Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 6, Number 44, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 29 April 1876 — Page 6

*ST

A PAPER

FOR THE

PEOPLE.

TWO BY TWO.

tTpsud down this gladsome world we wan dcr, Two by two KjC Its sigbta and learn Its truth* to ponder, l*wo by two Hmlling lad* and winsome hunes stand I ilto* rosy portal* band in bud. At soon a* we ean walk, Jolm takes the load To Am« Mary ever-bright abode And prattling Mary moulds, of plustlp clay, lUirepioi* lor Johnny, as they steal away,

Two by two.

t«o*fc Cltsd flie aik.onto italbreajghtgtven Two by two And afno« the flood, Love i»eoples Its own heaven,

Twobytwo

The Maudes audCuarloyscarvwTon birchen hark, lovers jttrayed within the tal|t at ill mnurfc eventide, •e#ee two mtiulo Hhadows glide 11-tale ourtain* tantalise our sight forma of sweetheart*, courting by dim wgfct,

Two by two.

-»uth and age, all seek cncliant«d Aideas, Two by .two ftiarrtage !*ws blnu willing men and maid

Mils

Two by two

Two eye* to fallings ttu-n should ere be "'nhoifld bourbUt fcwitla words and Two handsb^ glad to work another's will tVo peeplr, thus, earth's happiest race will ta' Two hearts, united thus. wlH he as one,

Not two by two.

OEA,

THE LOST WIFE.

HY BF.I.LA /. HPF.NCKR, Author of l'rled and True,'' etc.

(This intensely interest history was compeared in Tho Saturday Evening Mull, Vol. 6, No. 41—April 8,1876. Back number can be had at The Mail office, orjCtUUU-'

a»J

address for five cents a coj»y.j CHAPTER X. Uy what singular circumstances was Ciiat onc^ happy mansion tho shelter of r/.lsery, where all should hive been jov And still more singular, that ono single iolngwiih a want of-manly principle, should have dono it all. It was through Guy Bartoni that the poor governess first felt a keen sense of anguish. Through him Una had suffered for a lrlef space of time which plunged others well as herself in misery. And now through him thi were all suffering father. The Dr. found Madeline at last engaged in domestic duties, and calling tmr Into the Library impartial to her the fc o»y he hear She was wild with gri end indignant astonishment. She could I. jt credit the storv, yet her lover had jld the tale, and the recognition, lucre was too muuh proof. She remembered too, how Ora had avoided Guy on -idoiis pretexts, and bringing to miud verythlng, together with her ®wn (rancid statement of a painful past into v. hich sheoould not allow the curious to rv, she found a dark array against v&loh her confnsiti brain strove vainly t? combat. The struggle was harder hi nee it was hotwoen the two—her f. tend, aMibo had fondly called her, and I. jr lover Could she doubt him, one whom she loved aa life? Besides what d. she know of Ora to dispute her lovtruth in regard to her. She was nione, friendless, wrapped in a vail of riystery »ne could fathom. Conviction struggled hard with her We and t-nierous feelings. She thoughtcrevothing that had occurred since her ar-

l!ral

at the house, and with all tho evi Ceuce against her for her life, she could I think of the patient, quiet, self-pos-fcossed and loving woman as other tlrnn I ire, spotless, high souled. There noemed an atmosphere atsiut her elevatjin Itself. All had folt it who oven Ca

In contact with her. How could »,Le bring herself to turn coldly away au 1 cast her from her heart?"

Yot the world would hear of this, and ow for the sAko of otbors, she rememlierod what course it would pursue tovard her if she dared to harbor one on v'hom tho blighting breath of suspicion I.. taller, for her sisters sake, she l.unt cast all other

thoughts

and feel-

tugs aside, and aot the hard, cold WCuiaii «f the world—t«m a lonely woman cut Into Its mists in the storm and the vliirlpool of life with none to trustnone to aave, if the hi Hows grew too ».-rong for her woman's power to enm«l! What Wttert hitter tears fell from li.3 brown eyes •wlint agonv Stirred the r.jbla womnn heart in tbe girlish bohj.n I

The conflict grew stranger as though' worked laboriously through tho dark r.iUta. Wearied. overcome with It, she t^nk by her father's aide and wept passionately. •'Oh, papa, what c«n*« do? lean new ten bar to go I I could not t^ar »repeat this story to her! She

^°d, so true! Oh. paps, can yoti believe

'Daufllit^r, drt'Ttrht«r. Lina. darling. 1)0 more 0*lm How ran we h^lp It? Tt 1# very painful. am wilHntr to discr^lt it as you can be. fent the proof is x) strong.' have been thinking over %hat she told me of h»r«elf. and Toon* (iM that oannot hring mv mind to i^w her atorv a« ftilse. Yet the two vili not ran together wholly. RHe mav §£ve left oat the part have Jnst beard *ud related th" truth in the part she did -.veal, Yet If it be tme, I cannot hethis of ber, *r It **rw so nppmdte id the course she pursued all her young fife, I would I had the power to investigate the whole effalr «4 It would bo hot imi. And

TH,"

s^dtbetrtri while hot flush stained l- or cheeks. "I should not say so, persm, sine* my words imply a doubt of Guv's veracity." «4Madeline," said the fktbftr tenderly. •'Mr*. Meredith Is poor lonelv— if **e m*t h*r off—a fHendlees woinan. Rhehaa suffered ifoeplv.T do sural 'ieve. I have alwavsthonght that mtfrrinc erased by the wrong of others to fkcrself. Not from anv wrong she ever jid to any one. More than thin, she has tittle helpless ehlld. who will share the mother's Wight out In the world fiow, supposing dny was mh4sken. IVould tt not be more worth• In as to Investigate and prove this mistake than trinc so much •mam" and "offering on a frmely «ro«gi»n« wotnan? And ws Will wippoeis ftirthe^, mind, my AUd. I am only sopping a em!

JM Well, supposing^ I aav, Goy for some otivs, •bewtd have wronged h«r. s*eir hftr powerless this ehwrve. oukl von tx* rather know it i*nr. than iftirTfirmarriaitew!U,hitn^ ...

Atts

MAdeline's eyes looked up at him 4hr«tt*h her tears, lit utter astonish5^^

Oh. tell roe, tie voo **w*cA Gov of

truth?

ttr hidden noUw I Oo yon doaht Us K^r mer «y'« a »k t#^l roeP «Ko, Una, nor he answered verr g^ta "I itave done wrong to put such I JJK you, my child. I bardiy know,

why-1 did it, I'm sure. But for this woman 1113* lie art Hi ffctll of ptfty.* I »m jO a ndarjr how to act. uod Jelp us that we do nk hor( Utterly wrong her!"

Farther and farther down into these two noble hearts, the good Angel was working. Gradually the purest, sweetest fountains were roaohed, and flowed forth »t the touch, a divine wave of Charily that overflowed and exalted them. The maiden's heart was all aglow with It. The |lp| ftm the sentiment a t,

Father, w# inuH her out into the world yet. F^ft tis investigate the matter fully. Bid (iuy, Harry, all of our household who have heard this thing, be quiet for little time. We mupt get at the era«* truth before we dai^ to turn agaiokt O«B of Gods children, and she laboiipg #o »itb fully and bravely tffider otir vety eyes, in the very path of right. Guy Is a strong man as you say. She' a weak woman. Let me be unselfish and above all, true to my own sex. I will not turn from her and leave ber to die in shame, unloved uncared for. What might be her fate, should'she go away from us? What may we not spare her If she stays? And oh I if it xhoidd prove false, though my heart ahould break, all my lifo I should thank Qod for tho Truth.

My brave. mV noblo child! God bless you, darling Dr. Clifton's eyes brimmed till the tears fell on the bright brown hair falling over his knees, and he bent with fer.«ent, tender reverence to press a kiss on the spotless brow.

But let us follow Ora. Crushed, quivering, almost stonhed beneath the clow, she staggered t^ her room and threw herself upon her knees, helpless from the tide of anguish swoep ing over her. Pride and anger had sustained hor till beyond the sight of the trio. Now she recoiled from the blow she had received, with a low wail of intense agony. She bad encountered her deadly foe, face to faco. He was the dread'and the bane of her lifo. He held ruin for her in his cruol hands. He too, was in her power. He would interpose ber danger as a shield between them. He was a man, desperate, unprincipled. She a woman, weak and powerless. If there was war between them, might, not right would conquer. She knew that he was afraid of her, and that ho would rot hesitate at any means to put her from his path. A dark cloud was over her head. She felt the icy chill of tho stortn aire idy. Oh, when and where would it all end

A little arm stole around her nock little hot faeo stained with tears of p-is-sionate grief, was laid against her own The storm in the bosom of Agnes Montes, child though she was, was awful. "On! dear, dear Mrs. Meredith That, man has foully belied you! I could murder hiin Oh, I would laugh in joy this minute to trample his heart under my feet. He is blacker than sin. He is sin itself! They did not notice me. I heard it all, and I wanted to kill him then! I always said he was a bad man He is a terrible man! Ob, the black, black slander! If lam a little girl, I know how dreadfully he injured you. I heard bim tell Harry that you were no fit inmate for this house, and then he said you were parted fr»m your husband, and he had saved you from wan He hinted other awful things, too, and I thought my brain would burst while he stood there and talked! Harry was white as death with passion, and I felt as if I could murder him too, and that other man I Oh, I knew that Guy Bar toni would bring a curse to this house and he AIM brought it!"

All this was uttered with a passionate vehemence and rapidity beyonddescription. Ora lifted her white "faee and gazod awe stricken upon the frail author of this terrible outburst. From the child's lips her fears were eonfirmed. His first step was an efiort to blast her fair fame, and hurl her from his path by that means. The frightful falsehood had sen uttered. It would be believed. She was powerless to bring proof against it. Already shame was flowing in upon her life, and would soon overwhelm her. What mattered it "if she was innocent, if they believed ber guilty." Her punishment would be the sa?n^ What mattered it then? Ah! much to her own pure soul 1 Nothing to the world, where there was a semblance of evil.

God help me! God pity me!" she iried, and the little child eatherr.d the white face against her bosom and the two sobbed together—prayed together till darkness had shrouded all things in a common mantle.

Then Ora shook off the torpor

sfjbtnlttlitii fo4er

eut quietly, casting a wist

#that

was creeping over her, and resolutely roused herself to action She hitd fBltii Madeline's love, and perhaps the Dr. who had eves been so kind to ber, would not wholly discredit tho story he had beard from her lips in the lieglnning. s^he started up bopefu'ly, with a wild impulse to go to thorn and appoal to their sense of instiee against this wrong, but recs:led with aery when she remembered that she would be appealing to them against a son—a lover. Would not the Dr's eyes look coldlv upon ber, while Madeline's Hps wonln wreathe in soorn and anger? Oould thay believe her before him Too long, through moi\es of delicacy and feer.she had failed t« warn the gentle girl agalipt this vil lian, hearing ber story of loVe, seeim go on dsy after day, and week week in silence. Note tbey would deem it a fabrication raised up in self defense. T:ieir incredulous s«m would kill her I .She dared not go to them now! Too late she saw the fatal mistake, snd most bear the consequences of hor folly.

ng it after

Another wild whirl of psslosit feeling seised ber. She oould not bear companionship in such a painful state of inind, and calming herself with a mighty effort, she kissed ber little child fnena tenderly, fervently, ami sent ber from ber.

Qo darling," she said. "To me your sympathy is precious se life Itself, for It is all I have in my sorrow but It is wrong for me to let yon suffer so for my sake. Don't be so distressed, Aggie. God will help

where He sees

OM SO

wmnged ana friendless! Go, my pet!" "Oh, please don't send me away," begged the little creature. "It kills me to think of you all alone here, crvlmr and suffering without anybody! I dona nare what they say 1 I do love you! triii love you bolter than anything in the world! Oh. let mo star with you! «ou will feel better if you let me pot my arms around your oeck and stay by you for then you'll/erf how I love TOO. and wont be so lonely In your trouble? Ob, do let me stay!"

Drar, blessed Aggie! Devoted friend! Thank God for this one, at leant!" murmured Ora dsMpIng the de» verted girl in ber anas. lint, Agnes,'* she continued, "I must sesd vou sway, because It Is better to? ns both."

If you stay here to talk to me this way, Mid fondle om me, I aball never gain self control enough to meet with what may be yet to come. Qo to your room and bathe this p^r little hot fare, and then kneel down and pray God aid as both. You may come to me again bye and bye."

Without another word. Agnes obeyed ber teacher and quitted the room. All

look of love upon the suffering she departed. arfed in bitter reflections, poor Ora iatill and mote where Agnes bad lett

Ora Meredith, this hour has revealed to me a future dark with utter misery I have bad my eyes openedto a truth of which, in my willful blindness, I never even dreamed. I never peustd to ask myself why I loved to watch you in your quiet, queenly beauty, or followed you with my curious gaze, longing to got down amid the mysteries of your lifo. IJoved to aunoy you, and have used rudeness many times for that means. Nothing to me seemed so grand as to see thoss blue eyes flash, and your slender form riso to a queenly dignity, while the steel-true spirit of the woman, caused evor sharp, yet faultless retorts to fall from your lips. Day after day I sought to know voa, but you have ever held aloof—avoided me—now I feel, justly. I knew it then, but it only stimulated me the more. When Guy Bartonl caine here on that evening when I used so gross an insult to wound your sensitive feelings, I knew that he was known to you, and resolved to find out from him and you the secret of that knowledge. It lias been a fixed purpose, whose accomplishment ha« sealed my doom, for in the hour that I learned your shame, I learned too, that I loved you, wildly, passionately, mad ly! God help me! I would eive mv life to undo what I have done. And yet, can you not refute this awful slander—for slander I would fain believe it. Come forward, and prove your innocence, for God's sake Or give me the power to do it for you. Tell mo that you are what you have seemed to us—a widow. Tell me that you have nohus band living I Tell me when and where vou saw this man. and though he were my own brother, I will po to the earth's end to prove your truth against him. conjure you, by all you hold dear to you, to listen to me, and let me be your friend. Forgivfc me for the wild confu sion of my love! I cannot help it! This hour has caused revolution in my whole life. Worthy or unworthj% it is centered In you!"

Morcifol God! this to follow Oh, what will oome next." Sick, bewildered, she sank down, grasping-the epistle in cold, ri^id fingers. Sho was stunned by this new phase of trouble. Was it Only a fresh insult, intended as a final stiog, to. thus offer her his love, or rather to declare and thrust it upon her in her last extremity of sorrow Or was he in earnest, and felt in realty, the desire te clear her fame from the foul aspersion Any way, she oould but take it as the last drop added to a bitter cup. Now. more than evor, it was oeyond her reach to attempt exonerating herself. To tell them now, would appear a desire clear herself for his sake. She dared not do it. There was but ore oourse left her. She must go awav from the house. This was no longer a place for her, even if they, in their generosity would allow bar to remain. Her pride rose up with bitter rebellion at tho thought of being turned envoy from this once peaceful haven. She felt overwhelmed with shame at the thought An impulse to leave the place silently, quietly, before they had an opportunity to seud her forth, seized her but would this be better, to creep away like the guilty thing they deemed her, afraid to brave their just indignation? Here, pride again revolted. What could she do?

She was still undecided, and lost in perplexity, when Jennv brought Ada in to put her to bed. Before the girl, Ora strove hard to appear as usual. 8he could not bear that servants should see and comment upon her misery.

During tho process of disrobing, little Ada's eyes rested wistfully upon her mother's face. When Jenny had robed her in her night drees, she sprang from her lap, .and struggling with its long folds, reached her mother's feet, where shA sank on her knees, and lifted her little folded hands ready to say her niahtly prayer.

Ora's tones faltered with intensity of feeling, as she reppated the simple, beautiful prayer which expresses all the human hoart could ask for—"Our Father." The baby tones followed, clear snd sweet in their Infentlle lisplngs, but the little petitioner did not rise when she had done. Her great eyes looked up eagerly in the troubled face above her.

Mamma, may Ada pray herself?'^* Yes, darling. What does my little danghter want to pray for?" asked the mother surprised and serious.

The child again Added her hands and the long lashes veiled the blue eyes, while the sweet tones repeated earnestly

Oh Dod, bless my pretty mamma, and dont let anybody hurt her, or make ber ky."

Mm. Meredith caught the liUie ersotureto her bosom convulsively, thrilled to the hesrt by the bsbv prsyer for protection. The oyes of love, even when understanding not, had penetrated the clond that shrouded her life, and the pure little heart sent up its pies Ibr the sunshine.

Oh, surely,M she bresthed, "mv Fs ther, if Thou turn est from me, Thou canst not from this little bobe.M

At the ususl hour Org's tea came up to her room se if nothing hsd occurred. The boy said Miss Msdellne had company to tee, and had sent up hers to her room, ss she bad ssld she preferred to

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY^EVENIN MAIL.

forco of her strong nstujre her love lor bef jjrovferhess.

She thought of nothing but ber i. heeded nothing, until a slight at the door

ouri* her look up. A

paper was (dipped

hiy upon the carpet,

beneath and

ahdf%jth

slvkeidng

within, snd she ooneludet morning botoiro exprsssuTg oouMe thoy hsd deeded' her.

er in her

Sho would have died to serve be

Filled with this phi out of her room early, that of the govern eu it, she found It'

a strange,

sensomh

of •%, she scarce

krtew why, she lifted !t#ad went to the

Sijrhloh

she turned Tip as brightly as

eyes could bear iu their weak state Then she unfolded the sheet with trem bling fingers. The wrftlng wss clear and bold, but hastily written ss if un der a suddesi impulse. Her heart beat heavily, and her eyes grew Wild «s she read:

,Ann«en

were present. Ora folt the Inteuded kindness in the messsge, sad her heart swelled grate frilly. The words seemed to toovey a

Ish that she should attach no impor tsnoe to tta# matter further then the wotds espresso*. She had ashed for permission to romaln in ber room except at such times as when the family were alone, fend It wss kindly, tboeghtfnlly granted.

But another thought occurred to ber afters little wblle. Perhaps Madeline had not as yet, learned whst had occurred, snd she was yet to foel ber indfgnstkm. In Uwtcaee, the hope that was again springing up in her heart, must die out. Ah! when wttl we eeese to multiple trouble, and feeling onr Innocence my upon a higher power «o sustain ns.

Msdellne did not get aa opportunity to go to Ora during the evening. Company came In to ten, and others arriving after, detained her Hill late. When she passed bar door at last, all was quiet

Walt till

the kind tard

CHAPTER XI.

Six yeans pavfoos to the merit of bur story, bealitifi tage waa reared in one of the lovetteet portions of the Old Dominion. It stood upon a little knoll, thickly carpeted with green grass, and sloping away gently to the edge of the beautiral stream, that wound IQ MM!out among the lefty hills, glittering and flashing in the bright sunshine, like a stream of molten silver.

little oo t^

There was a rare collection of shrubbery In the yard attd garden, and woodbines, eglantines Mid sweet honey suckles clambered in wild luxurlsnce oyer the 'windows and portico. Two Urge elms, standing at each end of the cot tage, reached out their giant branches, and locked themselves in an slmost impenetrable mass over the roof snd the wide-spreading willows in front drooped lovingly over it, as if to shelter It from every rude breath, 'f bo neat little palings surrounding the yard, were overshadowed by a thick border of su-gar-maple and loedsts, and, so entire! excluding the cottage from view, that was impossible to catch a glimpse of the spotless walls until you had opened the little gate and begun to ascend the broad graveled walk.

In the borders, flowers of evet'y description bloomed profusoly. Hoses of every kind filled the air with their rlcb fragrance, and the beautiful meek-eyed violets peeped sbyly out fiom some luxuriant mass of summer chrysanthe mums, aud starry pinks. Here a coral honev-suckle climbed gracefully over the white, delicatc frame-work that supported it there a sweet-brier shook off its fragrance on the balmy treeze. Bright, orange-colored crocuses nodded here and there, beautifully contrasted with the dense masses of mint, and geraniums, that lifted their scarlet heads proudly, vieing with the queen of flowers In their stateliness. The whole presented a scene too gorgeously beautiful for description and this WHS more like an Eden, where Edward Piercelie bad brought his child-like, beautifut bride, than a place where sorrow might glide in with her stealthy step, and lay blighting hand upon the happy hearts Of those two loviug creatures.

Edward Piercelie was the only sou of a country clergyman, and the heir to a handsome estate. His father had taken great pains with his education, and at the age of twenty-one, ho graduated with the proudest honor that heart could wish, and returned home to his pareuts, where he wa&, as he had ever been, the pet and idol of his father's household.

Once, when Edward returned home at vacation, he found a fair, delicate girl an inmate of his home.

She was an orpban,whose parents had died directly after landing in the States, leaving her alone, destitute among strangers. Mr. Piercelie, whose heart ached for the situation of the little stranger, took ber to his home, and cared for her, as though she had been his own. Thus years passed away, and the delicate child grew up, under the tender care bestowed upon her, to be a beautiful woman.

Edward had, however, paid very little attention to the little stranger until bis last vacation, when, struck with her wondrous beauty, he suddenly changed his indifferent manner, and ^became as tender and devoted as he had previously been careless and cool and when he at last departed for his last term in college, the gentle girl clung to him, and wept as though hor heart would-break, while he, scarcely less moved, tried to sooth her with assurances of lasting affec'ion, and promises to retarti and claim her as his bride.

Time passed slowly away, and sum mer merged into autumn, autumn to winter, and winter to spring, ere tho son returned again to his father's hearthstone and then the joy folt at meeting was soon changed to sorrow, for his parents were stricken down with a malignant fever, and died within three days of each other.

Then the two orphans stood alone. Neither could claim a kindred tie on earth, and their desolation and frightful bereavement but served to cement the bonds of their plighted affections.

Standing alone,' beside the corpse of their almost idolized father and guardian, after the mother's funeral, the two hsd gazed mournfhlly upon the dead, and then lifted theireyes to each other's feces, and in that mute glanoe, then said plainly as words could have spoken: "We are alone, now—all that is left of a onoe happy circle!" and stretching forth t{ieir hands simultaneously, they met in a close clasp with tho simple utterance of a name. "Nina."

Edward." And thus Wd'ta

they -medged with

only the evos Of God, sna the presence of the dead for witnesses to their solemn plighting.

Two months afterwards, tbey were married, and removed to the beautiful little cottage before described, leaving the

parsonage

But Ss the time passed away, tbey forgot, in a measure, their loss, in the

teelth,

iys that crowded upon them, and with beauty, luxury and the innocent prattle of the little one who came to gladden their bearta, they were so hsppy as tt la possible for creatures of eartn to be.

But there are serpents, Who are ever on the alert to enter the Eden bowers, and beguile the Inmates to sin and sorrow, snd theirs was not an exception te the baneful Influence of the wily reptile.

One evening, Edward, upon returning home from town, thiww Into hie wife's lap a dainty billet, saying, gaily-

Tbere, Btt'eooe,isa an sgieeable surprise for you."

What is It, VSdwsrd !w Read it for youmslf," retorted her husband, pleasantly.

Mrs. P&roelle opined It. and with a smile, ran her eyee down the page. Why, BdwardPshe said, surprised, "I never knew that yon had a cousin nod not a relative

living—I thought you In the world.

"mitfc! and did I. yet have, and a beautiful asserts, she is the mat at •frSL'yPbiWi term. But it pumfes roe That she dTl not discover tao relationship existing between us, then. However, I suppose she has Just found ji out, and as It Is more charming lp lave a Jplbasant trip out in the country just now. she will presume upon it tp spend a few weeks with us at our

slot displeased, darling." returned Ed ward,encircling his wffe% .waist with Itis arm, and gently drawing tbe shower of shining brown curls upon Ms shoulder. "But It is so innoytng tolwvopiur happy quiet broken in upon. I feel as if jl could be forever contented here, alone with my two treasures, and I fear when once disturbed, all will not seem the same ss It did before.** "Well, Edward, if yon don't want- ber to come, rnssnre you might put her off someway."

No, no! That will never do," he re torned, quickly. "Besides I cannot think of keeping my little bird caged up forever, alone. If she never has companions of her own age to warble with her, I fear she msy grow weary of her confinement."

Oh, Edward!" she answered, reproachfully, "how could vou say se! Was I ever so happy in ray life as have been here, with none but yourself and our little one and aervai. ts. I nsk for nothing, upon the earth but that God will grant us the. peace aud happiness that has hitherto been ours." Aud the sweet, dear *yes were raised lovingly and oonfidingly to her husbsnd's face.

God bless yon, love," ho returned, kissing the white brow. "And msv our future be as happy as the past hss been. But Alioe Murray mast come, I sup pose," he sdded,' after a pause. "We cannot put her off easily, and it is all foolishness in me about her leavings cloud behiud her, a* I tave fancied she would, ever since I read that letter."

How singular/' said Nina, thoughtfully. "I cannot see how sho could in any way disturb us At least it would be but a ripple upon the clear surfsoeof the stream, that would leave no trace when it should have passed away. Who could possess the power to mar our hsppiness so long as wc are secure of each other's love."

No one, my pet." returned Edward, fondly, "snd we will dismiss all fesrs." Wc Who entertained any but yourself," rotoited his wife, playfully. "For my part, I think it will be very nice to nave a beautiful, accomplished 'city cousin' visit us in our rural cottage. It will be something so new to entertain a permanent guest. And then," she rattled on joyously, "won't we have her so in love with our country life, that she will never waut to go back to the hot, dusty, city again! Of cool, sweet evenings we will all walk oat, and stroll along the river banks, or climb the cliff, to catch a glimpse of tho magnificent scenery beyond. We will alsp have books and music to while away the hours, which wiU be all too fleeting, so laden will they be with happiness Then, of morniosss, when I shall be too busy to leave home, you shall tako ber out riding—put her on my beautiful little Suow-flake, and I will 'stay hero to prepare something for your dinner. Let me see! You shall have fine turtle soup, vegetables, roast chicken and turkey, and nice cakes, strawberries and cream, such as she has never soen in the city. And then, oh! won't I make her stare, with the fresh fragrant prints of golden butter, the nico fresh eggs, anu cold milk, richer and sweeter than she has ever tasted. Oh, Edward, she must come!"

And so she shall, little pet," returned Mr. Piercelie. We'll write to her at once."

There .'—that's your own dear 6olf again and I'll show you how happy we shall all be!"

And shan't you feel lonely when she is gone?" 'No indeed, I'll have so much to do to koep thing•» in order, and prepare for the winter. You know by the time she goes away, I'll havo to begin packing away butter, egj 3 and pickles and 'here wili be the blackberries, quinces, grapes, damsons, and peaches to pre serve. I'll have no time to feel lonely and discontented. Besides, this fairy cot, where I have ever been so blessed and happy, .can never be anything but pleasant and attractive to me, come what may."

God grant it," was the fervent response. "Like the enlightened bard, I think 'thoro's no place like home and I should grow inexpressibly sad to see my little wire becomiug discontented with it."

No fear of that, dear Edward. I could not he happy out of my sweet little home-circle, aud as long as I possess my husband's love, I shall never desire to leave it."

Tho words uero earnest and simple tut, in after years, Edward Piercelie remembered tnem, with agony and leinorse tugging at his heart-strings and he would have given his life, twice over bad ho possessed the power to recall those years, and again lire over that happy "period.

ciiAPTEiu xri.

A'ice Murray came lo Rose Cottage in the first flush of June, Just when the golden harvests were ripening for the scythe, and the scarlet cherries hung in

Kcessing

vacant, for the recaption

of the nfcw minister, who bad been chosen to All the place of the dead* And hore, in this quiet spot, surrounded by the rsrest benutlss feshloned by the hand of nature, they found but one drawback to their happiness, snd thst w«s recret for thoee who hsd. In thetr first flash of youthftil joy, been removed from the path which they had so fondly hoped in future to mske bright for them.

rgeius masses from drooping boughs. to yield herself up entirely to the easo and" freedom of country life, she ran hither and thither, like a wild thing, stopping but sn instant in one place, where, like a little humming bird, she fluttered a moment over some rare

[Ike

tlantor dainty ffywer, then awav again a flash of fight, while Nina and her bust and followed laughingly.

They felt more at ease with the gsy girl, than they had exported to feel: sna

ll«f SUSHB MWW tbe bright, laughing face of their guest and ooualn, came, like a flash of sunlight, into the little cottage

Alioe waa tall and slender, with eyes snd hair aa black as tbe raven's wing. Her head was small, finely formed, and she wore ber hair about her neck in shining coils, which gave a singular ex presslon to her elfish face. Her cheeks wore the brllianttint of tbe carnation, and the small, pearl-like teeth gleamed brightly within tbe soarlet, proudly curved lips that were perpetually wreathed in a smile, which wss peculiar to herself. Evening after evening found them rambling on tbe river banka, or scaling some rugged height, till Nins, atlsst, laughingly, declared, they would either get drowned, or &U from some frightful precipice and break tbeir necks or meets worse fate, from her sad inat tention to her housekeeping—starve to death and, assuring them of her unwillingness to curtail tbeir pleasure, bade tnem go without her.

At first tbey protested strongly against this, but Nina gaily resisted their, entreaiies to accompany them every day gad each evening aaw tbe cousins st rolling over tbe beautiftil grounds, or mounted upon the spirited horses, of

which Edward was so Justly^ Ing over the valleys, mote than civilised people.

ms that I if, ss she whom I

Aad Nina, glancing now and then from a door or window, aa she gilded swiftly about, engaged in household duties, would smile brightly at the thought of their pleasure, and then away with swift and skillful fingers, preparing some dainty luxury to refresh them upon their return.

Thus weeks psssod away, and a cloud began to darken the brightness of their, hitherto, uninterrupted happiness.

Nins was no linger urged to accompany ibotn their Walks or rlgo^ but seemed to be wholly forgotten.

And then the cheeks of the young wife began to pale, and the head to aroop mournfully, as the oonviction that she wss neglected forced itself upon her mind. She struggled bard to repel It, and to excuse them on tbe grounds of having herself urged them to go without her but she did not expoct, when doing Ibis, that she was to be entirely dropped off, and left alone, dsy after day, while they walked, rode or visited some fall, cliff or ruin, to while away the long summer boors, which began to drag heavily with the young wife.

Aunt Sue, the old cook, had observed the change in her young mistr- ss, and her hottest old heart was grieved and Indignant at its cause.

One morning Nina was giving her some directions about dinner, while busily picking over some currants, when she observfd, abruptly:

Miss Nina, Marse'Kd ward an' Miss Murray take heap o' rides an' walks lately." "Yes," returned Nina/ absently "they seem to be enjoying themselves."

What for you nebber go too?" asked Sue, with a sidelong glauce at her mistress

Oh, I can't spare the time to go as ofton ss tbey do,

and should not feel like

going if I could." "Well, Miss Nina," returned the old negress, working away vigorously at her batch of wheat dough "you caii do jls' as you pleases, but if I was in your place I should not 'low a husband of mine to go gallantin' a youn^ girl roun', and never 110110!^ me once, to-tho scandal of the whole country." A,

Nina's lips blanched. Why, Sue, people don't talk about It, do they "'Deed dey does! Didn't I hear Miss Wilson whisper to Miss Jenkins last Sunday, comin' out ob de church, jis' to look how dewotod Mr. Piercelio was to his cousin, while his poor wife was at homo pinin' her life away wid neglect! I tell vou, Miss Nina, dese works should not go 011 any longer! I'd put a stop to dem, dat I would!" and sho stepped bark, with a flourish of indignation, and began vigorously wiping the presplration from hor ebony vipage. "Oh!" said Nina, with lips'Hint grew* whiter snd whiter each moment "this Is too much! But are you certain. Sue, that you were not mistaken "Mistaken!" indignantly replied Aunt Sue "you tink, misti®?, dat I enn't believe my* own ears? Min' dls, I knows dat people bob more room to talk dan you eber dreams ob uiy own eyes seed enough las' night to convince m«."

What did you see. Sue?" asked Nina, trembling" in every limb. But Sue shook her head mysterionslv. "You's unhappy nufl', Miss Nina, 'thout modoin'more to make \ou f«el wuss. Ise frald Ise done said too much already"

Too much for yon to b« silent now,* and not enough to satisfy in*. 1 must.' know what you saw," repeated Nina, with a determined air.

Well, mistiss," coming up close her, and rubbing tho dough off one hand with the other, "las' night I wont* out, jist after supper, an' who dus I seet in de garden but Miss Alice an' Marsofi Edward. De moon was shinin' light as day, and dey was talkin' low like, so HI couldn't hear what dey said, but I sawl "him put his arm roun'ner, snd kiss her.'J Now, Miss Nina, what you think ob dab' ar ain't I right in savin' I'd put a stops to dese sort ob work "Susan, never let mo hear of vour watching your master iu this mtnner again—nor any one. He may do a* he 3lej

pleases, but you shall not be a spy upon his actions undnrstRnl this." "IAWS! Missis,

I didn't mean

no5

harm by it," cried Sue, in dismay.

•'I#

No matter," interrupted N'ln.

iff.

"ite

be gnlity of such an a'*tion ag:rn." With these words, she rose and vet herfr tan of currants upon the tuble, nnd left ft he kitchen. The parlor uns deserted,8 and she threw herself, with h"r fneo np-fe on tbe pillows, upon the lounge, andi burst into an irresistible fit of tears.

Oh she murmured chokingly, "if only dreamed that he bad ceased to lovoi me—that another usurped mv place in® his heart—it would kill me." Anil then& she lay a long time, weeping and in-^i dnlging unappy thoughts, shut op inQ that little room, where, tor yours, shosthad been so happy. I

Mdwsrd and Alice hod gone out rid-?? ing, and did not return till late, and?* AlifO went directly to her room, t-rii change her dress for tea. N'n* wasU busy with tea, and Edward, in an ab-!i sent, preoocupied manner, thn«w him-ft self upon the sola, whistling •!t!v, l?ke$s one engaged in deeptboiijrht. H«M*ver$» once seemed to notice hi« nite, wboL# glided so silently about the vnowy tea-^ table, arranging the rich fruit* uj'l akes^f h* hands had culled and pr^mrn.l tosj tempt bin appetite. And or ieltsr thiskecnly but she w«» t«r*.. 1, trueg an a 1 he tears which row* ibreateni ««!y. aa sho strove to ask in dieerfui Kmnr.er: "Did you have a j_)lf^»i,riL Ed-jj ward

r-"

Very!"

And bo "ontinued whistling. He did not look up, with the bright, ond smile waa wont to bestow ujion ber,n and the young wife folt her heuri suell-j almost to bursting, at tins tone and tuan-^, ner. "What! not tired!" rtw a clear,i

ringing voice In the doorwav, and Allco glided in. In her rsdinnt IMSHIK V--herp nee all aglow with brilliant Hii iirc.

Oh, no," he exclaimed, printing upg and leading her to a seat. laxy ji and you. I see, arc morn hr ws! fulu| of spirit than ever, after

jjiuut

By the way, are rou not hui.gry f" p"A little. But, in 1 r/ r.icnt, forgot that we went aw .y din-^ ner."

So did I, till I caught tbe scent of^ that delldoos tea. aud that reminded^ me that I am wofully hungry. N ua, is It ready?"

Yes, I have been waiting UJ1 Alice ,, should oomo down," repi-H ?i gen-^ tly, snd moving to he,- s.* she ,, spoke Out her hand, febo.k us she banded tbe cup. that sho alui'«t burned I Edward's fingers, which dr?w frotui him sn exclamation of reproach:

Why, Niua, how awkward you ire!,, What is the matter with -a, ni^ht?" "lam not very weli." piled. striving hard to keep '(.

MI»

havea bad headache.' "Then why didn't yon to your* room, and leave Jane f» v.i.t o)i us? She oould have done ss wvll.'!

But I did not like fo leave her to do it, knowing yon have always .v-inted npon mv pouring your us*

Mr. Pteroelie took noto .ufi of tbe remark, and, tumiug to A) *, entered into an animated oonvt-rs r- up.t-. the beauties of the scenes th-.. v^ited ha a ha or a man, wltb acrushedandr mi ij isrt, $ sst quietiv listening, a, vrugv.Ung 4 bravely with the amotk»r a most overwhelmed her in tboir -i ife.

After tee, the two, still ». »,:i«l in lively conversation, took oh^rv.w.. up[Gbmtmuedon Third