Year: 1859

can never be rekindled upon the altar of the
heart He had long since measured the
former in all its length, breadth, height and
depth but of the latter he knew nothing
until Alice Vernon's hand had kiudled the
holy fame. He had long since been able
fully to understand the poets words


ITO sport an hour with beauty's chain,


Then throw it idly by;


To knecl at many shrine,


Yet lay the heart on none;


To think all other charms divine,


But those we just have won;


This is love-careess love-


Such as kindleth hearts that rove;'


But until recently be had been stranger
to that sentiment which was now so fully
appreciated, and which teaches


ITO keep one sacred fame


Through life, unchied, unmoved;


To love in wntry age, the same


That first in youth we loved;


To feel that We adore


To such refined excess,


That though the heart would break with more,


1t could not live with less;


This is love-faithful love-


Such as saints might feel above"


And such was Harry Wentworth's love
for Alice Vernon. He loved her with an
intensity a wildness, of which such natures
as his, are alone capable he felt that the
love he bore her could only be quenched by
death. As he looked forward into the future,
the prospect was frightened by their mutual
love; for it was with her loving arms cling
ing around him that he hoped to reap all
the happiness that earth can give; it was in
her compauionship that he hoped to pass
uuscathed through the trials of life; and
when the shades of life's evening should
fall upon their path, and the night of death
draw nigh, twas side by side with her, that
he hoped to sleep 'the sleep that knows no
waking


Harry was still absorbed in his reverie,
when the door was opened, and he heard
the voice of Earnest Graham as he entered,
congratulating him upon his marvellous con-
version.


"What conversion do you mean," asked
Harry, "have I undergone any very remark
able change lately?"


II should think so, when I hear that you,
who recently professed such strange doc
trines, are now actually engaged"


Engaged in what-iu the study of law !
Why I have been engaged in that for the
last year though I must acknowledge that
I have made very little progress"


"You are exceedingly dull Of comprehen-
sion today. To be more explicit then, J.
am informed that you are really and truly
engaged to be married"


"And pray, who is that fortunate individ-
ual, who is to be Mrs. Harry Wentworth p


"No less a parsonage than Miss Alice
Vernon"


"And now I would like to know who takes
such an interest in my affairs, as to know
my intentions even before know them my
self? Who is your informant?"


"As 1 was passing Mrs. Clayton's this
morning, I met Mary who had just return
ed from her visit to Woodlawn. She was,
as usual, in high spirits, and I could not
escape her until she had regaled me with
an account of your Christmas operations at
Woodlawn. Among other things she in
formed me that you addressed Miss Vernon
and were accepted that this important event
took place on the day after Christmas, and
that it is to be consummated by your speedy
marriage"


"Mary Clayton yes, l might have known
that it was Mary Clayton, without putting
you to the trouble of telling me; she makes
it point to know all that has happened,
and all that is going to happen to her neigh
bors, before they have the least idea of it
themselves. 1t is pity that her long
tongue cannot be stopped, though am Ger.
tain that if it were stopped for five minutes
at once, it would kill her."


"Let Mary Clayton alone for the present,
and tell me if what she said is true"


"Well, to be candid, a part of it is true,
iusomuch as there is nothing wanting to our
engagement but the consent Of her parents.
As to our speedy marriage, I am entirely
ignorant of any such arrangement.


"Then my congratulations on your con,
version we're not amiss, and | now add, my
dear friend, my most sincere good wishes
for your success in the prosecution of this
matter. And when you have brought it tc
successful issue, trust that you will spend
a long life in the realization of your most
extravagaut dreams of happiness"


From the time that Harry Wentworth
left Woodlawn, he was an altered man nc
sooner was he assured of Alice Vernon:
love, than a new life was indeed awakened
within him, and he resolved to change hi:
whole course of life. Having obtained tht
sanction of her parents to his engagement
with Alice, he adopted, with her concur
renee, the following arrangements for thu
future. He was to remain at L. in tht
prosecution of his studies, until the follow
ing winter. The year after, he was to spenc
in Europe; and Immediately on his return
he was to be married, and enter upon th'
practice of his profession. These arrange
ments being completed to his satisfaction, h
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