Year: 1864



 Why, Alice, surely you are not going so early? We'll, I have something to tell you first. The gentleman handed me to my father, bowed and withdrew. Your partner, is he not hand. some! have known him for several years. but he only arrived here to-day. Twas talking with him when he saw you sitting in the win dow, and immediately, as he caught sight of you, he looked as if he had seen a spirit, and exclaimed, in the most theatrical manner, .Gru cious heavens, how strange r and then he apolo- glzed to me; Excuse my emphasis, Mrs. Rais. ton, but the face in that window astonished me by it's likeness to one which 1 saw two years ago under very remarkable circumstan- ces; please introduce me to that lady.' She hurriedly whispered that information and, as she kissed me good night. added, It is very strange, is it not, Alice7'

 The form which had visited me ut night, but when l was fully awake, and which had ap- peared so tangiby and impressively two years ago that associate existence, twin companion of my life since that night; the real, living be- ing who had sonversed with me just now in the ball room-all these were one-that knew. The fact had the terror of mystery; it was enchanting, To understand or explain it I could net; yet it monopolized ull my thoughts filled me with dread, yet pleasure.

 My dear old father did not notice my absence of mind and silence as we took our way, arm in arm, down the quiet road and over the stile, to the path in the dew covered fields, coming nearer all the while to the increasing dash of tho surf. Bran met us with whue and gam bol of delight. All through the night I slept uot. Bran snored on the threshold ..of my room. In the morning got up and went about as if in dream. did not go out to join the bathers on the beach, and felt glad that no visitors from the hotel called. But after tea 1 and Bran sauntered to the seashore. We went along the beach for Q couple of miles. The twilight was long and soft. The waves rolled iu with midsummer drowsiness Bran neither dashed through the breakers, nor ran on ahead. He noticed my thoughtiulness and quiet and suited his manners to mine, stepping slowly by my side his cold nose on my hand. l Was aroused by Hrans hurrying ahead of me few steps, aud giving low, inquiring gronl: A gentleman was approaching--it was he to whom had been introduced last night the subject of my thoughts. ..--------.---

 Miss Macdonald, this is an unexpected plea, sure. have been enjoying a stroll on your seashore--how grand is is'

 While answered him as wsl as my emotions would permit, l noticed how strangely Bran was acting. He would put his nose close to the gentleman's hands, md then turn towards the sea and snuff up the breeze with perplex. ed moan, for it was not exactly bark then he would smell the gentleman's boots and re- peat his performance to the Sea and then he acted as if half frightened, half delighted, tear ing about us with his tail dropped and then he sat before the stranger in questioning amaze. ment. saw that he was shivering as if with cold, and that he lashed his tail from side to side in the sand

 What beautiful dog-he reminds me wou- derfuly of one once owned. Pray, what is his name ?

 Rran,' said.

 Bran2

 No sooner had he repeated the word with the great emphasis he did, than Bran was on him He sprang and licked his face-howlsd-bark- cd as if mad-jumped back, and then up again on the strangers breast-licked him-cried. He seemed trying, the great, beautiful animal, to climb and paw all oyer him his brow D curls and monstache were in Brans shaggy coat. He forgot my presence and laid his head on Brans neck, his arms still holding the immense dog against his breast, and Bran motionless, except bis tail, which he whipped from side to side in ecstacy, while he moaned in the sadness of perfect happiness. He had found his mas ter.

 On the same evening that Bran found his master, Mr. Manton told me, as we were return ing 10 the house, that exactly two years before he was on his way in small brig ;o New York from Portland, where he had been in his capa- city of an officer of engineers in the United States army, to inspect somefey,ifcations, and that he had with him this same dog Bran, about two years old then, and which he raised from puppy. All that day it had blown gale They supposed themselves in the neighoorbood of Montank Point, though the captain had not had an observation in forty-eight hours. That night or rather in the morning, about two, when the wind had luled somewhat, and whilst the brig was still laying to, he went on deck and stood by the forward bulwarks. talking to the captain. Hardly had he been there five minutes-Bran standing close to his side when a sudden sea struck the vessel so violent. ly as to throw him into the sea. The captain immediately cast him life preserver, which, fortunately. hung in the companion way right at hand ; but before that Bran had sprang after his master, and was beside him when he caught the life preserver. In few seconds more, he