Year: 1868

AS daylight sought itsslumbers in the
bosom of night, the lovers were again to-
gether.


81 am doing wrong" murmured Eliza,
"in meeting you again, since am an af-
fanced bride. This night must be our
last. 1t is sad thing to part with
those we love; yet I act as virtue die
tates, and we must meet no more, as"


"Say not that we shall meet no more
as lovers. Say that we shall meet no
more; that will be Sufficiently severe,
for, Eliza, could we meet but to love, to
upbraid fate which so cruelty divided
US 2"


al must away" said the girl; "if
Quintin's affection is pure, he will con-
denim me tarrying."


Farewell, then, sweetest! If I lose
thee I will wander, to some distant
cline, and strive to bury my regrets in
new scenes and amid new companions -


He imprinted kiss upon her willing
lips. He watched her retiring form as
it appeared and disappeared amid the
foliage, at intervals, till it was finally
lost to his anxious view, and then turned
slowly and sadly away.


Never did father love his daughter
with more fondness than Algini his child
Eliza. Her coed was his great aim
and as he was an enthusiast in the art
of the pencil, deemed that one of that
profession would be most worthy of his
child. These two passions mingled to-
gether in such manner ,that they be-
came but one. He considered the can
vas as a lasting monument for genius,
and that he would best consult his
daughters happiness by uniting her to
one who would be alive to all posterity
by his works


Van Deg had been therefore selected,
as he was the boast of his country; and
the figures of his creation wanted moth
ing but motion to make them such as
their originals. Besides. he was wealthy,
and would add to the aff1uence of the
family. Finally, his daughter was not
old enough now to judge for herself; and
though she had confessed that she was
prejudiced against her proposed husband,
a few years of connubial intercourse
would overcome that, and she would ul-
timately be benefited.


Just as he was at that point of his re-
Elections on the ensuing day, letter car
rier entered his apartment and handed
him letter, saying he would wait with
out for an answer, and had been bound
by an oath not to disclose who had COM
missioned him to deliver the communi-
cation.


Algini was astonished at these words,
and as soon as the other retired, broke
the seal and read


eff the parent consulted the daughter +
happiness, would he not seek from her
if she does not love another2 I think
she does. But if Van Deg is to possess
the fair being, may I be mistaken. May
her marriage to the man of your choice
not hurry her to another world Her
obedience causes her to submit. I lay
claim to her affections but with these
do not pretend to alter your determine.
tion. You have the reputation of pat
ronizing merit as it appears in painting
Defer the nuptials to this day twelve
month, and let Van Deg on that day
place his chef d'euUre on the left of the
altar. If the one which appears on the
right does not tell of more skillful
master, 1 abide the result. If it does,
then it is but fair to leave to your
daughter the privilege of choosing her
partner from the two.'


The father was delighted with this
proposal, as it suggested trial of skill
in his favorite study. He accordingly
returned word of his acceptance of the
term, and notified Van Deg thereof
A wear nassed away. durinp which ths