Year: 1859

diuloNb as my aunt uhu uOuts IT Luls was IN
decd the Alice Kent Of whom had heard so
much She was dressed plainly, very plainly,
in kind of gray material, that fell around
her in light, soft folds A knot Of plain blue
ribbon fastened her linen collar, and a gipsy
hat, lying beside her was trimmed with the
same color Her watch chain, like thread
of gold, and a diamond ring, were the only
ornaments she wore. Yet had never seen a
dress liked so well She was too tall, i
should have said, had she been any one else /;
for when we were standing, her head was all
most on a level with mine and slender, and
quick and agile in all her movements. Her
brown hair was soft and pretty but she wore
it carelessly pushed away from her forehead ;
not arranged with that nicely 1 should haze
expected in a city belle. Her features we're
irregular, full of life and spirit, but decidedly
plain her complexion fair, her mouth rather
er large, frank and smiling her eyebrows
arched. as if they were asking questions; and
her eyes large, and Of a soft, dark gray, very
pleasant to look into, very dazzling too, as |
afterwards found to my cost. Those eyes
were the only beauty she possessed and she
unconsciously made the most Of them Had
she been a Carmelite nun. she would have





it. When they laughed, il seemed their nor
nal state-the bright beaming glance they
gave but, when they darkened suddenly and
grew softer and deeper, and looked up into
the face Of any unfortunate wight with an ex-
preston peculiar to themselves, heaven help
him.


Though had known her only five minutes,
| felt this when ! chanced to look up and
meet curious glance she had fixed on me.
She had ceased to talk and was sitting, with
her lips half apart, and lovely color mant-
ling on her check, studying my face intently,
when our eyes met There was an electric
kind Of shock in the gaze. saw the color
deepen and 60 up to her forehead. and shiv-
er ran over me from head to foot. 1t was
dangerous for me to watch that blush, but
did and l longed to know its cause, and
wondered what thought had brought it,


Fred, bring me my hat she said to her
dog, affecting 20 yawn. It is time for as to
go home to supper, suppose Are you hum
cry, Cousin Frank;


'Nes-no, | answered, with my thoughts
still running on tina; blush.


She laughed good naturedly, and took the
hat from the Newfoundland, who had brought
it in his mouth.


How fond you are Of that great dog, l
said as we rose from our seat beneath the
tree


Fond of him :; She stopped down over
him with sudden impetuous movement, and
took his head between her two hands, and
kissed the beauty spot on his forehead
Fond of him, Cousin Frank: Why, the dog
is my idol He is the only thing on earth
who is or has been true to me, and the only
thing


She stopped short, and colored


That you have been true to, l said, finish
ing the sentence for her.


so people say, she answered, with laugh
But look at him-look at those beautiful
eyes, and tell me if any one could help loving
him. My poor old Fred SO honest in this
weary world.


She sighed, and patted his head again, and
he stood wagging his tail and looking up into
her face. with eyes that were as she had said,
beautiful, and what was better far, brimful OF
love and honesty.


j doubt if you will keep pace with us, she
said after we had walked few steps and
Fred is longing for a race | always give him
one through the woods. Would you mind !,


oh dear, no


The next moment she was off like the wind,
and the dog tearing after her, barking till the
woods rang again l saw her that night no
more.


was, as / have already said, grave,
steadygoing lawyer, verging towards a re-
spectacle middle age, with one or two grey
hairs showing among my black locks. l had
my dreams and iancies, and my hot, eager,
generous youth, like most other men and
they had passed away. But one thing had
missed (save in my Dreams and that was a
womans love.


If ever gave my vision body and a name.
they were totally unlike all the realities l had
ever seen. The wife of my fireside regeries
was a slight, delicate, gentle creature, with a
pure, pale face, sweet lips, the bluest and
clearest of eyes, the softest and finest of gold
en- hair. and voice low and sweet, like the
murmurings of an -1solian harp. And she sat
by my chair in silence; loving me always, but
loving me silently, and her name was Mary.
/ dare say, if | had met the original of this
placid picture in life, should have wooed
and won her, and have been utterly miserable


So, as a matter of course, fell into danger
now. When Alice Kent went singing and
dancing through the house, leaving every door
and window open as she went. used often to
lay down my pen and look after her, and felt
as if the sun shone brighter for her being
there. When she raced through the grove or
orchard with the great dog at her heels, |
smiled, and patted Fred on the head; when
she rode past the house at a hand gallop on
her gray pony, Fra Diavolo, and leaped him
over the garden gate, and shook her whip
saucily in my face, laid aside my book to
admire her riding, and never thought her IN
womaly OF ungraceful.


We grew to begreat friends-like brother
and sister, used to say to myself How that
liking glided gradually into loving, could
not have told. | met her one day in the vii
lage street. turned corner and came upon
her suddenly She was walking slowly along,
with her dog beside her, and hei eyes fixed
upon the ground, looking graver and more
thoughtful than | had ever seen her before
At sight of me her whole face frightened
suddenly; yet she passed me with a slight
nod aud a smile, and took her way towards
home. Seeing the flash of light play over her
grave face, and feeling the sudden bound with
which my heart sprang mp to meet it, knew
what we were to each other.


1t was late when | reached home, after a
musng walk The farmer and his wife had
gone to bed, the children were at merry


1 Ill 1. b