Year: 1870

CONCLUDED.


1t is a clear, unclouded, moonlight,
sUarlit evening in November. The
trees are all shOrn. of their foliage, and
the neighbOring lake is yielding an
unwilling submission to the Winter
King, who has come to assume his
throne, and fasten his icy fetters on
shrub and tree and flower, and spread
his invincible coat of mail over the
bosom Of the glittering lake, whose
gentle ripples have danced and played
so gaily in the bright sunlight and
clear moonbeams of the gentle sum-
merQueen. But stern, relentless Win
Ter has established his reign, and val
lev and hillside, and tree and branch,
and even brown old earth are decked
in diamonds and silver, for Though an
unfeeling sovereign, he is yet gorge
Gus in his apparel.


The window shutters at the IRE
treat" are slightly parted, and we can
see that bright lights are burning with
in, and as ne draw near we discover
that the halls are resonant with merry
music. We stop and peep for mo-
ment through the half open shutters,
and we discover that the pal lOrs are
filled with guests, and soon we catch
a glimpse of orange blossoms and
white illusion, and trusting young
woman leaning upon a strong arm,
enters theroom, and walkingreverent-
ly to the opposite side, paUses before
the place where stands a venerable
man dressedin loose, flowing robes. A
few solemn words are uttered, and
Fannie Granger and Peter Parkinson
are united in the bonds of holy we'd
lock.


Should we carry our investigation
far enough our senses would no doubt
be regaled by saTOry OdOrs from the
cooking department, and by a view of
well furnished tables from the dining
room. But should We enter and eX-
anime at our leisure, we should find
no well decanteTs, or polished goblets.
No brandy sauce or wine jellies, no
tempting domestic wine or imported
champagnes. In fact, none of the
fashionable foIlies that mislead the
mind and destroy the social fabric,
they pretend to embellish.


But all are happy and apparently
satisfied with their repast, and have
returned to the parlors with pleasant
faces, and manners quite as interest
ing, as if heated by wine. But there
are two that delaying in the Conserv-
tory, and an agitated voice commences
the conversation by saying:


'rYou must trife with my affections
no longer. Either accept the offer 1
make you as worthy your highest re-
gard, or spurn my love as an unworthy
thing, and our pathways shall hence
forth, be forever separate! :"


''Really, Mr.. st. Clair, you force
upon me an unpleasant alternative, to
make me your enemy or your wife,
but since you have decided the case
for me, I must accept that feature of it
least repugnant."


"Just as you like, Miss Granger
There are plenty who would gladly ac-
cept the gift you spurn !'


IfWhy not then bestOW your love
where it would be most appreciated :?
I confess your character comes far be-
low the moral status requisite in the
man whom I could make husband. I"


"YOu speak of characterI Show a
point in which my character is not on
q par with the leading men of the
present day. I have finished my ed
ueation in one of the most popular
colleges CT the East, and have won
many Just laurels in the practice of
nv profession. / have maintained an
unbiemished reputation as a soldier
and an officer, throughout the war,
and have twice received the popular
vote of thirty thousand people as their
chosen Representatives. their Nation
al Congress. II these are not hOnOrs
enough to satisfy one who has neither
hereditary or personal distinction her
self, I must confess my inability to de-
termine what her requirements might
claim.n


'aThe wealth, the fame, the hollow
honors of which you speak, are no
more to me than some wOrn-Out, dis
carded toy, and are as empty and hOl-
low, and meaningless as the hesOunding
brass or tinkling eymbal. Mr.. st.
Clair, it is of more value to me to
know that the heart within be pure,
than that a halo of worldly glory sur
rounds the head"


''Man lOoketh at outward appear
ances, but God judges the heart"


True, yet by their fruits We shall
know them It would be impossible
for me to ever become the wife of q
man whose life was the personifica-
ton of the evils growing upon the
broad, spreading tree of intemper-
ance."


"Do you not think, Miss Granger,
that YOU have imbibed from source, ]
know not what, certain strong mind.
ed notions that will prevent you ever
entering marriage relation, or if you
should, will be the cause of q great
deal Of unhappiness? Men always ad
mire those women most who are the
most womanly."


ain answer TO your FIST proposition
I have simply to say 1 hope 1 have
enough strong minded notions t
prevent nv entering the marriage re
iation with the certain doom OF
drunkard's wife staring me boldly II
the face. Excuse me, Mr.. St Clair
but must speak plainly on this sub
ject. You know as well as myself
that as often as once q week, on al
average, you are lost TO reason, ant
have reduced the human form divln'
to the level of the Tcur-footed beasts
4. Il IL - :.