Year: 1860

now on my way to the counting house, and my time is valuable. I beg to repeat, that Miss Claston has commissioned me to thank you for these jewels, but begs that you will pardon her for returning them."

 The irresolute and uneasy expression came to his face, and mingled itself with the irri- tation.

 Really, sir p he said, 1T am subjected to actual persecution. You wish to force me to receive back what I never sent.

 "Mr. Lackland 1" I said, profoundly as- tonished at this falsehood.

 "Sir !'' he said, stifly. "You will pardon me-" I said satirically, "but l saw you purchase these very jewels yesterday morning at Whites. Doubtless the circumstance has escaped your recollec- tion"

 His face turned crimson as spoke, and an angry flash shot from his eyes.

 "Well, sir l" he said angrily, "you seem to make it your business to keep watch over my movements Suppose did send that box, and suppose I did wish to conceal my agency in sending it-what concern is it of yours, sir 2"

 II choose to make it my concern, sir" I replied coldly, "and if you address another observation to me in that tone, you shall an- swer it elsewhere"

 | never knew before that he was cow ard. His cheek blanched, his eyes lowered themselves before my angry glance, and ho did not reply.

 Mir. Lackland," I said, T regret that this conversation should have taken turn so unpleasant. I have not the least desire to quarrel with you sir, and wish simply to discharge the commission which have un- dertaken, as friend of Miss Claston. She begs to thank you for this gift, but cannot receive it, and I now return it."

 Lackland's hand, and bowed, and left him. From that moment, as I knew afterwards, he hated me with all the bitterness and mal- ice of small and cunning nature. You will see how his hatred developed itself. W.

 PARTING.

 Annie and myself had entered into our engagement with that thoughtIess precipi. tancy of youth, which older and wiser heads visit with so much reproduction, My salary was entirely insufficient for the comfortable support of two persons united in the holy bonds of matrmony, and, after long and sad discussions upon the subject, it was the con- clusion of the little household that we must must wait for happier times.

 Long engagements are great evil {; and they should, think, be avoided if possible, in all cases. To. see the phantom of mar ried happiness constantly fly before you cludng your grasp, and laughing pitilessly at your despair-this is sufficiently sadden- ing But there is the further consideration of the young ladys position. The knowl- edge of her engagement on the part of her associates is more or less embarrassing, and 1 have known many gentlemen who declared it impossible to enjoy the society of such lady" talking to you at random, and look ing over your shoulder, at her intended" It is true Annie did not give thought to this, and she declared her willingness to wait just as long as she lived: but although it was disheartening

 Just when we had arrived finally at the conclusion that we must wait, and that I must look around for some improvement in my situation, I was one morning accosted by an old merchant who had professed great friendship for me, and informed that he had a proposal to make me. He soon unfolded his idea; it was, that should go to Rio de Janeiro for a year or two, and act as his mercantile correspondent; and he supported his proposition by offering me just thrice the salary which 1 then received. He would give me week to think of it he said and then we parted.

 1 need not tell you that this propositien was the subject of the most anxious consid- eration to me, throughout the week; for the idea of leaving Annie nearly unnamed me, and paralyzed my resolution. The dear girl saw the struggle in my breast, and under stood perfectly that she was the obstacle in the way. She.besought me not to refuse that, great as her distress would be te part with me, it would distress her still more to reflect that she embarrassed my movements, and clogged my advances toward prosperity; and she added that need not be uneasy about them at home, for they were now very comfortable. Mrs. Claston urged the very same views

 It was not until Annie and myself were alone, that leaning her lovely head upon my shoulder, she cried, and said, she would re-

  cd these words afterwards.

 Well, not to lengthen out my story, at the end of the week, accepted the offer of my friend MT. Aiken and having made every arrangement with the house where I had been employed, sailed in month.

 went on shipboard one night and thus remained with Annie and her mother all the evening I recall that evening perfectly and especially the crimson sunset flooding the trees of the square yonder, from whose summits crowns of gold seemed gradually lifted by the fingers of the night. Mrs. Clas- ton was little indisposed, and took leave of her in her chamber receiving with tears almost that blessing which she gave me, laying her thin white hand on my head as kneeled beside her. The storms of many years have beaten upon my brow, and chan ged to gray my raven hair, or swept it away, but still the touch of that pale thin hand of the pure lady is on my brow, as on that night of parting.

 Annie and myself fingered long in the lit- tie parler, l need not say and the golden crowns all disappeared from the fringed sum- mits of the elms before we parted. It was not " in one blind cry of passion and pain ;" but 1t went near to unman me. Those ca resses and endearments which are the lan- guage Of lovers, and have therefore been de- rided by the cold and stupid world which | dnnQ mt knou fh~& nod hos n.;van fhou fO