My buoyancy of feeling was not soon exhausted. As I approached the domicil of my friend, I refused to be whirled along the dusty road, when a cross-cut over the fields would bring me sooner in point of time, and pleas

anter in many ways, up to his door. So I sent black Abe along with the carriage, and leaping over the IGHT well do fence, struck a path across the fields. As my foot I recollect my touched the sod, I fairly threw up my hat for joy. The first meeting turf, so springy and elastic, was delightful to feet long with Alice used to unyielding granite pavements. The air was so Clare. It was soft and sweet, that I expanded my chest, and opened during a sum- my mouth wide to take in the delicious draught. I mer vacation. feared even to look at the grasshoppers that bounced An old friend about my feet. The new spring clover seemed to yield had sent to me fragrance as I pressed it beneath my tread. My blood an imperative ran quickly with new life, and tingled through my veins. command to The wind which came murmuring among the tree tops, come and lifted my locks, and tossed them about with delicious spend the dog freedom. The mere sensation of existence were at that days with him moment, exquisite happiness. I was content simply to at his retreat be. -a delightful place upon the banks of a little lake in the centre of the State and very glad was I to accept the

It was near sunset when I came up to the house. As I approached, my friend came running out with both hands extended, and he shook me such a welcome, that my fingers ache now to think of it. Then he marched up a troop of blooming daughters to present, the eldest of which was a fine, full-grown young woman; then after a brief delay appeared the mistress of the house, grown buxom since I had seen her, but invitation. I happy, and proud enough, one could see, of her hushad passed a band and her brood of little ones.

laborious year It was really an exquisite spot-this home of my -and with a friend. I envied him from the bottom of my soul. As boyish exulta- that very first evening we all sat in the twilight upon tion of spirits, I burst the thousand Lilliputian ligaments the wide, low verandah, and looked out through a of duty and habit, and prepared for a brief period of shadowed vista of arching boughs, upon the waters of full, unrestrained, and perfect freedom. As I stood the lake, just tinted with a reflection from the sunset upon the steamer's deck, and saw the city recede from sky, watching the shadows gathering beneath the many view, I banished it from memory as well as from sight little wooded islands which dotted the lake, listening to -cast into utter forgetfulness its cares and labors, and the chirp of the cricket, and the cry of the whip-poorturned the whole strength of my thoughts and feelings will, there was a calm so sweet and intense came over upon the pleasures before me. I determined to take a me, that it seemed to me as if my previous life had delight in everything. I stepped back a dozen years of been a blank-a perfect death, wherein the soul had existence and became a boy again. The very smoke known no sensations, and no existence-that this was that rolled out of the huge smoke-pipe; the light, my first real taste of life in its true, high, and perfect feathery steam that escaped, and floated like a bird meaning. And when later in the evening, Mary, the over the waves; the groups of passengers with their eldest daughter, went to the piano, and a sweet, plainstrong contrasts of ages, conditions, and manners; the tive melody came wafted on the air, mingling with the motion and play of the water; the foamy waves that musical night sounds around; and after this, three of rolled off from the steamer's wake; the shore, with its the sisters sang a sweet little trio; and then the whole changing aspects-out of all these things, I extracted bevy, four in number, came up to their parents for their pleasure. It is a great thing when we are resolved to good-night kiss; and the younger ones submitted to an be pleased. There isn't a pebble in our path that won't additional kiss from me, which I didn't dare ask of the contribute to such an end, if we will only permit it. two eldest; and then they all tripped off to bed, happy

paddling with a broken oar was slow work, and I was obliged to stop occasionally, and take to bailing with my hands. When within jumping distance to the shore, I tried the leap, and landed with both feet immersed to the boot tops.

These little mishaps dampened my spirits somewhat, but the recounting of them at the breakfast table afforded so much amusement to the whole family, that it began to dawn upon me that it really was, if I only knew it, first rate sport.

and laughing and chatting-why, somehow, my mind and began to fill. I put back as fast as I could, but kept running on matrimony, and when I retired to the chamber shown me, I really began to whistle to keep down the uncomfortable tug at my heart. I dreamt that night of rippling waters, and pleasant shores, and low music, and bevies of daughters, and a beautiful wife; and when I awoke, the very first thing was a merry trilling of a young girl's voice under my window, and the air that came through the open sash was so soft and delicious, loaded with riches stolen from the flower beds and in fact, all these things set me to dressing very abstractedly, and with a dogged sort of determination to make one more visit to New York for the sanguinary purpose of erecting a bon-fire of red tape, cases, briefs, sheep-skin, deeds, titles, law-and washing my hands clean of such defilements forever more, to embrace a life as full and rich, and true and beautiful as this I saw around me.

After dressing down I went for an ante-breakfast ramble. The air was so fine that my spirits went up like a barometer. I plunged through the shrubbery, and into the fields; got drenched with dew (which wasn't quite so comfortable), and so made for the shore, when, finding a little shallop, I put out upon the lake. The paddle was weak, and snapped in two; the boat was leaky,

After breakfast, took pole and line, and went fishing, but caught no fish. Discovering that angling was an absurd employment, I abandoned my piscatorial implements, and went gaming, but shot no game. A little discouraged, I set out for a ramble, and this time succeeded-in getting lost. Forty times I was sure that the gables I saw through the opening foliage, belonged to the house of my friend; forty times I was unaccountably mistaken. At last I came upon a little, narrow, romantic stream. This, said I, empties into the lake. If I follow, it will lead me in the proper direction. I did so, but in the immensity of my wisdom, went up stream, instead of down. It did occur to me that the stream got rarrower and shallower, but these facts I

attributed to the eccentricity of little streams in that locality. It will widen presently, said I, and I shall come out upon the lake unexpectedly. But it didn't. Indeed it got so narrow, and wild, and full of cascades and rapids, that I stood still in my perplexity-until suddenly it burst upon me in a flood of light, that the cascades were falling the wrong way! The astonishment which this discovery caused me is beyond description. Is it possible, thought I, that I have been so stupid as to come up stream? I had better, so my cogitation continued, go back to New York at once. It is very evident that I don't know anything about woodcraft or stream-craft. It would be well for me not to confess this blunder. I should never hear the end of it. I think, hereafter, that I will stick to law. It is all I am fit for.

"Oh, sir, then follow this road to the right. It will lead you directly to Mr. Woodward's house," and touchAfter duly upbraiding myself in this fashion, I re- ing her horse slightly with her reins, gallopped off, solved to strike across the country to the first house I leaving me uncovered and staring after her. met, and there learn my whereabouts, and obtain a Here was an adventure! Something delightful and guide if possible. I put my resolve into effect. After romantic. Who could she be? Addressing me as Mr. an hour's walk, I saw a lovely little cottage, nestling Jackson, too. There was one comfort-I was quite amid trees and shrubbery and flowers. I got around to certain of meeting her again. This fact I hugged approach it properly in front. As I turned around a to my heart. And was there ever anybody so beansmall hill, into the green by-lane which came up to the tiful, with such eyes, such lips, such roses, and such house, quite a pleasant little picture presented itself a figure! My heart was fairly cleft in twain. I could consisting of a horse, and a boy, and two dogs, assem- only think of the vision I had met. I could do bled together by a little thatched out-house of the cot- nothing but recall her words. I walked on air. There tage. The horse was saddled for a lady, and one of the was nectar in my veins. I planned it all. I was to dogs was unmistakably a lady's pet. I stood looking grow more and more in love, and inspire her with at the group, for law experience had not quite destroyed the flame; my visit would be prolonged, and every hour a once quick sense of the picturesque, when out from was to be passed in her glorious presence. My rapture the cottage and across the lawn, there came tripping would be beyond belief. Then I would propose, and one of the most exquisite creatures I ever saw-bloom- | receive that trembling, Yes; then I would taste the ing and radiant, with floating curls from under a country unspeakable sweetness of her lips; then our moonlight sunhood, and a rustic, simple sort of dress-evidently walks, our sails upon the lake, our forest rambles; then designed for a free scamper through by-paths, and un--then I tripped over a vine, and pitched sprawling into frequented lanes. She ran up to the horse with a the dust! merry laugh, patted him affectionately upon the neck (how I envied him!) jumped upon a horse block at hand and before I could fairly see how it was done, she was mounted, and her reins gathered up. The horse was a fine, plump, beautifully made creature, such a one as Landseer would have liked to paint--full of spirit, and proud of his burthen. As he felt her weight upon his back, his ears pricked up, his eye lighted, and his whole figure grew animated. His rider, with a merry word to the boy, turned his head in my direction, and was about putting him to the gallop, when, for the first time she saw me. She involuntarily drew in the reins, blushed, and then would have passed on; had not I lifted my hat, and with an apology, begged to be informed of the proper direction to Mr. Woodward's house.

“Mr. Woodward's," said as musical a voice as ever I want to hear; "dear me! Why, it's full five

miles."

"Is it possible?" said I, determined to prolong the interview; "I am a sojourner at Mr. Woodward's-" "Mr. Jackson?” interrupted she, with an interrogative bow.

I fairly stared. She knew my name. Who could

she be:

"Confound it!" said I, scrambling to my feet and limping away, "just my luck." I brushed the dust from my clothes with the air of an injured man, and resumed my journey, planting each step firmly upon the ground, and with unaccountable suddenness feeling a disgust for damp moonlight walks, and such romantic fol de rol.

By the time I reached my friends my spirits were up again, however, and at tea I gave them all a glowing account of my adventure.

"It must have been Alice Clare," said Mary Woodward. I was delighted. Alice Clare sounded deliciously. I had vaguely apprehended that it might be Brown. Alice Clare was certainly a pretty name. I kept repeating Alice Clare to myself continually. Later in the evening, when we were all on the piazza, I got a little drowsy (dreaming of Alice Clare all the while), and somebody whispered a sudden word in my ear. I sprang to my feet, shouting out her name at the top of my voice, to the astonishment of everybody. In an instant I became aware of what I had done, and sat down hastily, feeling, and no doubt looking, excessively foolish.

"You mustn't fall in love with Alice Clare,” said Mr. Woodward, good-humoredly. "She is

แ Oh, papa," broke in Mary, laughing and running up | grave surprise with which my cond ict was watched by to Mr. Woodward, “don't say anything, please don't." And then beckoning to her sister, off she scampered, laughing gleefully all the while. I felt uncomfortably certain that all their laughter was at me, but as they returned presently, looking very demure, I soon forgot all about it.

few minutes more, and my horse was broken down | smile and a mischievous glance, "Mr. Clare-my altogether, and abruptly stopped. I ground my teeth husband!" together, and even let out an oath. I berated my broken-winded steed with every epithet I could think of. In fact, I worked myself up into a tremendous passion. But, I didn't mean to give the matter up. I rode back and found my hat, and then deliberately pursued my way to Alice's cottage.

I turned white, then red; I sat down, and stood up; I stared, stammered, and wondered if there was a way to vanish through the floor-and at last seized my hat, rushed out, and made my way off as fast as possible. Within two hours, I was on my way to New York. I found out all about it afterwards. Mary, the mis

inasmuch as Mr. Clare was absent, planned a little sport at my expense-which Alice was very willing to join her in.

As I rode up I saw a horse, not Hero, dusty and tra-chievous puss, seeing that I was struck with Alice, and vel-stained, standing by the gate. A visitor, thought I impatiently, and I shall fail to find an opportunity after all. However, I rode up, dismounted, and entered. Alice was there, her riding-habit already removed. A stranger was present-a tall, fine-looking man of not more than twenty-five.

Both rose as I entered.

"Mr. Jackson, permit me," said Alice, with an arch

Reader, let me give you two pieces of advice: Be sure the lady you fall in love with hasn't a husband already.

Never pop the question on horseback.

"It was so sweet, dear Eva, so sweet and precious to | head, and bending down till her young lips almost catch it, like an echo, in the faltering voice, and seize it touched his forehead; "silly child! did you not know like a light retreating in the timid eye-it was so sweet that I was to be married next month ?" to be the sole keeper of its secret life, that I have not dared to break this sacred spell, fearful lest in breath-have given much to have recalled them; for, without a ing over it I should dissolve it."

Eva made an impatient movement. sense!" she exclaimed almost pettishly.

The words had hardly left her lips when she would

cry, a groan, a sigh, with nothing but a wild look in his "What non-eyes, and a sudden starting to his feet, poor Paul fell back on the mossy bank, stiff and rigid as one dead. At that moment, Eva heard the voices of her lover and brother borne down the river; and rushing through the wood, and over the cowslip meadow, she gained the Hall before they returned, Paul still lying more than half-dead by the water's edge.

"You think so!" cried Paul, delighted. He mistook her expression for one of annoyance at the long term of silence which his timid poetry had imposed on them. He kissed her hand, and she left it in his, smiling. This further tended to deceive him. "Listen, Eva," he continued: "I have lived for years in a dream of most exquisite beauty. Ever near me was a spirit of grace and truth—a spirit of poetry, of love and loveliness, which I sometimes used to hope might be realized in life, and more often used to fear might lure me away from all realities of happiness for love of this mocking fancy of a heated brain. But I have seen you, and now I know that my dream was more a prophecy than a vision. I have foreshadowed you in my guar-grand a genealogical tree as the squire of Oakenden. dian angel. From henceforth let the shadow fade, and the substance come forth into the sunlight! Eva, Eva, I love you! Oh, tell me with your voice, as you have told me with your eyes, that you love me!" He waited for a reply, but the girl was silent. He could not yet read that false fair face, nor decipher the crimson letters of crime.

That evening, Eva was so gay and graceful, so prettily saucy to her betrothed, so flushed with youth and beauty, that young Mr. Rollestone congratulated himself again on his return home, on possessing the best bred-hunter, and the prettiest wife-to come-in the whole county, and swore he was a lucky fellow; but as lucky was Eva Gray, too, for that matter; for the squire of Oakenden West owned as long a rent-roll and as

"You have shocked me, Paul," she then said very slowly, and her words fell like ice on the boy's bounding heart; "and pained me, too. You have deceived yourself, and wronged me. You say I showed you love! No; I showed you only friendship. I cannot love you, for I am not fit to do so. Silly boy!" she added with her musical laugh, laying her hand on his

And while the young man was balancing thus his account with love, a lifeless form floated down the wandering river, and the moon-lighted waves rocked round a pale face cradled on them-poor Paul, in his first fit of despair, rushing to death for love of a false heart.

In one hand, clasped on his heart, Paul held a lock of golden hair, stolen-sweet theft!-one evening on the Hall terrace, when the three young people, he and Eva and Horace--sat looking at the stars, and weaving out the fabric of their future lives from the clouds; and wild-flowers, crushed and broken, were clenched in the other hand.

But an unseen and an unknown Providence watched