her prejudices. As for the boys learning Greek and German, it is head, and betrayiag certain fidgety symptoms with her feet; all a parcel of nonsense, and might just as well be done without. and if it should happeu to be Christmas-eve, do not be astonShe strongly objects to the girls stooping over framework and ished if she suffer some favorite and audacious young friend to drawing, and is rude enough to stigmatise the first as “a lot of pull her into the rank, where we find her jigging away in a trumpery," and honors the last with some indistinct opinion, fashion that causes one to doubt whether her frequent comnot at all calculated to increase the artist's vanity.

plaints of rheumatism are quite justified. At cards she is very She does not patronise French dishes nor Italian music. She serious, and sits down to a rubber with imperturbable gravity enjoys roast beef, and has a juvenile attachment to apple-pie, and precision. Even the darling grandson stands a fair chance being rather critical as to its flavor of cloves and lemon-peel. of being “snubbed," if he dare to address her while the “odd

She insists that “Old Robin Grey,” and “ Time has not trick” is pending; and though she be of a most amiable and thinned my Bowing Hair," are far superior to any compositions forgiving disposition, she has been known to bear violent of Weber and Rossini. Should any humane Goth venture to animosity, for three months, toward the best of old gentlemen, sing “Jessie the Flower of Dunblane," or "The Bewildered because he trumped her best card. Maid," she will grow ecstatic, and peer through her spectacles The Old Lady of the Old School is generally beloved and into the face of the singer with most admiring affection, express- respected by the servants. She supplies them with infallible ing a hearty wish that the young people would practice such remedies for chapped hands and chilblains. She manages to things, instead of the fine “fal lals" that begin with a groan, bequeath a silk dress now and then, while it is as good as new; and end with a scream.

and it is strongly suspected that the smart handkerchief and The Old Lady of the Old School generally has an especial and fancy waistcoat, which the groom wears when he takes a' walk poculiar arrangement of working tools, in the shape of scissors, with the housemaid, were the gift of "old mistress." pina, needles, tapes, thread, and so forth, with which do one By dint of worrying and coaxing, her purse is considerably dared to interfere, under her severe displeasure and very active lightened of its contents by the juveniles of her family. Ed. resistance. She will graciously lend or give from her stores ; | ward has seen a splendid riding-whip, which he would fain add but the articles must be asked for, not taken ; and a vulgar to his possessions; and if grandmamma would give him ten shilsnatch at a piece of bobbin, or an unceremonious appropriation lings he could manage it. Little Tom who has set his heart of her best scissors, may be productive of considerable mental and eyes on a monstrous kite, artfully contrives to lead grandexcitement. She is ever obstinately bent on threading her mamma to the toy-shop window, and fully persuades her that needle herself, particulary by candl -light; and when she by it would be a delightfnl evening's e:nployment for to help him chance do-s allow another to perform the task for her, it is only make a tail to it. Miss Clara stops short on Ludgate Hill, on the strength of her firm conviction “ that the eyes of the being inspired with “love at first sight,” by a sweet work-box; needles in our days are made very differently to what they used and, considering she has made a marble bag and bemmed two to be."

handkerchiefs in ber lifetime, the desire for such a necessary She is a little given to etiquette, and meets strangers with a appendage is not to be wondered at. Miss Emily, who has a visible evidence of having studied the “Minuet de la Cour ;" pet spaniel, happens to see a beautiful silver collar, and divines, but if you can once get her to dilate on the acting of Mrs. Sid with the most extraordinary sagacity, that it would “just fit" dons, or to get back to the palmy time of Vauxhall, her for- Fido's neck. In short, there is no end to the demands upon mality disolves wonderfully, under the recital of a crush she the old lady's generosity ; but then it is well knowo she has a endured when she went to see “ Isabella," and the delight she handsome independence, and “if she chooses to spend it in felt in listening to Mrs. Bland's ditties, while it poured with such a way, what is it to any one ?" It is quite useless for papa rain one summer night.

or mamma to interfere. It is vain to tell her she spoils the She cannot be induced to admire railways, and strenuously children, for she only smiles a little sadly, and says, " Never declares, that people never know when to stop with their mind! my race will soon be run ; I shall not be here long to inventions and science. She thinks it very strange that the spoi: them;" and then who can breathe another word of exposworld cannot go fast enough with respectable stage coaches and tulation to the Old Lady of the Old School. eight-horse wagons, as it used to do; and on her son’s proposing to take her to Brighton by " express train," she indignantly and seriously begs him “not to talk noosense."

GREAT Water DRINKERS.—They are very wasteful of water The Old Lady of the Old School frequently appears as the in Boston. When the water works were constructed the expatroness of a venerable spaniel, or antiquated ringed tabby, p-rience of other cities was consulted, and thirty gallons per whom she protects from the violent clutches of her youngest day allowed for every man, woman and child. But in 1857 the grandson, with uniform benevolence.

The domestics may consumption had reached seventy-five gallops daily for every occasionally neglect berself, and she pardons the delioquen's inhabitant, and last year ninety gallons, at which the water unconcernedly; but if they venture to forget “Fop’s ” dinner commissioners are justly alarmed, and the people are enjoined or “Tibby's milk," a very decided reminder is now volunteered.

to reform their habits or the supply will fail. On inquiry, the dog or cat will often be found to have been the favorite or gift of her late husband, and the old lady's love for

THE PRESENT.-Look not mournfully into the past-it comes the dumb thing is a tender and natural compliment to the not back again. Wisely improve the present-it is thine. Go memory of the departed.

forth to meet the shadowy future without fear, and with a In literature, she prefers Shakspeare and Goldsmith. She manly beart. honestly declares she cannot understand much of the poetry G: 301 DOCTRINE.-Every good doctrine leaves behind it an put forth in our time, but that she can perfectly comprehend ethereal furrow really for the planting of seeds which shall “Othello” and the “Deserted Village;" " but then," as she bring an abundant harvest.

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satisfaction of finding myself and wardrobe en route for Berlie, 'A SPRING LANE.

dear, quiet Berlie. I traveled alone-having for onco over

stepped the rules and regulations of my guardian-Sorbidding WI went from the manse, gray and olden,

Louise and every one else to accompany me.
To walk in the warm, pleasant lane,
Where the light lay in passages golden,

I was very happy that day, rushing along through green
Like paths for pore soals without stain.

fields and pleasant woodlands; and, among other things, was The lark o'er the fields and the meadows

just congratulating myself upon reaching the mature age of Bore up unto heaven his hymn;

nineteen, without meeting one specimen of the genus homo The primroses lit the green shadows

whose presence could bring a flush to my cheek or a—. Just of the fir-trees so od'rous and dim.

then I raised my eyes suddenly, and gracious ! my visual organs

encountered a pair of the softest, darkest gray eyes they had The violets blossomed before us;

ever looked into. For an instant my heart stood still, then High up in the beeches so tall The small birds were singing in chorus ,

began throbbing and beating against my gipsy waist, until I The blackbird ontwhistled them all.

was fain to turn my head and hide my blushes by looking out 'Twas a scene fall of promiso and gladness,

at the car window. I was ashamed of myself. The dignified Unclouded by sorrow or fear ;

Florence Audley to be thus startled out of her habitual selfBut row I recall it with sadness,

possession, by simply meeting the gray eyes of a gentleman in For youth and love made it so dear..

& railroad car ; it was too humiliating.

“Florence," I said to myself, "you are a great goose. You

bave been and gone and fallen in love with a man at first sight. LAST JUNE.

What would your respected grandmother, aunts, uncles and

cousins say to such upseemly conduct? You must do penance BY ANNA LAURA FISH.)

by looking out of the window the rest of the afternoon."

Looking out of the window soon became irksome, and before I Last June I met my fate. Perhaps every one meets their fate was quite aware of it I was gazing intently at the owner of the at some period of their lives ; but of one thing I am positive, aforesaid eyes. I could find fault with nothing. The unknown last June marks that remarkable episode in my life.

was a model of manly beauty and elegance. A beautiful little Yuusee it happened in this wise : baving just graduated at a black straw hat, soft brown hair, just inclined to curl at the fasbionable boarding-school, and being tired of my own gor- ends, smooth forehead, fine gray eyes, a sizeable nose, neither geous home (for you must know I was an heiress and an orphan) too large or too small, sweet grave mouth, shaded by just the and desperately plagued by a swarm of fortune-hunting suitors, nicest brown moustache you ever saw; a square white chin, I finally came to the conclusion that I would visit my dear underneath a charming little cravat, English walking coat, cousin, Kate Hunstead, at her charming residence in Berlie. fashionable inexpressibles, little shiny boots with Washington Mrs. Kate was a married lady, and a charming little wife she buckles and black over-gaiters; brown kids and an ivory-topped made, too, with her smooth brown hair and sunny smiles ; and cane. There ! you have the tout ensemble of my traveling comtaking into consideration the fact of her having no "little panion complete. Although fashionably dressed, one could see ones to worry and love me to distraction, I concluded to plainly he was no fop. There was about his whole person that answer her letter of two weeks standing, and accept the kind grave, distingué air, which compelled me to acknowledge him a invitatiou therein expressed to visit her the coming month of gentleman. The rest of the afternoon I passed in a day dream, June—and to prolong my stay to an unlimited length of time. the unknown and myself figuring largely in my thoughts So calling my mad, Louise, with her assistance I soon had the Just as the sun was sinking behind the hills, I was aroused

VOL. XVII., No. 4-16

by the conductor's calling out Berlie! at the entrance, and was “ Certainly," said I, and we walked towards the house. surprised to see my fellow-traveler moving towards the dovr as That eveniog, as we were rowing about among the pond lillies, I was about to cast a farewell glance towards the seat he it suddenly came to my miod what he had said about telling me occupied ; but my consternation knew no bounds, when, after something, so I bruke a long dreamy silence, (for somehow we

a hugging cousin Kate and shaking hands with her husband, were both unusually grave) by saying abruptly, “Carl, what Jack Huostead, I espied the veritable stranger making bis way was it you promised to tell me ?" towards us, and in five minutes afterwards he was formally pre- He dropped the oars and began smoothing my hair (he had a sented to me as Jack's cousin, Mr. Whitiker. Was ever a young strange way of smoothing my bair when talking to me earnestly), lady so blessed? I could scarcely believe that I was to have I wanted to tell you, little one that I loved you, and wanted for a vis-a-vis, during the drive home, the fascinating young you for my little wife." stranger who had so taken my fancy in the cars, but such was To think that glorious man loved' me! I was so happy I the fact. After arrivin: at cousin's, Mr. Whitiker assisted me could hardly speak. But what do you think I did ? Why I to alight, and rushing upstairs into my pleasant front chamber, refused him point blanck. I was afraid he would think of me I threw myself into the first chair I came to, and was--the hap- lightly soon, so I dasbed aside my cup of happiness to gratify a piest little girl in the universe. Then came the trying ordeal miserably foolish pride. But oh! the wretched days and sleepof choosing something to wear down to tea. My trunks had less nights I passed after that. Carl treated me politely and been brought into the room, and aster tumbling them upside kindly, although he was the aggrieved party, and suffered even down to find something light and cool that suited me, I fioally more than myself. I can never forget the sad grieved lock that decided upon an India muslin, pure and white, which lay at the came into his eyes as he said, “Flora you bave made my life very bottom, of course; then putting some scarlet verbenas wretched, may God forgive you." (which I found on my table) in my hair, my toilet was complete. The day before my return home came, and with it, in the I will just tell you here that I was very pretty indeed, (excuse afternoon, a terrible thunder shower. When the storm was at me), had crimson cheeks, black eyes, dark hair that fell in a its height I started out to make a farewell visit to the lake, the “ waterfall" of curls (not false ones) at any neck, of medium scene of so much joy and misery to me. The rain splashed in height, form well rounded, small feet and hands, and possessed my face, dearly blinding me, but I did not care, the thunder of a grace which can only be acquired at a French boarding and lightning pleased me. By-and-bye the storm abated, and school. I tell you this simply to give you an inkling of the the sun came out in splendor. I sat leaning against the trunk effect my brunette face, white robe and scarlet verbenas, in con- of an old elm, sobbing bitterly, when some one touched my nection with my high spirits must have had upon Mr. W. That shoulder, and I looked into the frightened eyes of Carl. evening was a triumph ; and eleven o'clock found us still on "Great heavens! Miss Audley, where have you been, and ibe piazzı enjoying the summer moonlight. As our little party what are you doing here in the wet grass half drowned." disbanded for our respective sleepiog apartments, cousin Jack I sprang up fiercely, saying, “Why do you torment me with whispered in my ear-I

your presence? Can't you leave me alone the last day of my “If I am not very much mistaken a certain young gentle- stay ?” nan, Carl Whitiker by name, is suffering from a severe case of “Do you then bate me so much ?" and he turned and walked smite."

sadly towards the house. “For shame, Jack ! how can you use such slang phrases, and I gave way then ; I could hold out no longerHow I did how can you entertain such absurd ideas !" ejaculated I, as I love him! "Carl! Carl! I cried out, come back to me." The ran upstairs to bed.

next moment I was clasped between two loving arms. But I The next morning found mo wide awake at a very early hour, will leave the rest to the imagination of the reader ; simply listening to the birds, and thinking of-Mr. Whitiker. Even saying if you wish to see two of the happiest mortals living, then, I knew I loved him; my strong passionate nature was for you have only to visit “Whitiker Place, when my husband and once iully aroused. Toe sound of his voice, and the touch of his myself will only be too glad to welcome you this glorious Jude. hand at parting the evening before, gave me a delicious thrill I had never known before. I lay, then, for a long, long time it seemed to me, but glancing at the little clock on the mantel, I

THE FIRST GUILLOTINE. saw that 'twas only seven o'clock, so jumping out of bed hastily dressed myself, went downstairs and out through the

AFTER ruling Scotland, under favor of Elizabeth, for nearly garden to a little summer-house at the farther end, where I hade ten years, the regent, Morton, fell a victim to court faction, spent many pleasant hours during my former visits to cousin which probably could not have availed against him if he had Kate's. Upon entering I was considerably surprised to find the pot forfeited public esteem by his greed aud cruelty. It must subject of my thoughts stretched out on one of the settees have been a striking sight when that proud, stern, resolute quietly smoking. The moment he saw me he arose, and grace- face, which had frowned so many better men down, came to fully offered me a chair. I had a great mind to run away, but, speak from a scaffold, protesting innocence of the crime for thinking better of it, I fin: v'y accepted his earnest request to wbich he had been condemned, but owning sins enough 10 "come in," and for a whole bour had the exquisite pleasure of justify God for his fate. As is well known, the instrument listening to the tones of his glorious voice.

employed on the occasion was one forming a sort of prototype But everything must have an end. Three weeks had passed of the afterwards more famous guillotine, and named The away. The precious moments had dragged themselves into Maiden, of which a portraiture here presented, drawn from hours, the hours into days, and the days into weeks, and Carl the original, still preserved in Edinburgh. Woitiker and myself were still visitors at cousin Kate's, when

Morton is believed to have been the person who introduced one afternoon as I was returning from the woods laden with The Maiden into Scotland, and he is thought to have taken the flowers and mosses, Carl met me at the gate with

iden from a similar instrument which had long graced a mount “Where have ycu been, Flora? Your name is no misnomer, punishment for offences against forest law in that part of Eug

near Halifax, in Yorkshire, as the appointed means of ready for you look a very queen of flowers just now.

land. “ Thank you, Carl, I have been out in the woods with the fairies, and now allow me to ask where have you been spending your precious time this glorious afternoon."

CANDLE8.— The origin of candles is obscure. They were first “Me? Ob, I have been out on the lake. By-the-way, will used to light cathedrals and churches, and were made of wai. you give me the pleasure of your company this evening? I History records that Alfred the Great employed a graduated would have you see the effect of the moonlight on the waves, wax candle, enclosed in a lantern, as the best mode then known and besides I have something to tell you."

for ascertaining the divisions of time. Candles were not in “Bat supposing it should rain, and why can't you tell me general use for domestic purposes till towards the close of the now."

thirteenth century, when they are first noticed as being made of "I had rather reserve it until then. Will you come ?" tallow.

a