Year: 1860

listened with an interest which increased
as he became more intimately acquainted
with Miss Morland. His own morbid mp
athy had passed away. Every morning
he arose, not as formerly to dreary blank
but to the interest Of his new acquaintance
for lie had now an object before him. that
of winning her back at once from her sor.
row and her strict seclusion.


1t did not seem that his efforts were fat
ed to be unsuccessful; by degrees, Rach-
els listless depression appeared to yield to
them, and she awoke to the enjoyment
both Of natural scenes around her, and Of
the companionship and sympathy which
frightened them and when he saw the
smile with which she greeted his approach,
the evident pleasure which she took in lis
society, other feelings than those of dis
interested kindness began, though at first
unconsciously to himse,f to dawn within
him, and the day was a weary one to him
in which, either in visit to the parsonage
or ramble over the rocks, he had not en-
joyed the society of Rachel His evenings
were always spent in her company, for it
had become a settled thing that he should
drink tea with the Woods, who, liking all
they saw and all they heard of him, wit
messed with pleasure his increasing intima~
cy with their friend.


The three weeks originally proposed as
the term of his stay had long since elapsed
but he had forthmsans to prolong it under
different pretexts, until autumn was now
far advanced. He felt that he could ling
er on forever without any settled aim or
purpose, and it crossed his mind that, in
doing SO, he might not be acting honora-
bly, toward Miss Morland, should she in:
deed feel any greater pleasure in his com
pany than in that Of merely an agreeable
acquaintance. Herejected the unwelcome
scrupls as the offspring Of vanity, but could
not Danish it from his mind, and at length
reluctantly resolved to depart the follow
ing week. lie went mp to the parsonage,
purposing to inform his frienls of his in
tention, and was himself astonshel at the
pain which his decision cost him, and to
find that his step was once more az slow
and weary as it had been when lie first
sought his present abode. It was a relief
to him to be informed that Mr.. and Mrs
Wood had gone out for the day, and that
Miss Morland was walking. lie felt re
prieved. Perhaps he had been over hasty;
there WAS no occasion for him to 90 quite
SO soon; =; at all events he should have time
to think the matter over. Mechanically
he bent his steps toward the sea>shore-
rs he rounded small head land, absorb
ed in these qusstionings, he almost start d
to see her in life and limb seated on the
sands at a little distance from him. He
thought how much she altered since the
first time he had seen her, then, as now
The hsggard palcness Of her cheek had
given place to the delicate tut more life
like hue; and, if her countenance still
bore the impress OF some past sorrow, the
look of hopeless dependency was gone.


The sound of his footsteps WAS scarcely
audible on the soft sand, and she did not
perceive him till he stood beside her and
addressed her The sad, serious look in
stantly vanished from her face, and it was
with the bright smile to which lie was now
accustomed that she turned to welcome
him. But it met no answering smile, for,
inexplicably to himself, that look Of wei
come strengthened him in his purpose.


'Is anything the matter, Captain GreyT'
asked Rachel, alarmed at the gave, mel
ancholy gaze which met hers.


II am thinking how soon the happy
days of my stay here must end for | re-
turn to town next week. was Randolph's
reply.


Going away so soon? Is Isitneccssary"'


Yes am afraid it is


She sighed and turned away her head.


VIII you really sometimes miss me,
Miss MorIand 2"


How could I do otherwise q replied
she simply. You have been very kind
to me; and the loss of a friend is no trifie
in so lonely life as mine," she added in
low tone, while the tears rose to her eyes


This wastoo much for the faltering reso
luton of Randolph Grey. Obeying the
impulse which urged him on. in an instant
lie was seated on the sand beside her,
clasping her hands in his, pouring forth
the confession Of his love, and entreating
her TO say, they need never part; that
neither her life nor his should hsnceforth
be lonely. He spoke eagerly, for he was
full ofhope, but chill passed over him As
he gazed on the face Of Rachel.


With cheeks as pale as marble, and eyes
dilated as if they beheId some apaIing vi
sion, she listened to him motioness and
unresisting. At length she strove to with
draw her hand but he held it fast.


"kache what is this? Surely my
words cannot take You by surprise you
cannot have been unconscious Of my afiec-
tionl Speak to me-speak, l entreat
you ~


:" ! will said Rachel, family. ." was
bind, very blind but see it all now;
have sinned and must bear the penalty. =
You must leave me, Captain Grey We
must part, and forever; leave me, pray
leave me-"


| cannot leave You thus"


lie could not indeed, for she was almos.
fainting, and would have sunk down upon
the sands had be not thrownhis arm round
her to support he-.


"Rachel," he continued passionately,
" Rachel, what does this mean for verify
| believe you love me, and why should you
cast me from your