Year: 1859

of prosecuting it., After pleasant ride of
several hours, the party returned in capital
mood for carrying out the second and third
provisions of the programme, viz: prepara-
tons for dinner, and dinner itself; both Of
which being duly despatched, the prepara-
tious for the evening began. Huge logs Of
oak and hickory we're piled in the freplaces
of the large hall; the tables were removed,
.sths fiddler a parsonage who is to be found
on every Southern plantation, was brought
in, and the fun began. But it is not our
purpose to dwell upon all the scenes of the
evening; we will mention one only, which
bears Immediately upon our narrative,
l:-nAlice Vernoa wasisisting in conversation
with group of young persons, when the
name of Harry Wentworth was mentioned
in connection with her own and she was ac-
cused of being rather fond of his attentions.
Without thinking for moment, she vehe-
mently denied the charge, and expressed her
surprise that she should be accused of pla'
cling any value whatever on the attentions of
man whom she regarded as a confirmed
Airt Noticing that those sitting opposite
to her, looked somewhat confused al her
Incorporate remark, she turned around and
saw Wentworth, who had just come up in
time to get the benefit of her panegyric up
on himself. Fixing his eyes upon her in a
look, which seemed to her, of mingled pride,
scorn and sorrow, he turned away and walk
ed to another part the room. What Miss
Vernon's feelings were, can be more readily
imagined than described, when she reaec-
ted upon the consequences of her thought
lessness. How must she stand in the esti-
nation of him, whose good opinion she priced
above that of any one else on earth? Oh !!
how foolish, how reckless, to make such a
remark concerning any ole Her being teas
ed about him was no excuse. And now
how was she to repair the injury? She could
only trust to his generosity for forgiveness.


On the following evening, as Alice was
returning alone from tour in the garden,
she was met at the door by Harry Went
worth, who to her surprise, requested her to
take walk with him. The request being
granted, they directed their steps across the
lawn towards the stream that bordered it.
Arrived at the stream, they seated them
selves upon little knoll near its margin
The sun was just sinking behind the western
hills, and was gliding with his latest beams,
the tops of the tall oaks of Woodlawn; the
stars were beginning to come forth one by one,
alike sentinels upon the outskirts Of heaven
and night was fastening to throw her sable
mantle over the slumbering earth. The scene
was we'll suited for the communion of two
such beings as were gazing upon Ill. They
sat in silence for some time, when Harry
suddenly pointed to the stream before them.
Chow like" said he, "to the stream of hu-
manlife at times flashing, sparkling and re-
flecting the brilliant rays of the sun Of pros
perity upon everything around; at others,
flowing darkly under the shade of adversely,
and finally when it nears the vast ocean Of
Eternity, rolling onward in solemn silence,
as if to catch the sound of its ow1I distant
murmurings."


elbow often," replied Alice, "have I
played upon the banks of this brook, and
watched the water as it hurried along over
its rocky bed. It's noise seemed to me
then, only the song of mirth. Little did |
know how strangely mingled in this world of
ours, were the sounds of revelry, and the
means Of sorrow little did think that life,
like the stream, had its shade as well as its
sunshine, until I learned by bitter experience
that life was not all one scene of happiness"


"And have you too," said Harry, "been
taught in the school of adversely! l thought,
from your unclouded brow and sunny smile,
that you scarcely knew the meaning Of "sad
experience" May ask to what sorrow
you allude ?'


"The death of an only brother. He was
several years older than myself, and I looked
upon him as the embodiment of everything
that was good, generous and noble. He
died three years ago, and was buried in sight
of this stream, which he loved SO much
while living. His grave is a short distance
above us, where you see that opening in the
wood"


On Weutworth's proposing to visit the
grave, they rose from the knoll on which
they were sitting, and proceeded towards the
spot designated by Alice. At the distance
of about one hundred yards, they came upon
the family burying ground there, enclosed
by low stone wall, were the graves Of sew
eral generations of the Vernon family
Passing through the gate which led into the
enclosure, they stood before a grave, over
which was laid plain marble slab with the
inscription,


"HENRY VERNON.


JUST SIXTEEN.


Born, A. d., 18-.


Died, A. D., lS-.


Alice did not speak; she only pointed to
the slab, and her large blue eyes filled with
tears, as memories of him who lay cold and
silent beneath it, rushed upon her mind
II