, 1844-02-07

poured out wine, 10 others she handed
their fayorite fruits, talking and laugh
ling with each in their turn and scarcely
bes,owing a look on me. In the midst oil
this festiyity a thick smoke arose. which
after curling around several times as
sumcd by degrees the formlof a large I'll
ger, ready in one moment 10 dart on his
Iprey. All were seized with fear and
trembling, but not one had power 10 move.
Aud then methought the tiger spoke and
said:--"Mabel Gray! you have twelve
quests. Eleven are devoted and must
die! Make cholce, therefore, Of one to
be swaziland see that You choose as you
think-for not one Of ihe others shall
survive your decisipnes Mabel Gray
grew deeply pale. "lntense anxiety
was depic'ed on the coun,enances Of all.
Not a moment Yves 10 be lost-she threw
herself on my neck--embracsd me ten
derly-and, imprinting a burning kiss up.
on my lips"-
"a kiss, STRIP said Mabel, suddenly
starting up ga kiss!"
"'Twas in my Dream" said Pearson.
"Remember you were not to interrupt.
But | have finished, for with the kiss |
awoke; SO whether the tiger devoured the
others or not, | have really no: means Of
ascertaining."
GA pleasant dream trulyn' said Mabel,
laughing, with a bloom on her cheek
heightened in intensity. alt is enter
tanning, however, and shows the truth of
the old adage, that dreams always q oby
contraries. But, MI. Pearson, | have
lost so much time with your silly story,
that ! am quite forgetting The chain for
poor Mr.. Mordaunt." Y
Here she busted herself in searching
for the neglected nomen,o, and having
found it, Immediately commenced work
ing upon it in a most industrious and
lpfaiseworlhy style, Until Mr.. Oliver
Pearson had taken his leave. Then she
threw it down, leaned her face on her
hand, and 10 a few moments was buried
IN meditation.
At the same time the next morning
MIR. Pearson was announced, but his APP
pearance had undergone a complete
change. He no longer wore a joyous
countenance--nor did he enter the room
briskly--nor draw his. chair close to Mis-
GRAY. He seated himself thoughtfully
on The sofa aud heayed a profound sigh
MIR. Poarson you eaem r,eIanehoiy
Have | been upkind in your dreams?"
d ~To he treated coldly night and day
by the only being I ever loved, is to'
/ much TO bear. Miss Gray, Ihavs taske'
myself beyond my powers. imagined
! that ! could force myself to believe tina
. you loved me but last night proved I'M
deception Not content with rejecting
me you actually laughed at my despair
/, Methought that, but ! dare not trust my
self 10 relate my dream. Suffice it I
J, say that my doom is sealed, and ! hav'
e noihing now TO hope for. Tomorrow
shall start for The continent"
"To.morroww said Mabel, %turninI
}, Ipale. "Leave US to-you ~say-to-mor
s row."
e "Yes," said Pearson; "why should
delay2 You have pronounced my sen
tence Of Punishment, and | obey you
will"
AL "Mr. Pearson said Mabel, smiling
. :'you should not-nay, this is foolish. Bu
own | pity you, and to show it, com
here. and [ will tell YOU o dream | ha
Ia last night"
Pearson drew his chair close by he
side.
70 81 thought" said Mabel, smiling, "th'
"a | was standing al an altar, a,tired as
- bride. The portraits of all my admirer
were passed before me, so that migl
y freely choose; and as soon as | haG don
u so, the original was 10 present himself b.
fore me-"
y "Well." said Pearson, almost breatl
. less with suspense-"ant you choo:
whonf"
. "Listenm said Mabel. "The po
% traits moved slowly along, and ! anxious
y" ly awaited the appearance Of one-,i
l. IeSet1UldICo Oh nln WHO dIOHe IHu pU
ho session of my heart. AT length it cam
W and | uttered the name but alas! Il
i original came not2"
~ ~And The name," said Pearson, cage
", "the name was"--
~, "Oliver Pearson" said Mabel, looklI
"a down and blushing,
- "The original is here before YOU" ga
Pearson raPturously taking her han
'MabeI, do dreams always 60 by contr
riesi"
"Not always" said Mabel, sinking i
w 10 bis arms,
"You love me, them" said Pearso
Vand | am not treated with contempt"
~ "Let this confirm it, said Mabel,
king the doubtful chain from her boso
~ and hanging i around his neck.
"And wss this always intended 1
mel" inquired Pearson, smiling.
"At least" said Mable, cit was inter
ed for no Q else"
on. MoRAL.