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roi I in . Mi i< n ill. t in. bh> little UA Tb.t tilUMT iu ll ^ Tbe darling girl ' Wbat loving heed Kbe given the >troke> ; it doe* net need irt-ut [< n'trutu'ii To note the iu^eriuc n noting touch ; At if ti i write to me ere ucu A coutolatiuu. "Tbe flowers oaine; so kind of you. A tbouaud thauka." Oh, ne ! Iliat Frue. Tbe line betraya you. \ im kaow junt there yoa tent a kin; \ ou meant tbat blot to tell sue this, Aud itohcjtyoa. ' The; gave me iucb a happy day ; " I love them to " abe meant to nay, "lleraute you wni them Hut tben, yuu IM>, thi- page u auiall : bhe wrote iu oaaie the words aud all I know abe meant them. At niKbt I V< pt them near me, too. Ail J dreamt u! Uiaui.' abe wrote," and you.' but would era**- it. l>id ibe but bavej one teuiler tboniiht, Tbat ptntbed with tor blurb it brought, Uy love wiml.i trace it. "Tin* morning all the bu>lt have blown." That aouriah. urly. it " Your own," Ti' written i|Ubrly Kbe meaut it ao. Ah 1 uaclena taak To biUe vi.ur love 'ucath iucu a iua*k A* that " him rt !v. I'm Ii nee." Tbote tender word* coafeaa At ujucn to me aa a rareea, \u I 1'rue yuu kuow it Hat then, to teaxe me, you mul add V ur uilier uame. although you hail hoarct i|'*oe to do It. A daab prolong*'! aon-M tbs sht-ei To elaae las uot f The little cheat '.en I.IH- iwaoed it. Hhe meant iu quavering length to ttay That aht- i:.>aM write to me fur t> .- Aud never end It. I'ru,-' Love in lite the flame that glowi I uaren, till light!) fai lit- i It urowi Tcxi Aorce t4i qifc-ll It. Aid mint' ah. mine 11 uu<-uf eased; Hut now - ; tbat dath anil all tbe real I ilhare lu toll it TM U l.llr." I bave plaunr.l much surk for my life." sbi saU; A glrliah crraturc with gnl.leu hair. An * bright aud WIUBUUIH a* ade wan fair. " Tbe ilaya an- full, till lie enmea to wed ; The i-ioihve t" buy. aud the home to makt- A very K>leu for hi> dear aake. " But earee anon come to tbe wedded wife ; See aharea bii duties, sod ho|* and feare, \uu n leaien nut with tbe waning yean , \f K. .r a -very trnccle at I -eat. Ii Ufa. If we kin-it ine luir.lm. alout; tbe line. We houiJ thriuk to receive the giUdivine. Bometiruet in the buab of tbe evening hour, bhe thm>> of tbe Ivinure abn lueaut to gain Aud the aurk abe wuuid do wiUi baud i biam. " I am tired to-nigbt : I am lacking power In think.' abe tan; 'I uiuat wait until VI y brain It rvitixl and uulte la .til! Ob I woman and niaa. (bar* n never rest; I>teaiu octal a leUare that oil! not come Till ae >hall make >iu ti^lb blind au I dumb. Yoa mutt live each day at ynur very beat : The work of the world in doDe by few , Ood aasa that a part be done by yout Say oft nf the yean, aa they pass from tight, " Tbia, tkt la life with ita golden iton. I ahall have U otic*. Uat U euuiet DO u-urv. ' Rave t purpose to .In with yrur ntnioel might \ou will ouiab ytHirworki u i he other Mae), .When yuu oake ID Hi> likvueea, tatutfled. IM. i... . e( a l.llr. Ray. what U life > 'Tit to be burn A helplee* babe to greet tbe light With a abarp wail, aa if tbe uiura Foretold a cloudy uoun aud night . To weep, to tleep. aud weep again. With aunny itutleabetiieen and then? And tben apace tbe Infant growt To be a laughing, aprigutly boy, Bappy deaplie bia liuie wove W ere he nut ouneciout ot bll joy ! To be, In thort, from two to ton, A merry, moody child aud than ' And tben in coat and trouaera clad. To Irani to aav tbe decalcgue. And break it, an untliiukmg lad, With mirth aud njtchtef all agog. A truant oft by field and feu, And capture butterflies and tben? And then, increased In ttrecgtb and Ihte, To be auon, a youth lull grown; A hero In bia oiotbar't a yea, A yonoi Apollo in bit own ; To Imitate the wayt of men lu laabiouabie tin -aud thea ? And tben, at last, to be a man. To I al 1 1 n love, to woo and wed ! With aeething braio loarheiueand plan To gather gold or toil for bread ; To tue for fame with tongue ajid pen. Aud gain or loae the prue and then I And tfaea in gray and wrinkled eld To mourn tbe speed of llfe'a decline; To praiae Ibe tcxuei our youth beheld. And dwell in tbe memory of lang tyne ; To dream awhile with darkened ken, To drop into bia grave and tben ? lrt nm. nml Hrrmii. A m,.li-n Mt In window neat Ami to And fro awiuga bar idle feet An the gazed off at tue aunaet glow ( iver the Ui|w of tbe billi of tnow ; In ber lap reeta a nook, unopened forgot, Her eyee an Rating where nun may not, Ai ibe Oreauii aiid dreamt. Far tip in thoae mountaininf re<l and (old, Behind the aoow bill* no wbile and culd, She tee. I doubt uot a lover true On tilt flenr steed go canteriug throagh ; For the bright eyn flash ainl the ml llpn imlle And the it- there gazing a IOUB. long while, And dreamt and drr-ame. Ob ! toe ateed In flcry toe lover U trae Frum th t|iur> on Lit bo.ua to blienpof blue; And tbe hot eyes flash and the cheek* burn tire Ai be apun bl> borae Uiroogh tbe mud and ibe m rre At hli KI.I iilfiniH a aword. now ii*ele>i and cold, With rare jewel, ret In Its biltof gold : Thai ibe dreanii and dream. He ha* travened tbe world on bll teed ao fleet For a initnl like tint In tbe window aeal, Hraniiiicl tuaiileni ul uigu ami of low degree, And of each one aaiil, arftly, " Not time not thee!" Will nev. r a band point him out the way, I wonder ' Ob. yes! ne will come to day, to the dreamt and dreamt. But bark to tbat mund ; wat It out of the itreot ? And wae It the nound of hurrying feet '.' Ob, uiy bean, utaiid "till and lute n with me While I IT. a. mv luce to the pane and tee, In it bortea' hi>.>fe i.n tbe pavement below? Hare you come, niy knight. It It yea or to? She dreamt aud dreamt. From tha* tword tbe jewelt inatblnkt I nee Ailoroing the hand of a maid like me! And now I can f*el bit breath on my cheek, lilt band over mine. Will be never ipeak 7 A voice tbrougb tbe darkaett comet load and clear, "What, dithei not wathd yet ' How't kbit, my dear' 1 ' Farewell, O ye dreami? -San FraneiKo Call. PRUDE.NCE HART. - I V i.SjOKUIiSU U. CSitt. Though be had soraplee. however, ab- > jt tbowiug ardor iu teekiog Miae lUri aooisty, it was by no means hit intention to exclude himself frotu a r jy future luter oournc with that young lady. Ou Ibe con trary, be had by thit tiru* an.urtd bimnsU tbat it wan bis duty m a .[uiet WHY to learn wbat luore o( ber he oould. iu order so hiiuaelf iu a po-iliou to give nucb advice oiuooruu n ber (^upooaing ttiat advice were ueoessarvjas ou*ht to bs looked for from an elder sou and brother. Without further I*M of time, therefore, be let bimoell about thit virtuous work, aud continued it with laudable peraeveranoe through week after week of tbe aJvauotug i>ring aud early Hammer, for u proved to be MI under- taking of au arduou itort, rei) Hiring (or, least, so he though') much time for its duo carrying out. As tbeae week* went on, 1'rudeuoe bowed herself to him in variouo moodi lie saw a good deal of ber, and she watt aometirum (though uot often) uleut and demare . tbe was generally irritating aud more or leat mookiug . she was ocoaeion ally geutle and womanly ; and in all ber mood*, except perhaps tue umt, abe got tbe better of him. They had many euoouutera together, aud sbe beat him iu every one ol them. Bbe wae ten uiueH oleverer thau be was- teu iiineas readier ten lime* more daring. Aud be laid to hum-elf again and again : "Sbe i< not tbe kind of woman tbey think ibe ii ; the is not tuch a girl aa it oan do Mabel any good to be in t< mate with ; if my mother kuew ber M I do abe would not let ber ttay in tbe bouse ." and ye<, though be kuew all this, he presently iot tue power of opeuiug lim lips to make the other* know it ; for. before be bad been acquainted with Mi Prudence s couple of mouth*, the poor young fellow wss in love witb ber. Kbe bad got turn 1 1 ;be toili before be bad oven begou to auapeot bis danger. Pretty KOOU iuded be beg.au lobe conscious tbat abe waa acquiring a oertaiu power over him. lie kuew tual the was dirtiug with him, but he oould nut help offering bimst-lf to be Dined with ; tbe drew bim to her by an attraction '.hat be did uot understand, bat wbiob he hardly tried to reaiat ; be t bought he was studying ber, not snspect mi; toat while be was at bin clumsy laoora be bad learut Aim out and out, and oould e through him an through a giant wiudow. After a very abort time bad paaed. be begau to take advantage t-f nary opportu- nity be oould tiud for beiug with her, aud he was uncomfortably oouscioui thst be Mixed these opportunities svt itorslly as be oould, audaliuoet oonaoioas (uncomfortably too) tbat the perfectly understood bia method of procedure, aud entirely sympa- thized with u. " You never talk to me before other peo- ple," be said to ber ouoe, only half dit pleased at Ibe demure manner that he always adopted towards him in public, aud yit, for cmaoienoe' take, half troubled at it ; but when be mads tbm aoouaa'.ioo, sbe gave a little laugh, and 1 Well shall we bavs our next oonver Nitiou before them all .' ' abe auswered luitantly. / am quite wiling, on uiy aide, buupose we oouie to.tbe Jrswiug room now, aud let yonr mother bave tbe plea- ure of bearing yon reproeuib me for my kileuoe and my other faults." "Yon always gel tbs better of roe." be replied. "If I ever venture to blame you for anything you always turn the tables ou me " " And what else would you bave me do '.'" he aeked. " Do yon think I am fond of being found fault with? and what are you to me thsl I should take fault tiudibg from you?" And tben tbe color oame to bia face, and tbat last question of bers touched him enough to make bii ipeeob fail bim For be bad begun by tbii time (or perhaps bad ion) to fsel a certain evorel ooufoioui- tbat be should like to be something to bir ; hs believed mdeed atill tbat there could be nothing serious between them, but be bad thought often tbat be nbould like to move bsr to at least a spark of feeling, to awake somethiug different from this tin ck UK and challenging spirit in ber. And tbe young man who wai rapidly growing more in eevrneat than bs yst well knew, was Segiunint! to nod tbat ber mocking wordi aad ac. | aired a keen power to mug and wound him. In addition to these pains, too, tbat she made bim auffer, there wae another matter tiat troubled him not a little. He was afraid of Godfrey. It wae true tbat his brother always ipcke of Prndenoe in a lighting way, which she on ber side returned, and tbat their intercourse, as far as appeared, was a very easy aud iudiffer- sut one ; bat Kiith had deep experience in Hi own owe tbat appearance, where Allan Hart wan concerned, were by no mesui to be received witb implicit truit, and ouoe or twioe at least, if not of tener.il seemed to in eyes (which were perhaps, however, too jeeJoui to see itraigbt) that there was more between them than either of them as disposed to oonfen. Onoe be thought tbis so ntrongly, that he iven charged ber witb trying to make bis >rother oars for ber ; a bold thing to do, md a very unwise one as well, for, ae may M luppoaed, she roue to the occasion, aud routed bim with humiliation. / trouble myself about your brother !" be exclaimed, drawing herself up to ber ntmoat height (abe was not s tall woman, rat many s day sbi made bim feel, for all ill six feet, ae if nne towered far above mi. i ' Do you think I should be likely to try to get a boy like tbat to care for me, wben I would not move band or foot to entice any man hve ' And hsr noorn wai no superb tbat, car- led away by it entirely for the moment, it almost humbled bimeelf in tbe dust before her to entreat her pardon. So, [rowing always more and more tender over ber, aud more enthralled by ber, Keith le aad went during these ipring and nmmer months not a very happy nan, or neither Prudence nor bis conscience ;ve bim an eaay time of it, but yst loving beobainibe had bound bimislf with too 'ell even to wi-h to break them. It was not until August bsd oome tbat, n plain words, be disclosed tbe state of his eeliDgi to Miss Hart. Long before tbat ime nbe bad, of course, been perfectly ware of bow matter, stood with him, for th her natural gifts and her Urge expert- DOSS toads any want of oompnhinsion on such a tubjeot quite impossible to her ; but it wae only on ibm Auguiit day that the words, which a score of times had been very near the youug uau * lips, dually croan*d them end got xpokeii It wans Sunday, aud tbey bad met earn in tbe morujiig in the garden -aa. to tell tin- troth, by a ort of tacit arrangement tbey had done more tbau ouoe or twice before be oomiug out an hour or so before breakfast intentionally to nud ber, and be demurely peruiittiug herself to be font d On tbis imperial day be oanie in search of her while the hea of most of tbe rent of the household were still al p^aoe upou tbeir pillows, aud discovered her soon in a distant part of toe garden, pacing up SLC down one of tbe gravel paths, lu apparently a very thoughtful mood. " 1 bops you bave uot been here long, be said cheerful!), when be lighted on ber " I havs been here for some time," sbe answered coldly 11 i> i. by Jove! -am I late then?" ex claimed tbe young man iu a grievsU toue, and be looked at hit waiob ; but an ne read It his face brightened agaiu. " No ; it in uot half past seven yet. It le you who are too early,' be Raid "Too early for wbat?" sbe inquired; and tben the looked at him with a lock that made bim ready to aiuk into bis boou, and If you think I only caine out here to enjoy the pleature of your company, Mr Keith, you are under a cunou delusion,' be> haughtily said. Upon which be felt so confounded that be beld bin peace, for (as he bad taken it hitherto) be had not bad a doubt tbat it unj for tbat reason that Miae llart.on ibete Sunday morning*, had been in tbe habit ol shortening ber repose. However, wheu ebe rebuked hi* presntnp tnoui assumption witb suob severity, be submitted to tbe rebuke tor a few momenta in silence, and tbeu merely auiwered- " Well, it ie for your aoinpauy that / corns, any way." Tbat is a very different thing," she said. I suppose it is." be assented, a little ruefully. " But, I bay," be remooatrated, after another little pause, I think you're awfully hard upuu a fellow. If you don't consider that you may give oue a little encouragement after all tbii time by Jove!" aud tbeu bm eloquence failed him. 1 don't see why I used give you any encouragement." the said deliberately. I don't see why any man seeds en- couragement. You are all alike, every oue of you. You think a woman ought to be grateful, and to make a curtsey to yon for every civil word jou speak to bsr ; but I tbiijk differently. From me, I beg to tell you, Mr. Keitb, you will get neither curt- seys tor gratitude." Well, 1 am cure I don't eipect them," replied Keitb, rather indignantly ; and tben be walked on with bis heart pretty hot within him. Sbs bsd a light summer mantle over her shoulderi, aud abe folded ber arms and wrappi d it arouud her, as if it had been a martial cloak. Tbe movement almoet med aa if it were made to ihow ber i r bow nrlf cjt.taiued and independent of him ebe wae. Aud so he interpreted it, as be watched ber askance, with bis heart full of honest love for ber, and yet torn nil a good many ooLflicting thoughts. Did she not oare at all for him ? tbe poor lad wae atking bimeelf. Bbe was far more than a match for bim be knew tbat ; but yet be nuieiurwred words and looks tbst he had given to him, be remembered [tbey wen rarely enough, indeed, out of bit thoughts) two or three tender psaesgee tbat aad passed between them, and bs oould uot vi' tbat ber indifference was uot an *uiiml. lie let s minute pass in silence, and tbeu be npoke to ber agaiu. " I dou'l know why you oome down upou e so thi moruing," he said. " What lave I done ? I am sure you ought to be riends with me. If you kuew bow I felt to yon. vou would see quickly enough how ittle /At any rate, deaerved to bave you say such things." And why you less than anybody sle? You are like other people I suppose," sbs auswered indifferently. But all people are not alike," hs remon- strated. "Why, its absurd to talk like tbat. Do you think all women are like yourself?" ' If they had my ipirit tbey would be like me in one respect," the said. That is. ib scorning rue and all my sex, I suppose?" be suggested after a momsot'i ileuoe. " In holding their proper place, and not letting you or any of your sex trample upou them," she retorted. Upon which Kt-ith isid nothing. The mplied suggestion tbat iir wss trampling upon h.-r itruok bim as something so wildly ide of tbe truth, tbat no ejaculation appeared 'adequate to express hit amaze- ment. Tbey walked again in silence for another minute or so after this. Bhe puzzled bim very much ; sbe troubled him and gave him many pangs. But yet he felt unutterably tender to her, iu 1 be longed intensely to live some expreniion to his tenderueea. More than onoe before now he had been very near declaring bis love for ber, but some lingering tense of prudence, some ingering sense of doubt, bad kept him lilent. But now the moment had oome wben it IMC med to him that be oould not war to be lilent any more. Well, I ought almost to be afraid, I nppose, to say anything more to you," he abruptly began, with his heart beating fast, after the pause had lasted a little while ; " and I should be, I fancy, if my aonsoience were not a* clear toward you as it is. but you know pretty well bow thiogi are with me. Prudence -I never wanted yon or any other woman to knock under to me, hut you know I love yon with all my heart, and if you oan only like me enough to wait for me till I bave got a home to offer you, I I think I shall be the happiest fellow liv- ing," said the poor boy, with rather a break in his voice at tha last words. It was an honeit declaration, and no woman need bave been ashamed to be touched by it : but Miss Prudence Hart bad proved ber right to the name sbe bore on a good many occasions already in ber life, and though Keith was trembling as he tin mlied ipeakii>K, ibe healthy color in ber cheek* hardly either deepened or declined, and abe paced on steadily for a dozen steps or more after he had ended hit speech, thoughtfully to all appearance, revolving tbe proposal be bad made. Sbe was as oool as a melon, too, wben, after that pause, she opened ber lips. " And what would all yonr people eay to ' wVnt do* u you, do you think, tuppoaing 1 agreed lo tbia arraugemeut '.'" the cjiuiuavdlv aked and she tamed to him and looked htm straight in the faoe. " A* tbinge afcaud a this momeut, the}/ are not exactly pie- to bear of it, i-trhnpt.?" The poor youag mam was gifted witb ouly to i- m ll and ordinety so amount e self-control that, at this inquiry, be oolorec to tbe roots of bis hair. " Tbey may not be prepared for it, but but 1 ohould tell them at ouoe, of oourae,' be said. " Aud they would no donbt be highly gratified ty tbe intelligence .' replied Mine Hart Buavely. Aud iheu the looked at bim again as ahe bave looked at a beetle through which ahe bad juat ituck a pin, and the next momeut gave a eurioui aud, perbap*, uot a very pleasant laiu.li. He was trying to nod some answer to make to her sarcasm, aud bad uttered t or tbree words, wben ibe interrupted him, not without a good deal of diguity; shi was so entirely mialreea of bereelf that it waa quite easy for her to be dignified, wbervas eveu sell pos*e-M>ion for nim waa clearly, for tbe moment, a thing uot to be attained. " Mr. Keitb, I am not quite to simple a* not to know how tbe matter stand*," abe aaid. " Before you compromise youreell auy further, take back your propoaal Yon have meant it kindly, perhaps, but you bave forgotten, I think, to take into account tbat I am likely to be a little too proud to accept it. If yon want me to tbauk you, I thank you, aud decline your offer. Aud now," she raid composedly, " let ni never speak about tbii agaiu." But of oure be began to ipeak about it again lustaotly ; be might havs hesitated before he opened his lips at all, knowing bow rjuoh reason there waa for bnaitatiou Jut, alter he bad onee parti d from bis dit cretion, it was not likely tbat an admoni- tion from ber would keep him aileut. So be pleaded his cause with all the ardor and tbe can.FHtneiM be could oaJI to hit aid, and he walked placidly by his aids aud listened to him, nudiug tbe occupation, perhaps not unpleasant. If it la ouly that you mind what tbe rest may aay, you ought not to give ins up for tbat," the young man eagerly argued. " And you are not going to tell me, Pru- dence, tbat you don't oare stall for me? You bav ai good u said yoa liked me before now. I don't think thst you would have let things go ao tar as tbey have that you would have lei me gel ao foud of you as )nu know 1 "have been getting if yoa had not meant to give something bck to me at last." ' You forget, Mr. Keith, that people are sometimes a little weak," replied Mist 1 1 rt to Ibis appeal ; and tben, ai last, abs oast hsr eyes modestly to tbe ground. " / was i cry weak if 1 ever aid I liked you." " But unless it nau oeeu true you would not have said it at all!" exclaimed Keith triumphantly . " and tbe truth of it ie all I aut you to allow. If you let me know tbat yuu like me, yoa can't imagine, ' critd tbe yonug man, " that I am going lo give you up. Prudenee, do you bke me T" Aud with ths la*t words, wbicb oame from bis lipt witb a tremulous tsndsruess, bs ventured to touch her band, and after s moment, even lo lake it in bll own. Hue tubmittcd to this movemsnt for tew seconds, but after tbat apace of time be gave a lulls, juit audible sigh, and orew herself away from bim. ' Tbii is vsry fooliih," abeiiid abruptly Koilioh do you call it !' ejaculated Keith, with all bin face ou fire. It seems to me like like standing ou tb* threshold of some new world " Well, and may not tbe threshold of a new worll be a very riaky place to maud on .'" inquired Miss Hart. " 1 am a cow- ard, you see, Mr. Keilb, and I am afraid of tbe unknown. Corns, I repeat it is sll foohnh. Let us forget tbia last half boar." How can yon tell me to do tbat, as It yoa believed that it wan possible ?" tbs roung man broke out passionately. You have been very unwiee," said Mm I art rsprovingly. 1 I bsve to lt-arn tbat yet," be replied, ' Surely, Prudence, I have told yon uoihicg hie morning tbat yon did not know before ! You allow that, de you not? And, dear," ie went on ardently, after a moment'i silence, if you bave known tbat indeed, iud if you bave still gone on meeting me, low oan I believe thst all this time you havs meant lo say no to me at last ? Yon cannot lave meant it ; there is eo much between no and yss. Oive me one word of hope, and I will wait you do not know bow ktientiy I will wait-for tbe rent " And then the mads no immediate annwer o him ; but after a little pause, she nually lid give him one word of hope. It was a very oool and cautious word, nil, such ss it was, it raised him to the seventh heaven. But, as time weut on. I ton afraid tbe poor lad found tbat he bad interest into a rather itormy paradise, and ibat if Miss Hart had disturbed bis repoee n tbe days before be bad declared himself to be ber lover, she racked bim witb almost unbearable torments in tboce other dayi tbat oame after them. For be soon discov- ered that bii expectations of receiving any extended favors from her bands after hie elevation was a delusion of tbs most abso- lute kind. Bbe gave him not more tbau sbe bad giveu bim before, but less. Bhe treated linn with brusquerie, with ooldnee*, sometimes eveu with con tempi; she made bim jsslons by parading ber apparent pre- ference of other people to himself . and when be reproached ber with these orueltiei sbe told him coolly that abe practised them for ni owu good, thst he might learn pru denoe. and wean bii affection! from her. " For you know you are very foolish to care about me," she often told him de- murely. " There are a great many other girls that it would be far better for you to like." And sbe would enumerate these maidens sometimes, till sbe drovs him wild witb impatience. I will marry you or no other woman in this world!" be told her one day, witk vehemence. And tben ehe laughed, and luddenly itppped ber teasing talk, and looking in bin face with a softer look in ber eyes t'jan shs often let him see ' Well, I don't tbink you will ever marry me," she said abruptly ; but, if mob an unlikely tbing should by chance happen, I will try uot to make you unhappy yon good old Keitb." And on this for she gave him fsw such tender ipesches the foolish fellow was so moved that, feeling an entire inability to express his gratituds in words, he fairly on his knees before ber, and kissed the little hand sbe gave up to him, with all kinds of incoherent stombliog over (me another on hli lips. Aud 10, with little v|ible change, thingi went on till the summer bad passed its beigut. Long before this. Prudence bad mads hrssli much at noms iu the Veruer family, aud had wun & high opinion lor ber virtuee fruui Mr. aud Mrs. Veruer alike. From Mabel kbe bad, perhaps, uot quite wou eo high an ofiuion, fur Mabel H acquaintance with her being more lutimste, leu uow aud then to certain suspicious tbat made tbat young lady doubtful about tbe innermost eharaoterof ber new friend : yet eveu Mabel wan attracted by ber too much to be duposvd readil) to thiuk ill of her. "It seeuie tome tb>t sbe m not quite straightfor- ward," sbe had said, uouitatingly, ouoe or twioe to Keitb (who, having nia own thoughts, loo, ou that point, bad not, per- bapH, been able to do much to allay his sitter's perplexity) , but to ber mother sbs had not said eveu so much as this. Bbe wee a kind- hearted girl, and hardly liked to hint at suspicions tbat she oould not prove : " for if mamma thought there was auythicg odd about ber ahe would never let bet may," ahe argued, aud it would seem ko bard to seud her away Beeides, I may be wroug, aud abe is so nice in many ways, and I don't believe she means any barm. It is only tbat I think sbe does not tell the truth," ibe would say, a little troubled, aud yet uuable to resolve tbat, if other people's syes were shut, it was her bukiness to opeu them. Bo kbe kept tilent : and Prudence went on her way rejoicing. But on a certain morning, wheu autumn bad begun, and the beeou-ireee were grow- ing red aud dropping tbeir leaves upon tbe lawn, tbe postman brought a letter to Miss Hart, from which unexpected results ensued. It was a letter addressed in a man's hand, aud wheu nbe received it at tbe breakfast title. Prudence blushed a little, and slipped it into her sprou pocket un- opened, and wheu the meal was esdd took her departure from the apartment rather hastily ; after wbiob for a good wbile nobody saw ber any more. After an hour or two bad passed, bow- ever, Mrs. Veruer was seated by herself in tbe dining room witb ber dek and ber aeoount-buoks before her, wben Miss Hart's gsulle ougers opened tbe door, aud ber soft step having brought ber to Mrs. Verner's side, down she uuexepeotedly plumped there ou tbe tl jor, giving tbe elder lady, who was buy witb ber bill*, rather a turn. W bat's tbe matter, my dear?" ahe said jaickly . looking round. 'Ob, dearest Mrs Veruer, nothing is tbe matter," answered Prudence swsetly. Bhe bad a pretty color in her cheeks, and in hsr syes the softest look of modest confu- sion. " Nothing is tbe matter unless yon sbo.ild be angry , but you won't be tbat, I tbluk, because I am so happy. I have oome to tell you first of all. Dear Mrs. Veruer I am 1 am going to be married." " Married, Prudence!" cried Mrs. Veraer. quite taken aback, for sbe bad thought ahe knew all tbe girl's concerns, sud bad calmly oome to the conclusion loug ago tbat ahe had never had a lover in ber i.fe. Vos. I knew I ihould surprise yon," answered Prudence, softly laughing. for I never told you, did 1? Hut it has been such a long attachment oh, such a long attactnu.nl I aud there were difficulties ; but bs oan do what be likes now, snd my ouly trouble, dear Mrs. Veruer, is tbat I must leave you all at onoe. Yes, at ouoe, tor be is gnug with bis regiment to Canada almost immediately, and and there will 'M> so in any things to do you know." " But. Prudsnos, where do you propose to go to?" exclaimed the matron, feeling almott aoaudalized at tbe rapidity with which Miss Hart was preparing to transact he whole affair. " You can't be married o a moment, child." " in, no . but bv aaks me to go and stay n London with bis brother," explained Prudence, with another sweet and modest mile. " Ilia brother is married. 1 don't mow bis wife, but tbat doesn't matter, it? And they bave sent an invitation to me to go to them, and tbey want to bavs our wedding from tbeir bouiie. Are they not kind ? Wherever I go people are so geod to ms," said grateful Prudenee. Tbe news was startling ; but of course ibe only thing was to facilitate Miss Hart's departure. Tbe gentleman who was to be ier husband bad just oome into a very good ortune. *be informed them. " I am sure yon will be glad to kcow tbat I shall not be poor," sbs told them meekly ; and tbey ere very glad of course. Tbey rejoiced in ber happiuess altogether very heartily. Tbe only thing we bave to regret is tbat ws muat lose you," they said to ber. " But you will not lose me (orsver, I hope," Prudence answered vary iweetly to tbiii. " My George hopes only to be abroad for a very few years, and then we shall settle iu England, aud I hepe 1 ihall see a great deal of you." And so when Thursday oame ahe took her departure witb smiles and tears. It was quite an affecting parting. Mr. and Mrs. Verner almost felt as if tbey were separating from a daughter. Tbsy gave ber a handsome present to hslp hsr witb her trouasesu , tbey told ber to let them bave frtquent news of ber. The boys will be so iiurprised," Mrs. Verner repeated, an hour before tbe end oame. I shall write to Keith this afternoon and tell him. They will both bs so sorry when they bear you are gone." And accordingly, wben Prudent-*, was fairly launched on ber new life. Mrs. Verner wrote ber note, and Keitb got it the next morning. He found it on bis table when he oame iu to breakfast, and he read it in Godfrey'! presence, and as he read it be gave a gtsp and turned deadly pale. " I say, what's up?" cried hi* brother in auriirise; and then without a word Keitb danlied the letter on tbe ground, and tbe other picked it up and read it. The next moment Godfrey bad itruok bis clenched hand on the table with a blow tbat made the cups and sauoers ring. " Confound her '" he cried furiously. But Keitb only looked at him for a moment, and then walked blindly out of the room. His brother might curse ber, but be had loved ber too well for that. He felt as if bis life wss ended. Through tbe closed doors be beard Godfrey iwearing and be sat down alone, like a man who was tuunsd. TRC SND. Little do men perceive what solitude is, and how far it extenletb. For a crowd ii not company, and faces an but a gallery of pictures, and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love. Baton,