Year: 1873

beauty had ever seen such articles.


Upon the small waiter in her hands was
a pitcher of clear, cold WATER drawn, as
her father laughingly explained, from the
northeast corner of the we'll. Besides the
china plates and heavy glass tumblers,
there was a dish of real country doughnuts
that made the eyes of our tired and hungry
guests glisten with pleasure.


Did you ever eat any of these cakes ?
We do not mean the tough, grease soaked
articles called by that name, but light
tender balls, whose exterior is of delicate
brown, and in whose heart you will find
ensconsed some favorite jelly, and wonder
how it could have got there. Then you
know the enjoyment of Fred and Hal, when
taste was added to sight.


Feeling greatly refreshed, with many
thanks, and leaving part of the contents of
their game-bag behind, they bade adieu
to their entertainers, and started for
Farmer Williams, where they were board
ing. Leaving them for awhile, we will
give short sketch of Mr. Clayton.


Born in the country, he had left it when
a lad to seek his fortune in the city. There,
entering a law Office as boy, he had by
hard study and perseverance, fitted himself
for the practice of that profession, and
was admitted to the bar. By his strict in
tegrity and attention to business, he had
been called to occupy many positions of
trust and honor. Married late in life to
one whom he almost idolized, on his wife's
death, which took place when Mary was
about five years old, he determined to give
up his busy life, and devote his time to the
education of his daughter. He had come
to Glenwood and purchased the retired
spot where he is first introduced to the
reader. Mary's old nurse remained with
them as housekeeper. Mr.. Clayton occu-
pied his time in cultivating his farm, and
instructing his child. He had brought from
the city his large library, and on his yearly
visit to the metropolis, added to the num-
ber of books. Mary was loving child
Her mind of high order eagerly drank
in the instructions of her father. Could
you have watched them in their rides and
rambles, you would have deemed them
more like brother and sister, flor with his
daughter Mr.. Clayton made himself COM
panion.


AT the time our story opens, we find
Mary possessing highly cultivated mind,
and endowed with uncommon beauty. Do
you ask if she was contented with her Sc
cluded life? Often she would have long
ings for the gay world, but they soon
passed away. Although mingling some
what with the villagers, she had no congo
nial companions She was considered
proud and naughty, and at few places was
Mary SO well known and loved as at Farm
er Williams.


Days passed. The young men found it
a very pleasant route by the white cottage.
Fred seemed to have some excuse always
ready for stopping, very important to him
self, but very transparent to his friend.
After vacation of two weeks, Hal was
obliged to return to the city, whilst Fred
determined to remain for another week.


We viii briefly relate conversation
which took place between the friends the
night before Halls departure:


Fred, you must be careful of your at
tions to Mary Clayton, unless you mean to
marry her, and you know that is out of the
question"


| "Fudge Can't man look at a girl
without being engaged? am sure l have
no such intentions.


"Then do not give her reason to sup
pose So"


"Dear me just as though / would
take wild flower like her What would
my lady mother and stylish sister say ?
But then, she is a good girl, and has help
cd to pass away many hours that other
wise would have been very tedious. Marry
her, indeed what an idea ~ AIS


Yet why did the hot blood flush his
cheekg Or why did he dream of Mary
all nightp But such is the human heart


Passing over the intervening time, we
come to the evening preceding Fred's de-
parture. As usual he is vending his way
toward Mr. Clayton's. Seated upon the
porch is Mary. Her eyes anxiously scan
the road When she sees the well-known
form, they sparkle with happy light. AS
Fred approaches nearer, she let's her gaze
fall upon the book in her hand. We do
not know how much she read, for Fred,
coming up behind her, says !;


"That must be very interesting book,
Miss Clayton


Then, for the first time, she perceived
the volume was upside down. As Fred's