Year: 1877




to. Now sit you down by my side and
read to me. Let it be from Byron"


"I will read to you from Gray, or
Beattie, or Burns, but don't like By
rom"


Don't like Byron And why not ?'


Simply because he falsifies humani-
ty, and maligns the better principles of
human action. He does not write of the
human heart as it beats in love and
sympathy, but he portrays it as it beat
in his own unfortunate bosom. l will
readgou something better"


Mary went to the bookcase and re-
turned with a volume of Goldsmith's
works, from which she read that beauti-
full gem of literature, 1.-THE Deserted
Village" The same voice thathad sang
so sweetly, read equally as well, and
Richard drank in every word, as it fell
from her lips, and feeling, such as he
had never before experienced, began to
creep over his SOUL


Thus passed the time for another week.
Richard was not yet able to get out of
his room, nor could he sit up for any
length of time. Mary sang and read
then read and sang,-and when she
would read or sing no more, she would
laugh and talk, or talk and look serious,
just as the case might be, for she pos
sessed most happy faculty of sympa-
thizing with all her PATIENTS moods.


Nearly month had elapsed since
Richard Bradley had been confined to
his bed, when he found himself able to
sit up in his chair all the day long, and
at length old Doctor Forbush told him
that he might walk out in the garden.
He received the permission with pleas
ure, but he first made Mary Holworth
consent to accompany him. The sweet
flowers and the fragrant air lent an in
vigorating influence to his system and to
his mind, and nature had never before
appeared so attractive and so lovely. His
strength was not sufficient for long
walk, and at the end of half an hour he
returned to his room. Mary arranged
few things about the apartment, replac-
ed the books in the case, and then turn
ing to the invalid she said, in tone
made tremulous by some emotion she
could not suppress


g Mr.. Bradley, you are now so far re-
covered that my services will be of no
further need, and will return to my
own dwelling. Since have been with
you, L have endeavored to do all that lay
in my power for your comfort, and L
trust that have SO far succeeded that
when you call my image to your mind
it may be with a grateful remembrance.
Adieu, sir, and may health soon give
you all its blessings"


g But you are not surely going to leave
me-" uttered Richard, to whose mind
such result of his returning strength
had not occurred.


Certainly, must, sir. can help
you no more"


Wait moment" said the young
man, as the maiden turned towards the
door, and as he spoke he bent his head
in earnest thought. At length he raised
his eyes, and change had come over his
pale face.


" Mary" said he, in a soft, low tone,
">come here and sit for moment by my
side."


Tremblingly she obeyed, and Richard
took one of her fair hands in his own.


You say you can be of nO service to
me-" he continued, gazing ardently into
| her sweet face ss You can be of service
to me through life. Now be honest,
Mary tell me the truth My heart has
learned to live new life in your pres
ence, and / fear that in your absence it
would sink back again to its former
darkness. Mary, l cannot part with you
now, for you are the first earthly thing
/ have loved for years. do love YOU,
and if you can love me in return, and be
my wife, be honest, and tell me so. y


g Indeed replied Mary, while her
hand trembled violently in its voluntary
PRISON. / should have time to think OF
this" tnta


No, no, Mary 1.-The heart does not
take its impulses of love from long
thought. You can tell me now, and
then shall be happier. o, know you
love me. You would not have been SO
kind, so faithful, ,--you would not have
chained my heart with your music and
year pure thoughts your hand
would not tremble SO, nor would your
cheek burn with that bright glow, ,---noi
would that tear stand thus upon your