Year: 1864

but not wealthy. In early life he married
one Of the co-helr of a city banker, and
by ante nuptial agreement her property was
strictly secured to any heirs she might have.
She died while l her only child, was yet an
infant, and her wealth become mine, held by
my father in trust for my use until should
reach the age at which it would come into
my possession.


L was left to the care of servants, princi-
pally for my father, though very fond of me
was always immersed i n business, and spent
but little time in the splendid but comfort
less home over which no mistress presided.
IJcould not remain thus. My aunt St.
Clair returned from Europe when / was
about fourteen, She came with her family
to Ferdhill by my fathers invitation, to re
main until her house in town could be put
in order for her reception. She saw and was
astonlshed at my wild appearance and hoy
endish manners, She quickly decided that
her sisters child. and great heiress, must
not be allowed to remain thus, and it was
arranged that | should accompany her to the
city enter at once upon he course of lnstruc
i ton so necessary and sa long neg lected
| Al the age OF sixteen summers my aunt
| had succeeded in having me " finished" &C
Cor,iing to the fashionable patient. | was
beautiful, wlllful, utterly selfish, and de-
votee of the art OF flirting, SO accomplished
| went to my old home, and my aged fat her,
! who welcomed me with pride and fondness
4 gay party went with me whom was to
| make the round of the watering place with
after short visit to my father.


The Sabbath before we were to start, we
Ill went to the old village church, shall
never forget that day. As we all sat silent
there was slight rustling of leaves, and the
mperceptible stir that announces new
conner, and | turned to see that the clergy
man had entered noseIessly. He was kneeI
! ing at his desk, his face buried in the snowy
handkerchief he bore in his hand, but when
after moment he rose, | saw pale .intel-
ectual face grand head covered by light,
waving hair of golden brown, tall figure
| finely prOportioned, but little too slight
or the indications of robust health. | was
attracted and interested at first, but when
he commenced to read, the deep melodious
| infections Of his voice completed the charm
| l listened entranced.


From that inatant saw nothing felt moth
| ing but his presence, and when the service
and the sermon were ended and he sank
down in the last, silent prayer, it was as if
the sun had been withdrawn from my world
and left in darkness.


Mechanically followed my frie nds into
the porch A sudden shower was gathering
the air was chill, the bird songs were
| hushed, and all nature wore the gray hue
so OMNIBUS OF her coming convulsons
had been unconscious of the change, but the
chill wind had been blowing upon me from
an open window, as | sit in church, aud now
| shuddered, as taking my fathers arm /
| hurried LoneWavd. Before we reached
! the hoT2e tEs storm broke and Gll but the
s"ittest pedestrians, we're Thoroughly drench
ed. Ere njghtfell burn ing fever aternated
with icy chlls in my frame and the effect Of
draft and drenchmg declared themselves.
Mr.. Fletcher bad been invited by my ia
ther to dine with US, but had excused him
self with the simple remark that his dpt,es
absorbed the entire sabbath day. But during
the week, and after our friends had left us
he called, | saw him in the little morning


room where | rested upon couch
and he dined with my father. This
visit was followed by many others, until at
last he dlned with US nearly every day and
spent most evenings in listening to my per-
formance upon the pinano-forte, or in con
versation with me.


saw the effects of my charm. | knew
that | was beautiful, and the world declared
me brilliant. And | brought every art that
l had learned, to lure this silent, grave youth
TO my feet. 1t was triumph to bend his
glorious intellect to a girls will, and liked
him, too, mole and more as time-that love
| iy summer time wore on. But am sure no
thought of the future or of the consequences
OF my acts ever intruded upon me. had
oten taught 70 look upon life as garae, and
forgot that all players were not skillful like
myself.


And yet suffered, too, for was not des-
titute of sympathy, and my heart not wholly
untouched, either by profound devotion OF
TINS silent grave mad-with all his learning
and mental discipline powerless to his decla
ration of love, and spoke the words that sep
ara.ed us forever


went up to my room half angry with
myself, listening to some smothered re
proaches OF my conscience, YET repeating that
|, heiress and beauty, with the honors of
beIlehoOi not yet fallen into tradition, could
not marry poor country clergyman, whose
whole estate was his hands and surplice and
thepitance these villagers paid him for those