Year: 1869

Just at four o'clock, one dazzling afternoon
last February, two young persons of opposite gen.
ders, took sudden possession of neat sleigh,
mu fled themselves together in manner intended
to secure as far as possible the double advant-
age of comforting protection and engaging ap-
pearance and after judicous settlement of skirts
and robes on the one hand and cap and furs on
the other, darted briskly off along the smooth
and shining roads of Winston. Clear and still,
and not at all chilling, was the atmosphere.
The sun shed all its splendor from a cloudless
sky, and the spotless earth radiently reflected its
glittering beams The two sleighers with whom
we have to do agreed without debate that no
other day so favorable for their excursion could
have been selected, and in turns went into
spasmS of rhetorical excitement over the glories
of winter-in the present cheering aspect.


Not having accustomed themselves to the as
sduous study of nature, they failed to exactly
interpret certain omens which might otherwise
interfere with their innocent enthusiasm Of
course neither had noticed the night before the
broad circle of luminous haze that surrounded
the moon, giving warning of approaching disor-
der above. OF course neither considered, as they
dashed along, needing their own pleasant fam
ces, the light clouds which, rapidly rising, soon
overspread the souther heaven, and gradually
threatened to obscure the declining sun. What
need had they to anticipate the possible inter-
ruptions of their sport.


None certainly. Their aim pleasure.


Lucy Brandon, nineteen, dainty beautiful
and coquetisb, by unconquerable feminine in
stinct, filled the hearts of the youths of Winston,
and above all those hearts gathered within the
institution for the wholesale manufacture of the
Clergyman, for which Winston is celebrated, with
frenzies.


The secular youth swore she was an angel.
The students, whose destiny theological,
did not swear, but after investigating the sub
iect, and finding that angels were sometimes i'm
perfect and infallible, proclaimed her divine,
and in their prisons remembered her.


In this way they satisfied all the conditions of
Of their college. Inside the walls they were d-
vinity students; outside they were students of
divinity.


In consequence it may be revealed that Miss
Lucy's highest attributes were, in fact, of a
moral order. She was not bit of angel !:
but she was what is much better for the purposes
of this world-a charming girl with beauty
enough to wind golden chains around suscepti-
BILE young hearts, and with enough to fasten
with glittering clasps whenever she chose. At
the same time she was amiable as could fairly
be expected of a spirited young woman who
ruled subservient seminary with rod more
rigid than any the professors could WELD she
was, with all her frolicsome coquetry, as dis
Greet as dowager, and she was not destitute of
good sense, powerful proof Of which was that
she never wrote her name Lucio. Nevertheless,
it is a melancholy fact that many of the maidens
of Winston persistently refused to recognize
those infatuating qualities, which by the ruder
creatures were unanimously accorded her.


After a considerable period of supreme sway,
seeking something new to conquer, she fell in
with Mr.. Henry (christened, but popularly de-
nominated Harry Langford, fine young fellow,
with no theological aspirations, who had come
to Winston to look after some long neglected re-
lations. Clever and well-dressed, and with a
heavenly curl to his hair, he interested Miss
Brandon, who forthwith smiled upon him, and
baited her Irritation hooks with most delicate
destinations. With shade Of surprise, she OBJ
served that her intended victim succeeded in reap
ing the full benefits of the bats, and yet refused
to be caught. Upon this, she become shy, and
he commenced promiscuous assault upon the
affections of every available young woman he
encountered. As soon as it was evident that
they understood each other, they began to laugh.
Consultation followed From laughing at one
another, turned to laughing at Miss Brandon 5
troop of suppliant admirers. l am sorry to say
that the young lady betrayed confidence. She
told him how one especially devout adorer was
continually quoting scriptural pufs to her; and
how another, of chronological turn of mind
wonld insist on comparing her to new and e4-
quisite specimens of bugs. Then he told her,
quite maliciously, how precarious her rule was,
ana cruelty lkened Der position 10 that OF a
keeper in lunatic asplum, whose strength lies
in his confidence that his subordinates, having
lost their wits, possess no power of combination
among themselves to defeat bis plans. Occa-
sionally Mise Brandon was a little tart some
times Mr. Langford was little rude but they
usually kept within amable bounds, and were
understood to be excellent friends = nothing
more


Not one of Miss Lucy's devotees ever thought
it worth while to look upon Henry Langford
with green eyes of indignation. He was 10 no
degree rapturous about her; she often snubbed
him. An infnitesimal quarrel between them
had once been detected. Besides, be was not q
resident; only visitor, whose opportunities
were thus limited.


Moreover it is fact that no two persons were
more profoundly convinced of their absolute in
difference to one another than Miss Brandon and
Nr. Lapgford