Year: 1867

Ny father was country lawyer Of consider
able eminence. His family was good but not
wealthy. In early life he married one of the
coheircsses of a city banker, and by ante-nup-
tial agreement her property was strictly secured
to any heirs she might have. She died while
l her only child, was yet an infant, and all her
vast wealth became mine, held BY my father
in trust Tor my use, until should reach the age
at which it would come into my sole possession.
| was left to the care Of servants principally,
for my father, though very fond of me, was
little time in the splendid but comfortless home
over which no mistress presided.


could not always remain thus. My aunt
st. Clair returned from Europe when | was a.
bout fourteen. She came with her family TO
Verdhill, by my fathers invitation, to remain
until her house in town could be put in order
for her reception. She saw and was astonished
at my wild and hoydenish manners. She
quickly decided that her sisters child, and
great heiress, must not be allowed TO remain
thus, and it was arranged that should accom-
pany her to the city to enter at once upon the
course of instruction so necessary and SO long
neglected.


At the age Of sixteen my aunt had succeeded
in having me " finished according TO the fash
ionable patent. was beautiful, willful, ut
terly selfish, and devotee Of the art Of flirting.
So accomplished, | returned to my aged father
who welcomed me with pride and fondness.-
A gay party went with me, whom was TO
make the round of the watering places with,
after short visit TO my father.


The Sabbath before we were to start, we all
went to the old village church. / shall never
forget that day AS we all sat silent, there
was Slight rustling Of leaves. and the imper-
ceptibe stir that announces a new conner, and
turned to see that the clergyman had entered
noiscessly He was kneeling at his desk, his
face buried in the snowy handkerchief he bore
in his hand. but when, after a moment, he rose,
saw pale, intellectual face, grand head
covered by light waving hair Of golden brown,
a tall figure, finely proportioncd, but little
too slight for the indications Of robust health.
| was attracted and interested at first, but when
he began to read, the deep, melodiousinfections
of his voice completed the charm. listened
entranced.


From that instant saw nothing, felt nothing
but his presence, and when the service and the
sermon were ended and he sank down IN the
last, silent prayer it was as if the sun had been
withdrawn from my world, and left in daEk-
ness. Mechanically followed my friends into
the porch. a Sudden Sumner shower was
gathering-the air was chill, the bird songs
were hushed, and all nature wore the gray hue
so ou1inous Of her coming congulsions. had
been unconscious Of the change, but The chill
wind had been blowing upon me from On open
window. as sat in church and now shudder-
ed. as taking my fathers arm hurried home
ward Before we reached the house the storm
broke, and all but the swift I pedestrians were
thoroughly drenched Ere ri htfall, fever al
ternated with icy chils in m frame, and the
effect of draught and drenching, declared them
selves.


Mr.. Fletcher had been invited by my father
10 dine with us, but had excused himself with
the simple remark that bis duties absorbed the
entire Sabbath-day But during the week and
after our friends had left us, he called. saw
him in the little morning room where rested
upon couch, and be dined with my father
This visit was followed by many others, until
at last he dined with us nearly every day, and
spent most evenings in listening to my perfoF-
nance upon the piano forte, or in conversation
with Ele.


saw the effect Of my charms kuo'y ths.