Year: 1863

w HNa sS9Ss


As Olive glanced around the parlOr. :
chill ran over her frame, snd she drew her
shawl more closely around her not glimpse
Of sunlight was allowed to enter the room,
for the blinds were always closed, and the
high backed chairs we're placed by twos at
equal distance from each other and fronting
each other SO exactly. that one might have
supposed they were about to do battle each
with IFS partner. The carpet, like every
thing else visible in the room, except the
black chairs was almost white, and made =
singular contrast with the dark paper which
covered the walls. There wa- not book or
paper, nor q single painting anywhere to be
seen about the room; nothing to suggest a
thought but Of coldness and rgidiiy; and
the young lady imagined ii she did not in-
cite the dog to do some mischief, or run
about the room herself, upsetting chairs and
tables, she might soon becore an iciee her.
self; and thinking what would be the con-
siernation Of the housekeeper at these freaks,
Olive burst into iit Of very loud aud mer-
ry laughter, just as the door opened and nd
mitted into the parlor very tall and stately
lady, followed by gentleman not altogeih-
cr so digni6ed in appearance as his compan-
ion, but sufficiently so il seemed, to check
Olives mirth. The gentleman easily com
pretended from her words that she was the
teacher oftheir school aud welcomed her cor
daily; but his sister returned her salutation
only with stiff bow, remained standing
near he entrance Of the room, as If unde-
termined whether 10 retire herself, or re-
quest her visitor 10 do SO; but resolved, it
would seem by her eager glances, to know
her both by her features and dress, if she
should chance to see her again; aud Olive,
too, though she did It more furtiyely, man
aged in brief space to become pretty well
acquainted with the exterior Of her new
friends.


The lady, We have said, was tall and also
although "forty, she was +" fat and fair, )"
though the scornful expression Of her mouth
and the sternness she managed to exhibit in
the deep blue eyes, which nature seemed to
have designed should be gentle, detrsctcd
much from her beauty. Her brown hair,
ye, unmixed with gray, was unbecomingly
arranged being drawn back so as to reveal
the whole Of her very high and broad fore
head, and though fashion wove the ladies'
tresses into close braids aud fastened them
very low in the neck with pins, Miss Agnes
hair sat like crown on the very summit Of
her head, and was fastened there by large
tortoise shell comb; Notwithstanding the
coldnsss Of the season, the lady was dressed
in white muslin which was of the finest
quality and richly trimmed with great
quantity Of lace, with slippers and scarf Of
rich pearl colored satin; and Olive in think
ing, as she stood there in that cold and
iarkened room, what an admirable figure
Miss Agnes would make in a tableau, could
hardly suppress another burst Of laughter.
But the brother, Mr., George Carlton, was
hardly distinguished enough in his personal
appearance to her inspection, unless il was
in the character Of very idle and indifer-
ent spectator; though he had many points
to good figure. He seemed
to be very good natured and benevolent, yet
nothing was more evident than that he er-
pected no one to interfere with his wishes or
question his right to Disqualification. lie
had sauntered into the room and thrswn
himself upon the sofa, where he lay almost
At full length, making the most common
place remarks to Olive. and appearing not
in the least surprised at the conduct Of his
sister.


Miss Agnes, in cold, commanding tone,
Olive to lay aside her bonnet and
shawl, and spend the night with them. -
Though the request sounded more like
10 quit the house, and make the
most Of her time before nightfall in sndng
\ shelter, Olive readily accepted the invita-
ton, and began to make herself 80 much at
home that Agnes seemed half inclined to re-
,all it. She drew aside the curtain which
shaded the open window, threw back the
blind, and then dropped the sash, declaring
tha, she vas very cold, and looking around
he room as though she expectedto seea FIRE


Come Betty, said Mr. Carlton. send us
N handful Of Goals. and then get us some



Betty's couhtenaneo softeued, and the or
Ter was executed with aIacrity The FIRE
was soon blazing up cheerfaly on the hear,h.
but none Of the company except Olive SEEM
d TO feel its influence, and she could only
manifest her increased comfort by playing
With the dog which still kept near her.


CHAPTER SECOND.


Beside an uBffeauentei road


The rustic scho8lhouse stood.


It's modest ir0nf ard moss grown roof


Hall hidden by ne was5