Year: 1859

IHE summer ferYld sun nau Deen
cooled by the refreshing breath of autumn;
and with its heats nature had laid aside
her verdant coverings of gauze and tinsel,
and robcd herself in the gorgeous hues of
autumn's glowing vestments. The god of
day had sought his couch in the resplen-
dent west. The timid moon peeped over
the eastern horizon, and turned pale in
the light of his evening fires. Earth,
seemed wrapt in pensive silence, and
mutely gazod upcn this change of dynas-
ties in the empire of Heaven. Fenelon


Randolphs spirits, too, partook of the
general stiffness, as he neared tho spot
upon which had been passed some of the
happiest hours Of his youth. The war
ring of the mighty elements within, had


hushed into repose, at the command Of
that god-like 'Ulyses" resolre A kind
of peaceful joy took possession Of his
breast, aud he looked forth upon nature
with smile of complaisance, that told of
mind at ease; for never once, did a
doubt of the reception which he should
meet at the home of his relatives obtrude
upon him. And as he left the highroad
and wound down the long broad path, and
across the murmuring brook, and began to
ascend the gentle slope upon which stood
the Coonels homestead, his pace quick
ened, and his heart beat with pleasurable
anticipation The mansion was aglow
with light, and, ever and anon, ringing
laughter and voices of gladness iloated
out upon the still air, and as he dismoun-
ted at the gate, and walked rapidly up the
avenue of trees leading to the house, the
sound of music fell upon his ear. His
football upon the piazza was unheard, and
obeyng a whim Of the moment, he step
ped aside to take look into one Of the
open windows Twas an enchanting
home picture upon which he gazcd, and
leaning back upon pillar, he took in its
beauties In one corner was assembled a
group of children, engaged in merry
games, and from these had proceeded the
sounds of mirth which first had greeted
him. Upon the opposite side of the glow
ing fire sat several ladies and gentlemen,
engaged in animated conversation; among
the latter he reconized the father of the
household. But soon his eyes fell on
another object, and fingered. Sitting at
the piano, her profile turned towards him


aud her fingers gliding nimbly over the
keys, sat the being whom he now delighted
to call his Djte, for with her sweet face
and joyous smile, had come back the oldcn
ecstacies of admiration. Oh how fondly
he dwelt upon her innocent lovliness, with
what wonder did he regard himself, fol
ever having forgotten her, and worshiped
at another shrine. How lightly those
long years had stepped upon that brow


for their feet had left no impress, nor had
the wing of time cast even slight shade
upon her ripping hair, All how vel


he remembers that dimple in the velve


cheek, the sparkling light in that eye, fol
now she smiles and looks upward to SPEAK
to some one standing at her side, bu


whom, in his preoccupation, he had no


noticed. His eyes follow hers. Oh


misery, can it be? there with her calm
eyes heaming down upon her lovely com


panion, stood the woman whom he had,
moment ago, deemed forgotten. Th'
rotreating tides rushed back and engulpl


ed his soul, shutting out all of the ligh


and joy that had grown upon him. ye
even amid the suflocating waves, he saw
and mprchended, the vast difference be
tween the fancy Of youths, and man


hoods lore An instant he stood as trans
fixed, the next obeyed the sole implus


that presented itself, "to ly," and spring
ing down the marble steps, he bounde,
with the Aeetnoss Of fear adown the Ion,
avenue, and outside the great gate, h


mounted, and applying whip and spun
was soon out of sight of that happy home
with its treasures Of love and beauty, ou
of sight of all that could render life bles


or existence tolorabe The moon, now i
undisputed majesty, sat regally in th
cloudless sky, and with her serene in
Auence seemed to soothe and tranquili2
his turbulent emotion, and the nippn


night air recalled him 20 self-preseryation
aud wrapping his blanket more closel
around him, ho proceeded at slowC