Year: 1875

if I had her to care for me now! But nobody
cares for mel feel alone in the world.
almost wish I could die"


Virgilia, had she paused to weigh her words
would have seen that she was doing injustice
to her sisters, who had never shown any want
of affection toward her; but because she was
deprived of that ardent return to her love
that she longed to receive from Edmonia, she
chose to consider herself neglected and put
aside. She could not help this spontaneous
devotion to her elder sister, nor could she
help her grief and anger that it was not re-
ciprocated. She was no doubt unreasona'
BILE, but she was beyond the pale Of reason
she was the victim of consuming passion
that nothing could allay, and she was as help
less underits influence as fever'stricken man
in the grasp of his disease. Her mind was
diseased and sickness of the mind is tai
greater misfortune than sickness of the body
for none can minister to it against its will.


1t was pleasant afternoon soft wind
was blowing, delightfully."- refreshing after the
oppressive warmth of the day; the air was
heavy with the perfume of the wild-howers
that were abundant in these woods, and the
little stream, as it prattled on, made cheerful
music to the ear. Gradually, Virgilia yielded
to the influence of the soothing sensations in
spired by the surrounding scene; her pulses
ceased their violent throbbing, the hot flush
faded from her cheeks, and a tranquil, though
melancholy feeling succeeded to the feverish
excitement which had agitated her. In this
altered mood, few tears escaped from her
eyes; but they were gentle tears, and relieved
her overcharged heart.


81 am afraid I am wicked girl" she MUIR
INJURED, penitently; II allow such dreadful
thoughts to come into my mind. l wish, oh
how wish I could keep myself from think
ing at all; then I might be happy, or at any
rate coptented. But after all, it must end
some time or another, so why should one care
so very much? If it were not that l am so
very bad, I would be glad to think that the
time would come tomorrow"


Then her mind strayed off to other mat
ters; and presently she became lost in reve'
ry, which so completely absorbed her that she
was quite unconscious of any ones approach,
until a voice near her startled her by saying


Excuse me, young lady, but will you
kindly direct me to the road which leads to
DR.. Curtis house?"


She hastily raised her eyes, and saw, at a
short distance off, gentleman on horseback
he had lifted his hat from his head as he spoke,
and now sat regarding her with look of quiet
scrutiny, while waiting for her answer.


"To DR.. Curtis house" she repeated, in
some surprise "Why, you are entirely out
Of the way, sir; the road does not run in this
direction at ALL"


"Is that 80? Then I have lost myself, it
seems. Is there any chance of my being able
to find the way-I mean, by being directed
from this point?"


Eyes, sir. You will have to ride good
way round, by the field fence first, until you
come to path which takes you across the
next field then you can see the road"


"And which way must turn then p


Virgilia considered for moment.


II believe you then turn to the-to the
right. No-I think it is the other way.
How stupid I am" she exclaimed, in pro-
voked tone. II have actually forgotten which
direction you take-I am so unused to going
from this side-but would know perfectly il
I were only there. You see there are two
roads"


"And between them I should find myself
puzzled" said thestranger, courteously though
looking amused at the same time. 81 should
not like to spend the night wandering about
in these unknown woods. Is it very far from
here to the road you speak of"


"About half mile, should think. I can
walk round that way just as we'll to 60 home
and ifyou will follow me, sir, can easily di'
rect you after we get there"


81 am extremely obliged to you, but could
not think of giving you so much trouble"


Virgilia assured him that it would be nc
trouble and with repeated thanks for hel
kindness the gentleman finally agreed to the
proposition, assuring her that it was only the
strait that he found himselfin which induced
him to allow her to inconvenience herself on
his account. He then dismounted, and led
his horse by the bride while he walked by
Virgilias side. He commenced talking very
pleasantly about the beauty of the woods in
their summer garb, and the charms ola coun'
try life, which, he said, he had never been
able fully to enjoy; he had lived principally
in large cities, but now he was anxious to set
tie down in some quiet place, where he could
devote himself to reading and to agricultural
pursuits. He spoke of Rome, Vienna, Lon.
don, Paris, Constantinople, of the Nile and
the Pyramids, and the Great Desert, in tone
of familiarity and acquaintanceship which
betokened extensive travel and research, and
Virgilia began to feel exceeding respect for
one who had seen and learned so much. Then
the conversation turned on books, and he dis.
coursed of philosophy and science, of German
literature, of poetry ancient and modern, of
French novels and English dramas, quoting
aptly from many of the works he mentioned,
and proving that his reading had been as
varied and as extensive as his travels. Vir-
gilia at first listened in silence, only answering
in monosyllables, but presently on his appeal.
ing to her for her opinion regarding certain
philosophical theory which he advanced, she
forgot her reserve, and launchifg boldly into
the subject, argued with readiness and fear
lessness which excited his admiration and sur.