Year: 1867

Towards noon on the following day he
arrived home. But be was no lorger the
same ambitious youth who had set out
from New York with such pleasant antic.
ipations. He no longer felt disposition
to wander amone the woods and valleys.
ut is too chilly" he cried.


But chilly as it was, it did not deter
him from going few miles to see his be-
loved Amelia; and in her presence he
found sOlsce which cast bright glow
upon his whole nature. With her he
seemed to feel new inspiration, new
strength but it was only trap.itory. The
fire of love may live forever, but the in.
spfration which it gives is only momenta
ry.


Day after day would bring him to lis
Amelia but the fact could no longer be
concealed that he was rapidly sinking
There was no installing the lilies Of the
consumption that gradually but surely
drew its victem graveyard Amelia saw
it, and she hoped bravely against mani
fest destiny. She knew that she could
not save him, but she determined to do
all she could to cheer him to health.


Ten days had elapsed, and the date of
young Smeaton's furlough had expired
and he began to prepare himself for his
return 10 the city. His parents entreated
in vain He understood not his own po
sition Amelia was almost heart. broken


Leave me, leave me?" she cried, 81
will never leave him. If he goes. / 90
too. He is too near his death bed now
for me toNdesert him. ] cannot live sep.
arated this distance and he so i'll. No !;
| will 60 with him. must be near him.
Who is there to look after his comfort /?
Nore.'


Two days after this, Mr.: and Mrs.
Smeaton were in New York. He return.
ed to his office. and in few days his
condition appeared more favorable. A
faithful wife Amelia proved to him. But
all her care and nursing was in vain.
Gradually he grew worse and WORSE and
the doctors advised, as last resort, that
he should try the bracing air of the ALE.
ghanies; and before the following Sab.
bath he was enjoying the mountain brsez-
es under the constant companionship Of
his loving wife.


1t was Saturday. The morning had
broke in all its autumn lovliness. The
night had been cold, very cold , but the
genial rays of the sun had soon dissipated
the dew, and now nature appeared in her
lovliest garb, the million-tinted hues o
the Indian summer


The inmates of the hotel--for such it
was-wore all astir, and the buggy of
the village doctor stood at the open door.
Young Smcaton had determined to 70
down to the village two miles away. and
he thought that he felt quite strong
enough to walk the entire distance, and
as he had all the day before him, he
would have no occasion to hurry.


"You had better jump in and ride
down." said the good -natured doctor. Il
am going to the village, and shall be back
again by noon.


mo, thank you" he replied, II have
all the day on hand. aud l think it will
do me good to walk


The doctor drove away, and shortly
afterwards young Smeaton took the by
road which led to the village, accompanied
for short distance by his wife.


"Now, you will promise not to be long
away, dearest" she said, imprinting a
kiss upon his pale check.


Il shall be back in less than four
hours. | have nothing to hinder me, aud
shall enjoy myself among these fields and
woods which shall have to cross adieu," "
-and with kiss the happy wife return.
ed to the hotel. looking round every now
and then to see what progress he hus-
band was making towards his destination.


Four hours passed away and he had
not returned. nor had the village doctor
and the lonely wife thought that hi
might wait for him and then both would
return together. The afternoon passed
slowly on to the anxious young wife. and
as the moon began to rise over the distan,
hills the sound Of horses hoofs were
heard in the distance. and in few mo
ments the loctor drove up alone.
| "Wherc is he ? where is my husband 2
cried the almost frantic wife.


"Your husband | why has be not arriv
cd yet? lie was detained in the yillog'
a few hours, but be started for hom
three hours ago."


"Hc must be lost. Perhaps he ha
missed the way. ! must go and seel
him


/ nua told mn bo ebo,lJ walk bom