Year: 1874

bled-some premonition from the future
seemed to moan in his ear. He felt that
the whole course of his life was to know
chaDge-that all coming time would be
colored by the events which should grow
out of that meeting, and therefore it was
with strange feeling of awe, that he ac-
companed his friend to the box to receive
the promised introduction.


II n


Don't touch that everlasting pen to-
day, mistress, am sick of the sight of it."


"You ought not to abuse it Janet we
are growing quite rich through its assis-
ance.'?


"And you are wearing yourself out
mistress; surely we've got money enough
now to live here quiet and nice, since
you've given over fitting about"


"Ah, Janet, have nothing now to in
duce me to wander farther-you know
well, that never in this world shall find
that which l sought so long"


81 didn't mean TO make you think of
that mistress-don't get sad, oh, don't p'


"Do not fear, Janet, the thought that
my sister is dead brings me no pain it was
only the knowledge that she was living, and
that could never see her, which madden
ed me ; now know that one day we shall
meet where no human power can part us. "


"Ah, you are an angel, mistress, dar-
ling Now let me lay these papers all
away, and don't touch them again this
morning. See, here is book-the verses
you like to read so much-take this while
go out"


Catharine suffered the kind old woman
to remove the sheets of manuscript, and
when she was alone sat idly holding the
volume the attendant had placed in her
hand, but making no effort to read. Some
thing of the old unrest had gone out of
that face, there was patient, melancholy
sadness in the lineaments, but the fever
and passion of grief had faded, leaving
neither gayety nor happiness, but an un-
murmuring submission beautiful to look
upon.


Her sister, the little child so watched
and cared for, so eagerly sought and wildly
mOurneG, was dead-at least these were
the tidings that came after two or three
years spent in fruitless search. After that
she sank down wholly prostrated by a
and wearisome journeyings to and fro when
ever there seemed the slightest possibility
Of obtaining information concerning the
dear one. For weeks the angel of death
lowered about her couch, and faithful
Janet Brown watched upon the other side !;
human love and tenderness were for once
rewarded, and Catharine recovered.


She had labored faithfully, and only as
those who tax body and soul, devoting all
her earnings to that search for her lost
sister. Several works had been given to
the world, attracting much attention from
their singularity and the genius displayed
in their pages, and the popular favor thus
gained had furnished her with sufficient
means to live at least with comfort and
elegance.


But the child was dead-she had nothing
to struggle or hope for more ! At length,
another and not less important aim pre-
sented itself-that doubt which rested upon
her past-upon the name which she had
cast aside, choosing to work one out for
herself-could she live to clear it--could
the mysterious plot but be unraveled aud
laid bare For this she now toiled and bore
on; not SO much for her own sake, as to
leave no stain upon the memory of her dead
husband in the minds of those to whom
the misery of that time had been revealed.


Was there still another reason now
had life suddenly caught gush of sun
light which never frightened it beforeP


A month had passed since her meeting
with that passionate souled poet, whose
lays had so long thrilled her heart with
their fervid eloquence-a month in which
had been concentrated whole life of rest
and happiness to the fiery heart Of that
youth who had 80 long sought in vain the
likeness Of that ideal form which reigned
supreme within his bosom.


Was 1t of these weeks that she dreamed,
sitting there in her silence, with those
earnest eyes seeming to look far beyond
the present scene, to catch glow from the
tranquil beauty whereon she gazed9


There was low knock at the door, and
unannouuced, William Sears entered the
chamber That month had changed him
greatly ; the worn, tired look about the
eyes was gone-the proud, impatient curv-
ing OF the mouth had softened into a smile,
which changed the whole expression of his
face into one Of even child-lihe sweetness.


90 did not think TO find you at home"
he said, in voice whose softness n casual
acquaintance would hardly have recognized
so came in to wait for you-even to wait