, 1864-02-13
The Missing Link.

and the cherry-tree that walls against my
chamber window. Here's fidl!e, thotgh.
for you to guess. l have a mother there.
who is not my mother, and a sister, would
not have my sister for the highest honors
at old Harvard"
The glancing of muslin dress from be.
hind a clump Of frs checked the response
on my lips, and the next instant a beauti-
full, girlish figure fitted down the pathway,
into pair of outstretched arms.
Dear brother Robert !" and "My little
sister Leila "' were the salutations and
then crimson hushes on either face, and u
certain watchful cstraint-evidence un-
questionable, aside from my friends init
nation, of tendcrer relationship than
their words signified.
Albert Radclif, my college chum;
mentioned him in my last letter. He is on
his WHY to the mountains, and will do us
the favor of spending a few days in our
rustic home"
The graceful little lady welcomed me with
unaffected dignity, and Iembraced the OPP
portunity Of reading the lines Of her coun-
tenancc with an interest greatly enhanced
by the late pleasant discovery. No single
feature had been cast in the mould Of
beauty, and yet the face, with its varying
transits of expression, was one Of the most
attractive had ever seen. She could not
have been over fifteen, but her form was
the perfection Of wonanly grace, and her
conversation denoted an advanced stage of
culture.
The inside Of the house presented strik-
ing contrast to the rough exterior. The
low-studded rooms were nicely furnished
the parlor even elegantly. 4 piano stood
open, and flute lying conspicuously upon
it, drew a quiet smile Of recognition from
one Of the guests.
A pale, subdued-looking woman, with
heavy iron-gray hair, was addressed by the
tender appellation of mother, and presented
to me as Mrs. Burslcy. ltwas my friends
name, yet he was not her son. And Leila
had been introduced as Miss Kendrick. l
spcculatcd secretly little, on the probable
relationship of the parties, but soon forgot
it in the enjoyment Of the excellent supper
smoking on the table at our arrival, and the
conversation of my entertaining host and
hostess. Music, and short ramble under
the frs and the moonlight, filed up the
brief summer evening.
Mrs. Bursley plead fatigue as an excuse
for retiring early. l followed her example,
being quite willing to leave the lovers alone.
We passed into our respective rooms, from
opposite sides of the old-fashioncd fireplace,
and yet they seemed to he in close prOx-
unity. lcould hear distinctly the words Of
the Psalm which she read Us part of her
nightly devotions Feeling exceedingly
weary, though intensely wakeful, ! took
immediate possession Of my couch, ready
to give myself up to whatever tide Of fancy
should promise soonest to wait me toward
the shores Of Dreamland.
A sudden shock, like the dropping Of
windOw-sash, or the fall of seme pondcrous
object to the floor, aroused me. A con-
fused sense of hurrying feet, swinging doors
and beating rain preceded my full awak-
ening. | started up in bed. A reflection
Of the dawn fell on my face. A fearful
hush was upon me, and throughout the
dwelling. could hear my heart beat, and
felt the cold sweat oOzing from my brow.
A thrilling scream cut the air like sharp
sword--then dead fall. 1t was in the ad-
joining room. This conviction came last.
l was awake now, in possession Of reason
and volition. Whilehurryingon my clothes,
there came laundering rap at the porch
door-prcsently a crash, then quick, heavy
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