Year: 1863

S-N~@s-9A NvAeFs'


WE take the following extracts from


the new and popular move, =" Shoulder


Straps'-by Henry Morford, Esq, Of


the New York Atlas. It is the sensa-


tional book Of the year


AVERY ODD KIND OF coURrsHR


Perhaps it was chance that not only
produced the previous circumstances of
that day, but SO ordered that Bell Craw-
ford should be the first to vacate the out
er room, leaving that extraordinary coup
le alone together. Perhaps it was chance
that led them to take seats beside each
other at the window, when they might 50
easily have found room to sit with some
distance between them. Perhaps It was
chance that made the lightning fash in
long lines Of binding light across the
SKY, and sent the thunder booming and
crashing above the roofs of the houses,
producing that indefnable feeling that
needed oompanionship-that q budding
together" which even the terrible beasts
Of the East Indian jungles show in the
midst Of the fearful tornadoes Of that re-
giOn. Perhaps it was chance that, after
a moment or two of silence, induced Tom
Leslie, without well knowing why he
did.it, to lay his open palm on. his knee,
and to look for a moment with a glance
of inquiry, full in the eyes Of the young
girl who sat at his right, as if to say :.
F" There is my open hand-we have known
each other but little while-dare you
lay yogS hand in it?4 Perhaps it was
chance that made the young girl return
the steady glance drop her eyes
with 50 sad a look that tears might easi-
ly have been trembling under the long
lashes-color little on cheek and brow,
/ as if some tint of the sunrise flush. had
for moment rested upon her face-then
slowly reach over her right hand and let
it drop and nestle into the one ready to
receive it. PerhapsaH these things were
chance: well, let them be SO set down
such "ehanees" are worth something in
life, to those who know how 10 embrace
them?


What have We heret Twopersons who
had spoken to each other for the first
time, only few hours before, and who
had since held marvellously little oonver-
sation, now sitting hand in hand, their
soft palms pressed close together, and
every pulse Of the mental and physical
natures Of both thrilling at the touch
Exceedingly improperl--exeeedinglyh hur-
ried!-ezceedingIy indelicatel Modes
ty, where were you about this time? IfI
we have gone so fast already, how fast
may we go by-and-by? Alas, they are.
living people whom ne have before US
not eherubim and seraphim; and they
win do as they please, and act very hu-
monty, in spite of every care we can take
of their morals. They have not said one
word of love to each other, it is true
but the mischief seems to have been done.
Nothing may have been sei in the way
of a promise of marriage, capable of be-
ing taken hold Of by the keenest lawyer
who pleads in the Brown-Stone building; 7
but we are not sure that ever. tongue
spoke to ear, or even lip kissed back to
lip, 50 true and enduring a betrothal as has
sometimes been signed in the meeting Of
two palms, when not a word had been
spoken and when neither of the pair had |
one rational thought of the future


Suddenly and without warning the cur
tain between the two rooms moved. How
quickly those two hands drew apart from !
each other, as if some act of guilt had
been doing! If any additional proof was
wanting, Of something clandestine (and
of course improperly between the parties 7
here it was certainly supplied People +
never attempt to deceive, who have not
been playing tricks, Well-regulated and
candid people, who do everything by rule,
never start and blush at any awkward /
cOntre-teusps never have any eOneealments,
but tell everything to the outer world. /
Privacy is orime-all sly people are rep
robates. Wicked Tom and Erring Joe
a gulf Of perditiOn they were sink
ing into without knowing il!


r A GLIMPSE OF UNNATURAL BEAUTY.