Year: 1876

-7@''F Thank you," said I. nj have missed you
too, Rudolph, though I have been in strange
place."


"And there you've been acquiring wisdom
by the shelffull, whilst I have forgotten the
little learning ever possessed. Never mind,
you'll do the brain-work for both Of US, won't
you? It's lucky that one of US will be =
credit to the family; Inever shall"


Complimentary as the speech was, and quite
sincerely uttered, there was something in it
that Jared unpleasantly upon my sensitive
feelings-an inde6nable assertion of superior
age and manliness that seemed to put quite a
space of years between US. Nothing was far
ther than this, am sure, from Rudolph's in
tention but like my mother, he evidently re-
garded me as very young-as indeed I still
was, though with many of the hopes and
much of the ambition of man. I felt more
than ever the want of congeniality between US,
and already thought regretfully Of Selwyn, as
the one companion between whom and my
self there existed no such drawback to the
pleasure of our intercourse.


ut is luncheon-time," said my mother, con-
sulting her watch. "Did you see Olivein the
grounds, Rudolph I wonder she does not
come in. All !! there she is, crossing the lawn
now"


She entered the room a few moments later,
looking as placid and serene as when I had
parted from her. Taking off her hat, which
she threw, schoolgirl fashion, on chair, she
now gave me q better opportunity than be-
fore to judge of the contour of her features,
and I remarked that her brow was very beau
tiful, having an almost angelic mldness of ex-
preston, reminding one of the Aadonnas Of
Raphael. But for her mouth, I should have
thought her face lacking in force; but that
mouth, small and dainty as it was, and quite
as sweet as the brow, condensed in its quiet
curve the elements of frmness and decision
unmistakably, corrobated BY the outline Of
the delicate but resolute chin, where tiny
dimple lurked. This dimple-not one that
played hide-and-seek, but stationary one
was the single element of archness ia her face;
but serious as that face was, it could beam
with smiles, and very brightly too, as soon
discovered when we were seated around the
table, on which more elaborate luncheon
than usual had been spread in honor of my
return. A good deal Of playful raillery went
on between Rudolph and herself. They SEEM
ed very much at home with each other, and
I was half inclined to resent the comparative
reserve of her manner to me, not taking into
consideration the length of time she had been
domesticated under our roof, and thus brought
into intimate companionship with him, while
our acquaintance was scarcely begun.


After luncheon she sat down to some draw
ing she was engaged on, and my mother and
brother both having left the room, I found an
opening for laying the foundation of greater
sociability between US, without any Interrupt
ton to distract her attention.


"How nicely you draw" said 1, assuming
a slightly patronizing air, to counteract any
disadvantageous effect my youthfulness might
have upon her. ibid you ever take lessons ?"


"Oh yes, learned two years from quite a
good teacher, and cousin Clara likes me to
keep it up"


"Do you play also'"


"A little, on the harp only"


"Whata pity We have no harp here" was
my comment.


"Why, I have one. I brought mine with
me, and practice on it every day." she re-
joined.


"Ohp said I, somewhat disconnected
"You see I have not been at home long
enough to find out about everything yet"