time impossible to disengage her thoughts from one she had loved so long. The memory of him was associated with every thing; and there was no circumstance connected with those associations, but served to aggravate her sorrow. She had once supposed a widow's condition the most wretched on earth; but now it seemed to her that widowhood would be sweet compared with her present miserable state. Nightly, as she laid her head upon her pillow, she felt that, had she satisfactory evidence of her preparation for death, she would gladly close her eyes, to open them no more on earth. In tales of romance hearts break and heroines die; but it is not always thus in real life. Though the heart may be broken, earthly existence is often prolonged. Yet short-sighted, selfish humanity realizes not that GOD has a wise design in this.

Opposite Mr. Milton lived a family (belonging to the Society of Friends) by the name of Jones. Mr. J. and his wife were both preachers. She had often expressed to Mary her disapprobation of concerts, saying she believed the LORD had a higher mission for her. Mary informed her of the great blessing she had received in reading that memorable chapter; on which Mrs. J. immediately interpreted some parts she had not understood, as meaning spiritual children which the LORD would give her. This, however, made no impression on Mary's mind at that time, as she could not imagine it possible that she could be the means of doing any good.

One beautiful evening her father invited her to a walk; on which occasion he talked to her in the most comforting manner. He referred to his experience after her dear mother's death-saying he felt at that time, (as she probably now did) that he could never again be happy but GOD designed that all His creatures should enjoy life; and time gradually healed his wounded spirit, as it would hers. And thus it proved; though months and even years passed, before she fully recovered her natural cheerfulness.

The following verses, which close this chapter, were composed in October, 1861, four months after parting with Clayton. When she first fully realized that the ties that bound her to him were severed, her emotions were those of mingled surprise and regret, that she should have left him. But as the bitterness of her grief began to wear away, she felt a sweet sense of freedom, and was truly grateful to her Heavenly Father that the fearful snare had been broken. received several letters from him soon after they parted, and was desirous to maintain friendly correspondence; which, however, her father decidedly opposed, and, at his earnest request, she wrote him a farewell letter, which put an end to their communication.

REMINISCENCES.

How dear to my heart are the scenes of the past,
And the memory of pleasures too brilliant to last;

How painfully sweet to recall the blest hours

She

When my path-now so dreary-was blooming with flowers!

O! pleasure once gladdened my now darkened sky;
No storm-cloud appeared, and no sorrow was nigh;
For a dearly beloved one was then by my side;
And sweetest enjoyment his presence supplied.

My desolate heart is now pining alone;

My sadness uncheered by affection's sweet tone :
I have parted in sorrow from him whom I love;
And I'm lonely and sad wherever I rove.

O! car time of that hour the mem'ry efface,
When with fast-flowing tears and a long, last embrace,
I bade him adieu whom my idol had been?

O! 'twas Summer without-but 'twas Winter within!

We parted-methought I could never again
Know aught but despondency, sadness and pain.
How slow passed the hours!-as day after day
In sorrow and loneliness wasted away.

The Summer is gone, and the Autumn is here

With its bleak, chilling winds-its leaves withered and sear;
But the change of the seasons, where'er I may be,
Brings no promise or hope of re-union with thee.

The widow may weep o'er her loved one's lone tomb,
And in sorrow and anguish bewail her sad doom;
But more dark than the widow's my lot must be-
My loved one still lives-but lives not for me.

O! where art thou now?-is some loving friend near
Thy pleasures to share and thy sorrows to cheer?
Wherever thou art, and whatever thy lot-
In joy, or in sadness-O! am I forgot?

O! can I believe thou art wholly untrue?
-That naught of affection thy heart ever knew?
O can I believe that no memories of me-

No sweet thoughts of the past still linger with thee?

O cruel surmisings! I cannot believe!—

A thought so unwelcome I ne'er can receive:

Though thou may'st not love me thou canst not forget:
In friendship my mem'ry must dwell with thee yet.

How often when lonely and sighing for thee,
And the dear by-gone hours, so precious to me;

I ask my sad heart-alas! all in vain

Have we parted forever? shall we ne'er meet again?

And, if we should meet-the time and the place?—
With the coldness of strangers? or love's fond embrace?
Shall I greet thee with calmness, or with wild throbbing heart?
Will thy presence give pleasure, or sorrow impart ?

Shall we meet by appointment, or by a surprise?
Be free from restraint, or our feelings disguise?
Will the meeting be joyous, or poignant with grief?
The parting be painful, or bring sweet relief?

Alas! vain inquiries-known only to Thee,
Our Almighty Father, the future can be—
Whatever awaits us-whether pleasure or pain-
We ask for Thy aid, and we ask not in vain.

For Thou wilt be near us, whatever betide;
If we do but trust Thee to guard and to guide-
To keep us near Thee in prosperity's hour,
And deliver our souls from adversity's power.

O! watch o'er my loved one, where'er he may be;
Guide safely his bark o'er life's troubled sea:
Erase every dark stain of sin from his heart,
And grant him that peace Thou alone canst impart,
And bring us at length, when time is no more,
To that haven of rest, the bright heavenly shore
Where sorrow and sighing and anguish shall cease,
And our tempest-tost souls be forever at peace.

CHAPTER VIII.

NEW EMPLOYMENT, AND A NEW HOME.

W

HILE absent from home on one of her con

certing tours, Mary commenced arranging a little work entitled "Eva Graves, or the Triumphs of Faith", having then, however, no definite purpose in regard to its publication. She merely made a beginning at that time; but as she slowly recovered from the effects of her severe affliction, she longed again for employment. After a consultation with her father, she concluded to finish her story, add thereto some of her poems not yet in print, and prepare a little volume for publication. This they hoped might be a pecuniary benefit to her, as well as afford healthful occupation for her mind. During the Summer she completed the arrangement of her book, which she dictated for her father to write. Having a little means saved from her former earnings, she invested it in publishing the same, and decided to travel with it during the ensuing Winter. In order to do this it was necessary that she should have a companion. Neighbor to her father lived a Mr. B