IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k // ^/ ^ ^^^ ^ 1 i i 1.0 I.I 11.25 IM 122 2.0 JA 1116 V <^ /a Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. ,4580 (716) 873-4503 qv ^« '°«ked about P^ona. in a canary-coloured flannel dress of?h«?''^~''*P'*\°- ^"l**'* ^^ the pet of the Asylum, and now her rosy chcSt «hfweaS V:^^ ^hite palm. as^bouJh conM I u^"^ *° •«« »»er- The chUd ^^J^^^'^^Jt '^".' • ^^^ n^ontl*" older than WUun. yet the baiUiwit black eyes, tK peculiar curve of the dimpled mouth, wd long dark ringlets, gave to the oval fko* »> matnrer and more piquant loTelineea. Tho oast of Claudia's countenance bespoka her foreign parentage, and told of the warm,' t I ^**iV*° "°<'d *•»»* glowed in h«r cneeJis. There was a fascinating rrace ^ in every movement, eren in the easy indoifllioe of her position, as she bent on one kuM to curl LiIIiAn's locks over her finger. On the upner step, in the rear of these two. sat a girt whose age could not have been very ac- curately guessed from the countenance, and t^n^" features contrasted strangely with those of her companions. At a fi«t oaaual ^in^r'^r''*^"«" ^"^ ^"y J'omely, 8»y. rS{.*^"/,?°« presented greater attSf. aons than either of the others. ReAder? I here paint yon a portrait of that quiet iittla I heure whose history is contained fn the W lowing pages. A pair of large grey eves set projecting forehead. Broad and smooth • i proaohable nose, of t&e order furthTstr^ moved from aquiline = and heavy \Ck\^ brows, which, instea*Claudy to say that"' cried Lillian turning rouud indKJher n»°d upon the piece of ^e wina. * < 'Say what. Lillv » t — 5 — ^ ... . to you." ' "' * ""' ""' isswaiig 'She said she hoped that larveat •■»k... Sf':««t ^nld g.t £nnk. and tiX dow^ St-rrl** ^ •"" ** bumpaome of ffipS W*xJ'**''«" <^«>*' 1' he roU-« heen pro saw Eugene thi. J? ^ "^^ * ^''^a* while T wascom^fngoit HeT?'''^^*°J'lhiSr -ssage. Ei8°tL'torVt\?"^i — ^., „^c„. weu u ^°"-"''«P"ticuI»- "- yon see him last T" ■ -~- « ehe**Zkii*'"" P"* '''' ^°^«'"« '^- her h.nd „ was L'e! aSd" w'^s'S^h' "^«^- «-°« ^« 's very kind andanJ, ^^ ''*" ^ick. fle he pronu ed me and I th '"T""^^'- M". Mason. S bring ^Jl?'?/"";^ muchT radiant with nfiw.K„?„ 1"; . ^he fkce was ll-.-v Claudi* » • . "er. don't vou »" ".-J f^aa'ant with new-born ir,.V 1 \. ■ "°® ^an hanSf% i'SV/ '^l^"*^"^ £ *^- S;"tS Whi^Jiit^ ?P a small volume. n^";^|i f/°'ahsn^t,j^^j I .• v„ ^..^... , . '^^*"' - h.d H ,. ,,r -rk. I actly,-i;„rsoa;rshrnrert°k "'f «' ^ I -nd hearty like the oth:rs"^lL'"^J;k?3 .^'^ '• much. I do "he is 10 ngly, I (hould not " milk. You re than I do, bont it. But l^e g'od, and )ron." Beulah isod the aup. sr'B hand and the carriago 1 presented a red the Jong elves for inT t. orphanage, |ng infant to y cUd, and I we except 'night have 5rver. The sted of four the number the iospeo- something i convened id she waa *ce, when . partially * washer glad light ;. and the •y beauti- led to hei \ ^ lam so een pro while. I i him r >k and a are to rly, and heodid ^anda* ■nee he t. He e book much, 26 was 1 died (little ■pale harp, ' She have been : ex. •on, BEULAH. enongh. Thnre is not u better or more in- dustrious girl in the Asylum, but I rather think she studies too much. She will sit )i|i and read of i:iyht3, when the •thers are all sound asleep ; ami very often, when Kate and I put out the hall lamp, we lind her with her book alone in the cold. I can't get my consent to forbid her reading, especially as it never intcrftres with her regular work, and she is so fond of it." As the kind-hearted matron uttered these words she glanced at the child and sighed involuntarily. " You are too indulijeut, Mrs. Williams ; we cannot afford to clothe girls of her age, to wear themselves out reading trash all night. We are very much in arrears at best, au thought of the protection which the future lady President would afford her prot6g6. Beulah smiled, and asked almost gaily : "Claudy, how much will you pay me a month, to dress you, and keep your hair in order, when you get into the VVhite House at Washington ? " "Oh, you dear darling I you shall have everything you want, and do nothing but re.ad." The impulsive child threw her arms aiound Beulah's neck, and kissed htr re- Ecatedly, while the the latter bent down over er basket " Lilly, here are some ohincapinga for you and Claudy. I am going out into the yard, and jou may both go and play hull- gull." Ill the debating room of the visiting com- mittee. Miss White again had the floor. She was no less itnportant a personage than •■■i-/-r-prc3luctit of tiiS boat-a €-i titSuBgnrS, S«-^ felt authorized to investigate closely, and I edress all grievances. " Who did you say sent that book here, Mrs. Mason?" " Eugene Rutland, who WM onee » BEULAH. bor of Mri. Williami' orphan charge in this Asylum. Mr. Oraham adopted him, and ha is now known aa Eugene Graham. He ii yery much attached to Beulah, though I be- lieve they are not at all related." " llti left the Asylum before I entered the bnaril. What sort of boy is he! I have seen him Bevcr-il times, and do not particularly fancy him." " Oh, madam, he is a noble boy I It was a great trial to me to part with him three years ago. tie is much older than Benlah, and loves her as well as if she were his sister, " ■aid the matron, more haatily than was her «nRtom when answering any of the managers. " I Huppote he has put this notion of being a teacher into her head ; well, she must get it out, that is all. I know of an excellent •ituation, where a lady ia willing to pay six dollars a month for a girl of her age to attend to an infant, aud I think we must secure it lor hMi* " Oh, Miss White ! she is not able to carry a heavy child alwaysin her arms," ex- postulated Mrs. Williams. "Yea, she is. I will venture to fcay she looks all the better for it at the month's end." The last sentence, fraught with interest to herself, fell upon Beulah's ear as she passed through the hall, and an unt'rriug intuition told her "you are the one." She put her hands over her ears to shut out Miss Doro- thea's shar}) tones, and hurried away, with a dim foreboding ofcomiiiy evil, which press- ed heavily upon hery.miiir heart. CHAPTER II. The following day, in obedience to the pro- clamation (if the mayor of the citj', was cele- brated as a season of spuiiial tliaiiksgivii.g. and the inmates of the Asylum were taken to church to morning service. After ah early dinner, the niatron gave thein permi-ssion to amuse themselves the remainder of the day as their various inclinations prompted. There was an immediate dispersion of the as- semblage, and only fieulah lingered beside the matron's chair. " Mrs. Williams, may I take Lilly with me, and go into the woods at the back of the Asylum '" " I want you at home this evening, but I dislike very much to refuse you." " Oh ! never mind, if you wish me to do Anything," answered the girl cheerfully. I'ears rolled over the matron's face, and iStiiJ ttVci ting opi' u6n'tj = Sri6 WlpOrt *nci)B Iway with the corner of her apron. " Can I do anything to help you t What ^ the matter T" "Jiovwadni, B«aUh; do yon get yotir bonnet and go to the edge of the woods— not too far, remember ; and if I must have you, why I will send for you." ''^I wonld rather not go it it will be any trouble." " No, dear, it's no trouble ;I want youte go," answered the matron, turning hastily away. Beulah felt very strongly inclined to follow, and enquire what was in store for her; but the weicht on her heart pressed more heavily, and murmuring to herself, " it will come time enough, time enough," she passed on. " Mfty I come with yon and Lilly ?' en- treated Claudia, running down the walk at full speed, and putting her curly head ti.rr.ugh the palings to make the request. ■ ' V cs, come on. You and Lilly can pick u|' ^i':iie. nice smooth burs to make baskets of. I'll V licreis your bonnet ?" I 'orgotitj" she ran up, almost oat of III ' I. and seized Beulah s hand. ■ u forgot it, indeed ! You little witch, y a. vill burn as black as a gipsy." ' 1 don't care if I do. 1 hate bonnets." "Take care, (Maudy; the President won't b.Tve yon all freckled and tanned." " Won't he ?" quotli the child, with a sHUcy sparkle in lier black eyes. " That he won't ; here, tie cm my hood, and the next ti.ne you come running aftci me, barelieaded, 1 will make you go back ; ilo you hear ?" " Yes, 1 hear. I wonder why Mist Dor- othy diilii't bleach off her freckles ; she hmk^ just like a " " Hush about her, and run on ahead." " Do, pray, let me get my bretth first ; which way are we going 1" " To the piney woods yor.der," cried Lilly, clapping her hands in childish glee ; "won't we have fun, rolling and sliding on th« straw ?" The two little ones walked on in advance. The path along which their feet pattered so carelessly led to a hollow or ravine, and the ground on the opposite side rose into small hillocks, thickly wooded with pines. Beu- lah sat down upon a mound of moss and leaves, while Claudia and Lillian, throwing off their hoods, commenced the glorious game of sliding. 'J'he pine straw presented an al- most glaKsy surface, and starting from the top of a hillock, they slid down, often stum- bling and rolling together to the bottom. Many a peal of laughter rang out, and echoed far back in the forest, and two blackbirds could not have kept up a more continuous chatter. A.'^art from all this «at Renlah ; she had remembered the matron's words, and stopped just at tlie verge of the woods, whence she could see the white j^alings of the Asylum. Above Iter the winter breese r u f \ JBEULAH. J r mouied »nd roared iu the pine topi j it wu the Bad but dearly lovtd forest music that •ho »<> ofttMi t»t(>Ie out to listen to. Every breath which gigluul through the emerald boughs seeniod to sweep a sympathetic chord ill her soul, and she raised her anas towardj the trees aa though she longed to clasp the niinhty niuaioal box of nature to her heart, 'i'lic far-off blue of a ciouillcss sky looked in upon her like a watchful guardian ; the sun- light fell slantingly, now mellowing the brown leaves and knotted tntnks, and now aeeming to shun the darkerspots and recesses, where shadows lurked. For a time the girl forgot all but the quiet and majestic beauty of the scene. She loved nature as only those can whose sources of pleasure have been sadly curtailed, and her heart went out, so to ■peak, after birds, and trees, and tiowers, Bunshine and stars, and the voices of sweep- ing winds. An open volume lay on her lap ; it was Longfellow's poems, the book Eugene had sent her, and leaves were turned down at "Excelsior" and the " Psalm of Life." The changing countenance indexed very ac- curately the emotions which were excited by this communion with Nature. There was an uplifted look, a brave, glad, hopeful light in the grey eyes, generally so troubled in their expression. A sacred song rose on the evening air, a solemn but beautiful hymn. She sang the words of tiie great strength- giving poet, the " Paalin of Life : " " Tell me not in mournful numben^ Life is but an empty dreiim ; For the soul is dead that blumbers. And things are not what they se.m," It was wonderful what power and sweet- ness there was in her voice ; burst after burst of rich melody fell from her treni' lips. Her soul echoed the sentiments < .ae iin- aaoital bard, and she repeated again and again the fifth vers&c "In the word's broad fleld of buttle, In the bivouac of life, Be not like dumb driven cattle- Be a hero in the strife." Intuitively she seemed to feel that iw hour of great trial was at hand, and this was a girding for the combat. With the shield of a warm, hopeful heart, and the sword of a strong, unfaltering will she awaited the ■hock ; but as she concluded her song, the head bowed itmlf upon her arms, the shadow of the unknown, lowering future had fallen upon her face, and only the Great Shepherd knew wliit passed the pale lips of the young orphan. She was startled by the sharp bark of a dog, and lookimr up, saw a gentleman lcam;igagain8t a neighbouring tree, and re- ganling her very earnestly. He came for- ward as she perceived him, and said with a pleasant smile: •' You need not be afraid of my dog. Like his mnster. he would not disturb yoo tiU yoa had 'iuished jour song. Down. Carlo t U 'sir. Mj littK friend, tell me who you to ■inn.' had^ hastily risen, and a alight glow her dheek at his question. Though naturally reserved and timid, thrre >^as a selt-iMis8C8«ii)n about hei uuu«u«l in children of her age, and sht answered in a low voice: *• I have never had a teacher, sir 5 but 1 listou til the choir on Salibath, and sing our Sunday School hymns at chunh." " Do you know who wrote those word* vou sang just now! I was not aware they had been set to musia" "I found them in this book yeiiterclay, and liked them so niiuh that \ tried to sing them by one of our li\mu tunes." She held up the volum> ,1 he spoke. He glanced at the titlo, and then looked curiously at her. Beulah ohunood jnst then to turn toward the Asyluai, and saw one of the oldest girls running across the common. The shadow on her face deeiioued, and ihe looked around for Claudia and Lillian. They had tired of sliding, and were busily en- gaged picking up pine burs at some littl* distance in the rear. "Come, Cliiudy- Lilly -our mntron has sent for us j come, make haste." "Do you belong to the Asylum?' asked Hu> gentleman, shaking the ashes fiom hia cigar. " Yes, sir," answered she, and as the chiU dren came up she bowed and turned home- ward. "Wait a moment; those arc not your sisters, certainly?" His eyM rested with unfeigned admiration on their beautiful faces. "This one is, sir; that is not." As she spoke she laid her hand on Lillian's head. Claudia looked shyly at the stranger, and tiioii seizing Beulah's dress, exclaimed : ■' Oh, Beulah, don't lot us go just yet I I'ift such a nice splendid pile of burs." "Yes, we must go ; yonder coinoi Katy for us. Good evening, sir." " Good evening, my little friend \ some of these days I shall come to the Asylum to see you all, and have you sing that song again." She made no reply, but catching her sister'a hand, walked rapidly homeward. Katy de- livered Mrs. Williams message, and assured Beulah she must make haste, for Mis* Dorothy was lUspleaaed that the children were absent. ful " Beulah's hand was over Claudia's mouth, and prevented the remainder of the sentence. That short walk was painful, and conflicting hopes and fears chascl each uthor in vha ■■V — r -^- 1 BEULAH. ■ister'i heart, m the tightened her hold on Lilly's h»nd. " Uh, what a beautiful carriage I" cried Clauilia, as tlioy approiinhud the door, and descried au elng iiit carriage, glittering with ■ilver mountings, and drawn by a pair of ■pirited black horses. " Yes, that it is, and there is a lady and gentleman here who must he very rich, judg- ing from their looks. They brought Miss White." "What do thay want, KatyT" asked Claudia. •* I don't know for certain, thongh I have my own thoughts," aosweroil the girl, with^ . a knowing laugh that grated on Beulaii's \ ears. ^' " Hero, Beulah, bring them to the dormi- tory," said Mrs. Williams, meeting them at the door, and hurryini; them up-stairs. Shn hastily washed Claudia's face and recurled her hair, while the same olliues were per- formed for Lillian by her sister. " Don't rub my hand so hard, you hurt," cried out Claudia, sharply, as in perfect si- lence, and with an anxious countenance, the kind matron dressed her. " I only want to get it white and clean, beauty," was the conciliatory reply. " Well, I tell you that won't come off, because it's turpentine," retorted the self- willed little elf. "Come, Beulah, bring Lilly along. Miss White is out of patience." " What doea all this mean ?" said Beulah, taking her sister's hand. •'Don't ask me, poor child." As she spoke, the good woman ushered the trio into the reception-room. None of the other children were present ; BeuUli noted this ciroum- ■tanne, and drawing a long breath, looked ftronnd. Miss White was eagerly talking to a richly* dressed and very pretty woman, while a gentleman stood beside them, impatiently twirling his seal and watch-key. All looked up, and Miss White exclaimed: "Here they are ; now, my dear Mrs. Orayson, I rather think you can be suited. Come here, little ones." She drew Claudie to her side, while Lilly clung closer to her sister. " Oh, what beauties 1 Only look at them, Alfred 1" Mrs. Orayson glanced eagerJy from one to the other. " Very pretty children, indeed, my dear. Extremely pretty; particularly the black- eyed one, answers her husband, with Inaa ^naf ^air^ far " I don't know ; I believe 1 admire the Kolden-haired one most. She is a perfect fairy. Come here, my love, and let me talk to you," continued she, addressiug Lilly. The child cU'tpad her sister's Hnijers inor* tirinly, and did not advance an inch. " Do not hold her, Henlah. Come to th« lady, Lillian," said Miss White. As Beulah gently disengaged herhaiiil, she felt as if the anchor of hope had been torn from her hold, but stooping down, she whispered ; " Go to the lady, Lilly darling ; I will not leave you. " Thus encouraged, the little tigure mo\ed ■lowly forward, and paused in front of the stranger. Mrs. Orayson took her small white bonds tenderly, and pressing a warm kiss onjt^r lips, said in a kind, winning -**\Vhat ia your name, my dear V " Lillian, ma'am, but si.ster calls me Lilly." " Who is • sister '—little Claudia here?*^ " Oh, no ; sister Beulah." And the soft blue eyes turned lovingly towards that guntle sister. "Good Heavens, A' .red, hew totally un- like ! This is one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen, and that girl yon* der is ugly," said the lady, in an undertone to her husband, who i^ talking to Claudia. It was said in a low voice, but Beulah heard every syllable, and h glow of shame for an instant batliod her brow. Claudia heard it too, and springing from Mr. Grayson's knae, she exclaimed, angrily : " She isn't ugly any such thing ; she is the smartest girl in the Asylum, and 1 love her better than anybody in the world." " No, Beulan is not pretty, but cbe is good, and that is far better, 'said the matron, lay* ing her trembling hand on Benlah's shoulder. Abitter smile curled the girl's lips, but she did not move her eyes from Lillian's face. "Panny, if you select that plain-spoken little one, you will have some temper to curb," suggested Mr. Grayson, somewhat amused by Claudia's burst of indignation. ' Oh, my dear husband, I must have them both ; only fancy how lovely they will be, dressed exactly alike. My little Lilly, and you Claudia, will you come and be my daughters T I shall love you vary much, and that gentleman will be your papa. He is very kind. You shall have big wax dolls, as high as your heads, i^nd doll-nouses, and tea-sets, and beautiful blue and pink silk dresses, and every evening I shad take you out to ride in my carriage. Each of you shall have a white hat, with long, curling feathers. Will you come and live with me, and let me be your mamma ?" Beulah'? face assumed an ashen hue as she not thought of separation ; the evil had never presented itself in this form, and staggering forward, she clutched the matron's dress, saying, hoarsely : I BEULAa. luor* ^ "Oh, don't aeparate ns ! D m't let them tftke Lilly from mo I I will do anything on ••rthj I will work my hawh off ; oh, do any- thing, hut i)le.jie, oh plfUHe, .lon't give Lilly np. My own darling Lilly." Claudia here interrupted : •'I ihould like to go well enoagh, if you will take Beiilah too. Lil, are you jjoina? " "No, no." Lillian broke away from tlie ■tranter's clasping arm, and rushed toward her siBtor j hut Miss White aat between thorn, and catching thu ohild, she firmly, though very gently, h«ld her back. Lilly was very much afraid (,f her, aud bursting into tears, she cried imploringly ; " Oh, sister I take ini>, take me 1" Beulah sprang to liur side, and said almost fiercely : "Give her to mo j she is mine, mi.! you have no right to part ue." Sli.- e.xtund- •d her arms toward the little form, strugN gling to reach her. " The managers have decided that U ii for the child's good that Mrs, Gii.yaon should adopt her. We dislike very n eh to part sisters, but it cannot be avoided; whole families can't be adtrnted by one person, ami you must not interfere. She will soon be perfectly satistied away from you, and in- stead of encouraging her to be rebellious, you ought to coax her to behave, and i;o peaceably," replied Miss White, still keep- ing Beulah at arm's length. " You let go Lilly, you hateful, ugly, old thing you I She shan't go if she don't want to I She does belong to Beulah, " cried Clau-I to my bRaii.tifiii home I will give you a f^|a full of the prettiest ca* narytirdi yoiijtt'- looked at. Don't you love to rule? /jl' carriage is waiting at the dpor. You atilr Claudia will have such a mce time." Mrs. Grayson knelt betide her, an.l klssMi her tenderly ; still she olun^ closer to the matron. Beulah had covered her face with her hands, and stood tremblihg like a weed bowed before the '•ushing gale. She knew that neither expostulation uor entreaty would avail now, and she resolved to bear with fortitude what sho could not avert. Lifting her head, she said slowly : " If I must give up my sitter, let me do so as quietly as possible. Give her to me, then perhaps she will an more willingly. Do not force her away. Oh, do not force her I " As she uttcroia_^ ors, and God will hear you just as well as if you were here with me, and I will ask Hill) to love you all the more, and take caie oyy„u ^• H<;re a little arm stole round poor Bouluh'.- jieck, and Claudia whispered with a sob : " Will you ask Him to love me too?" " Yes, Claudy, 1 will." " We will try to be good. Oh, Beulali I love you so much, so very much I" 'J'lu r,iructiouate cliild pressed her lips repeatedly t'' Heulab's bloodless cheek. "Cliiudy, if you love me, you must l)i. lilud to my little Lilly. When you see tiiat h!io is s.id, and crying for mc, you must coax her to be as contented as possible, and al ways sueak ceutly to her. Will you do tliip for Beulah ?" "Yes, that I will I I promise you I will and what is more, I will fight for hei ! 1 boxed that spiteful Charley^ ears the other day for vexing her, and I will scratch any- body'a eyes out that dares to scold her. This very moining I pinched Maggie black and blue for bothering her, and I tell you I shall not let anybody impose on her." The tears dried in her brilliant eyes, aud she clinched her little fist with an exalted opinion of her protective powers. "Claudy, I do not ask you to fight for her ; I want you to love her. Oh, love her ! always be kind to her," murmured Beulah. " I do love her better than anything in the world— don't L Lilly dear?" She softly kissed one of the child's hands. L At this inoinent the matron entered, witlra large bundle n a tly wrapped. Her eyes were red, aud there were traces of tears on her cheek ; looking t«nderly down on the trio, she said very gently : "Come, my pets, they will not wait any longer for you. ^ ho^)e you will try to be good, and love each other, and Beulah shall come to see you." She took Claudia's hand and led her down the steps. Beulah lifted her sister, and carried her in her arms, as she had done from her birth, and at every step kissed her lips and brow. Mr. and Mrs. Grayjon were standing at the front door ; they both looked pleased, as Lilly had ceased crying, and the carriage dooi was opened to admit them. "Ah ! my dears, now for a nice ride; Claudia, jump in," said Mr. Grayson, ex- tending hi? hand to assist her. She paused, kissed her kind ms-trixi .^.i^d thi^uji'^'^Ti"'^.'"^;' Beulah. She could not b6ar to leave her, and as she threw her nrms around her, sob- bed oat : " Good-bye, dear, good Beulah. I will take care of Lilly. Please love me, and ask God r me too. " She was lifted intv) the car- I'^e with tears streaming over her face. Grayson, and Beulah drew near to Airs. vii'l in a low, but iinplorii ;{ tone : " ')i), madam, love my sister, and alwaya 3i)"ak atFectioiiately to her, then .she will be ^ou "I could tot sleep." " God will help you, dear child, if you try to do your duty. All of us have sorrows, and if yours have begun early, they may not last IoUh' Poor little thing, I shall always remember you in my prayers." She kissed her gently, and left her, hopinfl; that solitude would sooth her spirits. Miss White's words ran^ in the girl's ears like a knell " She will soon be perfectly satisfied awfty from you." Would she? Could that idolized sie. learn to do without her, and love her new f.'iends as fondly as the untiring one who had cradle''^*P'» He sees it is best that you should give her up for awhile, and if so will you not try to bear it cheerfully, instead of making yourself sick with useless grief ?" He gently smoothed the hair from her brow ashespoko. She did not reply. He did not expect that she would, and continued in the same kind tone: " I am much more troubled about your taking this situation. If I had known it earlier I would have endeavoured to prevent It, but I suppose it cannot be helped now for a while at least. As soon as possible I am determined you shall go to school ; and remember, dear Beulah, I am just as much grieved at your sorrows as you are. In a few years I shall have a home of my own, and you shall be the first to come to it. Never mind these dark stormy days. Do you re- member what our minister said in his sermon last Sunday ? «the darkest hour is just be- fore daybreak.' Already I begin to see the silver lining' of clouds that a few years, or even months ago, seemed heavy and cheer- less. I have heard a great deal about the Ills aad trials of this world, but I think a brave, hopeful spirit will do much toward remedying the evil. For my part, I look torward to the time when you and I shall have a home of our own, and then Lilly and Uaudy can be with us. I was talking to Mrs Mason about it yesterday ; she lovea you very much. I daresay all will h-, right • HO cheer up. Beulah, and do look on the un- bjjight side." 'T / " Eugene, yon are the only bright side I rnTThaveto look on. Sometimes I think yoti will get tired of me. and if you ever do I shall want to die. Oh, how could I bear to know you did not love roe? She raised her head and looked earnestly at his noble face. Eugene laughingly repeated her words. " Get tired of yon, indeed— not I, little sister." T I'L^^' ^ ^^^R9* *o tl»"nt yon for your book; I like it bet^f'than anything I ever read ; some pack^'are so beautiful— so very grand. I ke«B*1t in my basket, and read every mo- I oan apare. " i KBovi^you would like it, particularly ■o laai y°5^"i Kuow you would like it, particnlarh 1 wish y^ Excelsior. 'Beulah, I have written 'Excelsioi- . bent nn in on my banner, and I intend, like that noble youth, to press forward over every obstacle, mounting at every step, until I, too, stand on the highest piuaacle, and plant my banner wh«r« ita glorious motto ■hall float or«r the t2 BEULAH. world. That poem stirs my very soul like martini music, and I feel as if I should like to see Mr. Longfellow, to tell him how I thank him for having written it. I want yon to mark the passages you like best ; and now 1 think of it, here is a pencil I out for you to- 'lay. " He Irew it from his pocket and put it into her hand, while his face glowed with en- tliii.siasin. " Thank you, thank you. " Grateful tears sprang to her eyes ; tears which acute suf- feiing could not wring from her. He saw the gathering drops, and said, gaily : "If that is the way you intend to thank me, I shall bring you no more pencils. But you look very pale, and ought to be a^^leep, for I have no doubt tomorrow will be a try- ing day for you. Do exeit yourself to bo biavo, an 1 Lear it all for a little while ; I know it will not be very long, and I shall come and see you just as often as possible." He rose as he spoke. " Are yon ibliged to go'so soon? Can't you stay with u)e a little longer?" pleaded Beulah. The boy's eyes HUed as he looked at the beseeching, haggard face, and he answered hastily : "Not to niish'-, Beulah ; you must go sleep— you nee.l it sadly." " You will be oold walking home. Let get you a 3ha\vl. " "No, I left my overcoat in the hall — here it is. " She followed him out to the door, as he drew it on an 1 put on his cap. The moon- light shone over the threshold, and he thought she looked ghostly as it fell upon her face. Hi took her hand, pressed it gent- ly, and sai I— II Gooil night, dear Beulah." "Good '.-tye, Eugene. Do come and see jne again soon." " Yes, I will. Don't get low-spirited as «oon as 1 :iin out of si^'. , do you hear T" " Vcs, 1 hear; I will try not to complain. Wall< fast and keep warm," Sht ijressed hia baud aflfectionately, watch- «d his receding form as long as she could tract its outline, and then went slowly back to the dormitory. Falling on her knees by 1 le gin to v.-^ii;h she had beeu direct- ed by Miaa DoVoliiea White. Her heart throbbed painfully, and her hand trembled as she rang the bell. The door was opened by a negro waiter, who merely glanced at her, and asked, carelessly — " 'Well, little miss, what do yon want t" " Is Mrs. Martin at home T" " Yes, miss ; come, walk in. There is but a poor fii e in the front parlour— suppose yon sit down in the back room. Mrs. Martin will be down in a minute." The first object which arrested Beulah's attention was a centre table covered with booka, "Perhaps," thought she, "they will permit me to read them." While she sat looking over the titles, the rustle of silk caused her to glance round, and she saw Mrs. Martin quite near her. "Good morning," said the lady, with a searching look, which made the little figure tremble " Good morning, madam." " You are the girl Miss White promised to send from the Asvlum, are you not V " Ye", madam." " Do you tlnnk you can take good care o( baby T'"/^ Oh, y/nll try." don't look strong and healthy been sick 1" I am very well, thank you." may want you to sew some, occasion- ally, when the baby is asleep. Can you hem and stitch neatly ?" " I believe I sew very well, madam— our matron says so. " "What is your name? Miss White told me, but I have forgotten it." "Beulah Benton." " Well, Beulah, I think you will suit me very well, if you are only careful, and attend to my .nat ; another, some six years younger, was dressing a doll ; while an infant, live or six months old, crawled aboiit the carpet, eagerly picking up pins, needles, and every other objectionable article his little purple fingers conld gi"i=!p. " Take him, Deuiah," said the mother. BEULAH. 19 saw r She Btooped to comply, and was surprised that the little fellow testiHed no fe^tr of her bhc raised hiin in her anna, and kissed his rosy checks, us he looked wonderingiy at _ " Ma, is that Johnny's new nurse? What IS her name?' said the youngest girl, laying i" Z^^ i^arefuUy surveying the Annie ; and her name is Beulah,' Bed the mother, adjusting her bonnet. Beulah— Its about as pretty as her face. r^es, just about," continued Annie, in an •udible whisper to her sistar. The latter »ve Beulah a condescending atare, curled M J,- ?' disdainfully, and with a poUte Mind >x)urown business, Annie," retorned to tier embroidery. " Keep the baby by the fire ; and if he frets, you must feed him. Laura, show her wtoere to find his cup of arrowroot, and you ■ . d°"'® ^'*y ***" *i^ J come home." No, mdeed, 'ma, I can't, for I mnsf; go aown and practise my music lesson," an- '^!ff^ !^^* f^^"* daughter, dacisively, " VVell. then Annio .4-.., ;„ l. Well, then, Annie, stay in my room." .„.^*S.«f,?"«.H°'*''' i"™* ■ugw-oandy, ma. She (pointing to Beulah)" can take ^"^i^^J'v"''^- ,^t^o"«^t th»t waa what you hired her for." " You will make no sugar-candy till I come home, Mi« Annie ; do you hear that? Now, mind what I said to you." . Mrs. Martin rustled out of the room. leav. ing Annie to brood ominously at the new nurse, and vent her spleen \y Jwxing her doll, because the inanimate little lady would not keep her blue bead eyes open. Beulah loved children, and Johnny forcibly remind- rfJVn ^^l e«5^': '^*y«' ^^c" »l»e had car- ried Lilly about in her arms. For some time after the departure- of Mrs. Martin and faura, the little fellow seemed perfectly sat- ufaed, but finally grew fretful, and Beulah surmised he might be hungry. rowrS""^^"'""' «*'•"" thebaby-k ». Harrist/* ^''°'' "^*^"« ■»)««ti*,ad. " Who is Harrison f ••Why, the cook." Glancing around the room, she fonnil the arrowroot ; the boy was fed, and soon fell kI ?v?" 1, ^^"i*^ ^** *'' * 1°^ rocking-chair SLSf« r^^f"' « "^"^^"^ ^^^ '■"f"*' and tatch. ing the little fisjure opposite. Annie was trvincr tn Ht o ....-, -ill. .„;-^ ^- t , .r "■■ It was too broad one way and too narrow another. She twisted and jerked it divera ways, but all in vain ; and at last, ^E,vnsted py the experiment, she toreitoflF ?,-a(' -umed it at the fire, with an impatient cry. 1 he plagued, bolheriny, ngly thi, ,, 1 My Lucia never shall wear such a fii Beulali caui:ht the discarded waist un.l said, quietly : "\ou can very easilv make it fit. by taking up this seam and cutting it out in thg neck. " " I don't believe it." " Tlien, hand nie the doll and the scissoiH and 1 will show yon. " " ^^^f "^"»e is Miss Lucia-di-I^nimerniour Mr. Green named her ; don't say ' doll,' cal. herby her proper name, "answered the spoil cd child, handing ever the unfortunate wax en representative of a not less unfortunate heroine. •'i ^^!f^l> *he"t MissLucia-di-Lammermoor, ' said Beulah, smiling. A feaoe BEULAH. 17 limbs told that they might return any mo- ment, andthe physician immediately admiu- Mtered a potion. " How long will Mrs. Martin be absent f' •'It IS uncertain. When shall I give the medicine again T" ** I shall remain until she comes home." Beulah was pacing up and down the floor, with Johnny in her arms ; |Dr. Uartwell stood on the hearth, leaning his elbow on the mantelpiece, and watching the slight form as It stole softly to and fro. Gradually the child became quiet, but his nurse kept ud her walk. Dr. Ifartwell said abruptly : . 'Sit down, mull you will walk ytmnbU into a shadow." She lifted her head, ehook it in reply, and re.-ume<] her measured tiead. " What is your name!" "Beulah Benton." " Beulah 1" repeated the doctor, while a «mile flitted over his mustached lip. She observed it, and exclaimed, with bitter em- phasis : / ''Y*''^^*^*^°"**^'^™eit»8«nsuitablei I feel It. Beulah ! Beulah I Oh, my father I 1 Have neither sunshine nor flowers, nor hear the siiigingof birds, nor the voice of the tur- <". V- ""^''' *° '^^^'^ ""'^^'' "le Marah " .. .,?" •^^Z" '■**'^ *^^ 'Pilgrim 8 Progress.' p" u ^^' "^*'*^ a searching glance. Either she did not hear him, or was too entirely engrossed by painful reflection to frame an answer. The despairing expression settled upon her face, and the broken threads of memory wove on again. " Beulah I how came you here in thecana- city of nurse?" *^ I' I was driven here by necessitj'." '' Where are your parents and friends T" « ii'^*^* '>""«• I am alone in the world." How long have you been so depen- She raised her hand depreoatinglv, nay oommandingly, as though she had said : •No more. You have not the right to question, nor I the will to answer." He marked the look of unconquerable grief, and understanding her gesture, made no more enquiries. Soon after, Mrs. Martin returned, and having briefly stated what had occurred, and given directions for the child's treatment, he withdrew. His low " good niglit," gently spoken to the nurse, was only acknowledged by a slight inclination of the head as he passed her. Little Jolnny was restless, and constantly threatened with a return of th« convulsions. His mother held him on her feuee, and telling Beulah she "had been^ good, sensible girl, to bathe himsopromptli,"' ' fft-'n hej. permission to retire. ' " 1 am not at all sleepy, and would stay here and nnrse him. He does not moan so much when I walk with him. Give him back to me. " '• But you will be tired out." u"iv!*'j"u"°*'"'°'* '*•" Stooping down, she lifted the restless boy, and wrapping his cloak about him, commenced the same noise- less tread Thus the night waned; occa- sionally Mrs. Martin rose, and felt her babe's pulse, and assisted in giving the hourly po- tions, then reseated herself, and allowed the hireling to walk on. Once she oflFered to re- leve her, but the arms refused to yield their burden. A little after four, the mother slept soundly in her chair. Gradually the stars grew ,lim and the long undulating chain of clouds that girded the eastern hon- z'.n ki> .1 ,.,1 into a pale ornnge, that trans- formed them into mountains of topaz Paus- iiig by the window, and gazing vacantly out, Leulah s eyes «ere suddenly riveted on the t'^rgeous pageant, which untiring nature 'inily renews, and she stood watching the masses of vapour painted by coming sunlight .■"ul floating slowly before the wind, unti |l.e "King o Day" flashed up and dazzled '■". Airs. Martin was awakened by the en- Munteof oneof the servants, and starting up, exclaimed : "»rnng " Bless me 1 I have been asleep. Beulah derth" ^°^ """* ^* *'"*^ *^ i,o ''^^i' «^«^t'Pg now very quietly; I think he IS better ; his fever is not so high. I will tnkecareof him, and you had better take ar;nrlier nap before breakfast" Mrs. Martin obeyed the nurse's injunction ant ,t was two hours later when she took her child, and directed Beulab to get her break- fast. But the weary girl felt no desire for the meal, and retirinc to her attic room. bathed her eyes, and replaited her hair Kneeling beside her bed, slie tried to prav. but the words died on her lips ; and too mi'st erable to frame K petition, she retnmed to the ch.imber where, in sad vigils, she had spent the night. Dr. Hartwell bowed m she entered, but the head wu bent down, and without glancing at him, she took the fret- fuJ, sufTering child, and walked to the win- dow. While she stood there, her eyes fell upon the loved face of her best friend. Eugene Graham was crossing the street For an in- stant the burning blood surged over her wan sickly cheeks, and the pale lips parted in a smile of delight, as she leaned forward to see whether he was coming in. The door bell c ! — ••> '^w^'^piaiig irieui tne winaow, un- consciou§,«f the piercing eyes fastened upon JV^*'?*'^^ '*y'°« ^'^*^® Johnny on his niaffier s lap, she merely said | • I will be back soon," and darting down the steps, met Eugene ftt the entr»nc» !lff t 18 BEULAH. tell throwing her arms around his neck and ing her fane on his shoulder. " Wliat is the matter, Beulah ? Do me," said lie, anxiously. Briefly slie related her ftnitless attempt to see Lilly, and poiutul out the nature of the barrier "which must for ever p. parate them. Eugene listened with Has;>-t)h, Eugene, can't you stay a little long\ iff; just a little longer? It seems such a \y great while since you were here." She looked up wistfully into the handsome, boy- ish face. Drawing out an elegant new w>,tcb, he held it before her eyes and answered hur. riedlv : " See there; it is ten o'clock, and 1 am behind my appointment at the lecture-room. Good-bve; try to be cheerful. ' What can't be cured must be endured,' you know, so do not despond, dear Btul»h.'^ Shaking her hatt4 cordially, he ran down the steps. The orphan pressed her hands tightly over hef brow, as if to slay some sudden, painful thought, and slowly remounted the stairs. CHAPTER V. Little Johnny's illness proTed long and serious, and for many days and nights he seemed on the verge of the tomb. His wail« ings were never hushed except in Beulah ■ arms, and, as might be supposed, constant watchin<; soon converted her into a mere shallow of her former self. Dr. Hartwell often advised rest and fresh air for her, but the itilent shake of her head proved how reckless she was of her own welfare. Thus sevei.il weeks elapsed, and gradually the sick child grew stronger. One afternoon Beulah sat holding him on her knee; he had fallen asleep, with ene tiny hand clasping hers and w'hile he slept she read. Absorb- ed in the volume Eugene had given her, her thoughts -wandered on with the authwr, amid the mouldering monuments of West- ininat< r Abbey, and finally the sketch was concluded by that solemn paragraph: "Thus man passes away; his name perishee from record and recollection; his history le as a tale that is told, and his very monument becomes a ruin." Again she read this sad comment on the vanity of earth, and its ephemeral hosts, and her mind was failed with weird images, that looked out from her earnest eyes. Dr. Hartwell entered nnper- oeived, and stood for some moments at the back of her chair, glancing over her shoulder at the last page. At length she closed the book, and passing her hand wearily over her eyes, aaid audibly: '• Ah I if we could only have sat down to^ gether in that gloomy garret, and had a long talk I It would have helped ns both. Poor Chattsrtor. ! I know just bow you felt, ■when you locked your d'oor and laid down on your truckle-bed, and Kwallowed yout last draught l" " There is nol a word about Chattertwu tM thafsketch," sadd the doctor. -^ ' n r sa Wl se ag foi lod Wll die do wo wai hea wit, BEULAH. looked up, and answered word. He wu \ \^. itAtnttuu •« She started, «lowly : " No, not a word, not . „„.„. ^",7*«Tu'"°°« paupers, you know,"" VVhat ma.le you think of himf* Akii *"''"8ht that instead of resting in the Abt)-y, under sculptured marble, his bones t'l^nVof hfm '•• '"'^^^y'i'^'^^^'^^-^^ I often "Whyr" '' Because he was so miserable and uncar- ed for ; because sometimes I feel exactly as he did?' A, she uttered these word.^ she compressed her lips iu a manner which plain- ly said, " There I I have no more to say! so do not question me." ''' He had learned to read her oountenanoe. and as he fe t the infant's pulse, pointed U> the crib saying : «^ ' r >* «» fHst'Sa""'''^''*'"'^"^" °°'' *'•"•'" ».i K 'u^'H y"" ^""o«^ my directions t" sfii I he sharply. Beulah looked up at him for a moment, then rose and placed the boy in his crib Jur«,° '" T "J^ -^'■'™ '™"« ^'^^"'■teJ her fea. an 1 I". Hi fl "V"" '"''^^'^ »"""' medicine, an I sitti n^r the glass on the table, put both han I, ,„ Ins pockets and walked np to the mn-sp Herheadwasarerted. It ni'-' &7h-" ^,? ^^^"'"^ •°°»«*' *" Jo'^k . M ' , ^"^^h^'-'J'iereyes proudly on his Jarterif? *"""' ^'""""'^ *'''"^"«'^ *^^ Terv'i^'ir "''-'* Eugene isgoing away ▼eiy 8u*0, to be absent at least live years ?'' rncredulous smile flitted over her face __ the ashen hue of death settled there, 1 am in earnest. He leaves for Eurona next week, to be gone a long time," ^ bhe extended her hands pleadingly and said m a hoarse whisper : '^^ " Are you sure ?" " Quite sure ; his passage is already en- s^ncef" "^'^ ^'"'"^° °^ y" •'» his ab- The strained eyes met his, vacantly • the form"Jn^h'^^'^f '''*°f '^ ^^^ ^"''''^t attenuated lormon the «ofa, au.i stood with folded arms wSfjlrV'f'f '='''?^'««« *■*««• His high wiiite brow clou.led, and a fierce light kin. ctsed "te^h I^"^'-i"\i repay me ly Hesprinkle-l a handfnl of water in the up. turned face, and in a few minote* mw tU eyelids tremble, and knew from the Took o« suffering, that with returning conscionsnes. came the keen pangs of grief She covered while MiTd ' "^^ *^'^' * ""'• !! n'*" ^ ®^^'' '®° '^''" *8ain ?" He will como here tonight to tell yoa about his trip. But what willbecome of you in Ins absence ?— answer me that I" God only knows I" T ?*■• J'*'"*^?'! wrote the directions for Johnny smedmno, and placing the slip of paper on the glass, took his hat and left the In»Lf ?u f^K "fK '"^^^ *>«'• ^^<"^ P"»»e t.o aet-k loarninu in the veueral)le um- versities of the old world. Blue-eyed May, the carnival month of the year, had clothe 1 the earth with verdure, and enamelled it with flowers of every hue, scattering her treasures before the rushing car of summer. city, hope! danger it wai end I ivateuingly over the but Hi the spring advanced, weie entertainoil that all had passed. Consequently, when - .— announced (hat the disease had made its ap- pearance in a very malignant form, in the house adjoining Mrs. Martin's, she deter- mined to send her children immediately out of town. A relative living at some distance up the river, happened to be visiting her at the time, and as she intended returning home the following day, kindly offered to take charge of the children until all traces of the disease had vanished. To this plan Beulah made no resistance, though the ni.inory of her little sister h.iuntcd her hourly. Wli.it could she doT Make one last attempt to ace her, and if again refused, then it mattered not whither she went. When the prepiira- tions for their journey had been compleled, anil Johnny slept soundly in his crib, Ikulah put on her old straw-bonnet, and set out for Mr. Grayson's residence. The sun was low in the sky, and the evening breeze, ri))pliiig the waters of the bay, stirred the luxuriant foliage of the ancient china-trees that bor- dered the pavements. The orphan's heart was heavy with undefined dread ; such a dread as had oppressed her the day of her separation from her sister " Coming events cast their shadows before;" and she was conscious that the sunset jrlow could not dispel the epectral ^;looni which enveloped her. She walked on, with her head bowed, like one stooping from an impending blow, and when at last tne crouch- iiiL' lions confronted her, she felt as if her heart had suddenly frozen. There stood the doctor's buegy. She sprang up the steps, ami stretched out her hand for the bolt ot the door. Long streamers of crape floated "through her fingers. She stood still a mo- ment, then threw open the door and rushed in. The hall floor was covered to i.niffle the tread ; not a sound reached her, save the stirring of the china-trees outside. Her hand was on the balustrade to ascend the steps, but her eyes fell upon a piece of crape fastened to the parlour door, and pushing it ajar, she looked in. The furni. ture was draped ; even the mirrors and pic- tures, and on a small oblong table in the centre of the room lay a shrouded form. An overpowering perfume of crushed flowers filled the air, and Beulah stood upon the threshold, with her hands extended, and her eyes iixed upon the tabic. There were two children; Lilly might yet live, and an un- voiced praver went up to God, that the dead might be Claudia. Then like scathing light- ning came the recollection of her cnrse : ^- 0: ?r had hov. the city^ tl, hop<>( 1 danger len it wat nade ita ap- )rm, in the she deter- idiately out ne distauco iting her at iriiing huiiie ed to take races of the ilan Bciilah niciiiory of ily. What ini|it to Be« it inatturud he prtpura- coiiipluU'd, ;rih, Btulab 1 set out for lun was low zp, rip\.ling e liixuriaut la that bor- hail's heart id ; »uch a day of her KB before;" the sunset ctral ^loiiiu ed on, with ng from an tne crouch- It as if lier re stood the e steps, and bolt of the ape floated still a mo- and rushed o i.iuffle the ir, save the itside. Her ascend the a piece of door, and The fumi- jrs and pic- ;able in the id form. An hed flowers id upon the led, and her fc Wrfe fWO and an un- nat the dead athing light- her curse : 21 BEULAH. X. '^ May God aniwer their prayers, as they an- swered mine 1" With rigid iimba ihe totter- «d to the table, and laid her hand on the yA- ret pall ; with closed eyes the drew it down, then held her breath and looked. There lay her idol, in the marble arms of death Ah 1 how matchlessly beautiful, wrapped in her last sleep I The bright golden curls guttered around the snowy brow, and floated k Ta^^^'^^^ sunlight over the arms and shoulders. The tiny waxen figure clasped each other as in life, and the delicately chi- selled hps were just parted, as though the sleeper whispered. Beulah's gaze dwelt upon this mocking loveliness, then the arms were thrown wildly up, and with a lonjf, wailing cry, her head sank heavily on the velvet cushion, beside the cold face of her dead darling. How long it rested there she never knew. Earth seemed to pass away : darkness dosed over her, and for a time she had no pain, no sor- row ; she and Lilly were together, All was black, and she had no feelintr. Ihen she was lifted, and the motion arous- ed her torpid faculties ; she moaned and opened her eyes. Dr. Hartwell was placina her on a sofa, and Mrs. Grayson stood by w ^'**' * handkerchief over her eyes. With returning consciousness came a strong arm that strove to detain her, and laying one clinched hand on the folded fingers of th-j dead, raised the other fiercely towar I Mrs. Grayson, and excl umed almost ranti- oally : " Yon have murdered her 1 1 know it would be so, when you took my darling from my arms, and refused my prayer 1 Ave I my of God to let me see her onoe more ; to let f„!i f 1, '^*° ^l *'.**'■*' "•* •'<"*«'• lips, and forehead, and little slender hands You scorned a poor girl's prayer, you Unoted me with my peverty, and locked me from my darling, my Lilly, my all I Oh, woman Ty"J drove nae wild, and I cursed you and vdur husband. Hal has your wealth and sff dour saved her T Qod have mercy ou me! I feel as if I could ourse yon eternally. Could you noc have sent for ms before she died ? Oh, if I could only have taken her in my arms, and seen her soft nngel eyes looking un to me, and felt her little arms around my neck, and heard her say ' sister' for the last time I Would it have taken a dime from your Durse. or mafiA V(^n Iaqc f..k; ui- *. nave sent for me before she died ? ' Such ^ measureasye mete, shall be meted to you \ ^ Jrl'llii*!***^/"" "u^*° ''•^« yo""- heart \ *I2^iS *" ,°''"»*»««'*''Ms, kn«w n'»*hing ela*. Boon »he wu lut i,ut f thb ooggy, carried up a flight of kte^ta, ^ud ^^en » nood of light Hmhed thmut^h the iimgen, upon her olnied cyelidi. Doctor Hnrtwell pUced hit obargr (in ft tofft, an<) ran^ the bell. The BuminonB was promptly annwered by a negro woinau of middle ago. 8he stood at the door awaiting the order, but liia oyea were beut on the tioor, and his browa knitted. " Master, did you ring T" " Yes, tell my iiaterto come to me." He took a turn acrotui the iluor, and paused by the open window. As the night air rustled tlie brown looks on his temulea, he sighed deeply. The door opeued, ana a tall, slender woman, of perhtps thirty-tive years, enter- ed the room, bhe was pale and hand- some, with a profusion of short uhestnut curls about her face. With her hand resting on the door, aho saii), in a calm, clear tone. "Well, Guy?" He started, and, turning from the window approached her. _ May, I want » room arranged for this child as loon as possible. Will you see that a hot foot bath is provided? When it is ready, tend Harriet for her." His sister's lips curled as she looked scarchin^ly at the figure on the sofa, and said coblly : " What freak now, Guy?" For a moment their eyes met steadily, and be smiled grimly: "I intend to adopt that poor little orphan; that is all 1" " \^ here did you pick her up — at the hos- pital T" said slie, sneerinj^ly. "No, she .13 been hired as a nurse, ac a 1 1 ardingbouse." He folded Lis a'-ms, and I ,::ain they looked at each otlier. " 1 thonnht you bad had quite enough of r I t'-geF." She nervously clasped and un- flnspcd her jet bracelet. " TfVft care. Mav Chilton ! Mark me. Lift the j>all from tlie past once more, and \ou and j'auline must find another home, ii'iother protector. Now, will you see that i> room is prep,' -A as I directed !" He was very pale, and ' 'fi eyes burned fiercely, '.et his tone WHS a sud subdued. Mrs. t'hilton bit her 'ipa .-1 , ithdi-aw. Doctor liartwell walkedrV;'' ..V, ' 'Ii wn ' .; - room for iiwhile, now,4rfi^d iiU .- ?k .. sadly at the ^oungstMiilKer. ''he »? t Jivut as he .'j . • ^jflnceMfer, with her haii " over herftca, \ T^KiiMJ^ he bent d^kn and ..hippered : \ -^ Will YOU trust !~. ReuLnb?" ^r She made no answer, but he saw her brow / wrinkle, and knew that she shuddered. The servant oame in to say that the room had been arranged, aa he had directed. However ,:!. surprised she might have been at this sndden advHfftt of the simply clad orphan in her maste>'''* study, there was not the faintest indicatidfi of it in her impenetrable counte- nance — not even the raising of an eyebrow. "Harriet, see that her feet are well bathed} and, when «he is is bed, come for some me- dicine." Then, drawing the hands from her eyes, he laid to Bculah: " Go with her, my child. I am glad I have you safe under my own roof, where no more jruel injustice can assail yon." He pressed her hand kindly, and, rising mechanically, beulah accompanied Harriet, who considerately BUpj>orted the drooping form. The room to which she was conduct- ed was richly furnished, and lighted by an elegant coloured lamp, su8v)cndeJ from the ceiling. Mrs. Chilton stood near an arm, chair, looking moody and abstracted. Har- riet carefully undressed the poor morrner, and wrapping a shawl about her, placed hei in the chair, and bathed her feet. Mrs. Chil- ton watched her with ill-concealed impa- tience. When the little dripping feet were dried, Harriet lifted her, as if she had been an inf^ -., and placed her in bed, then brou;rht the medicine from the study, and administered a spoonful of the mixture. I'lacing her finger on the girl's wrist, she countodthe rapid pulse, and, turnint; uncon- oernedly towaid Mrs. Chilion, said : "Miss May, master says you need not trouble about the medicine. I am to sleep in the room and take care of this little girl." " Very well. See that she »» properly attended to, as my brother directed. My bead aches miserably, or I should remain myself." ■She (glanced at the bed, and left the room. Harriet leaned over the pillow . . px .uniicd the oil 'lan's cfiwiteiiance. The tyt-s? vn>ie closed, Ijut scftMing tears roll ■] -^i 1y '••!>? the cheeks, and the liant ..la . .:d over the brow, as if to sliU its throbbings. Harriet's face softened, and she saic^, kindly : "Poor thing 1 what ails youT What makes you cry so ?" Beulah pressed her head closer to the pillow, and murmured : " I am 80 miserable ! I want to die, and God will not take me." "Don't say that, till you see whether you've got the scarlet tcver. If you have, you are likely to be taken pretty soon, I nan +-gll ^'011 • and i^ «nn liotTgri'*- w^K^r if*. ■ all for the best. It is a bad plan to fly in the Almighty's face that way, and tell him what He shall do, and what He shan't." This philosophic response fell unheeded BEULAH. What I on poor Mpiilah'i earn, knd Hftrriet wa« •bniit to enquire more tniautoly into the cauNe of her grief, )nit ihe perceived licr muttr ■t»ndjiiK betide Jicr, »nd imniediftttly tnovid away from the bed. Drawing out hill watch, ho counted the pulse teveral tii,ie», T>it? rcHult seemed to trouble liitn, an I ht »t Hid for tome minutci watching the niotionleRi form. ' Harriet, bring me af;la»8 of ice-water." Laying his cool hand on tho hot forehead of the suflTcring girl, he laid, tenderly : " My child, try not to cry any more to- night. It is very bitter, I know ; but re- member, that though Lilly has been taken from you, from thia day you have a friend, a home, a gtiardian." Harriet proffered the glaiB of water. He took it, raised the head, and put the spark- ling draught to Beulah's parched lipg. Without uncloiing her eyes, she drank the last crystal drop, nnd laying the liead back on the pillow, he drew an arm-chair before the window at the further end of tho room, And leated himself. h( .»vy I. CHAPIER VIL Through quiot, woody dells roamed Beu- laJi's spirit, and, hand in hand, she and Lilly trod tlowery paths and rested bei-ide clear, laughing brooks. Life, with its grim realities, seemed but a flying mist. The orphan hovered on the conhnes of eternity's ocean, and its silent waves almost laved the feet of the weary child. The room was darkened, and the summer wind stole through the blinds stealthily, as if awed by the solitude of tlie sick-chamber. Dr. Hartwell sat by thi- low French bedstead, holding one emaciated hand in his, countintr t'." pulse which bounded so fiercely in the blue veins. A fold of white linen contain- ing crushed ice lay on her forehead, and the hollow cheeks and thin lips were flushed to vermilion hue. It was not scarlet, but brain fever, and tins was the fifth day that the sleeper had lain in a heavy stupor. Dr. Hartwell put back the hand he held, and stooping over, looked long and anxiously at the flushed face. The breathing was deep and laboured, and taming away, he slowly and noiselesslv walked up and down the floor. To have looked at him then, in his purple silk rohe de chnmbre, one wonUl have scarcely believed that thirty yearf^ had passed over his head. He was tall an;', broad-chested, his head massive and weli formed, his face a curious study. The brow was expansive and almost transparent m its purity, the dark, hazel eyes were singularly brilliant, while the contour of lips and chin was partially concealed by a mustache and beard. The flrat giante at his face impVensed strangers by Its extreme pallor, but in a second hiok tl.ty were fascinated by the misty spltndcur »f the eyes. In truth those wre atrange eyes ot (;uy Hartwell. At times, scan hing and glittering like iioiinhed steel j occaition- ally 1 ghting up witli a dRzzlin^ radianee, and then as suddenly growing gentle, hazy, yet luminous ; rrstnibling the clouded aspect of a star seen through a thin veil of mist, ilia brown, curling hair was thrown back fiom the face, and exposed the outline of the ample forehead. Perhaps utilitarians woulu have carped at the fenuuine deliiacy of the hands, and certainly the ting* rs were slender and marvellouMly white. Or one hand ha wore an antique ring, composi . of a cameo snake-head set round with Uamonds. A proud, gifted and misernhlc mm -^as Gay Hartwell, and his characteristic vpreasionof ■tern sadness might easily have i . jn mistak- en by casual observers for bii er mi thropy. I have said he was about thirty, and though the face was repellently old and grave, it was difficult to believe hat that smooth, fair brow had been for so many years uplifted for the handwriting f time. He looked just what he was— a bafll ij.', fas- cinating mystery. You felt that his .nnte- nance was a volume of hioroj^-lyphies, shich, could you decipher, would unfold the istoiy of a checkered and painful carter. \ t the calm, frigid smile which sat on his li and looked out defiantly from his dcep-set ves, seemed to dare you to an iiivcstig;. "ion. Mere physical beauty cannot imj «rt th- in- describable charm which his counten. oce possessed. Kegularity of features is a \ la- able auxiliary, but we look on sculptu ed marble, perfect in its chiselled proportiora, and feel that, after all, the potent spell in to the rayin;; out of the soul, that imprisoiii.d radiance whicli, in some instances, makes man indeed but " little lower than theac- gels." He jiaiised in his eeholess tread, and sat down once more beside his prrtig^. She had not changed her position, and the long lashes lay heavily on the crimson cheeks. Tiie parched lips were parted, and, as he watched her, she murmured aloud : " It is so sweet, Lilly ; we will stay here always. 'J A shadowy smile crossed her face, and then a great agony seemed to p(«ftge8s her, for she moaned long and bitterly. He tried -'; — — ■ *••*", t'-t iiir istsi t:ii:c since IIIO night she entered his house, she opened her eyes and gazt d vacantly at him. " Are you in pain, Beulah ? Why do you moan so ? ' " Pjigene, I knew it would b« so wh«B ou left me." I' f 1 « ^ BEUL\H. Don't you know me, lieulah t" He jmt "»ce close to here. " Tliey liilled her, Ku- gene ! I told you they would ; thtsy are jjoing to bury her soon. But the grave can't liifle her ; I am going do'vn with her into the darkness — she would be frightened, you know." Mukinu' a great eflFort, she sat up- right. Dr. Il.irtwell ])ut a glass containing madiciue to her lips ; she shrank ))aek and shudilered, tlien raised her hand for the glass, and looking fixi dly at him. said : " Did Mrs. Grayson say I must take it ? It is poison that kills quickly ? There : don't frown, Eugene, I will drink it all for you. She swallowed the draught with a shiver. He laid her \iack on hf.v pillow ami renewed the ii'cd cloth od her forehead ; slic did not move her burning eyes ftoin ids face, and the refreshing coolness recalled the sad smile. '• Are we on the Alps, Eugene ? I feel dizzy, don't let nie fall. There is a great chaain yonder. Uh. I know now ; I am not afraid ; Lilly is down there — come on. " Her arma drooped to her side, aud she slept again. Evening shalows crept on ; soon the room was dark. Harriet entered M-ith a shaded lamp, but her master motioned her out, and throwing open the blinds, sulFered the pure moonlight to enter freely. The >vindow looked out on the flower-garden, and t'le mingled fragrance of roses, jaaniins, honeysuckles and dew laden four-o'clocks, enveloped him as in a cloud of incense. A balmy moonlight June night in our beautiful sunny South — who shall adequately paint its witchery T Dr. Hartwell leaned his head against the window, and glanced down at th« parterre he had so fondly fostered, phaiitj^: The golden moonlight mellowed every object, / (^ '^v\\\y and uot the gorgeous pictures of Persian '■' • poets surpansed the quiet scene that greeted the master. The shelled serpentine walks were bordered with low, close- ly clipped cassiua hedges ; clusters of white and rose oleander, scarlet gera- niums, roses of oountles. ^^-^ih «he rseVnd' stood c.oseto Beulah, looking earnestly at h«r cmacatc^face. She put her finger^ « > £ ZTl\T^^'^ ^""^ '^"'*' «*"'! counted ac ben h/r „ P" «*i»°"« of the lava tide, then bent her queen y head, and listened to the heavdy-drawn breathing. A haughty smi" " Amer!!^"'*"^"'' '^' ««*/l as though an> to view «ome life. )ond ; Eugene iig man before 'sses. There, )n't cry. Try ild, you are onger. " He uriied toward i. Chilton en- ow is your little patient been talk- to send her both hands and looked She did not settle around lere was little e a wonderful > raising the Knd, life his ; I can read > curled, h a use. 3U can under- iBure at this use it secures child, J long kn expression ) crossed her hand on her )n her glossy ngly: May ; tfaer* urhair." tly with yon. lads of time, nr kindness? locks oftener I yon, Guy, ;H>or widowed my Pauline your " 1, be kind to her Ake, for an aid me in rill. And if ' my nature, me down and wa the steps. 3oor, stepped th Bermuda i in the early ed him de- teps leading yi ) iiEULAH. "It cannot be possible that that miserable S oStv l^ThT 'f r", Pauline anThl: FntftYi ! he mad, to dream of making it i Iw •^"*'!!-* '"' *•"'•"« ^ Yet he means It , I saw It m his eye ; the lurking devil that has s umbered since that evening, and that f on to the d.ning-room.*^ Beulah had alien was He hf".^ 'T^'l''^ exhaustion „,- it was L te in the day when she again uuc ,. rl her eyes. Harriet sat sewing near he but ioon perceived that she was awake l^A i^ mediately put aside her work '' "'^ ""' Aha ! so you have come to your senaei ''^i'':v:,V' «— ^ou.Udr^' ha3^'i "°** """f^' "«'"« that you welk Nnl*i*Tr°"^l'.^ '° '"°'-« than a Jpr!.H i' ^^''^^ .here, little one; I am or- dered to nurse ana take charge of vou till you are strong en<>ugh to look f^t f^ you ! self. So you must not objoct to aiivthinp T tell you to do.'; Without f?,rther ^a/lev ifhl r„l''^ ^"1 ^''?if^ ^«"'"h'8 face u>d hands ftTabl"yP ?„^ [h'r\^o"'tlP'^^^1 ^""- tomed In h"er iSo waH ^S^ ^,^Z was something singularly noVe i?SAh„' carefuUy handled ; and^ ne«tlin" her^ead close to the pillows, she shut her eyes les Ji^. ,^*7'«t quitted the room for a short 'I can't eat anythini? Thank „«„ t l : fi^eTui-H ^VV "'>-^» o- put a cup of tea to the quivering lips ^' hadtoe!r."r **'^?^«' '^'^^ter said you once P^'r t^ • ''? ""ght just as well do it at St fo "vi L '?.*1^ "°^ ^*t » Jitti« ; you SaX Sre'w"a*, t' ^i'; -^ -'th'out HaiTiet praised her obedient fplTt and abrupt^ ^'"^ "''"' ^^"^ ^^^' '^' «*id "Hnno . ... Twr'li^''' •*'"" crying r- liierqyifag no reply, and kneeling down cautiously : '^ ""wn, I df vo^n"T *f,'""°*' *''"«* this family 27 win'wnl ."'"•'* ^' *"*« ""'^ it, everything w Tome ?' «"° V" y°"- ^"t, child,^therf bes dTl^?"' "^^fl y"" *'" "^eed a Wend when vo^ .fn""' */''^ ^''r'^ y°" ««"'« to me wnen yqu do. J won't say any more now but remember what I tell you when vou ^Tt into trouble. Miss Pauliiie has ome^ and^ if she happens to take a fancy t<. vou (which J Sri 'V'n"**'.^''^ wiirstaiul by you ill the stars fall ; and if she don't, sl,e\vill hate Cr-rr, '^^'' «^tan himself for-— '' Se det /'i ^°* '°'"P''^*'' the seAtence. for she detected her master's step in the oassaoa and resumed her work. pa»8age, "How is she?" downhtrted" '* '"' "''"'^' '''' "<*--" «<» neS.*" """ *^°- ^ ''■'" '•'°8 '^J>«° y«" "• Dr. Hartwell seated himself on the edee of the bed and lifting the chil.l's head tKs bos^om. drew away the hands that shaded her tioL^r '*^' "* ^"°" ^°"°^'"« "'y direc- wret^f :,f "f i ^''" '"'" .^"■y ^'"^> ^"^t I am toa . wretUied, too miserable, even to thank you " .Id" not wish you to thank me All I davrwi '11 ^"" "•'/ ^'^^ 'l"-t"or a f i Sbi,^"oCEot^^?l^;!^-t lie here she I as .r.i\i = "^ R. . ""'"Jig, ana no sobbing jourself into another fever. I know you have had a bitter lot in life so far and inernones are all painful with you but' iUs It swe 'lll^V'"^" "'-" thepasl Ah child ' nto the f, t, "' °t"^-'' '" *^" l"''^^' "t, looking ';t:::d^;yfor ir;:^.?^^^is' heSf and 'iV'v'^^'f '"fu''°^*'>' °^'^'- her fore- ettv' hi P" .h»^'k the tangled masses of jettj hair which, long neglect had niled about her face. The touch of his cool hand the ow musical tones of his voice, were ve v « cS':! ? 1 " m «"^--. and witl'^ gra.Si::[oSfSe^:i^..^»'"— '^ There, my child, do not try to talk onlv tnist me, and be cheerful. It ^is a pfei^sure « iJl always remain in my house " i How long he sat there, she never knew waVe°d"thr r'"' ''''' Y'>^" hours after :r; pas-scd, and- the- girrsaw^noTe- exclpt^Ihe nurse and physician. One sunny afternoon downfi 'rK^^ ''" ^^'i*« c„rt"ai: a.7"t dres^eS £r in -' H '" ^"V?*^"^' "«^"'et had aressed her m a blue calico wrapper which made the wan face still more JhS;; and Tfn^z'-.s-rz,!.'^ ?^ BEULAH. 'I ! I 1 i I fche foM8 of black hair, which the gentle ringers of the kind nnrse had (lisentanpl«il, lay thick about her foreheft'l, like an eV)on wreath on the brow of a statue. Iler elbows rested on the arms of the easy-chair, and the weary head leaned upon the hands. Before her lay the flower-garden, brilliant and fra grant; further on, a row of Lombardy poplr ■ bounded the yard ; and beyond the stre atretohed the west comiiion. In the distance ro?e a venerable brii;k building, set, as it were, in an emeiil I lawn, and Beulah looked only once, and knew it vraa the Asylum. It was the first time she had seen it since her exodus, and the long scaled fountain could no longer be restrained. Great hot tears fell over the bent face, and the frail form trembled violently. For nearly fourteen years that brave spirit had battled, and borne, and tried to hope for better things. With more than ordinary fortitude, she had resigned herself to the sorrows that came thick and fast upon her, and trusting in the eternal love and goodness of Ood, had looked to Him for relief and reward. But the reward came not in the expected way. Hope died ; faith fainted ; and bitterness and despair reigned in that once loving and gentle soul. Her fa- ther had not beenspared in answertoherfrantic prayers. Lilly had been taken, witliout even the sad comfort of a farewell, and now, with the present full of anguish, and the future shrouded in dark forebodings, she sobbed tlaai. " All alone 1 All alone 1 0, father I 0, Lilly, Lilly 1 " "D) pray, chile, don't tak^ on so ; you will fret yourself sick again," said Harriet, compassionately patting the drooped head. " Don't talk to me— don't speak to me ! " cried Beulab passionately. " Yes, but I was told not to let you grieve yourself to death, and you are doing your best. Why don't you put your trust in the liOrd ? " " I did, and He has forgotten me," " No, chile. He forgets not even the lit- tle snowbirds. I expect you wanted to lay down the law for Him, and are not willing to wait until He sees fit to bless yon. Isn't it sot" " He never can gire me back my dead." "But He can raise np other friends for yon, and He has. It is a blessed thing to have my master for a friend and a protector. Think of living always in a place like this, with plenty of money, and nothing to, wish for. Chile, you dou't know hew lucky '' She paused, startled by ringing peals of laughter, which seemed to come from the ad- joining passage. Sounds of mirth fell tor- toringly upon Beulah's bleeding spirit, and she pressed her fingers tightly over her ears. Just opposite to her sat the old trunk, which, ^ a fortiiij^ht l>3fore, she had packed for her ' journey up the river. The leathern fact seemed/to sympathize with her woo, and knealmg down on the floor, she wound hor aotfs caressingly over it. Bless the girl 1 she hugs that ugly ole- fashioned thing, as if it were kin to her," said Harriet, who sat sewing at one of the windows. Benlah raised the lid, and there lay her clothes, the books Eugene had given her, two or three faded, worn-out garments of Lilly, and an old Bible. The tears froze in her eyes, as she took out the last, and opened it at the ribbon mark. These words greeted her : " Whom the Lord lovcth, He chaateneth." Again and again she read them, and the crushed tendrils of trust feebly twined ouce more aljout the promise. As she sat there, wondering why suffering and sorrow always fell on those whom the Bible calls "blesseJ," and trying to explain the paradox, the door was thrown rudely open, and a girl about her own age sprang into the room, quickly followed by Mrs. Chilton. "Let me alone, mother. I tell you I mean to see her, and then you are welcome to me as long as you please. Ah, is that her T " The speaker pauied in the centre of the apartment, and gazed curiously at the figure seated before the old trunk. Involuntarily, Beulah rai^cil hei eyes, and met the sciiroh- iug look fixed upon her. The intruder was richly dressed, and her very posture bespoke the lawless independence of a wilful, potted child. The figure was faultlessly symmetrical, and her fao« radiantly beantitui. The fea- tures were clearly cut and regular, the eyes of deep, dark, violet hue, shade^J\u- u *° ?® ejected. ' P.ulfr'»""' '"""" '"'"H '» JO". «' torn,, ..id, »iik .h.if'.™"';' ■"'-'"•""■ "i l.ff i„ *u- l^' °° ' I w^'ll not worrv tho bis hind orhrs'he^S.sa^i:^^"^^'' """^ P"* eavihe'? he?e'°' 1 1° ^ ^^\ ^ay, you can a little." H'hJZll'^l^ K^' *« y°" aft'^r theorphan BeulAh >'' ^.^'"^ ^«' «P to t-t CavrrTeSer^tt "* ^'^^ '''•"• ton fa^tkuS^"..'?/.'^';-'.?-''- Phil, lieuiah Benton Yon" I'l^ V"!^^^^'^ ''^'^^' She put no her t.»i« "?'^'7'*'l '^V '>iece." ^ "P Her pale, slender fingers, and in Panline'v I want hem they wcro prompUy clatped plump palnO- *^ tn IZ^J^^^I"^' "'^ look at n to soe^,'' said the latter, am not crying." for ■: ' '"'"' '^^''^ ^""^ y°" ^^'^^"K *♦""• " liecause it is so xini„ " . . orphun. «a.i;y ^'y- ""^ered th» indeed, ook " doleful ''"aV ^^ ^"® '*'''» in?i:ra;;dtne^«^^-' -^-wer«l fortunes.' ''"^ *''""' ""^ P*«* 'i^«-*" 'ny mi.- more.^°"^'"°""''"^ ^'"^ ^""^d do so n» '<' U'K^'M •''?^ •='*° I belp it r' >> ny, think of sonietliiuff DleM.„t ^ cou.se,",nterrupted Pauline.^ P^«»»«*. ,,i * , , sometimes just like everybody dse " Be"a/l! shook her head dubiousl/ ^ *"^*^ iitu?s?rL°g;;v"Tiivo7'*," '""''f *''^«««^ your mannf:,"^and\"„^°mbtS her I'fl'"^ not been as happy as yours » cfn • ' >^*' ;: You canj^o down to your mother n,w,' said he, gravely. Gnlr^criZ''T^'"'T *''""^^ of me. Unci. ^ve^'heTflce!'"' '"""^y- ''^'^^'"^ ^^^ <^ri Jl, ^^^' '^^^^tily tired of you; take youwelf " Good-bye, shadow ; I shall come tn .»- k '*■> i I) # {■ '■ . 1 ■ ■! 1 if 1 BELTLAH. SO " Uticla, have you seen Charon since yoa eame home ?" "No." " Well, he will die if you don't do sorae- thing for him. It ia a shame to forget him as you do 1" said she indignantly. " Attend to your own aflfairs, and do not interfere with mine." " It is high time somebody interfered. Poor Charon 1 If Hal doesn't take better care of him, I will makehis mother box his «ars ; •eeif I don't." She bounded down the steps, leaving her uncle to smooth his brow at leisure. Turn- ing to Beutah, he took her band, and said very kindly : "Tbis large room does not suit you. Come, and I will sliow you your own little room — one I have had arranged for you." She silently complied, and leading her through ■evcral passages, he opened the door of the apartmeut assigned to her. The walls were covered with blue and silver paper ; the window-curtains of white, faced with blue, matched it well, and every article of furniture bespoke lavish and tasteful expen- diture. There was a small writing-desk near a handsome case of books, and a little work-table with a rocking-chair drawn up to it. He seated Beulah, and ''stood watching her, as her eyes wandered curiously and ad- miringly arouixl the room. They rested on a painting suspended over the desk, and, rapt in contemplating the design, she forgot for a moment all her sorrows. It represented an angelic tigure winging its way over a valley beclouded and dismal, and pointing, with a radiant countenance, to the gilded summit of a distant steep. Below, bands of prilgrims, weary and worn, toiled on ; some fainting by the wayside, some seated in sullen daiipair, some in the attitude of prayer, some pressing forward with strained gaze, and pale, hag- gard faces. " Do yon like it ?" said Dr. Hartwell. Perhaps she did not hear him ; certain she did not heed the question, and taking a Beat|near one of the windows, he regarded her earnestly. Her eyes were fastened on the picture, and raising her hand toward it, she said in broken indistinct tones : " I am dying down inthe dark valley; ob, come, help me to toil on to the resting^ place." Her head sank upon her bosom, and bitter waves lashed her heart once more. Gradually, evening shadows crept on, and at length a soft hand lifted her face, and » musical voice said : " Beulah, I want you to come down to my atudy and make my tea. Do you feel strong enough " — ■• •' Yes, sir." She rose at once and followed mm, resolved to seem cheerful. The study was an oblong room, and on one side book-shelves rose almost to the ceiling. The opposite wall, between the windows" was covered with paintings, and several statues stood in the recesses near the chim- ney. Over the low marble mantel piece hunea full-length portrait, shrouded with black crape, and underneath was an ex- quisitely chased silver case, containing a small Swiss clock. A beautiful terra clla vase of antique shape stood on the hciuth, filled with choice and fragrant flowers, and near the window sat an elegant rosewood melodeon, A circular table occupied the nudille of the room, and here the evening meal was alre.uly arran;,ed. Beulah glanced timidly around 88 her cor'uctor seated her beside tlie urn, au', pushed away loor." J) n to the floor, d piazza. He a moment, as if 1 turning round, forgotten you. Do you know rising from the you at break- to join us." r, and hurrying BEULAH. out, Beulah faund her own room without ditli- culty. Walkinii up to Harriet, whom she saw waiting for her, she said in a grave, de- termined manner : " You have been very kind to me since I came here, and I feel grateful to you, but I have not been accustomed to have some one always waiting on me, and in future I shall not want you. I can dress myself without any assistance, so you need not come to me ni^htand morning.' " I am obeying master's ordera. He said 1 was to tend to you," answered Harriet wondering at the independent spirit evinced by the new comer. " I do not want any tending, so you may leav9 me, if you please." " Haven't you been here long enough to find out that you might as well fight the waves of the sea as my master's will ? Take care, child how you begin to countermand his orders tor I tell you now there are some in this house who will soon make it a handle to turn you out into the world again. Mind what I herl?^ y°" ™ean thai I am not wanted * "I mean, keep your eyes open." Harriet Yanislied in the dark passage, and Beulah locked the door, feuling that now she was luaeed alone, and could freely indul.'e the gribt that had so long sought to veil itself trom CUU0U3 eyes. Yet there was no dispo- sition to cry. She sat down on the bed and mused on tlie strange freak of fortune which had so suddenly elevated the humble nurse into the possessor of that elegantly furnished apartment. There was no elatioa in the quiet wonder with which she surveyed the change in her position. She did not belona there, she had no claim on thdt master of the house, and she felt that she was trespassine on the rights of the beautiful Pauline iCapidly plans for the future were written in hrm resolve. She would thankfully remain un- der the roof that had so kindly sheltered her • until she could qualify herself to teach. She' would ask Dr. Hartwell to give her an educa- tion, which, once obtained, would enable her to repay its price. To her proud nature there was something galling in the thought of dependence,, and throwing herslf on her knees for the first time in several weeks, she earnestly besoueht the Qod of orphan, to guide and assist her. *' 31 attend to this bu.ineM, or shall I give direoa tions to Harriet ?" "irou. ''Certainly, Guy I en easily arrange it. you intend to dress her just, is 1 .lo Pauline ?" As nearly as posaitilu. Next we hat* *n. U,,,-; .. _ 1 I ... CHAPTER IX. j„,^» y*"* ^^^ *'*'■ *° commence •ohool at "Not until her wardrobe has been re- plenished. I expect her clothes to be select- ed and made j ust as Pauline's are. WUl you Ko, r "u"""-' ■"" i'"'-", '"-■• -"'-■•'"^ week I wish her to begin school with Pauline, and Hansen will give her music lessons. Be so good as to see about her clothes immediate. Dr. Hartwell drew on his gloves and left the room. His sister followed him to the door, where his buggy awaitud him. Guy, did you determine about that little oSt""""' ^ ^^^ ^'" ■" "* ^'"'" ^<"^* am~'» **• •" y°° ^'^*'^' ^'♦y* only I T I' S'oP' .U"""'* Guy 1 Wait a minute ; may J„A7K^'!;i''''5y?*'"*y' ^^*yl-" Almost out of breath Pauline ran up the steps ; her long hair floaungover her face, which exercise iiaa Hushed to crimson. "You young tornado I Look how vou have crushed that cluster of heliotrope, rush- ing over the flower-beds as if there were no walks " He pointed with the end of his Whip to a drooping spray of purple blossoms. Yes J but there arejilenty more. I sav mayn_,nayir' She eagerly caught hold 01 nis coat. " How long before your birthday ?" "Just a week from to-day. Do, please. let me have a frolij I" ^ ^ " Poor child I you look as if you needed some relaxation," said he, looking down in her radiant face, with an expression of mock compaMion. i„'n uP"" ™7r '^°''''' ^"°'« ^"y' '* " awfully dull here. If ,t were not for Charon anJ Mazeppa I should be moped to death. Do pray don't look at me as if you were countl ing the hairo in my eyelashes. Come, sar yes: do. Uncle Guy." ' ' " Take your hands off my coat, and have as many parties as you like, provided you fceep to your own side of the house. Don'* come near my study with your Babel, and don t allow your company to demolish my flowers. Mind, not a soul is to enter the greenhouse. The parlours are at your service, but I will not have a regiment uf wild-cati tearing up and down my greenhouse and flower-garden: mind that." He stepped into his buggy. '^'^ " Bravo ! I have won my wager, and got the party too 1 Hugh Cluis bet me a papUr. macAe writing-desk that you would not give me a party. When I send his invitation. I will write on the envelope, ' the writiuK-desk IS also expected.' Hey, shadow, where did you creep from ?" She fixed her merry eye. on Beulah, who just then appeared on the terrace. Dr. HartweU leaned from th« It a ni i ■■ ^ I if i hi II r- i i 1 •f ! i BEULAH. buggy, and looked earnestly at the quiet little figure. " F>o you want anything/, Beulah!" "No, sir, I tlidunht you had gone. May I ojicn the ^'.ite for you V" "Certainly, if you wish to do something forme." lii» pale fcaturcM ri liixeil, nnd hia whole face lighted u)), like a sun-liushed cloud. Beulah walked down the avenue, lined on either side with voiifraMe jiopla' s iind cedars, and opened the l.u^'o gate .'ciiiiog into the city. He checked his horse, and said : " Thank you, my uiiild ; now, how are you going to spend the day? Rt^member you commence with schocd duties next week, so make the best of your holiday." "I have enough to occupy in« to-day. Good-bye, sir." "Goodbye for an hour or so." He smiled kindly and drove on, while she walk- ed slowly back t.0 the house, wondering why smilis were sucli- rare things in this world, when they costi^ «6 little, and yet are so very valualde to motUtoiiijBt hearts. Panliiie sat on the steps with ■•|«n, open book in her hand. She looked Ol^, Atr Beulah approached, and exclaimed gaily i ' " Aren't yod glad I am to have my birth- day frolic ? " " Yes, I am glad on • > iKiilali replied pnunlly : '• !'.'■ assiirtd, madam, 1 whall not trespass on I'oii'iddeii ground I '' •' Very well." The lace curtains sweut back to their place — tlie fair face was with- drawn. " She hates me," thought Beulah, walking on to her own room ; "she hates me, and certainly I do not love her. I iball like Pauline very much, but her mother and I never will get on smoothly. What freezing eyea she has I and what a disagreeable look there is about her mouth whenever she sees me I She wishes me to remember all ths time that I am poor, and that she is the mis- tress of this elegant house. Ah, I am not likely to forget it !" The old smile of bit- terness crossed her face. ' The days passed swiftly. Beulah spent mo.-t of her time in her own room, for Dr. Iliu-twell was somethnes absent all day, and she hinged to escape his sister's icy espionage. Wiicu lie was at home, and not engaged in hin study, bis manner was .always kind and consideiate ; but she fancini he was colder and graver, and often his sern abstraction kept her silent when they were together. Monday was the birth- day, and on Monday morning she expected to start to scliool. Madame St. Cymon's was the fafliioiinl.le institution of the city, and thither, with IV.uiine, she was destitied. Beulah ro. e early, dressed her- self carefully, and after reailiiit; a chapter in her Bible, and asking God's sp' cial uuidaisce through the ilay, ('esoended to the breakfast- room. Dr. Hartwell .sat reading a newspa- per ; he did not look up, and she ([uieily seated herself unobserved. Presently Mrs. Chilton entered and walked up to her bro- ther, " Good morning, Guy. Are theie no tid- ings of that vessel yet ? I hear tht: Grahams are terribly anxious about ir. Cornelia said her father was unable to sleep." " No news yet; but. May, be sure you do not let " " Was it the Morning Star ? Is he lost T " Beulah stood crouciiing at his side, with her hands exttnded pleadingly, and her white face convulsed. " My child, do not look so wretched ; the BEULAH. ▼Msel that Eugene wiled in wm disabled in • •torni, and has not yet reached the idace of deitination. But there are numerous ways of accounting for the detention, and you must hope and believe that all is well until you know the contrary." He drew her to his side, and stroked her head com- passionately. "I knew it would be so," saidah*. in a •trangely subdued, passionless tone. ^^ V\ hat do you mean, child ? " " Death and trouble come on everything I " Perhaps at this very moment Eucene may be writing you an account of his voy- {>ge. I believe that we shall soon hear of his safe arrival. You need not dive down into my eyes in that way. I do bdieve it, for the vessel was seen after the storm, an.l though far out of the right track, there is good reason to suppose she has put into some port to be.-epaired." Beulah clasped her hands over her eyes as If to shut out some horrid phantom,' and while her heart seemed dying on the rack, she resolved not to despair tilfthe cer- tainty cam*. " Tune enougu when there is no hope • I wiI.not go out to meet sorrow." Witli' a BQdden iiiexj.licable revulsion of feeling she sauK on her knees, and there, beside her pro- tector, vehemently prayed Almi^.hty God CO guard and guide the tempest- tosse.l loved one If her eyes had rented on the face of l^eity, and she had felt His presence, J.er pe- titiou could not have been more importu- nately preferred. For a few moments Dr Hartwell regarded her curiously ; then his brow darkened, his lio curled sneerinRly and a mocking smile passed over his face Mrs Chi ton smiled, too, but there was a peculiar gleam in her eyes, and an uplifting of her brows, which aenoted anything but pleasurable emotions. She moved away and sat down at the head of the table. Dr Hart well put his hand on the shoulder of the icneeliug girl, and asked, rather abrupt- " Beulah, do you believe that the God you pray to hears you ? " ' i. \^°' ^^ '^'"' P''0"iJ8ed to answer prayer " Ihen getupand be satisfied, and eat jour breakfast. You have asked Him to save and protect Eugene, and, according to the Bible, He will certainly do it ; so? no more tears. If you believe in your Goa, what are you looking ,o v. retched about"' M dec ared that "whatsoever ye ask. believing, that ye shall receive ;" she Lad often prayed for blessings, and often been denied VVa» It because she had not had the requisite faith which should have satisfiorl |,e,. j Yet God knew that she had trustcl Ihrn With in nate quickness of percepti-n, she detected the tissued veil of irony which the doctor had wranped about his attempted consola- tion, and she looked at him so intently so piercingly, that he hastily turned away and seated himself at the table. Just then. Pau- line bounded into the room, exclaiming • Fourteen to-day ! Only three more years at school, and then I shall step out a brilliant youiic lady, the " ^ "There; lu- q„'iet; sit down. I would a-most as soon select a small whirlwind for a companion. Can't you learn to enter a room without blustering like a March win.l. ^cxan norther?" asked her uncle. You look as or a " Have you all seen a ghost ? I Beu ah ? Come along to breakfast. How nicely you look in your new clothes." Her eyes ra>. over the face and form of the orphan. "Pauline, hush! and eat yonr breakfast lou annoy your uncle," said her mother severely. " Oh, do, for gracious sake, let me talk ' I feel sometimes as if I should suffocate i^very lung about this house is so demur, and a, ent, and solemn, and Quakerish, an.i hatefully prim. If ever I have a house „( my own, I mean to paste in great letters over the dooM and windows, 'Laughing and talk- rd-?"S^ df'^'-'V '^^* "-ny birthday, and I think I might stay at home. Mother don t forget to have the ends of my sash fringed, and the tops of my gloves trimmed. " Draining her small china cup, she sprang up from the table, but paused beside Benl«h wretched ; tho There was something in all this that startlod jjcuian, and she looked up at him. His chilly smile pained her, .«.nd she rosequick'v while agam and again hi.s words rang in her this application of faith ? True, the Bible , "I shall not go into the parlours at all " answered the latter. Jaa^}^ not?" said Dr. Hartwell, lookin-r suddenly up. He met the sad, suffering ex- pression of the grey eyes, and bit h^s iip witn vexation. She saw that he understood lier feelings, and made no reply. "I shall not like it, if you don't come to niy party," said Pauline, slowly 5 aud as she spoke she took one of the orphan's hands You are very kind, Pauline, but I 'do not wis.i to see strangers." _i.. .(.I. r.©T,3i rrui know anyoodv if you ma^e aich a nun of yourself. IJ"m |,. Guy, tell her site must come down into lU panours to-night." "Noturdej wi.,V-. to f' • ,«. fi„> Paulme, 1 am vcr, ^,ad Xumi yo^ j..ve shov, i. &4 BFATLAH. Hi! \M ii : IT'! i>"t l>is liiiko'l wirh the bri^jht, ner you desire her pmsenon. liaiiil on her curly lio:i>l. at.il ni'irp than u^nal aff- rUtm at honosit f;ice. , " Beuliih, you muit yet roa.ly f..r aoh'x; . Come fl .wii as soon as yon .;au. VmUw will be waiting' for you." Mrs. C'u.lian .,...k.) u. the or,lm, sweet tone (uonl .ir t.. licr an.l her brother, hut to Uuuhih tlu'r- w,..s s...i..'thing ,epulMV.i in thai even v.,i;.^ a.ul s ho hurno'l from the sc.un.\ of it. Knee ini: hosi.lu her bed, she ayain inip'orol thr I',.tl„.r t.. .estore EuK'^ne to her, an,l cnnhiu^ ht gnof and apprehonsi^m ■ "I can show you here quite as well. Taking out her Euclid, she found and ex- plained the obstinate problem. "Thank you I cannot endure mathe- matics, but father is bent upon my being "thorough,' as he calls it. I thiuk it is all thorough nonsense. Now with you it is very different ; you expect to be a teacher, and of course will have to acquire all these branches ; but for my part, I see no use in it. I shidl be rejoiced when this dull school-work is "''" bou't say that, Cornelia: I think our school-days are the happiest, ,nd feel sad when I renumber that mine are numbered. Here the bell announced recess over, and Cornelia moved away to her seat. A trem- bling hand sought Clara'a arin.^ "Is that Cornelia Urahan. ? (, XT . , :„ aVip not verv handsome I Beulah' ma''de no answer ; she only remem- bered that thisgirl was Euiene'sadoptedsi»ter, and looking after the tall, queenly form she . longed to follow her, and ask all the particu- la di B( Wj Teket Thed head agj "OhV horrible to him ti prove a i "Poor .try to ej |evetj^'„ r-<^ee:>i!! to his sti I drawn ne of many \ keeping t tiootly f; I oiroumitanoa ithetic ? The t Wrowii i-ytiR, thii HhipiiiL' of ng vory like (or rooiv.iticm, V bonks wliiiih 'I'hlli* |):iHiii!(l lien the rocuss the long room, sion t'nBUo««-* Beukh threw l.orael? 'o*"!? K T^ "« '"'™« wailing cry. The lo,™ *' '''"^ *'"' • '"w h-7 vent. Ld she loU'uLr"''^ "'"'^ ••nk her into a heivy sleep ""*'' weariness wrS;;lj';,5,,:f Sr«-trewed with turned faces of float,,.!/ In ^'i'^'^'^' "P" gene rere .Irif.int"^ L*;,^"'^^;,.:''^ ?'' ^^"■ « l-er, nov tossed a^u, Why Sfn.':: '"'^ Tiencame a Kli,nm,.ri,l /■ ''""^ '^"'^ea. waateof waters a itt f I "'I "" "'« ^''>« «"<1 Lilly leaned ovir Vh ?J "^'""'"^ ^^^^^. tiny, di,Lled hands J. ?/". it"""^ '»'''' ""» were clin.l.ing out of /h" T '"• '^^^ey •"d Lilly's lo„r f.ir i"" r^H'^ graves. their cheeks, wh;3n a strnt'*''"''"*^ *""«''«•! Lilly hack, an^l struck th-^ 5™ """''hed roaring gulf, and Xl *^"!!' ^^^T" into the BEULAH. SC roaring gulf and X^ .?"' '^"'^n '"to the tl.edrffdead stoodMr^n "'''''^ ^''''"^ "^ •way. Witt; Lill/sTnU^t'^^jy-n. mailing Eugene was iinkina ami I? , V "*"^ *'"'"''• reachhi,n; heirelfnnh ''''' """W not toward her and o« led ,^n T' "»P'<"-in«ly and then h /he«d w!h T 'l^'Ll" "*/« »>>'"' b;own lock.. d.Bapp i j" ^S "^ "!,''"' struggle ; sho welco „ed , rn^ • *'*""'*"^ *» "e had gone to rest „mn "'"'''•, ""^ *''«' weie no longer visible ■ «i ngid corpses raid palace, and ,nvriad« f "^"V" "" «"'«• the floor. At la ^s e LuldT''^''"^ '"^^^'^ mg on a coral bank ar.l ^i ^"S^ne repos- •he hastened toS hCn ^i''^'''^ ^'•"' !"'*'•'« 5 hia hand when7 To ribC 1^0!:;'* *'"'!"« him m its anna bom hi Phantom, seizing in its face sh saw tL/?f ""^^y- /"'^ h.okinf VVith a wild acTai^lt tro?Be ,lah'''''V"'» She was I>'iuff arroqa fhlr I^' ,®"'ah awoke. both hanjs we^ Zow/°n* °^ '^'''''^' ""-^ post convulsively Th« rn„ ^' S'-a''ping the where the moonLht crent ih ^*\''*'-'^. «ave ■- fi)L.rfrr,ej ^^ wHUy »•• «' "®°iah. that you head^ir,'Kou^rer"P' "'^ ^^^^^ ^« horribl; £;am'»'l^V \^7« had a horrible. to him tighuj'aa if drAn"'^''" -f*^' *°*^ «J""« prove a reality '^'**'^"»« 't might stifl l.trAo^e^S L?:S n^i'h '"^ t"'^ ' -" [leve^^ur slumbers. " ^'"* ''*''*''> '^''nnta 1^0 hi« ■«tu';ryra;T"seati:l''K^" ^"'^ ^« 'iown drawn nearUe window The'J °.° *. """^'^ of many voices, and thrirS confused sound keeping time ti » band of^- ° ^'"*''"« ^««t. closed the door fn .i ^ ' ~ — " •ounds, and .ei'tb/, ; l?;f j'- ""-e'oom. ''oon. poured « floo f . fi'*' the rnrio. fnelody „p„„ tho " ' M •;";'*""«• pUmtive wh.,.. he Elayedorand' :;'';; '?V""""^'^*»' "f '-or presence Fler wh /.. ? " ""^'""•'^'•'Ua prewihly thrilled ; and /,'':/;'''''« ''" '"«"■ «ne.i vision, her .'nrllt,. f "r""' '•"'(f't- the very conHn^ ' ,f fahli.i i ''"V"iW on f'-on, the couch ,., „ , ,? . ''>"'"".'■ ^li-ling f with hercli;,: ' hin Ih'":.""' "'.'" '•""•'« heart, only consci ... f . 1""" ^''1 "v«r her light o.fceo' ;;'.""■ ^r'''*'«^'«"- thus. watching a Ir,"""' "'"' h* ''elt old pine grove In 1 ^'^'"'"' "'"'•«» in fl.c "eemed to^bj I ",?,;' , '^^ «" the mu.ici« mg thence u..eat'; is'^thi-!'''"*"' '^^ ' "wiftly over l„.r L, ' | t*" '"r. roI„„! l>eauty filled her soul »n."T" "' <^ivii.e than she had ever £;^'' rf"' "'•''■•'•""» '•er. Soon the tear. oo»"od,^.'' ''"""r''"' "f calm, singularly c , ,n • fl ' '*! '"°" '^«"«'"«' expreasi.m whici, ,].,*'':" '.«'"«IIed. It was h L'',r'■*'''^"""''' '>ave escaping from urti I,,. ,''"* ^''^xe-pirit, realms divine «,[ ,.. " *^"', ""aredint.. horn. Dr. nltv^^^ 1 Kt.;rr 'T'^""''- tenauce, and, as the „x?^n? "'^'"""•'o""- ahle joy and tri'.„„j, « 1 !"" •'^''"'"•crib. vohu,ta,-ily prue'«1'''''"'l ";•»'• it, he in- deep echoing tone 'ilieS :.«'"'''''' '" "'" '""t proaching ktn. Z ti^Z ^^^ "-" "I- "trument, she laid hnr i . \." *he lu- eai.l slowly ! *"' '"*'"' o" his knoo, «u,i "Oh I thank vob T „ i now." "*yo». I oai, hear »nyti,iu^, ed?h:.rgaf;7°--"-'r:ui«.wer arIamTl'hen"f caurd'°r \"'« rt "' '"^ wonderful power whic oT. ^'i ^"^'""^ "^ 'i' then, from re,nemwiu.o '?H '^"V" ' ■^"'^ wisdom of the Creator *^w''f"**!.'"''' ■"'*^^ the power to call out tl.T. *'•" K^^«" """ how\ery noble m^ wit 'T'1'^ *'" " -'-^ capable Sf do/ng"'^„r;»"[L,«'\*t he na.. becauseGodb,f'*ve; 1 .' ' ^"» »'•>*'! powers ; and cho.fr'h ? ■?*"* "^ ''h.^«o ^een afflicted in lofn„^,„r'd"«'^l *";' ''"^•« yet I was made for iSli" ^"^"'^ ""•«. and am yet to be show' itZrUmT V^\ out for me to do. Oh 1 « r i u '""' ''"'' it all t<, ypu. but I do icnV th^a'J ' 'T'''^','} prove to mo that ' He dS'auS^^U i'-i S^^n^t^i F^'^'eS ;,;: rest, but the darkT«w.H"f. *•" '"°«th at aark eyet. with their niolanolioly ot PEULAU. il i.|>li-i.l)ur,iooke«l t i>vur lit>i, •■ shu foil ou Lur kiieut and laid, shiver- iiigly: ' ' Oh, sir, can it be f lie put his hand on her head, »d^ Miied qiiiutly: 'Van what be, child ?" J^Ittvu you no Oml ?" /\\\H face s(rew whiter than wat i.ia wont. A iuowl of bitternesH setiied on it, and the eyoH Imrned with an almost unearthly bril- liance, a» he rose and walked away. For some time he stood l)efore the window, with his arms foldeil ; and, laying her head on the stool of the nieli'deon.Beulah knelt just as ho left her. It has been said, " Who can refute a sneer ?" Uuthtr ask, who can compute its ruinous effects? To that kneeling figure came the thought, "If he, surrounded by wealth, and friends, and blessings, cannot believe in (iod, what cause have 1, poor, wretched and lonely, to have faith in Him!" The bare suggeation of the doubt stamped it on her memory, yet she shrank w!tn horror irom the idea, and an eager, voiceless prayer, ascended from her heart, that she might be shielded from such temptations in tnture. Dt. Hartwell touched her, and said, in his usual low, musical tones: " It is time you were asleep. Do not in- dulge in '»ny more horrible dreams, if yon please. Good night, Beulah. Whenever you feel that you would like to have somf music, do not hesitate to ask me for it." \ Ho held open the door for her to pass out: She longed to ask him what he lived for, if eternity had no joys for him ; but looking ']ft his pale face, she saw from the lips and eyes that he would not suffer any questioning, and awed by the expression of his countenance, she said "Goo tonight," and hurried away. The merry hum of childish voices again fell on her etir, and as she ascended the steps, a bevy of white- clad girlf emerged from a room near, and walked on just below her. Pauline's party was at its height. Beulah looked down on the fancy gossamer robea, and gayly tripping girls, and then hastened to her own room while the thought pre- sented itself: " Why are things divided so unequally in this world! Why do some have all of joy.and some only sorrow's brimming cup to drain ?" But the sweet voice of Faith answei>ed, What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou ihalt know hereafter;" and trusting the prouiiso, siie wait uoutent to waiw CHAPTER X. " Cornelia Graham, I want to know why luit i.'ome to my party t You might ■\i' i.iiniiureil mo with an exourie. " jdu liil at liiis'- - 8uch waa t'liuline's salutation, tli«- fii, tlif followiiiK 1 ingruiips about send an cxcuiA. nr mother, ana I'litiuh it. Yoa niileiie««." yoii comet W« } half a niiiiil to if you, but I be- ana hand. Fred prcaohcr all the him what made said, ' it wai too onie, for no one ichetohishking.' 'imen of manners teach your bMO istlcsslv against tioicd (he hioked She coh)ured at eniptuouoly ; let me tell you; lend him to your cu&eT" persisted night conjecture, go to parties and lat we are all so that ! " cried the eedlessly she cod> irother of yours. andsomcst boy in make something ry handsome T" n)!)led. ay, she liked him 3aux, and that ia her queenship," )d near, igrily, as she an- IX I It is BO anch nsulted. I sup- delicate one with er claim," sneered tunity afforded of ipirit, whom all id with. ort, but madame's from the platform t«^ ti A said; t has just brought d paled alternate- be, and broke the BEULAH. Mai with trembling Angers. Glancing over the contents, her countenance became irra- diated, and iho (•xclaimeus, I I will warrant. At least, she might aiiswei civil questions. "1 always do," said P.eulah. Cornelia smiled derisively, and turnet with the parting taunt : "It is a mystery to me what Eugene can see in such a homely, unpolished specimen, lie pities her, I suppose." Clara felt a, low^ shiver creep over the slight form, and saw the ashen hue that settled on her face, as if some painful wound iiad been intiicted. Stooping down, she whispered : "Don't let it trouble you; Cornelia is liasty, but she is generous, too, and will repeut her rudeness. She did not intend to •uoh tieatment Only professing to U>\,- I Kiigone, I did not expect her to lusnlt oi .• i whom ho had commisHioimd her to aMiit i ! at leant s) inpathize with. ' " Kciiiciiil.er, Heulah, she is an oul. some time iiBwer >do^ r — . — . .. .s ..„,jr ,,er auruui way or ex- pressing heroelf." f > oi «A Beulah raised her head, and putting back tne locKs of hair that had fallen over her trow, replied coldly : "Itis uotiiia^-new; lam a.-ciiistomed to chilli, and lierfathei's idol, and perhaps "The very blessings that surround K. should leaoh her to feel for the uiifortuuu . ami unprotected," intenupted the oiphan "You will tiud that i.io»perit.v rarely h ■ such an effect upon .hi i.cart of its lavoii rite," auKwerid Clara, imi.sinKly. "An unnecessMi v piece if information. I discovered that pleasant truth since," said Beulah, bitterly, "I don't know, Heulah j you are an in- stance to the contrary. Do n..t call yourself unfortunate, so long as Dr. Hartwell is your friend. Ah I you little dream how billed you are. ' Her voice took the deep tone of intense fou." _*What business is it of yours?" Iicl'.ti ' Claudia : but Beulah's sensitive nature shrank from observation, and rising hastily, she took (Mmdia to her bosom, kissed her •nd turned avay. "Oh, Beulah 1 shan't I see yon again T" cried the latter, with streaming eyes. "Claudia, your mamma would not be willing." "I don't care what she thinks. Please, come to see me — please, do 1 Beulah, you don't love me now, because Lilly is dead 1 Oh, I could not keep her — God took her ! " " Yes, I do love you, Claudy — more than ever ; but you must come to see me. I can- not go to that house again. I can't see your mamma Grayson. Come and see me, dar- ling ! " She drew her bonnet over her face and hurried out. "Where do you live? I will come and see you ! " cried Claudia, running after the retreating form. "She lives at Doctor Hartwell's— that large, brick house, out on the edge of town ; everybody knows the place." Pauline turned back to give this piece of information, and then hastened on to join Beulah. She longed to enquire into all the particulars of the orphan's early life ; but the pale, fixed face gave no encouragement to question, and they walked on in perfect silence until they reached the gate at the end of the avenue. Then Pauline asked, ener- getically : "Is that little one any kin to you T " "No ; I have no kin in this world," an- swered Beulah, drearily. Pauline shruirged her shoulders, and made no further attempt to elicit confidence. On entering the house, they encountered the doctor, who was ciossing the hall. He 8toj)peil, 'ind said : "I have (jlad tidings for you, Beulah. The Morning Star arrived safely at Amster- dam, and by this time Eucene is at Heidel- berg." Beulah stood very near him, and answered tremblingly : " Yes, sir ; I heard it at school."' He perceived that something was amiss, and untying her bonnet, looked searchiiigiy at the 801-rowstidiied face. She shut her eyes, and leaned iier head agai;.:^t him. " Whatisthe matter, my child? I thought you would be very hapuy to hear of Eugene's safety. " She was unable to r< ly just then ; and Pauline, who stood swinj^ing her satchel to and fro, volunteered an explanation. " Uncle Guy, she is curious, that is all. As we w«re leaving school, she met a little girl on the steps, and they flow at each other, and cried, and kissed, and— you never saw anything like it! I thonyl.t the child muH* be a very dear relation ; lint she saya ■he bM no kin. I don't see the use of crying i tl h h 1 fa tl m h< et re su of 80 CO Si^ see yon again t" ning eyes, a would not be thinks. Please, lo I Beulah, you e Lilly is dead 1 -God took her 1 " audy — more than see me. 1 can- I can't see yonr tnd see me, dar- irer her face and 1 will come and running after the Hartwell's — that he edge of town ; I." {rive this piece of ,ened on to join ^iiire into all the 3 early life ; but encouragement to id on in perfect 3e gate at the end line asked, ener- in to you T " this world," an- ulders, and made confidence. On encountered the ; the halt He or you, Beulah. lafely ai Amster- eue is at Heidel- m, and answered school. " • liiiig was Amiss, ikoil aearciiiiigiy . She shut her yaii.st him. child ? I thought hear of Eugene's just then ; and lii her satchel to luation. oua, that is all. she met a little \y flow at each , and — you never lotisjlit, the child ri ; 'but she saya che UHe of Crying BEULAH. 39 her eyes out, particularly when the little one is nothing to her. " Her uncle's couutenauce resumed its ha- bitual severity, and taking Beulah's hand, he led her mto that (juietest of all quiet places, his study. Seatii)g himself, and draw- uig her to his siil-, he said : " Was it meeting Claudia that distressed you so much ? That child is very warmly attached to you. She raved about you con- stantly during her illness. So did Lilly. I did not understand the relationship then, or Ishould have iuterfcred, and carried you to her. IcalledtosceMr. and Mrs. Grayson last week to remove the difficulties in the way of your intercourse virith Claudia, but they were not at home. 1 will arrange matters so that you may be w^ Claudia as often as possible. You have b^n wronged, child, I know ; but try *obui^it; it is all past now." He softly smaothed back her hair as he spoke. ' No, sir, it never will be past ; it will al- ways be burning here in my heart." tj-l'.^.!;'^""*^!!* you professed to believe in the Biblel" "I do, sir. I do." "Then your belief is perfectly worthless ; for the Bible charges you to ' forgive and love your enemies,' and here you are trying to fi»n your hate into an everlasting flame.* She saw the scornful curl of his lipa, and sinkmy down beside him, she laid her head on his knee, and said hastily : "I know it is wrong, sinful, to feel to- ward Mrs. Grayson as I do. Yes, sir; the Bible tells me it is very sinful ; but I have been so miserable, I could not help hating her But I will try to do so no more 1 will ask God to help me forgive her " His face flushed even to his temples, and then the b ood receded, leaving it like sculptured marble. Uuable or unwilling to answer, he put his hands on her head, softly, rever- ently, as though he touched sometlimg ethe- re«J. He httle dreamed.that, even then, that suffermg heart was uplifted to the Throne of Grace, praying the Father that she might so live and govern herself that he micht come to believe the Bible, which her clear in- sight too surely told her he despised. Oh ! Pn.tean temptation. Even as shf knelt wuh lier protector's handj rcetiuc on her brow, ubiquitous evil suggested the-i thought: "Is he not kinder, Tnd better/ tnan any one you ever knew? Has not M Uravson A now in th- ~,,--i. X, 1 • ». church? Did not Eugene tell you he saw her thtu-e, regulurly, every Sunday ? Pro- fessing Chmtmnity, sheinjureiyou ; reject- ingit, he has guanled and most generously wded y„u ■ By their fruits ye shall judge. ' " Very dimly all this passed through her mind. She was perplexed and troubled at the con- fused ideas veiling her tryst. " Beulah, I have ax. engagement, and must leave you. Stay here if you like, or do as you please with yourself. I shall not be home to tea, so good uJKht." She lo..ked pained, but remained silent. Ho smiled and drawing out his watch, said gaily : ' " 1 verrly believe you miss me when 1 kavo you. Go, put on your bonnet, and com* down to the front door ; I have nearly au hour yet, I see, and will give you a short ride Hurry, child; I don't like to wait." She was soon seated beside him in tlif buggy, and Mazeppa's swift feet had boniK them some distance from home ere either spoke. The road ran near the bay. and while elegant residences lined one side, tha other was bounded by a wide expanse of water, rippling, sparkling, glowing in the evening sunlight. Small sailboats, with their gleaming canvas, dotted the blue bos. ni of the bay ; and the balmy breeze, fi eMi from the gulf, fluttered the bright j enn-. a that floated from their masts. Beulati v. ua watching the snowy wall of foam, piled on either side of the prow of a schoor.er, iu,d thinking how very beautiful it was, when the bnggy stopped suddenly, and Docu.r Hartwell addressed a gentleman on horse- back : "Percy, you may expect me j I am com- ing, as I promised," " I was about to remind you of your en- gagement. But, Guy, whom have you here ?" '' ''My prot^g^e I told you ot. Beulah, this IS Mr. Lockhart." The rider reined his hoise near her side, and leaning forward ai he raised his hat, their eyes met. Both start- ed visibly, and extending his hand JVIr. Lockhart said eagerly : " Ah, my little forest friend 1 I am truly glad to find you again." She shook hands very quietly, but an ex- pressiou of pleasure stole over her face. Her guardian observed it, and asked : "Pray, Percy, what do you know of her?" "That iilie sings very charmingly," an- friend, smiling at Beulah. saw me once when I was at the I," said she. viid was singing part of the regitne ere ?" "No, Oil V ; M'le was wandering about the puiey u , iicur the Asylum, with two bcuitirm , , s, when 1 chanced to meet her. She was singing at the time. Beulah, I am glad to find you out again ; when I pay tho • doctor long visits, I shall expect you to ap. pear for my entertainment. Look to it, Guy, that she is pres. ut. But I am fatigued with my unusual exercise, and must return ' I 10 38 1 BEUI.Aff. atallthnes." '^« «tu,ly « free to yoS P"plar3 and eedarr wvf/ T"'^ ''>' «^»tely laced overhea.1, a„d f r " ? """''"'^''^^ '"te.^. Beulah looked u^ a/ Cr:'ll'«'--^«t arch, among the cedak and wS^^.S''^.^" ^^^H^^, -^iuSLttett^^ I ■^"ne M soon as yoxTii^n" % ''\ ^"3' ; so ;.'»f P-a sprang dovla tht "I^'"'' *"^ ; ;"i-;h ''''''••einarke.l a%.t' IT'' .''«'*'"• '^ •■ J-cklurfs appearance 1, ^•^'"•**'°« i" ^'h^^^'^tr'^-^^ ''''''' h''''^ '' -te'nCnVt;^ !? ^^^ ' .,„"*!■". sir?" ^ nappiuess, which ,^ ^' ^'i^ost of }'-^^^'ato{ -K. as one ofVh^e par ?r"oijste?n'""''"^«'- CO break a sprig of aeLn^T ^ Permission ^lje..'.acefulfy offere^J^trSeftTr '"'"•' *'}'}n,g, as she severed som« li * bouquet, of heliotrope andSn- '''«"* «'"«*«" b"«g?, *nd looking ud at -,. ^^ '^*''®^ '"ordinate'pridei.. 1,;. . 'J W.^iy^""' ""'"^ part of the '5:::::ifJ'««^toyouformy beautiful rivals thJ^,t ^^*'o"8 of my «o complete^J/i f'ey monopolize his leisure " Nonsense ! we knnm ♦« Pean elegance than laylhl ft*^ °' ^'"•«- ?outh. I suppose th; ^f • ^"°^ at the home makes K .th r"r"'f"'" , "' ^''^ 'lon't he visit more' W„ f''''"'*^ • *^'hy '"I'y ' He is uch a fa^ nH.*^''"*' "^ «''^"'- o"'.> r believe everybodvr ^'? "o^iety. too; j-Xs: "/ur,-- -' - .. --- ..^r.i."nf,v,i»i? -•.•Heing needed to enhance le ceased to remember "^- however, she was of several elegantly g from the houte : at Isome carriage, which 'l^aerved, drove fron- ,>- ;ew up to the door :o hilton stood on the and pidite nothings: f^quested permission ""'" growing uear, collect a bouquet, >mo elegant clusters Pridein his parterre II the flowers him- am jealous of mv Qopolize his leisure to our cost that l rivalry from no •"•eak any more. octor has I This ly ideal of Euro, •ce I know at the ksumation of his ^ rooiuse! VVhy pglects us shaniJ. ite in society, too; rather afraid of desperate effort ?n opportunity ^id so, though, All thi« «J dashing, showy ';« extreme of kable marks of ^>he extended* deflowers, and BEULAH. 41 look^ steadily at the lady of ths house as sh^poke. y/y- 1 shall not betray yoar designs, Miss Julia. Guy is a great lover of tlie beautiful, an ] I am not aware that anywhere in the book of fate is written tiie decree that he shall not marry again. Take caie ; you are tearing your laco poiuc ou that rose bush ; let me disengage it." She stooped to rescue the cobweb wrapping, and looking about her, Mi3s Julia exclaimed: "Is that you, Pauline? Come and kiss me 1 Why, yuu look as unsociable u your uncle, sittiuK there all alone!" She extended her hand toward Beulah, who, as may be supposed, made no attempt to approach her. Mrs. Chilton smiled, and claspmg the bracelet on her arm, discovered to her visitor the mistake. " Pauline is not at home. That is a little beggarly orphan Guy took into his head to feed and clothe, till some opportunity offered of placing her in a respectable home. I have teased him unmercifully about this display of taste ; asked him what rank he assigned her in his catalogue of beautiful treasures." Siie laughed as if much amused. "Oh, that reminds me that I h«ard some of the school-girls say that '.ho d;jctor had adopted an orphan. I thought I would ask you about it. Mother here declared that she knew it could not be so, but I told her he was so very odd, there was no accounting for nis notions. So he has not adopted her." " Pshaw ! of course not. She was a wretched little object of chaiity, and (Uiy brought her here to keep her from starving. He picked her up at the hospital, 1 be- lieve." " I knew it must be a mistake. Come, Julia, remember you- are going out to-night, and it is quite late. Do come very soon "jy'lear Mrs. Ciiilton." Mrs. Vincent, Miss Julia, and tiieir companions entered the carriage, and were soon out of sight. Beulah still sat at the fountain. She would gladly have retreated on the appearance of the strangers, but could not effect an escape without attracting the attention she so earnestly desired to be spared, and therefore kept her seat. Every word of the conversation, which had been ear- ned on in anything but a subdued tone, reached her, and though tlie head was unbowed as if she had heardjnothinr, her face was dyed with shame, tier heart" thro'ibed violently, and as the words, '■ hoirj/Hriv or- phan," "wretcked object of charitv/' fell on her ears, it seemed as if a tierce rirebath had re'jeived her. As the carria;,'*- .lisappeared, Mrs. (."hilton approached In^r, and stung to desperation by the merciless taunts, she in- stantly rose and comlronted her. Never had she seen the widow look so beautiful, and for a moment they eyed each other. " What are you doing here, after having been told to keep out of sight?— answer me!" She spoke with ths inflexible sternness of a mistress te an offending servant. " Madam, I am not the miserable beggar you represented me a moment since ; nor will I an«wer questions in any such tone of au- thority and contempt," "Indeed! well, then, my angelic martyr, how do you propose to help yourself ?" an- swered Mrs. Chilton, laughing, with undis- guised scorn. " Doctor Hartwell brought me to his house of his own accord ; you know that I was scarcely conscious when I came into it. He has been very kind to mfe— has offered to adopt me. This you know perfectly well. But I am not in danger of starvation away from this house. You know that instead of having been picked up at the hospital, I was earning my living, humble though it was, as a servant. He offered to adopt me, because he saw I was very unhappy ; not because I needed food, or clothes, as you asserted just now, and as you knew was untrue. Ma- dam, I have known, ever since my recovery, that you hated me. I scorn to accept bounty' nay, even a shelter, where I am so unwel- come. I have nt ver dreamed of occupying the place you covet for Pauline. I intended to accept Doctor Hartwcll's kindness, so far as receiving an education, which would en- able me to support myself leu laboriously ; but, madam, I will relieve you of my hated presence. I can live without any assistance from your family. The despised and ridiculed orphan will not remain to annoy you. Oh you might have effected your purpose with less cruelty. You could have told me kind- ly that you did not want me here, and I would not have wondered at it. But to crush me publicly, as you have done"— wounded pride stilled the trembling accents. Mrs. Chilton bit her lip. She had not ex- pected tjhis expression of proud ind. endence; and seeing that she had gone too far, ponder- ed the best method of rectifying the mischief with as little compromise of personal dignity as possible. Ultimately to eject her, she had intended from the first ; but perfectly con scions that her brother would accept no ex- [)lanation or palliation of the girl's depar- ture at this juncture, and that she and Pan- line would soon follow her from the house orphan's presence fo«- a season. Nearly blind- ed by tears of indignation and mortitication, Beulah turned from her, but the dtlicatr white hand arrested her, and pressed heavily on her shoulder. She drew herself up, all^■ tried to shake off the hold, but firm aa iron. 42 BEULAH. CM to teiS ■',"'■*','''' '"» P^Po-tT- •bsurJilv you .;";„", ^. *;'■" ™ •«« "» .tlrL"'«'"prp"'^ i:i »- ^>« j-- . 6"'> j'^H will not meiitinn •> »„ mend, however T w«„i i """" '*• As a should avoirrrutL;;^ilelf f "tU'"' ^"", obiervation "A. .L „„ i i , ^'^^ way of Jybn,hed off a .^^.n "'^•',''^'' "^e quiet creeping over Be^laKl/v'e"" "^''""^ -- not euVafJSJpSS'trn'r'l J '*'" I'c-coine accustomed to them "^' *^^ "No J couteniptible as vn„ tu- l nee. e.sly iusuUed. YouTeed jr'^'T' !° ;^^ta., n,e. Take your halld'off"^' S-*? u 1 ' 'l"^' ,"°^5 the sooner the better ' I «ence, yon>&e not ashamed to L t" ^^' *'"^^ "^e had toretalu»«r! He shall not W^f ' ''*"'° U^'"*^ *«"««• -osuddenl^^^^eVriSyr "" "' ^"' Irs. Chilton was verv nal^ a,, j u i- ^erecompre.sedtill,they-grew DurL « f'T' ^T mg her hand shp.^iri ,,j\Py*^- tJinch- '' You ar ful liH ""^er her breath: , " arcrui little wretch Am t i. i thwarted by such a mere 4 U » v **l H? not quit the house r,f f f ^*^" '''^a" don'/ make a foTof y^rtelf "l„™?"J' ""•? shall notconoprn m,,= i* f ^n future I r-^:nfS^CB^^^ tain, nor t,. ixpeTme. T «h«i. i,.^,... , - -y ^I^'thea ; not thoa:Vr^o ^£^11 1 !i^,!:-^^!Lf^T;-«h'yl! t, le ' for f lS\'rl?h7ei'd^.^™£' I \"- -'^- detaining ha^.^and went „n f'^t "^ '^« Harriet Ld alr'ea'v ligh 'ed h^er tn'r '.T- small t bu'ndle astoS bMetok it' in°b" arms, and descended the stens Sh« ^^ very much to f,.n fl 5 , ® wished tha^.k'he^r foi^he-^^n^S finite'' ^"1 now, on the eve nf ht,. ^ kindness; and but dreading to meet Mrs Pi„-iV-.^ • '* ' hurried down the halJ J, J i ^?".^'*'°' ^^^ think of me»" All hi« iT^ i ^''- , Hartwell fort and happiness, all rushed ifkAwV."':™" ^d grow indifferent to her welfare^or fate let hope whisnerpd " w^ „.ii *'^* I ^.,.u™,™eSh,;!'a'."U'a :■;.?„ ■MhtZ^^StS BEULAH. ments I wore when She shook off the ' up to her loom, d her lan.p. and as ■ rays fell brightly earned to love so t through scalding il fancy, the sniile the lips „f Hope, e dreary, and the i miserable. She »g off the cluthes u the humble ap- le old trunk was re as a relic ; and d books into as 'he took it in her 'PS- She wished t good-bye, aud g kindness; aud sparture, she re- ered during her stance when she riet phrased it ; lilton again, she left the house, idly down upon le ooninion, and uni, and raising ine, the solemn he wild tumult ed to liear the skyey depths: , even unto the of the step she fes before lier, and grief came ■Dr. Hartwell ess during the I his roi.f, his ressing touch but gentle or her com- like lightning iot tears gush aid, of course, 1 of her sudden 5r ungrateful, Ifare or fate. I suspect the i 'a nature; he \ is was in the ' ad the stern \ d heavily on viwr-ll, who ' sappearance, ivccii iioiiars id this little d. As she difficulties I'tof educat- lits of the vith a pain. fill s.nse of desolation that she mounted the ,e'u,l"f r.. "'!''"'" ;^« threshoM, where ht ' r V r'' '" "^**'" «"* *° 3-^*" gone hy. -Mrs. \\.ll.amsnK.t her at the (foor, 43 " , , ' ""• " iicr Hi, me (joor ni' tor"f; ;r* """'""^ occurrence induced a V s tor at this unseasonable hour. The hall lamp shone on her kind but anxious face, an.! as Beulah looked at her remem bered care and love caused a feeling , f "ffo- hrlwY*"'^ ^'^^ "" exclamation of joy she threw her arms aroun.l her. Astonished at h,frw!iT^ 'r ""^■''r'^ted, the matron glanced hurriedly at the face pressed against her bosom ,^n,i recognizing Lr quondam charco folded her tenderly to her heart. ^ ' vou -' X'J' f"",':'^*'''' i »'" *o glad to see Headah felt the tc.rs dropping down u?^ vo,',r^K'"^ '?*» my room, dear, and take jjff your bonnet." She led her to the quiet hT alZr^T^ t°°^ the bundle, and the an - quated bonnet, which Pauline declared "M..„ XT u T^ ', ""'^" j-auiiLie aeciared dih"!;!' *' """"^ ^" ^^••""g'^ *^« f-ty Mrs. Williams, can I stay here with you tintdlcan get a place somewhere? The managers will not object, will th».y ?" T fk 'i!:^*'"' \ suppose not. But Beulah. hough you had been adopteeen, ever since .1 heard it from one of the managers thinking how lucky it was for you, and feeling so thankful to God for re- membering His orphans. Child, what has 'LP^;^ ? Tell me freely, Beulah " .h«Tm f ?*""^°1*''^ matr.,n'8 shoulder, Jitrf^'l'' 'T«^ °f ^^** had transpired to explain her leaving her adopted home. 8,d!y7 '^°°^ ^" ^"*''' ''''^ «»"1. "you have been too hasty, child. It was Doc or Hartwell's house ; h"^ had taken Jou to It, and Without cmsulting and tell- i^f f T/ y;'" ^'^""'J not kave left It. If you felt that you could not live there in peace with his 'sister, itwasycmr as t^ wh'ir *'''^ ^^ «o. and'then d" iZl as to w haf^ course you would take. Don't be hurt, child, ,f I tell you you are too proud world / ""I'lT'^' '"^'^^ * ^^i"""- ^"t "^ th 8 .D^r rnf "^^ ""^ yonAon't let your high ay, dear, that you ought to bear insult and W e.y but I do think you owed it to Ud<./^,rs kindness, to have waited until all that Mrs. Chilton said and did, he would crid-nV,P^'*'"f ''""'"' "'"'• t'"* for him, could noi Live without toil. J hav» no riffhf to cause their ruin. She is his sifter, and has a claim on him. I have none. She ex- pects Pauline to inhnit his fortune, and could not bear to think of his adoptUte me I don t wonder at that so much. But she need not have been so cruel, so i'nsultinc I don t want his money, or his house, or his elegant fuiniture. I only want an educa- tion and his advice, and his kind care for a few years. I like Paulin- very much indeed. She never treated me at all unkindly ; and I could not bear to bring misfortune on her she IS so happy." ' ''That is neither here nor there. He will not hear the truth, of course ; and even if he did, he will not suppose vnu were act'i- ' „!"L^"''^*^^"'''^i"' iH' lives, to shield le You ought to huv ■er's meanness , m first." 'Well, it is all over now, and I see I must help myself. I want to go to the pnbli, school, where the tuition is free ; but how can I support myself in the meantime? iiiii,'hteen dollars would not board me long and, besides, I shall have to buy clothes '' She looked up, much perplex d, in the matrons anxious face. The latter was silent a moment, and then said : "Why, the public school closrs in a few weeks ; the next session will not begin be- fore autumn, and what could you do until then ? No 1 will just inform Dr. Hartwell of the truth of the whole matter. I think it 18 due him, and " r.l.'•',J'"^^^'' y°" """"^ °o* ' I pron:ised Mrs Chilton that I would not implioat. her, and your doing It would amount to the same thing. I would not be the means of driving Pauline out of her uncle's house, for all the gold in California." "Silly child. What on earth poaseased you to promise any such thing ?" "I wanted her to see that I was honest in what I said. She knew that I could, by divulging the whole affair, turn her out of her house (for Dr. Hartwells's disposition is a secret to no one who has lived in his home), and I wished to show her that 1 told the truth in saying I only wanted to be edo- eated for a teacher." " Suppose the doctor comes here, aud asks you about the matter?" "I shall tell him that I prefer not beinc dependent on any one. Rut he will not come. He does not know where I am " Yet the dread that he would, filled her mind with new anxieties. '•^^'ell, well, it is no use to fret over wh.it cnn t be undone. I wish I could help yon but 1 don t see any chance just now." " CouM not I get some plain sewing' rerhaps the in.-.,:;agers would give me work?" Ah, RMiIah, ii vxonld soon kill you. ta nave to sew for your living." 44 i -- t. f 'i ( 1 i ' V •^- :! w if 1 U s* I f BEULAFT. No, BO, I can boar more than you think,' e^'^^ored the girl, with a dreary smUe. YeB, your spirit can endure more than hour body. Your father died with consump. tion, child but don't fret about it any more to-night. Come, get some supper, and then go to sleep. You will stay in my room, with me, dear, till something can be done to assist you " Mrs. Williams, you must promise me that you will never speak of what I have told you regarding that conversation with Mrs. Clinton.' " I promise you, dear, 1 never will men- tion it,^since you prefer keeping the matter •* What will Dr. Hartwell think of me ?" waa the recurring thought that would not be banished ; and, unable to sleep, Beulah tossed restlessly on her pillow all nicht. dreading lest he should despise her for her «eenung ingratitude. CHAPTER XL For ijuiliaps two hours after Beulah's de- I'Miure, Mrs. Chiltou wandered up and Oovvu the parlours, revolving numerous ■rliemei, explanatory of her unexpected exo- dus. Completely nonplused, for the first :^nne in her life, she sincerely rued the ex- i o.-.s.-i.)u of dislike and contempt which had Javen the orphan from her adopted home; ■iua, unable to decide on the most plausible lalauou to be offered her brother, she paced i estl easly, to and fro. Engrossed by no par- .jcuiuly felicitous reflections, she failed to I. >tice Mazeppa's quick tramp, and remained u i^'n^ranceof the doctor's return until he fiiorca the room and stood beside her. His la.i/inorwas hurried, his thoughts evidently p. ^Docupied, as he said : '■ May I am going into the country to be abooiit all of to-morrow, and possibly long- er. Ihere is some surgical work to be per- formed for a careless hunter, and I must btart immediately. I want you to see that ii room IS prepared for Percy Lockhart. He 13 very feeble, and I have invited him to uoiae and stay with me while he is in the city. He rode out this evening, and is worse i rom the fatieuc. I shall expect you to see that eyerythiog is provided for him that an iu valid could desire. Cau I depend upon " Certainly ; I will exert myself to render ills stay here pleasant ; .nake" yourself easy on that score." It was very evici.era that " , — - "--' ^"pi'Uj- hiuiig frura n>u' i-,eart ■ and prospects ; but she veiled tU sparkle in i her eye, and unsuspicious of anything amiss iitiv brother left the room. Walking up to ' .>u« of the mirrors, which extuu-ied from : lloor to ceiling, she surveyed herself care- riilly, and a triumphant smile parted her lips. " Percy Lockhart is vulnerable as well as other peopb!, and I have yet to ste the man whose heat t will proudly withstand the al- lurements of (latttry, provided the homage IS .ieli'iately ami gracefully offered. Thank Ikaveu ! years have touched me lightly, and theiewas more truth than she relished in "* V;'^^''.'-'^"''''* Vincent said about my beauty !" Tliis self-complacent soliloquy was cut ■•^liori by the appearance or her brother, who carried a case of surgical instruments in his hands. " May, tell Beulah I am sorry I did not see her. I would go up and wake her, but liave not time. She wis'.ied to ask me some- thing. Tell her, if it is anything of impor- tance, to do just as she likes ; I will see ab'.ut it when I come home. Be sure you tell her. Good-niglit ; take care of Percy. " Ho turned away, but she exclaimed : "She is not here, Guy. She asked me this evening if she might spend the night at the Asylum. She thought you would not object, and certainly I had no authority to prevent her. Indeed the parlour was full of company, ami I told her she might go if she wished. I suppose she will be back early in the morning." His face darkened instantly, and she felt that he was searching ler with his piercing "All this sounds extremely improbable to me. If she is hot at home again at break- fast, take the carriage and go after her Mind, May I I will sift the whole matter I when I come back." He hurried off, and j she breathed freely once more. Dr. Hart- well sprang into his buggy, to which a fresh horse had been attached, and dismissing Hal, whose weight would only have retarded his progress, he drove rapidly off. The gate had been left open for him, and he was passing through, when arrested by Harriet's well- known voice. ■ " Stop, master 1 Stop a minute 1" "What do you want? I can't stop 1" cried he impatiently. " Are you goinfi after that poor, mother- less child ?" " No. But what the devil is to pay here 1 I shall get at the truth now. Where is Beulah? talk fast." "She is at the Asylum to-lright, air. I followed and watched the poor, little thing. Master, if you don't listen to roe, it you piease, sir, you will never get at the truth, for that child won't tell it. I heard her promise Miss May she would not. You w..u:d be ready to fight if you knew all I k.Ki'.V. " <^ 11 BEULATl. 46 herself uarq- parted her le as well as ste the man ami the al- the homage red. Thank lightly, and relished in jy beauty !" y was cut irother, who ments in his C I did not ke her, but ik mo some- ig of impor- ; I will see e sure you 3 of Percy." ed: ) askod me tie night at would not ithority to was full of it go if she ick early in id she felt lis piercing probable to I at break- after her. ale matter i off, and Dr. Hart, ch a fresh issing Hal, Warded his 16 gate had 13 passing iet's well- n't stop I" ', mother- pay here I Where is it, sir. I tie thing. B. if you he truth, leard lier lot. You lew all I "Why did Beulah leave here this evening? ' "Because Miss May abused and insulted her ; told her before some ladies that she was a " miserable beggar" that )ou| picked up at the hospital, and that you thought ic was a charity to feed and clothe her until she was big enough to work. The ladies were in the front yard, and the child liappen- ed to be sitting by the fountain ; she had just comefrom riding. I was sewint. at one of the windows up-stairs, and heard every word. When the folks were gone. Miss May walks up to her and asks her what she IS doing where anybody could see her ? Oh,' master J if you could have seen that child's looks. She fairly seemed to rise oflF her feet, and her face was as white as a corpse. She •aid she had wanted an education ; that she knew yon had been very kind ; but she never dreamed of taking Miss Pauline's place m your house. She said she would not stay where she was unwelcome ; that she was not (ttarving when you took her home ; that ■he knew you were kind and good ; but that she «corn('d— them were the very word.« master— she sc«med to stay a day longer where she had been so insnlted I Oh, slie was in a towering rage ; she trembled all over, and Miss May began to be scareil, for she knew you would not suffer snch doings, and she tried to pacify her and make up the quarrel by telling her si* might stay and have an education, if that was all that she wanted. By the girl would not hear to anything she said, and told her she need not be frightened that she wouldn't go to yon with the fuss ; she wonld not teU you why she left your house. She went to her room and she got every rag of her old clothes, and left the house with the tears running out of her eyes. Oh, master, it s a crying shame I If you had only been here to hear that "child talk to Miss May Good Lord ! how her big eyes did blaze when she told her she conld earn a living 1" By the pale moonlight she coull see that her master's face was as rigid as steel ; but his voice was even calmer than usual, when he asked : " Are you sure she is now at the Asylum ?" "Yes, sir; sure." "Very well ; she is safe then for the pre- sent. Does any one know that yon heard the conversation T" " Not a soul, sir, except yourself." "Keep the matter perfect\y quiet till I com* home. I shall be away" a day, or per- haps longer ; meantime, see that B<^ulfth dn»- not get out of your sight, Do you under' stand me ?" "Yes, sir, I do.- The bugsty rolled swiftly on, and Harriet returned to the house by a circuitous route, surmising that • Misi May's" eyes might de- tect her nio>n,i.iU. ^ The same niifht. Clara Sanders, sat on tlu door-step of ho Lumble cottage home. Thv moonlight c.fj^i ^'oiightheolusterin h(n pv suckle and sihc.ul the jn.zia floor witj. I ^> "'k, while it bathed lovii.rh ■ he gir!i«h watcher. Her chin i«lms, and the soft eyes were / on the countenance of her in- 1 companion, don't look so troubled. I am groteaniic f the sad Sjtt' rested^ l.> . tnxi' id aut Grauni ■ery sorry, too, about the diploma ; but if 1 am not (have it, why, there is no use in worrying ^bout it. Madame St. Oymon i. willing t.,nnploy me as I am, and certainh I should feel gratsful for her preference, when tl.^re are several applicants for the place, bhe told me this evening thai she thought I would find no difficulty in perform- ing what would be required of me " This was uttered in a cheerful tone, which might have succeeded very well had the sorrowful face been veiled. " Ah, Clara, you don't dream of the bur- den you are taking upon yourself ! The posi- tion of assistant teacher, in an establishment Ike Madame St. Cymon's, is one that v..u are by nature totally unfitted for. Child,' it will gall your spirit; it wiU be unendurable," Ine old man sighed heavily. " Still, 1 have been educated with an eye to teaching, and though I am now to occupy » very subordinate place, the trials will not be augmented. On the whole, I do not know but It IS best as it is. Do not try to discour- age mo It is all I can do, and I am deter- mined I will not despond about what can't be helped. ' " My dear child, I did not mean to de- press you. But you are so young to bow your neck to such a yoke ! How old are you ? He turned round to look at her "Onlysixteen and a few months. Life is before me yet, an untrodden plain. Who knows but this narrow path of duty may had to a calm, sweet resting-place for us both ♦ 1 was thinking just now of that patsaee from your favourite Wallenstein : 'My stul's se- cure / In the vight *i,ly, Friedland's start can beam.' The darkness has come down upon us, grandpa ; let us wait patiently for the uprising of stars. I am not afraid of the night. There Was silence for some moi>Fnts • them the old man rose, and, putting back the white locks which had fallen ov«r his face, asked "When will you commencA your work!" "To-morrow, sir." "God bless yon, Clara, and giv you strength, as He sees you have need," If« kissed her fondly, and withdrew tohisortu. 46 BEULAH. I ft ^■oom. She gftt for lome time looking at the mosaic of lijjht and shade on the floor beside her, and striving to diveat her mind of the haunting thought that ahe was the victim of some unyielding neoessity, whose decree had gone forth, and might not be aunidled. In early child- hood her home had huon one of 8i)leu;lid alllu- ence ; but reverses came thick and fast, as misfditniies ever do, and, ere she could real- ize the swift traiisiti>'ii, penury claimed her family among its crowding legions. Din- coura^'ed and embittered, her father made the wiuecup the aeiMiluhre of care, and in a few months found a deeper and far more quieh grave. His mercantile embarrassments had dra^'.^ed his father in-law to ruin ; and, too a^'Hd to toil up the steep again, the latter resigned liiias(!lf to spending the remainder of his days in obscurity, and perhaps want. To Clara's gifted mother, he looked for aid and cdinfoit in the cloud- ed evening of life, and with un- ceasing ener;,'y she toiled to shield her fa- ther and her child from actual labour. Thoroughly acqiiaintt-.l with music and draw- ing, her days v.^ite! spent in giviau' les8o,;s in those branches which had been acquired with reference to peraoual enjoyment alone and the silent hours of the night often passed .n stitching the ganneiits of those who harl Hocked to her costly entertainments in das y gon- by. When Clara was about tiiu'-een years of age, a distant relative, chancing to , see her, kindly pniiioaed to contribute the sum requisite for aif irling her every e.luca- , tional advantage. The offer was gratefully accepted bv the devoted mother, and Clara was placed at Madame St. Cymon's. where more than .ordinary attention could be be- stowed on the languages. 'rhe noble woman, whose heart had bled m^essantly over the misery, ruin, and de- pdation of her husband, sank slowly un- der the intolerable burden ,.f sorrows, and a few weeks previous to tl,e evening of whi,'. I write, folded her weary hands and went cH fl'?'- u?''" ^P'i"gtiu.e of girlhood, Cara felt herself tians/ormed into a woman. Standing l.caide her mother's lon.b, s.i„,„>rt mg her grandfather's tottering form,' s,,.. shuddered in anticipating the drearv fntiue that bedomed her oa ; and now. a/if tuer. were not troubles enough already to ,lis,,ni, i her, the annual amount advanced toward her Se con^r''' Tr ""••^''-'"^y withdrawn Ihe cousm. residing m a distant State wrote that pecuniary troubles had assadn' ..im, snu prcvontod fdi further assistance. In one more year she would have finished the prescribed course an,l gralnate hon ourably ; and more than all, fhe woLTd L°ve oDtu 1 , iiploma, which might have been an open sesame " to any post she aspired to. 1 hus frustrated in her plans, she gladly accepted the position of assistant teaufier in the primary department, which, havinu be- come vacant by the dismissal of the incum- bent, madame kin^lly tendered her. The salary was limited, of course, but nothing else preHented itself, and quitting the deskT where she had so often pored over her text- books, she prepared to grapple with the trials which thickly beset the path of a young woman thrown upon her own resources for inainteiiance. Clara was naturally amiable, unselhsh and trusting. She was no intellec- tual prodigy, yet her mind was clear and torcible, her judgment matured, and, above all. her pure heart warm and loving. Not- withstanding the stern realities that marked her path, there was a vein of romance in her nature which, unfortunately, attained more than healthful development, and while it often bore her into the Utopian realms of tancy, it was still impotent to modify, in any degree, tne social difficulties with which she was forced to contend. Ah, there is a touch- ing beauty in the radiant up-look of a girl just crossing the limits of youth, and com- mencing her journey tiirough the chequered si)here of womanhfo 1 ! It is all dew-sparkle and morning-glory to her ardent, buoyant spirit, as she presses forward exulting in dissful anticipations. But the withering heat of the coiiHict of life creeps on ; the dewdrops exhale, the garlands of hope, shat- tered and dead, strew the path, and too often, ere noont-de, the clear brow and sweet smde are ex<;hanged for the weary look of ojjelongin'^ for the evenina rest, the twiliairC the night. Oh, may the good God sleep early unto these many I 'here was a dawning light in Clara's eyes, "_«ich showed that, though as yet a mere girl in years, she had waked to the con- sciousness of emotions which belong to wo- manhood. ,She was pretty, and of course she knew it, for I am scep- 'I'val of those characters who grow up to mature beauty all unsuspicious of the fatal dower, and are some day startled by a discovery of their possessions. She knew, too, that female lovclino'S was an all- potent spell, and depressing as were the cir- eunistanoe» of her life and situation, she felt that a brighter lot might be heia witiiout any veiy remarkable or seemingly inconsis- tent course of even' s. CHAPTER Xir. "Harriet, bring me a cup of strong coffee." Dr. Hartwell ha I returned late in the after- noon '.f the second day, and travel- M-orn and weary, threw himself "down on the sofa in t BEULAH. 47 ■i in liiu •lulls (luring 111 pleasant, his stody. There w»b a pale severity face, which toll tliaf, his r«^fli: his hiit't aliseno" had Icon far f ....v and as ho swopt hiiok tht; hair from his fore- head, and liiiil his head on the cushion, the whole countenance hespoke the oitteriiess of A proud but miseraljlo man. He remained for some time with closed eyes, anil when the coffee was yeived, drank it without com- ment. Hirriet busied herself aliout the room, doing various unnecessary things, and wondering why her master did not enquire concerning home affairs ; fin illy, liavin- ex- hausted every pretext for lingering." she Chilton approached with outstre ilicil hand, flcied her lips f, ir a but iixiiig sweetl , as ild „„„ .1 \i •' V- ., ''iijioring, sue ^ aupenor.!kill ?'■ Mr. Lick hart raised himself putting her hand on the knob of the door said deferentially— ' "Do you want anything else, sir? The bath room is all ready." «'«" 'I'^'J'ster been to the Asylnm ?" No, sir," "(io ami arrange Boulah'sroom.' She retired; and springing up, he paced theHoor, striving to master the emotion which so unwontedly agi lato 1 him. Hi.s lips writhed, and the thin nostril expamled, but he paused before the mclod.ion, sat down and played several pieces, and gradually the swollen veins on his brow lost tlieir corded appearance, and the mouth resumed its halutual compression. Then, with an ex- tenor as calm as the repose of death, he took -lis hat, and went toward the parlour. Mr. Lookhart was reclining on one of the sofas] I'auline sat on an ottoman near him, looking over a book of prints, and Mrs. Chilton, taste \"/^y, .***>''«<*. occupied the piano stool. Witching strains of music greeted her bro- ther aa he stopped at the door and looked in. In the mirror opposite, she saw his image re- flected, and for an instant her heart beat rapidly, but the delicate fingers flew over the keys as skilfully as before, and only the firm setting of the teeth betokened the coming struggle He entered, and walking up to the invalid, said cordially : -iiru?"^ "® y°"« Percy? better, I hope." While one hand clasped his friend's, the other was laid with brotherly freedom on the sick man's head, and at the same tiiu kiss. He availed himself of neither, his eyes intently on liers, said as if he liad been soothing a fretful ....>. . " Necessity, of course ; but now thiH I liava come, 1 shall make amends, I pr )i'iise you for tile delay. Percy, has she I; Uen good care of you ?" "She is an admirable nurs • j 1 can never requite the debt .she '.las imixised. Is not my convalescenee aiini.j^ent proof of her superior.skill ?" Mr. L.ckhart raised himself rest admiringly on the' graceful form and faultless leatures besi le him. "Are you really so much better?" said Dr. Hartwell, gnawing hia lip. "Indeed I ami Wliyare you so .ncredu- lous ? Have you so liltle conlilence n your own prescriptions ?" '• Coiilideuce ! I had little enough when gaeii, iinmeisurably less now. But we will talk of all this after a little. I have some matters to arrange, and will be w th you t tea. May, I wi-,h to see you. " " Well, Guy, what is it ?" With ,ut mov- ing an inch, she looked up at him. "Come to my study,'" answered her bro- ther, quietly. '',^";i '^,t^^ y"""" Pat^ient to amuse him- sell! Keally, Guy, you exercise the 'tes of hospitality so rarely, that you forget or- dinary requirements. Apropos, your prot6g6 has not returned. It seems s not fancy living here, and prefers stay, the Asylum. I would not trouble m about her, if I were you. Some people ». not appreciate kindness, you know.^' S uttered this piece of counsel with " perfect sangfroid, and met her brother's eye as in- nocently as Pauline would have done. " I am thoroughly acquainted with her ob- jections to this place, and determined to re- move them so completely, that she cannot re- fuse to return," A grey pallor crept over his Bister's ace but she replied with her nsnal eqnanimi y • ' " You have seen her, then ? I thought .i^^^s ^^o^,i^cBBm^^^ , ..,',, — -->'•«'• iBHijr, vj-ujf, lu your i **®{|g«^™ home, I am growing well again." Ah I so much for not possessing Ithu- lev ^ t^"- ^ *"" Slad to find you free from J ^"^w-d'y-do, uncle ? Don't you w me ?" ■*'.4 """line, reaching no her hand. "it is^Urays hard^to" find you, Pauline, youMe^uoh a demure, silent little body," |^«^ shaking her hand kindly. Welcome Guy 1 I expected you yester- «aT ; what detained you so long ?" Mrs. No ! I have not seen her, and yon are aware, her voluntary promise would seal her lips even if I had." He smiled c ntemptu- ously, as he saw her puzzled look andooB- tinned : " Percy will excuse you for a few i-iju , ..Hsn^- mvi! iiiTj. i amine, entertaiik this gentleman in our absence." She took his offered arm, and they pro- ceeded to the stndy in silence. " Sit down." Dr. Hartwell nushed a chair toward her and stood lojkin^ .,,i fuHy j. 1 48 >^ BEULAH, m «.ni,l!) i,l:;i r'^' '•'«''-«* does .11 thin pre. " Ma^, is the doctrine of future nnm-.V. rose wuh »„airof„fre,..le,|,li.,nity. fts^off you wrong me. Uljv vprilv Sh '^'Ttifi/"" ''T"'"'^'^ to-';uff:;& her with a B„,i,e of SE, «e";„ "°'^' ** Jt=i-;S!:;;^^^-,;;^!-^^-"'>««-. on'llershouldel? ''' '"* ^" '-"'' ^«" '^"vily -u^Iu'cUt.'*""'''"^'^'"" ■'" « ell. I should not " Ah, guided by your favou.--.^^ Meuhrsto rhele.s you wrapped the n,a, of iJvi bt iity about you, aud heard it all Jih v • and "? ' S'^'^Sf ?ii,« *v"' "'i:i"'*°"«' fippm/ ,1 T ** h'^^e here, it h«muiat.n«thou7tS"illld'\ro Ibirbe anggested to me. May, I very nearly dedde 1 to send yon and Pauline out into the vol Tn^^T^ " '^'""^ ••->*-ithont a cent 1-just a I found you, and I may .loso yet— J" ^ xoua%renotI Yon darp nof i v I teuZ^r '"^iff'lit/or too much nicety. ron nav to^?S^r'' '"^' °^*»» t^n>or. coi3'.tH,^;*l^^.*~^*''■ >'""'■ ^luplieity can dhllv ^h "■ *??* "'■P^''" you hate 80 cor oKUiy. She would nfcver ..^fu"" -« . l-Huime suffered for the'paVt", fo^ her "^V. •iiU hers only. I wU' aasi^t, support Jou.fo; t , nf h""""''' '^'■"^ y^'" "'^'"' the plan Ut..,n ut th..re are „„ edMrationah advan- 've. there for Pauline, and thor.? re "f f.ei.Ial; roturnP, I have resolved to buy .n Sllf^r S^'T' ''"'"•• -*— -- y-'" "' y not I"' ^^ ■ ^°" ""°"* ""'l "haU "And what conitruction will the worl 1 uTe^t^h" r"'''J«, * y"""« girl intoTot liouse at the tim.^ I leave itf fjuy with e"n" "sa*iZh ''V''7''''''^* y"» are'^ndow' .It f "h"' '"iikI'U.K sardonically. J shall take measures to prevent anv .mpropsr construction I Mrs. \Vatsnn, tK widow of one of my oldest and best fr end. has been k.t in destitute circumstance and tofii'"^'"'''"'*/'^"^*"!^^'- » home he"e XrR^'l^'^^'"^ ''"""ehold. and look after Beu.ah when 1 am absent. She is an estimable woman, past fifty years of aVand her character is so irreproachable, thft ' her presence here will obviVte the ob ection you hare ur^ca. You will decide to-, i«ht wh«e fetVf *"^*^'°"'' ^"^""-^ r««cfence and let n^^e know to-morrow. I shall not give whea°B^T,I T\ '"'■ ''«''"'''"• Meantnne! the matter. At your peril, May I I have borne much from you, Lut by all that ? ly If you dare to interfere again. Do not -.nagmetha I am i^,nora»rt>f your schemer !n J/"!","''^'^^'""l'l7fe''«''ly see PerVv Lockhart lowered into tit^ v<> ratherfhln him'Tof h^T" |7'^«jg-^"l " Sn^ hini Oh, his noble natiffc-Av^uId loathe you coulc he Bee y.n. as yoiTare. There, go I "; I shall forget that I am talking to a wornan uo I go! He put up his hands as if unwil- ling to look at her, and leaving the room < escended to the front door. A large family', carnage drawn by two horses stood in reall ness and seating himself within it, 1 eorde ed the coachman to drive to the Asylum Mrs. W, hams met him at the entrance aud* despite her assumed composure, felt nervous s'il'nHfnT' ^'°" *". the matron of this in- Ben"on/'' ^''''"'"' ' ^ """"* *° «« ISeulah "Sir, she saw your carriage, and desired me to say to you that though he was very grateful for your kindness, she did not wish to bnn en you and preferred remaining here wou d e'lTJ? ^K""-^ "'"'^^ P««'t'°" which ^ould enable her to support herself. Sh« be,-3 yon will not insist «-oon «P«,n„ h-- -"- does ;i.)t wish to see you." " °'" ' """ "Where is she? I ;hall not leave the house until I do see her." ^ if i» coats me life and nd yoticflrto the pUn- IK) P(li'i'«ti()iiah ailvan- iliiie; and thenfore, if B resolved to liny and »r>e, wher«ver you may you o»nnot and shall action will the worl.l I youug girl into your ^ve it? Ouy, with ifht you are endow- if( sardonically, ires to prevent any I Mrs, Watson, th« lest and hcst friends, te circumstances, and 3r her a home here, lousehold, and look 1 atisent. She is an fifty years of age, and iroaohable, that her ite the objection you leuide to-night where iture residence, and I shall not give icision. Meantime, n will not allude to peril, May I I have but by all that I ke you suffer severe- ere again. Do not ff^yoxir soheme?; J /glrtdly see Peny l*-in' V(>, rather than r;<>i.id in blinding Wwi uld loathe you, ire. There, go 1 or liking to a woman, ing to be mi/ sister t I hands as if unwil- leavine; the room, or. A largo family, irses stood in readi- within it, he order- e to the Asylum, the entrance, and, osure, felt nervous is scrutinizing look matron of this in- rant to see Beulah iage, and desired gh she was very she did not wish ed remaining here ! position which rt herself. She )n aF>(>inor tio* . ..k- ■ ill not lear* th* i lie moun?.*i*'^r'"* nght-hand room." and :nS '"' B Ida^tllT'"^!^ '"t ^^"-' window; she had rect„i..V*r''":« ^^ *»•« knew that he was in thf ^l'" «tep, and Hhe wouldnot meet h^t ev°T' K"* ^«.'* ^ if Yet there yvL i, , i! u ^® ^°'" **^« universe. to see him^gr. '0.^' the't*"'"^ '""«'"« sl'e had miWl h s kfnd " ^*'* ''*^' ^rave watchf„l„ess S ,^T% "'."^ caught his hand to hir ,t * hT'* '""'•■""'• happy/' ^ ^""'' "P^"*' '^^^^ home and be ^^y^^,^:^^^^- ' -" '^ "ot whole ';rurh"of\hisra..^«"tf^- \^'''^ ^^e fd it is no conce n7you;s^7J i'''"'''' broken your promise. ^Ko~Ck*'^ "1 . make your return to mv houre f^« rf* ^ of my sister's narrlnr. "\''*'"*'^ 'he condition you persist in &• me7t"«n '""'"f ' ^^ ly I will send her annT' i* "y°" ^"^«'"»- world to work for thlrr-,'"^°"*"'t° ^'^ wanttodo7 Ifvoiwill ^^^ ''u^*?' "" y°» Rive them a coX aWe hoZ ^^''.' •' ^'^ wherever they mrv, »•!'*?• *''«"' "Wn that they we alwaL^ ?f ^ ''^e. and see theyshairn'tremaTirmvT:'^ ^^ ^»* you come or not T im ^^ ^°"^^ whether it me ; you know I nev^r 'sar;?^* I .^""^ raean. \ want you to ^omeTack lit °°* to come with me now I «m i '"^"^y"" home is dark and desdkta • n^,^^""*^^ \ "^ come ! " He held her hand, fnTf,* '"^/i'"^' her gently tovvarrl l^T^ ou , '"*' *"d '^''ew into^is fa^^e^^L^d'as si nofed tii '"/ '"^^""^ ness that marred its noble beautv f)" " "f of his sster flashed nr^oi. i. ^' *"^ '*'»'"<'8 hfd been 4rri df "C i't"thT7'"^ ^, ?« wife that had an ruVtl j u- "® ^"'^ of his -that gavfsuch irf^'/ "'".^ant home? tively youthful f.r»sy ^« ';«'"P««- deep eyes till she grew divW "•*" *^« indistinctly : ^^' •'*<^ answered m^ns'7p,:i;:i^^^;: jr"'^^ •^"* ^^^ *he Hence orth my sister „d myself ar. parted, whether yuu will K, whether you come^ bacl „/* ':: ""* Once for all if vnn J .11 "thrrwise. for on this |;ondiC Sy ' dl' V '""•• ;'""«• her. Pauline does not suit ml '""'""' '"' can make you a friend . . ' y"" ''"■ ^ Panion. Beulah, yo want t:'."" '"•■': ^"•"• I see It in your eyes Ur r "•""♦' to me ; want con,.^io„.r:hat'::r^;^:;y';.t'-t you kindly a iryVteet"'5 ''-.line just as house T" ^ "*'' '*'^'"' **''«" me to your I shaiu;;rr\nrJ".« ^d^''"'" »•?•"•' •»'• you this. WhaLTse ?'""'■*'""''• ' l"'""'"*' ii";i^o/^iJ:i.:rs^';5;;::;::,:y!:'-chooi '• 'ly. pray ? " ;; Because the tuition is free." from me /•' " "'■• *"" P'-""'^ *« 'oeept .ny .id anle,^a°nd1';aU7oteh ''""••'' '»'• «"'''• that I do thank yuVrlV''" ^' '''"^ >-' but I ««..^ *„ .A"" '"'ft',' y"ur£„odni.H« • little r- - • ■ ' 'v:udottr,^:n''''r'''»'^'-'^«'' w..v«. then?" a'd're -mil' r*"'"/' "" "•^' "'■ self. *"* "**' -"miling dtispite hi,„. If ycJi'^.iu'iiw to 111,"'" ,"';'" »"♦-«''• glad to .0 back? X Ji;',' ' « •" ''0 very y|;;.ar...^S,elooked\rtn?";;;r^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ we^r'^il^'h'Lg^i^ote'xiiv"'':! y°" *- '" {ng myself, I shall be Cy J ilfuiV'"'"'- of you Yhave sS,?I ^ '''" *'"^ *" »«»'« car. reAytocomehoZ'^^'"'*''*''*^ ' •^♦' y-' clo^e^contlingly tS ff •;:, ?" •^"«- Mrs. WiUiains'^in the hall' 1 *''«yj'''"«'' explanation from Beuia in jltTf f, *'''«f • joioing matron, and L„ i " ^"'" ^l"" '''• rapidly from the AsylZ '1 *u *'"'"« was silent until thfivr!uki . '*''' Hartwell " VVhat dSL* f \° "'" P""'« 'chool. " i " A. . / *]^** '"'« your head ♦" I «rr. ijookhart made room for hoi- «« 4.1. - -^^ ; and quietly e„«oonced in one corner " he general conversntion, that the bitter . leo .on o bygone trials was "ni^rcf; V .-Idno „V V ^'"■*'^«'l »"■> his friend were - king of Europe, and the letter, after re your,? Your „«t.r was just t, ,iing ml Pt lin« .*/"'' ^"^^ "^^ «"«« North to *pI.oe I « .line at some celebrated school, an.l with *„ El ' ■' "' "" ' esoiate. Conie Says i.»t o - ■ . "..«u uu yon nay T his si8ter*,S'**?r*"l *''*«intinmtion of n's sister a pb«ft without the slightest tokpn ot.surpns^d smiled sarcasticfll?:: i^t" Fey, I 8ha:« answer you in the few -fa favonnte author of the day. He travels to be amu<,ed or tn „»+ ^^ T ;;'nongold things, fn Thebes 1 P.U"*^' h s will .an.i ^:^.i I..- ,'"eoes, in Palmyra. "M'i.iated a. ih,>y. '% :^^;^r , ,;i:i ;!"'' z'^- I'l ...^ir • / .. ""^"^ • ' '"IS to ruin^ I > 'Veiling u a (ooV» paradiae. At homri tojtipate.l v.-ith beauty, an.l lose my sadness I l.yk my trunk, en.hark. an.l Hnally w.k„ "P ... Nnplos an.t there besi.le .ne is the oai that I fled from. I affect to be intoxi. ?Wv ]^ *^i"'* «"*• ,^'^*' '"" wherever I go ' lorry I en.lonvonre.l to drown my giant in m^th'^'thr""" = '" ^"^y '* ''' -er*C. n nth the gr^.m waters of Lapo Mn^'gmre ; to hurl it fr„m solemn icv vi h „;, i ''""'.rxon says, it clung to me An.l """'^'"S aIi.-g,anco, and I came home An.l n..w daily, mi.I yearly I renestTh- hopelcs experiment in my ^ro, „. Tf pro fess.onal .iuties. Yes, May an.l Pauline^are ffter* ar^T' f"' ^ "^'^" ''•^^ He"Iah o look ntter and I fancy time will not drai? ."(•. ?ou" hSk""o^f' r'"'"^ y""- "- "-" ' port or Saratoga, sail for Havre What , To S,Ze a'T *•'!•«"»* «*-""-« o?*a J "l win fn ?*'"*'"«"• «»me"« an.l prints?" von .^ 11 "u^ y"" '^''*» » catalogue. Do von go through (Germany, or only Haunt WHy-hke, under the Lnny skie^; IrSe P;;.l%"befrre^^^Tt„'rr'fhaflnV;l'o"* f^gypt, Syria, and A, J,™.' Do you'^ant anything rom the .lying worl,!^' VvTm ""n. era, Carnac, o, that city of w^r u.^T ly. silent, awful I'etra'" • provEt^" rI'^'.k''''"" °^ •'''^'''»" '" too th.rr .K n '^^'^ *'"" a fe«- ! vilitiea that I shall asl you to sketch for m- ' SnK jequently, M, Uckhart request^ B^Uh t.^ sing her forest song for h?m ac^in S5 blo.,,1 ..urged quickly into her face and nof from h?r\eaTS,' ^k n^tK^ tlT int the comer, she assured hfm Kould not" with'tVrowl Tc3' r*"..°'""'«°*'"* in.leed 1 . , id not "'%tl X''"" ""^ ' VVhen yon come home rrom vour Ori «"tal ja.,nt. she will be able to Comply with vour request,. Meantime, Percy, clJl^eTnto i it Kome, I can b« in- anil lose my MadiiPHn. rk arul finally walc« e hPdi.le mo in the niirolentin^., i.lenti. affect to he intoxi. iiiK!,"stionH, hut I am ih mo wherever I go. • I ilrown my giant in bury it for ever lie. wafers of Lago from oolemn, icy, 'Itco it in muaeumi says, it clung to m« anil I camo home '•"nrly, I repeat the "ly rouMfl of pro. fay aiitl Pnuline are lave Heulah to look will not drag its earn. Row goon do America ? I have 1 when you start." to go N'orth within nort visit to New- Havre. What do storehouse of art, amoos and prints ?'' h a oatftlogiie. Do y, or only flaunt, junny skies of the lettled plans ; but 'n, shall explore a. Do you want ig world? From =ity nf ro:!;, lone. of S->dom is too > a few 1 alities toh for me ' Sub. rfijuestrd Benlah him again. The her face, and, not ?ed him to excuse t^d to draw her further back into 1 sMif. could not ; hen aldiie. Dr. ng at her curious- ven attempt to yoji not try to e all connected sing them now ; as the memory ■'>y, rose vividly 8 over her eyas Tom your Ori- fco coinply with >rcy, come into BEULAH. y i th.^ study , I ^„t . „ig^^ ,^j ^^^^ ^^ Beulah quitted the nailoup ».*■ ♦!,» you^go.„g to do with that .oKnt:L'[g^ •i noWU? ^l"^ ^'^""^ •>•' *►'«* the world •I not altogether made up of brutes " Sh« eard no more, hut lung after si e lai.l i!ll ;*•' "P."» the p.ll.nv, po.f ieJed on t 'e 'k ,d fate which gave her so cmsiderate so i,„ 1 gratitude, she vowed to show him th^/ .i! werenoed and honoure.l him ** '^* CHAPTER Xril. Three years passed swiftly. unmarfc#id K» St'rs^^-Sh^inS on the tea-table, and the urn aw.Ted tha T.Zt'lT?- '^''^^r™' ^itMts ok,! I 'ered' h?,f t "^'.^ f"*^ melo.leon. was un! aiferert, but time had materially chanLrfd th« Iniil *^^ ™«»""e blue m«,r,.o d,u,s Htted the slender form with - , . JLl' T •ctooss The luxuriant black^i^ir was oo.nhed straight back f.,.,„ The face 1,? >vou„,lwito a circular knot, which cohered the en ire back of the head, in 1 Zy?t dassical outline to the whole. The yelalhes b.tita^sfel?",!''''"''''^' ^^'^ «"'npl«xion had lost ita8igj|J4t.hue, an t though there was no c^SLh^ ^L'""" ^•'f"''^"^ the singular thrstvter^ .^^^'^'^^ ^'•°^' *n^i now mesiyein w. jh she wore her hair fiill« IT?'\ \*l" ■°"'^'"«- The large X eye^ had lost their look of bitterness, Lt^more InS «r"",*'''y were grave. earne;t. restTes, and searching ; indexing » stormy soul S whole countenance Setokened thit rare com tiTTjT'''''^ endowments. thL habitiu r t'-nJI^Tin he^XSSm^;-- her character, and even the lines of th« nTsf '£rtr'^"^^ "^ ''*^^"«*'^ -" "'^^^^^^^ ness rather than peace. Before her lav a. 1 book on geometry, and, engrossed by study she was unobservant of D- u "-■«,. -"'^^' I j-'ance. Walking up to the grate7he ^^rmTd him S ?tm *'-'. -ithiis handsThll aim. stood still on the rug. rsMrdin* hin protegee attentively. He looked^precTsely as he had done more than three year, befor" Su fV*''*'* ?* ^"- Martins, wat, niuB little .Johnny and his nurse. The colon « face seen,..d a. if chiselled out >? iv ry ind •tern gravity, blended wi'h hitt. rnesn' w« enthroned o„ the lofty, unfurrowed hr,T" haviCitl^V'''^'^' '"t-'t'y. *- heSi nave watched a patient to whom he hn.l a- ni.nistered a dubious medicine. .mHelt .onie ouri.jsity concerning the result. ^ te*. wUl you'r- "P ^"" ^""^ ""» "'»''« tfa« <^he started up. and seating herself befor. the urn, said joyfully ** """"'f oefore enm„^r''"""'T« ', ^ '*''' "o* ''"ow you had come home. You look cold, sir." ^'"* "•** themat'tVr^M''*""''''^""'^' "J tomend tne matter, Mazeppa must needs slip on th. ce in the gutter and lame himself ^ Knew oo. that I should want him ugam to niZ " He drew a chair to the table and received hi, tea from her hand, for it was one of his w ■»,« to dismiss Mrs. Watson and the servants ,2 this meal,.and have only Beulah presj?.' * '* to-nightV' '" *" ^'^ '■"I"""" • "'°«°'l ^»*t She very rarely asked anything relative t« hi. professional engagements, bu*t .w til? he was more than usually interest.,!. Vour8('^kr.tf '''}'''* littfe Quaker friend of IZ I'f V, ^a'^lers. will probably lose her grandfather this time. He had a .secoi 1 Lra iu viv s'tm^r'"^' ''•?.'' ' ''''"»'* -"«tli r h" BUI vives till morning. " "Are any of Clara's friends with her?" iked Beulah, quickly. "Some two or three of the neighbours when yl^rtu^rf;-*''* ""^^ •"•* «« ^'^^^ ^o" abie ^Tn l"? • •/*"' ^"•*'»«' » t°" 'li«»gree. Th« nl/ ^^"^'"'' -y"" o*^ do no good .rhe old man is unconsoioi... Don't think of n,«.?"* ^ """'' t 'link of it, and what is sTa f'n^r '""•t °»^'-y «"«. if you please I shal not mind thecold, .ad I knowPl.r^ won d rather have me with her. et^nThoigh I could render yon no assistance. Will vou carry me ? I shall thank you very much " She stood on the thresholrl. ^ " And if I Hrill not carry you T " he an Bwered, questioningly, .! IIi^K®"f' ''^'■> tliowiii sorry t^) disobey you I sh all be forced to walk there. " ^ ' " So I supposed. You may get ready. " . "Thank you." She hurried off f."r-- •- lor tile ride, and acquaint Afrs. Watson with the cause of her temporary absence On re-entering the study, she fomfd ?he d^^! tor lymg on the sofa, with one hand over h?J tThVr. ^ytS! ""^^^^ '' '^ "^"^^ * '«"- 02 BEULAH. I i*f \tl There is a letter from fTeidelberrfll must govern him, sir ; over that I ha)Ki'i of evidence. Oradually dim conjecture became sad con- viction, and she was consuimis of a degree of pain and sorrow for which she could not readily Recount. If Clara loved Dr. Hart- wellL why should it grieve Iier? Her step grew nervously rapid, and the eyes settled upon the carpet with a fixedness of which She was unconscious. I Suppose he was double her age if cli^^i.a him not withstanding, what Inuf^aa was it of hers ' Beai.les no one would dream of the actu.i disparity in years, for he was a very han.i- some man, ami certaii ;y did not look more IJt^ "'. l'"? "/''*='■• l'''"^' •''l'"'* was ,i„t f«nT '"/'^,1'f tual, and he very particula.ly K/if- '''^•■'^'■y P"'-«"it« : but had not slie heard hini say that it was a sin^^ular fact in anthropology that m,c„ .elected their op posites for wives ? Si.e did not believe her guardian ever thought of Clara save when in her presence. But how did she know any thing about h,s thoughts and fancies, his likes and dislikes? He had never ^ven ♦^» k" ^%"'*''"*«^-^^'*s '* piobable that the subject of a second love would have escaped h.m ? Ail this passed rapidly in hlr mmd, and when Clara called her to .sit doZ on the couch beside her, she started as from Mdly of the future, Beulah analyzed her features, and came to the conclusion that it would be a very easy matter to love her ; 2o V™!f«fTfl° 'r'* ""^ ««"*'«' "'« mann,; so^graceful, the tone so musical and winuine ^•.Bori^aininouf.hj, ueifcher noted the lapse oLi""^" j.^'^ln'ght pawed; two o'clock the watchers Clara sprang to the door ; ^'k?entl7"P""**^**'*^« ''"^ "^"'"^ ^ He has cMsed to suffer. He is at reat ' She Rooked at him vacantly an instant He did not reply, and with a frightened expression she ghded into the chamber u death cud.ng p.teously on the sleeper to comebacK ar.d shield her. Beulah would '• N^Z'^'r? *'tT'^°*'*°' detained her iN ot yet, child. Not yet. " As if unconscious of the act, he passed his arm around her shoulders, and drew her mrt^b.^'V"^ She looked up in astliS hgure m the room opposite, and she saw that just then, he was thinking of anything else than her presence. «"yining ',', ^""^ y°" «"'"« home now, sir ?" ies but you must stay with that poor girl yonder. Can't you prevail on her to come and spend a few days with you '" resolVedtu'oty.""*'" ""^^^^'^'^ «-'''^''' n.ri^Si°°''P*^®'T'"y *=•*"*'• Watching ig not good for you. It is a long time since y. ,u have seen death. Strange that peopled n not see It as , t i.. Paasiog strange " ^ _ H hat do you menu ?'- said she, strivina interpret the .oule that unr-athed his lips * _ i:ou >viil notljelieveif I tell you. >Li/e IS hut the,,<^nn of Death, and Death the dl veloijrnent of a higher Life. ' " tal'i't.r?''^*"'"'' '" ^'^'^ ^''"'^'' "^ heavenly immor- ^^'.I7hl Tn ?f" i* heavenly if you choose. .^t.iy here till the funeral is over, and I will hI" IT'"h,'^'"*'u^'.«" «"^ ""t. child?" He had withdrawn his arm,' and now looked anxiously at her colourless face. "No, sir." "Then why are you so very pale?" an^l^LVelseT "" "'^' "^' ^^^ I was bvr ■> ^ w! wTfri'""^ less ghostly. Good- iughand^. " '*'^"'^"* *^«" ''^»»'- The day which succeeded was very cloomv and a ter the funeral rites had beenTe^'. tef ' "t^ ^^^ '*'^°"'* *^*y ^"«ked in. Beu- ah s heart rejoiced at the prospa t of return- ing home Clara shrank fro.n the thought of being left alone, the little cottage wm so f^l ff„*H ^^: ^'^^IJ «ive it up now o^f cmu.e? and find a cheaper boirding-house , but the furniture must be rubbed, and -,t down to an auction room, and «h- rlrga ^ ' ■ — - - vifli^i'!''*'^^*'? ^^^"^ commissioned to in. til you can select a boarding-house. Dr Hartwell wiU be glad to have you come " 64 BEULAU. mourner. shading her face with her hand. " Oh, how good, how noble he is ! RpiiUh t,m.h.iiK ""•'"■■'"8. and in ahout a year I too shall bo a tejiphor ii- tr i ,,'>^ ""^ -^ track ZV *''^ travelled over the Tery a -■ K « l ' vvo,;i^ / ""^^'"^ ' ^^"y ^Ji**^ you ;6J i ^- -e/'ergsof Arctic nijrht? Silly mH an precute your good fortune." 7^ ' *P' of th; athl.f '''"?'Pt"'°"' »s in olden time one rig ';„S." ""'«'* '*^^ ^-^ "P- - droop. " Necessity knows no conditions Beulah Lrrrwi'? ''^*«'-"»ti-« I'at to labour In thai ire m ' *7^'"'"r"°'^' ^^y "f^er ' *1^« bread you eat or the clothes that vou wear • it i^ svm IT -I,:^' ,S'"^"' '°^'^ andTaUMflS 1 1 . *, *■ * ^omaii wants. Oh ! was hpr heart made, think you. to be fil ed with ^au the feehuL; thatyo.l are indppn,.^,.* .°J ?iol?/ Oh '"f r'; ""^'^^y .*^^ lonj^-Wfor'^tirer 1 lois r Oh ! Duty IS an icy shadow It will freeze vou. It cannot fillthe W, sanS •ry. W oraan was intended «, « pet plant, to carf wlh";' "'^^"'^d ' '^"'•'^t«'^ and "»> All ' 1 i'^ ™','^'' ^ngni^l'cs and dies." Ah liedew.sparkle had exhaled, and the Teat oT.^l'"'^ ^n^\ ^''"'^•'"d ; the noontide 8t^e! ® "• '"Poten* to coutinue the 'f Jl^y!" ?"°der8 I don't believe one word f ail this anguishing nonse.se. As to my eing nothing more nor less than a sicWr fludpd^T • f ^°°\^«tter. If you have coi^ fim Ivo 'n T y^^"^^ *« that dependent bpa fLf P *"*'•„ ' P'ty y°n sincerely, and beg that yon Mill not put me iu any such °***«C:;y-. »"tymayL a cold shadow to you but it 18 a vast volcanic agency con- stantly impelling me to action. ^ What w"; Tnd s.!ff ^"'f ? *° f' ^°r. « to remain passTve Dol'ttalLt„""'V "I'^''^^^ to its needs? JJon t talk to me about woman's clinging.de- pendent nature. You are oponing youf iSs vines ; I don t want to hear it ; there are no creeping tendencies about me. You can wind and lean, and hang on 8omeb<^y else ' olfninp't' ' ^'"* ^ t"'^ ""'■^ "•'^ oneTthose old pine trees ynnder. I can stnnd up-yerv slim.if you will,but strai.di^ , high SW by myself ; battle with wi.ia and rain, and ?nX\\ """^ V^! '"^"'"^ ^"d bent, peAaps! less IfTpT'l ^"ti'^n ""^'ded, nlverthe'. jess. 1 feel humbled when I hear a woman bemoaning the weakness of her sex, ZTeld of showing that she has a soul and S of her own inferior to none." " A» that sounds very heroic in the paces matter A^"* the reality is quite anotC will h«vp ^f ^"*' •'">'*''"'• ^«P«1«" time yon SLf '^°" '.'■'^'■" ^'"d fortune, as you threaten and go into ti,, world to support yourself," answered Clara, impatiently^^ crust Zn>. '■**''"'■ '^'■"^S^" ^'th her for* crust than hang on lie. garments asking a pa ace. J don't know wh^t has come over Rp i.u '*''® stranf,^ely changed," cried shouWer?.""'"^ ""'' ^'*"'^« «° her 'friend's ,.,i.'17^* "™,^ *'^*"«* ^^'11 come over yon ^■heu you endure what I have. With all your boasted strength, yon are but a woifan ; have a woman slieart,. and one day wUI be unable to hush its huMKw cries. ''^ ^ answer:? Kh""' "'' " '^^^ ™^ ^«--'" n„'l,^'°l ^"""^,^>" 3ning your lips le of oak and ; ; there are no me. You can somebody else ke one of those 'tnnd up — very 1 high. Stand and rain, and bent, perhaps, ded, ueverthe- hear a woman irsex, instead il mnd mind of ic in the pages quite another leless time you )rtune, as you d to support latiently. nth her for* enta asking a as come over anged," cried ' her friend's ne over yon With all your it a Woman ; day will be I." raeHeavenl" ime enough ; ssary. " For '• n expression lentle, quiet lore tiiaii she r. Hartwell's return home, ntefnl for his lembrance u dear tu a bereaved orphan. Ah, Beulah ! I have known him from my childhood, and he has always been a friend as well as a physi- cian. During my moUicr's long illness, he watched her carefully and constantly, and wlien we tendered him the usual recompense for his services, he rctuaed all remuneration, declaring he had only been a friend. He knew we weie poor, and could ill afford any expense. Oh, do you wonder that I Are you going immediately ? Come often when I go to a boardiug-house. Do, Beulah! 1 am so desolute ; so desolate." She bowed her head on Beulah's shoulder, and wept un- restrainedly. " Yes, I will come as often as 1 can ; and, Clara, do try to cheer up. I can't bear to see you sink down in this way." She kissed the tearful face, and hurried away. It was Saturday, a retiring to her own room, she ans- Eugene's letter. Long before, she 1 . .i, with painful anxiety, thathewro and more rarely, and while his conimunioations clearly conveyed tlie impression that he fancied they were essential to her happiness, the protective tenderness of tarly years gave place to a certain coumiaiuliiig,yet condescending tone. Intuitively perceiving, yet unable to analyse the gradual revolution of feeling, Beulah was sometimes tempteil to cut short the corres- pondence. But her long and ardent attachment drowned the wliispers of wound- ed pride, and hallowed memonts of his boy- ish love ever prevented an expression of the pain and wonder with which she beheld the alteration in his character. Unwilling to accuse him of the weakness which prompted much of his an ogance and egotism, her heart framed various excuses for his seeming cold- ness. At first she had written often, and , without reference to ordinary epistolary | debts, but now she regularly waited (and that for some time) for the arrival of his let- ters; not from a diminution of affection, so nauch as from true womardy delicacy lest she should obtrude herself too frequently upon his notice. More than once she had been troubied by a dawning consciousnt^ss of her own superiority, but accustomed for years to look up to him as a sort of infallible guide, she would not admit the suggestion, and triod to keep alive the admiring respect with which she had been wont to defer to lii.s judgment. He seemed to consider his dogmatic dictati(m both acceptable and necessary, and it was this assu-ned masterv. unacooMipanied with maiiit«statious of former t..nderncss, which initated and aroused her pride W ith the bru^th of youthful imagina- tion she had painted him as the future states- '"J"~'<.'f?«'^ popular, and revered; and while VLsioua of Ids fa:ne an.l tdorv Hitted «5 before her, the promise of sharing all with her was by no means the least fascniatiUK in her fancy picture Oi late, however, he Tiad ceased to speak of the choice of a profesBion, and meutioned vaguely Mr. Graham's ^^uh that he should acquaint himHelf thoi(,u«hIy with I'lench, German, and Spanish, in ord«r to facilitate the corrcspon.lei.ee of the firm with foreign houses. She felt that once em- barked on the sea of ,neica.,tile life, he would have httlo leisure or inclination to pursue the paths which she hoped to travel by his side, and on this occasion her letter was longer and more earnest than usual, urging his adherence to the original choice of t u; Jaw and usmg every forcible argument she could adduce. Finally, the rei^v was sealed and directed, and she went do'wn to the study to place it in the marble receiver which stood on her guardian's desk Hal who accompanied the doctor in his round of visits, always took their letters to the post- offace, and punctually deposited all directed to them m the vase. To her surprise she found no hre in the gratt. The blinds were drawn closely, and in placing her letter on the desk, she noticed several addressed to the doctor, and evidently unopened. They must have arrived the day before, and while she wondered at the aspect of the room Harriet entered. "Miss Beiilah, do you know how lont' master expects to be gone? I thought* T''^}^^' ^w" ''""^'^ *^" ^'''«n you came home, tor Mrs. V\ atson does not seem to know any more than I do." "^ " Gone ! What do you mean r " 1',^"°'* y°" •'°°w he has gone up the river 10 the plantation ? Why, 1 packed his valise at daylight yesterday, and he left in tlie early morning boat. He has not been to the plantation since just before you came here Hal says he heard him tell Dr. Asburv to take charge of his liatients, that his over- seer had to be looked after. He told ine he wa.s going to the plantation, and 1 would luive asked him when he was coming back, t'ut he was in one of his unsatisfactory ways- looked just like his mouth had been dipped in liot sealing wax, so 1 held my tongue." BeuUh bit her lips with annoyance, but sat down before the melodeun, and said as uaconcernedly as possible : " 1 did not know he had left the city, and of course have no idea when he will be back. Harriet, please make me a tire here, or onW linltodoit." " There is a good lire in the diiiii,^r.,.„om j better go in there and sit with Mrs. Watson. Ml.' I* biLsy seeding raisins for mincemeat and fruit cake." '• iNo, 1 would rather stay here." 56 BEULAH. 'Then |H VT I \\ VH I will .kindl« you a fire right away." Harriet moved »b tt the room with cheer- ful alacrity. Sbe hid always seemed to con- sider herseh" Beulah's special guardian and fneiiil, and gave continual proof 6f the Btrein,'th of her art'ection. Evidently alie desired to talk about her master, hut Beulah's face gave her no encDuragenient to proceed. She made several ell'orts to renew the conversatiou.but they were not seconded, and she withdrew, muttering to herself : " She is learning all his ways. He does hate to talk any more than he can help, and she is pattering after him just f,s fast as she can^^,»*hey don't seem to know what the hfim gave them tongues f,)r. " 5 J^l&h practised p ••severingly, for some ^ynme, and then, drawing a cliair near the fire, sat down and leaned hec head on her hand. She missed her guardian, wanted to see him— felt surprised at his :-u,l(h;n .le- parture, and mortilieil that he had not thought her of sufficient consequoiicp t.> li 1 adieu to, and be apprised of his intcudfd trip. He treated her precisely as he did when she first entered the house ; seemed to consider her amero ciiild, whereas she knew she was no longer such. He never alluded to herplan.of teaching, and wheusheciKino'd to mention it, he offered no comment, look- ed indifferent or abstracted, Thougli in- variably kind, and Eometimes humorous, there was an impenetrable reserve respect' ing himself, his past and future, which was never laid aside. When not engaged wirh his flowers or music, he was deep lu some favourite volume, and, .mtside of these sources of enjoyment, seemed to derive no real pleasure. Occasionally he had visirnrs, but these were generally st-angers, often persons residing at a distance, and Beulah knew nothing of them. Several times he had attended concerts and lectures, hut she had never aooompaniedjjim; and frequently ffc when sitting by his ^^eT felt as if a glacier tlay between them. lAfter Mrs. Chilton's I departure for NewgXmk, where she and faulme were boarding, no ladies ever came to the house, except a few of middle age who called now and then to see Mrs. Watson and, utterly isolated from jociety, Beulal'i was consci'ius of entire ignc.rance of all that pass,,,! j„ polite circles. Twice Claudia had called, hut unable to forget the past suffi- ciently to enter Mrs. Gra\ -oii's house, their intercourse had ended with Claudia's visits. Mrs. Watson was a kind-hearted and mo.^t excellent woman, whrt made an admirable nousekeepei', i.ni powsossed few of the nuali- hcations rc(iuis;t« to render her an agreeable companion. With an ambitious nature and an eager thirst for knowledge, Beulah had improved her advantages as only those do who have felt the need of them. While she acf|uired, with unusual ease and rapidity the branches of learning taught at school! si'.e had availed herself of the extenl 81 ve and select library, to whiah she had free access, and history, biography travels, essays and novels, had been perused with singular avired the print, t in, and shed a isky apartment, d dropped upon this incom- 'on her ima- tarn of Usher ; lilies, nodding leads over the ig shadow of nd sere, crisped A woodland of of Aul;er — all efore her ; and rate, the wild, gfia lookfil out Dues of M,ji..lla ' of tlie room. ik on tlie shelf, si hold which [ taken on her all upon a bust her guardian's ournful refrain ment^hich en've oief "'; ''S.^^^^^^^' «'«; to the parlour and rn... u '^''^ retreated the keys oV l?e n L " ' V'^ ^'' ^^,"8*" "''^'^ ingsorL of herKVrt ' aTr^'r' '• ^^ H^^' mind of the dre-irv ,, ! A'?' ^° '^''■'"^^ I'er haunted it xKt fuf '■'' '■"^^•■? ^'''^'^ there in the da k .-Ti^ V' ^"*'^«' """1 up to the euiin ^"'f''°'""'^ gave herself ''Ancient AfaHne'^^'l^,.r.«, «''°. "ke the -ated and brS^.^^lV"'' '^tener f.sci. BEULAH. 57 <}»y, Beulah sat as usual in thl~l~~, ~ arge parloursand .Ik^n "k™ 1'! ,"'^-^- J^' look at a 1 times and nff u, ''''''*''''''-• o"Iy the stud^' see.nil '^^°'^ ^''"'•"' occupied during^hedv^ if""'' ^"""'^ evening that she reili^.n "^"^ "°* "'»'*' and shebe«a„ t^o wi :,'!*;' fe'" '-T""'; stay. She felt very lo,u 1 1 wif y'^.'^'^^S'^'l though generally ^ tacnrr^r '"'"•■ "'"^ him from the "hea,^h .^' ^^\ '"'"■'^'^1 form, and the sad stern fa. "''< ^\^ ^'-^'^ turd«vh«W „„^"'_^^\"',?'^l'e- Another Sa- uated and breathless o^ri''*'""'"^""- ^^^m, and the sad s'tT' f '""''^^ "'^ t.l warned her not to study Poffn^"'; ^r'^'*" ^^^day had come' anrn';"- Z^'^'^"'^'- «'^- diction, sh" found h."'.?"'^ '^^'^'^y "^ ^''« wildernestfSngtTgestirs'^^"^ fnTZigliL" ^^ f '^-•''" '^M rel " of recoSe pfy hSl 5^^ '^^^^^^^-^ cesses, which ^dLly Ked ot' ?/ P"""" consciousness, but ever eludp,J 7.? ^'' ^'^^^ analysis. While h;. .f • • ^^^ Sf*"? of her ^ind wlL^tnd'err^reLr^f '>' .^"^^ appalling from the muilB' ''' ''''■*"'' which he presented tnK. fragments point of hi^;;!Sfng\"ctel^oV[.;^' "V!^ ing it, she hf d z'f h:t"'at:,i^r ''^^""^■ poem"Eurpki" mV J • ??"*'""* P'"ose "bottled lette;" firL ^''T\ ''."'"'""' "f that aud. onclain^h.^ tKr f C,L^*^"°''""' 'ne was amazed at th seemlS^SlT ' Kified. sLctVanVy" adm?r" ^f .0 aVie«v i i ^^'^' '"terested to be put , ff some of the mental nL« ''°"'d she explain her. HeedC ' o'f' t Sa'n'^"^' ^"""''^ she had striven to coimfreheml th. T?''«' =u sae va«t Fantheon of Speculation. CHAPTER XIV. A week later, at the close of a dull winter yJiMni ^."'ne, and all cheer S^e moirner'amn. ','""" ^'?"'^' "'« that seemed settlh^g dow." , ,?"''^i ''"^ «'""'" At dusk she retunifd ho'eTent an h"''''*; the piano, and now «/„ii,„ i ^'^*"t »■" hcurat study, rapt in oSu^r'r"'^ ''"'■''" "'« cozy comfortable 'a ,t; ■ ' 'h e T". ^''^ ? brightly ; the lamplS '^Uvtl^ It ^"■"J'^*^ mgs and statues • L lil ,.!. f ' ^^^ i""''^^' grate l.ya huu^ bla^',^ ?. ^^th"! "^'^ *^t order, nis shnut'v he:vd ?!, • ,.f u : ^^''"'"■'' p.'iws. The lar.l ,!m,,'''?* between his Beulah as she So." fdl'^:!f /""-^ed mutely to question hev,'?i "' '^''"}'"^ earnest scruti.,v nttr-Zu- 1 T' ^i" she hold outherhan 1 ;, ' '• ""*";''' "^^^ " I'oor Uharon V. ;. . ''■• '"""'"S'y : Charon, Kw„li l ' , "'' •""""'""^te''- c.miu V" "" '" •^I'adows, when wdi he iJ'IT:;^'"] Z'l r'^\ '"^-tlv into -. '.-^ened:i\^,;rli^'"dt" ;e^t^''/'^ ■u his paws again Be.iUK h '^' . '"^ ^^''^ {;l.e rug, and if id'hertei fo ' r'tfef T he gave a quick, short bark of s u ? T^' and very soon both <'irl and ^^ ■^'.''"' asleep. A Quarter ,.fl. if , *<' ^''«'«^ f-'st the.i BeuWwas sL 1 1 '^""'- «'*''«'! by, and lentmofconoTh: " n^t''"Tr' ''^' '^ ^^•'• up. an.l leaped frantickTy acostX ''""*"« Ihecomb ^vi.ich confined hHNi,.'. TT' Down.7ouk"e'rpr!.f^s"i!,^V?'"P/ tectionately on th« J«S ^'^ ">"'" "-"sted af- his sable &our ?e tttr^'T"'''' »' gloves, his ayes e lonBe U^^r t^." ''" tily risen from the rug In t K n ''"' '"*«■ hand, saying .- *' " ' '^'^ ^eld out his areyti'r^^*™"^*''«'»3"'» rudely. How yo;\^;^re,:;-^__rg?iij--.^^ hi. c<.(d hand l.et,v.o„ botftrs ruUhT^. v.gorou.ly. aad looked up 'oyful'ly l'; ','> r^ BEULAH. ii IiMD I I.war.fth.*!'°v*'''*. *1* **• paler andmore laggar.l than 8ho had ever seen him ; hie a.r clustered in disorder about his forehead; l'r,lfl.l?P''\T "^^^'y »«'' wretched 11.. sutfeied her to keep his hand in her warm tight clasp, and asked kindly • "Arc you well, Bonlah ? Your face is tiu«iied, aa,l you feel feverish " ai.'v, f^*"'""^ \«"- But you are as cold as an Esquimaux hunter. Come to the fire " s an 1 and book-board, close to the hearth, si I :i *'™ ^^l^^^ ^"PP^" before him She forgot her wounded pride ; forgot that £vo .if 7^*"""* ^^^" bidding hi good- bye ; and only remembered that he had come hone again, that he was sitting there in the .u.ly and she would be lonely no more Silently 1, anmg back in the chair, he closed ihe wo'un ft ' "^"^ "' ""«f- She felt asl Bie would like very much to smooth oflf the curling hair that lay thick and damp on his white, gleaming brow, but dared not She :^^:S^' *'"" ^°- • --»*. "d said audErrS:^;*^^^^^ ^^-- No child ; I only want to rest." Beulah fancied he spoke impatiently Had she been too officious in welcoming 1^ m to bis own home ? She bit her lip with pn.ud vexation, and taking her geometry left 1 m As^«he reached the^door.^he doctor calledTo • ablttei'fii!,'tr"T''°"^«"*^*y- This is a better fire than the one in your own room. " But she was wounded, and did not choose^to Gooi-uSt*"?/" ''**"' " "^ °'^" ^"""• lesZ'«^ntll'SnS'»,J« Saturday night. No She was not particularly mollified bv the ercohl^;r' ''' "°^^ " '^^^'" an We'! live. "^'^'^ "^ ^"'^ **"'°°* ^°'" «^«0' day we lette™*fK*i\''''"^ *°?"«^ *'' hand me the sence." '" "^ ^"""« ""^ ^b" She emptied the letter receiver and gaced several communications in his' hand He panted to a chair near the fire, and saidi ';Sit down, my child ; sit down." . loo proud to discover how much she was p.qued by his coldness, she took the 7ell ».>d commenced studyiiig. But lines and angles swam confu^cdli, l *fn,.„ u^.. .-.,-*", n hile her eyes roamed into the deep, dow. into the fiery mass, and in an instant blaze, and shrivelled to ashes. She looked up in surprise, and started at the expressi.-n of her guardian's face Its AntinoUsdike beauty had vanished ; the pale lips writhed, dis- playing the faultless teeth ; the thin nostrils were expanded and the eyes burned with fierce anger. The avalanche was upheaved wm,in'"7'^*'"'i "''^*' "'"^ he exclaimed, with scornful emphasis: '•Idiot; Blind lunatic! In his dotage ! " Ihere was something so marvellous in this excited angry manifestation, that Beulah. who had never before seen him other than phleKmat.c looked at him with curious arrn :/;>, ^!f ^^'""''."'^ '"'"'^ ^"^ed On the caHy *"■' ^^ eoitinued, sarcasti- «,m k'*' * P''^°'°.°'' pair oi idiots ! They will have a glorious life. Such harmon/ such congeniality! Such incomparable onh?s"'''No'i tb/"'^ ""^^ oquuble^pirics on his! Not the Rurpaasing repose of a windless trope night can approach to the divine serenity of their future Ha ! by the Furies! he will have an enviable con panion; a matchless Griselda I" Laughing the'floor ^' 5' r'1'^. "P "''^ «*^«<1« a«^"»^ the floor. As Beulah caught the withering expression which sat on every feature, she shuddered involuntarily. Could she bear to incur his contempt? He approached her and she felt as though her very soul shrank from him ; las glowing eyes saemed to burn her face, as he paused and said, ironically Can t you partijjpate in my joy ? I have a new brother-in-law. Congratulate iie on my sister's marnage. Such desjmrate good news can come but rarely in a lifetime.'' v\ hom has she married, sir ?" asked sho^ukW '■""^'"*' ^'""' ^^' '^""fi'^^^P "-^ het '• Percy Lockhart. of course. He wiU rue hismadness. I warned him. Now let him aeek apples in the orchards of Sodom ! Let wf. *^. ?i.P'"t^*""J i'P' *° *he treacherous waves of the Dead Sea ! Oh. I pity th« foo ! I tried to save him, but he woSd aeal his own doom. Let him pay the usurious school-fees of experience " will—"*^" ^'°"'" '''**""'^ ^"^^ ^°'- him nnl'.^h.r" ^'"i"^', i«"or*nt Jamb ! You poor httle unfledged birdlip. , j supp^g^ you fancy she is really attached to him Do yon i„dee,l ? About as much as that piC of salt in the plain of Sodom was attaclied to the ncmoryof-Lot. About as much as this peerless Nv»^ of mine is attached to n,? nc .stiUvA tlie marble statue as he spoke 'n, how could she marry l.iui?" ask-'d h naively. Smithsonian Institute as the last embodi BEULAU. ment of effate theories. Who exhumed your patron saint of archaism from thi; charnel- house of oanturies?" He looked down at her with an expression of intolerable bitterness and scorn. Her habitually pale face Huslied to crimBoa, as she answered with sparklinc eyes: ^ ° ■'Not the hands of Diogenes, encumbered with his tub. " He smiled grimly, "Know the world as I do, ohfld, and tul. and y ilaces will be alike to you. Feel the pnlseof humanity, 81 you will " ../'^eaven preserve mo from looking on life through your spectacles !" cried she; im- petuously stuug bv the coi.temotuous smile which curled his lips. "Amen." Taking his hands from her Bhonlaer, he threw himself back into his j'v, There was silence for some minutes, and Beulah said: "It*><>"ghtMr. Lockhart was in Syria?" Oh, 1.0; he wants a companion in his I* ^, ,*'**' ,^'^^y I*''^- M'JW devoutly May will kneel to Olivet and Moriah : What pious t'^ars will stain her '• vely cheek as she ■tends m the hall of Pilate, and calls to mind all the thirty years' history. Oh! Percy is cruel to subject her tender soul to such tor- turing associations. Beulah, go and play Bomethmg ; no matter what. Anything to huBh my cursing mood. Go, child. He turned away his face lo hide its bitterness, and, seating herself at the melodeou, Beulah DlAVAn A fnrArn-ian aim nC ...L.;_l- 1 a marl.o image! The mouth seems as if the sculptor 8 chisel had just carved it ; so stern, so stony. Ah ! he is not scornful n'jw : he looks only sad, uncomplaining, but very miscial.le. Wliat has steeled his heart, and made him so unrelenting, so hau^htv ? U hat can have isolated him so complctory » ^fature lavished on him every gift vl.ich •oiild render him the cliarm of social circles, et lie lives 111 the seclusion of his own htart independent of sympathy, contemptuous oi tUe world he was scut to improve and blesb. " iiiese reflections were interrupted by his opening his eyes, and saying, iu his ordinary calm ton* : "Thank you, Beulah. Did you finish that opera I spoke of some time since ?" ' • 1 cs, sir. " " You found it difficult?" •'Not so difficult as your description led me to imagine." " Were you lonely while I was away J" " les, sir." ' "Why did not Clara come and stay with- you ? "She was engaged in changing her home ; she has removed to Mrs. Koyt's boardine- house." * "When did you see her last ? How doe» she bear the blow?" " I was with her to-day. She is despond^ mg, and seems to grow more so daily." She wondered very much whether he sus- pected tne preference which she felt sure il Jam oni-Ar-f .iiB-.n.,l t. — 1.1 1 .1 1 . accus- pWed a ^erm^rairofVShewaVveS SlVuf ^''''^^T'l''^'''^ , '^' *«'* «"- Ld At the conclusion, he rn.Z;':iiI^ir^:-^^^^^:^^,'^ A plaintive prelude followed thecommarii. [..:* What is the matter ?" he asked, and she sang. No description could do justice to the magnificent voice, as it swelled deep and full in its organ-hke tones ; now thriliingly low in its wailing melody, and uow ringing clear and sweot as silver belW Ihere were soft, rippling notes, that seemed to echo from the deeps of her soul, and voice Its inimensity. It was wonderful what compa>s there was, what rare sweetness and purity too. It was a natural gift, like that conferred on birds. Art could not produce It, but practice and scientific culture had improved and perfected it. For three years the best teachers had instructed her, and she leit that now sho was mistress of a spell which, ouce invoked, might easily exorcise the evil spirit which had taken uoEsession of iier guardian. She sang several o"f hi„ favour- ite songs, then closed the melodesn, and «en. uacK to the ilr«. Dr. Hartft ell's face lay against the purple velvet lining of the chair, and the dark surface g.ave out the contour with bold di^ttinctiu ss. His eves were closed and as Beolah u atched him, she thought, "how inflexible he looksl how like tomed to rpading her expressive face.' " NotJ/iiiT that can be rtmetlied, sir." do you know that ? Suppose you the judge," You could not judge of it, sir; and Dosides, it IS no concern of mine." A frigid smile fled over his face, and for some time he ai)peared lost in thought. His companion was thinking too ; wondering how Clara could cope with such a nature as his ; wonderiui' why people always selected per- sons totally unsuited to them ; and fancying that if Clara only knew her guardian's character as well as she did, the gentle tiil would s.ii-ink iu dread from his un- bending will, his habitual, moody taciturnity. He was generous and unselfish, but also as unyielding as the Rock of Gibral- tar. There was nothing pleasurable in this train of thnnirht. an ! t; I.;.., ip S i>tA>a, sht soon ceased to think of the motionless figure opposite. No sooner were her eyes once fastened on her book, than his rested search- ifigly on her face. At first she read without mucli manifestation of interest, regularly and slowly passiiig her hand over the black hi beulah. whioh Charon had laid oa her lap. a while the lips parted eagorly, the head Aftor ^.. leaves were turned quickly, and the touche on Charon's hea ' "hen I awoke.'" 1. He put hia hand , and watched her igera. It was evi- u intensely interest, irce throbbing of a le tight olutohiug of rows met in the ;lio lips were corn- ally the flush faded •ression of pain and ormy face, and ris- That everlast- 10 one guides, that there is a home theiutiuite father! i> like a destroying v-powder of stars V Br all His works as should 'take the dwell in the utter, lo I He is there ! he universe ^re not ichter believe it ; ; with this sketch and vanquish the sir ! the dear God ach and all of us ? ays himself, with ;h, to sleep till a t true that ' he , in an everlasting ! He goes home ids a blissful et«r> ovah, where death eked cease from re at rest !' " is knee, and tfa's ied rolled swj'ftly »lly, and took her ieve all this aa » little girl ?" Is aahkkeu ?" ver his spasmodic >''hat could shake trengthen ?" t-^pt through h« 61 frame denied her assertion, and with a keen pang, he saw the footprint* of the Destroyer. She must not know, however, that he doubt- ed her words, and with an effort he said • ' I am glad, Beulah; and if you would con- tinue to believe, don't read my books pro- inisciiously. There arc many on those shelves yonder which I wonl.l advise you never to open. Be warned in lime, my child " She snatched her hand from his, "and an- swered proudly : " '^''''u*^'"'? y°" ' """''^ be satisfied with a or..e.l which I could not bear to have inves- tiL'atH.l ? if I abstained from reading your books dreading lest my faith be shaken, then 1 could no longer co.Hde in that faith. Imstianity has triumphed over the sub- tleties of uihdelity for eighteen hundred years ; what have I to fear?" •in . Without bt-Iief in any creed I hopeless of etern.^y as of life ! Do you want to be like I.e. ir not keep your hands ofT of my books ! (n.od-nij;ht ; it is time for you to be asleep." He motioned her away, and too much pawed to reply, she silently withdraw. CHAPTER XV. The day had been clear, though cold, and late ,„ the aftoruoon Beulah wrapp- ii'to the front yard for a walk. The tippling tones of the fountain were hnshed • the shrubs were bare, and, outside the green-' house, not a Hower was to be seen. Even i !riv il -T ''''0'8»ntl'emun.s were brown and shrivelled. Here vegetation slumbered in the grave of winter. The hedges were green, and o,,.casional clumps of cassina bent their branches beneath the weight of coral fruitage. ly toward the sky. and threw grotesque win r^' "" f^ «[°""'^ ^""""»'''' «'!'''« o" the 7hrnnL Tk"^ *'\"'"*"'' * mournful dirge through the sombre foliage of the aged, solemn cedars Noisy Hocks of robins flut- vunlT"^*''^ *'■""'' '''^^"X the ripe, red yupon berries, ana now and then parties of pipon. circled round a„,i ronn-1 the house .ettC n^*'"-^!i^l'?'^'' '^''^- W'"i^i"g at the Mtting sun, with his sage face dropped on hi. paws. AfaroflF was heard the hum o^ br ihW ^7Y "^'' *^« ''*"'^' '»t«ly so floral beauty.; at the bare grev popl.rs whose musical ru6t'in.r hal ,^\(i'^J d^^^ iier to sleep m clouuless summer nights, nnd flltti^d'orr f^ 'T^""' thou^htfulness ^ame garden. Had seen young leaves and delicate blossoms bud out from naked stems, had noted their rich luxuriance as the summer heat came on— their mature beauty : and when the first breath of autumn sighed through the land, she saw them Hush and decline, and gradually die and rustle down to ttjir graves. N.^w, where green boughs and perfumed petals had gaily looked up in the sunlight, all was desolate. The piercinK northern wind seemed to whisper as it passed, " life is but the germ of death, and death the development of a higher life." Was the cycle eternal then? Were the beautiful ephemera she had loved «o dearly gone down into the night of death, but for a season, to be born again, in some distant springtime, mature, and return, as before to the charnel-house T Were the threescore and ten years of human life analogous? Lite, too, had its spring-time, its summer of maturity, its autumnal decline, and its wintry night of death. Were the cold sleepers in the neighbouring cemetery wait- ing, like those dead flowers, for the tireless processes of nature, whereby their dust wa» to be re iniinated, remoulded, lighted with a soul, and set forward for another journey of *fc««escore and ten years of life and labour ? Wen lived and ditd ; their ashes enriched WTOier earth, new creations sprang, phcenix- like, tioin the sepulchre of the old. Another generation trod life's path in the dim footprints of their predecessors, and that, tor., v.iMished in the appointed process, iinnghng du~t with duat, that Protean matter ii,,t;nt liold the even tenor of it» way, Hi accordance with the oracular decrees of Isis. Was it true that, since the original Genesis, "nothing bad been gained and nothing lost ?" Was earth, indeed, a mon- strous Kronos ? If so, was not she as old as creation ? To how many other souls had her body given shelter ? How was her identity to be maintained ? True, she had read that identity was housed in ^•consciousness," not bones and muscles? It could there be consciousness without bones and muscles? She drew her shawl closely around her, and looked up at the cloudless sea of azure. The sun had sunk below the horizon; th-^ birds had all fe'one to rest ; Charon had sought the study rug ; even the distant hum of the city was DO longer heard. "Tiie silver sparks of stars were rising on the altar of the east, and falling down in the red sea of the west." li J"*- As she glanc-d over it, he scanned her «^3' *"^»^ expression of satisfaction settled on his features. She wore a dark blue silk (one he had given h.r son.e week, before) which exquisitely fitted her .lender, graceful figure aivl was relieved by a lace colar,fastene.lwith a cameo pin, Lo hi. & Jk i^T^ '''?"'' ^*''" ^a" brushed straight bacU from the face, in accordance with the prevailng style, and wound into a knot at the back of the head. On either side of this knot, she wore asuperb white camellia, which contrasted well with the raven hair Her face was pale, but the expression was Z\l A **«f' expectation. As the carriage rattled up to the door, he put hi. hand on her shoulder and said; Tt,"^''"!."?''^"^ .'^*" to-night, myebild. Ihose white japonicas become yea.*' She breathed freely once more. At the .toor of the concert hall he gave her bin arm, and while the pressure of the crowd detained them a moment at the entrance, she clung to him with a feel- BEULAFI. lave no time to spare. 'orvfuii hair ; arwnge ftiul here, also, a pair I'ou are ready, come r retnenibering me so uiy •.vniits 80 " tearR mi your lashes. itorriiptcl the doctor, liich hail fallen on the nelmltou. I bring tears to my Jl your kindness?'^' out 81 tFering him to ing Soiitag gave her I she dressoi with le Harriet leaned on I what would happen 1 church and visit I, Beulah had never le very seclusion in id this occasion one 56. Ah she toolt lier rs, the young heart )uld her fastidious th her appearance ? over her face as she he did not look at ^ tne newsjaper he hind the extended ly." I i with an unsttady k his silently ; and hble, banded her a i .:* quite ready, yet. * fc, he scanned her on of satisfaction I She wore a dark en h( r son.e weeks fitted her slender, relieved by a lace meo pin, also his hair was brushed ce, in accordance and wound into a id. On either side 3rb white camellia, bh the raven hair, le expression was As the carriage 9 put his hand on i-night, my ebild. soma y»a.'' She t hall he gave her pressure of the moment at the im with a feel- ing of dependence utterly new to hor. The ' 'JI.r! h""'?'. *^! u"^''"8 «'»™ of the gas ighti b„w.l.lered her. and she walked on -nechan.cal y, till the doctor entert-d hi. ■seat and placed her besid. him. The bril- liant chandohers shone down on .decant 'Irrases. ghttennir diamon.ls. and beautiful em.nded of the g owing descriptions in the Aral.ian Nights. " She obHerved that many -mous eyes were bent upon her. and ere she ! ad been seated Hve minutes, more than one ZZn T?" i"''?,"'"^ »* *""•• *:verybo,ly \Z • "»'• «"^". »"'! "he saw him con- :,h i^ retnrmng the bows of recognition hoha.sailt.d hnn from the lad.es ir. their V r.n.ty Presently, he l.aued his head on hs hand, and she could not forbear sn.iling -UHut-on, Ihf hall wa. crowded, and as lie seats h le.l to their utmost capacity, she vas pressed against her guardian. He looked i"wn at her, and whispured : ''Very democratic. Eh, Beulah »" She smiled, an.l was about to reply, when ,n",7£n ;'° r.r-*'"'^,**^'^ ^y » l'"'-tV which I .then took thur plaees immediately in ..J . t of her It consisted of an elderly le, Ih"*" r*^.,**" ^^'^'''' "°« «f whom ratam «"v,"*'^ recognized as Cornelia rlthmH,. u ^."f ."""^ » nobledooking, rather than beautiful woman ; and the in cip.ent pnde, so apparent in girlhood had matured into almost repulsive Li," She was very nchly dressed, and her brilliant black eyes wandered indifferently over th« room, as though such a.semblages^had ItSf their novelty and interest for Ker. ChaS ing to look back, she perceived Dr. Hartwell bowed, and sa d wifh « ;i_ . ^^"rsweu. t.. know honestly if my rudenesi oauitd you to leave niadane's school f" ""■•" you Rnn'iT!'*^ '^*" »"* '"y ""ly reason," replie.l Beulah, very candidly. "piieii At this moment a bur.t of applause ureet- ed the appearance of the cantatricr«m a conversation was suHp.-nded. Beulah li.tt^ a thrill of del.Kl,t. Passionately fond o music she app,eci.te.l the brill ia^.texeeu tion, and entrancing tnolodv tan i.mlVn i.i,, don^e'^Vrth^'"'* """7^' ^•'---H b - flone \Vith some of the pieces selcyted she tT.he:r"''Sh' *"•' ""'•'•'"»'« J'-^l '""« ''"-irS to near. She was unconscious of the steadv look With which her guardian watched her^ as with parte.llip, she leane.l .agS or ward to catch every note VVlXloutLg Wt the stage, and the hum of conv.r.a on was i.eard once more. Beulah looked up. with alongsigh of delight, and murmured f" .. M • "n ' !.'" * ^'"' » «l"'ri"us woman T he.co!,fly "" "''P^"'^'°K to you," .aid She raised her head, and saw the young la. V s eyes riveted on her countenance.^ ^ Eu/nS- '• "'^" ''' ^"» »>•" '-m " About three weeks since, I believe." We leave for Europo day after ^o- morn.w; shall, perhaps, go ,1i,,.f ?„ Heidelberg. Have you any oomn.isMons' TnYinTr^""^ ^."''«'' *"«'"""» «f ««^n: ing indiflfcrence. she watched Beulah intent. 0eMhet£ V.^"! ''" "''•'•' '••-»''"« IS '^ "Thank a Wwith." I. /VAgain tl • L / fuiiiH. Hie oustinate : no^wish to come, but fathor insisted." 1 am glad you feel well enou«h to be here," was his careless reply. *^ Cornelia's eyes fell upon the quiet figure at his side, and as Beulah met he?steadfeMe she felt somethingof her old disHke wS ing in her eyes. They had never met .i™e ^atment ^f M /"""""L"''' """temptuous now T RP.^J?**'*?." ^*- Cymon's; and now to Beulah's utter astonishment she dehberately turned round, put out her whfte gloved hand, over the baik of toe sJaT and •aid, energetically : *'' ""'^ "How are you, Beulah T Yon have alter ed so materially that I scaniely knew you " .la^/t'L„".^'":?.^:*';_??-"«".; -he wa. I ou have changed but little. " " And that for the worse, as Deonlehave a pl.a«nt way of telling me.' Zuutl wilt bowed, and said with a smUe : '^f^.t^'^rT^J"" i".""» uonna appeared on the "Pray, do not think me obstinate ; I had h^iihllu^''' ^.'" *'' ^°''«"* everything 1 wish tonnmn K„4- r„ti, ,-.■_•., ..' * "*° •*"* tno Witching strains. In the mi.l.f ^ one of tha unnr.. .U. «.1x i_ "»"""»•* ot ^a^ik you, 1 hare neither to troubU the p,ima donna appeared on the one oflhe's^^shy ?:h her'ii^JdS'lL?; violently ; ani the hand which rested or, his knee was clinched spasmodically? She looked at him, the wonted pale Le wm flushed to the edge of his hSir , the bTue veins stood outharS and corded on hie brow and the eyes, like burning stars, were fi„d ^naw«dV°^^"* °?.* v.ry%emote, while hj gnawed his li,., as if unoonwlous of what h« '^ , J«' °^"'K the direction of his Kaio she saw that it was fastened on » jwntle.nan »h^ eat at some little distance f^rthem'" The position he occupied rendered his countenance tZt th'^f** f ^'"""^ •"«"•'» *« -how h« that the features were handsome, the ax pression sinister, malignant an,l cunning. F^H .f'J**"* °^u '•~kle.8%'is.rpatS W f. ^ ^^P*"'' there, not for the m.-iS but to scan the crowd, an.l l,., dnroe ,.v« roamed over the a.dience with a daruiK im- pudence which diagnsted h«. Sudded^ f BEULAH, they rMked on h«r own fact, wandenxl to Or. Hartwoll's, »nd lingering there % full moment, with a look of .iotiant hi're.l, ns- turned t. her, oausing her to shuiMi.r at the intensity and fr«t>.)oin of hia giiue. She drew herself up proudly, and, with an air of haughty contempt, fixed her attention < iithe Btaue. I nt the apoll of enchtthtmoni was broken ; she could hear the deep, irregular breathing of her gtiardian, and know, from the way in which he stared down on the floor, that he could with dilliculty remain qnietly in his place. She was glad when tli« concert ended, and the niaK.v •k.ll^— I x- wound you. " She endeavoured to withdraw her hands, M( hit uoyialding grwp prevented her. Beulah, you must conquer your morbid nsitivenesi, if you would have your life other than a dreary burden." "Oh, sir I >(iu are not ilivulncrable to these wounds ; how, then, can I, an orphai. girl, receive them with inliircrence ? " She spoke passionately, and drooped hor burning face till it touched his mm. "All I you (djservpil my agitation to-night. But for a vow inailo to my dying mother, that villain's blond had long since reninved all grounds of emotion. Six years ago, he fled from me, ami his unexpected reap- pearance to night ex(;it«'(| me more than I had fancied it was pos»ilp|o for anything to do." llii voice was ns lou calm ami musi- cal as thon>;h he were rea. iig aloud (■> her some |)oetiu tule of injuries ; and in the same even, quiet tone, ho added : " It IS well. All have a Nemesis." " Not on earth, sir." " Wait till you have lived as long as I, and you will think with me. Beulah, be careful how you write to Eugene of Cornelia Graham ; better not mention her name at all. If she lives to come home again, you will understand me." " la not her health good T" asked Beulah, in surprise. "Far from it She has a disease of the heart, which may end her existence any mo- ment. I doubt whether she e<'er returns to America, Mmd, I do not wish you to speak of this to any one. Good night. If you are up in time in the morning, I wish you would be so good as to cut acme of the choicest dowers in the greenhouse, aud annuge a handsome bouquet, before breakfast. 1 want to taku it to one ef my patients, an old friend of my mother. "I They were at home, and only pausing ,it the door of Mrs. W.atson'a room to tell tlie j;ood woman the "music was charmins;, " liiulah li.asteiied to her own apartment. ' IJirowing lurself into a chair, she recalled t!ie incidents (if the evening, and her cheeks burned painfully, as her position in the eyes of the worlci was forced upon her recollection. Tear* of moftilicationrolledoverher hot face, and her heart throbbed almost tosufToeation. She sank upon her knees, and tried to pray, but sobs choked her utterance ; and leaning her head against the bed, she wept bitterly. Ah ! is there not pain, and sorrow, and evil enough in this fallen world of ours, that meddling gossips must needs poison the few pure springs of enjoyment and peace Not the hatred of the Theban brothers could more thoroughly aecomplish this fiend- } ish aesigs, than the -whispsr of dctisciinn, j the sneer of malice, or the fatal innuendo of i envious, low-bred tattlers. Human life is | shielded by the bulwark of legal proviniona^ t llftlKBK. 1^ BEULAH, asked Beulab, •n.l immt e.rthly ponHewioni are limilarlv protecto.1 ; but there are ai«Min, whom the |n(Jicicl arm cannot reach, who infcHt society in countless hordes, and « hile their work of ruin and misery goes ever on, there is for the unhappy v.ctuns no redress. Thy holy pre^ co,.ts, O Uhrut I alone can antidote this universal evil. Bcjulah calme.l the storm that raged in her hea,t, and as she took the flowers from her bair, said resolutely : "Before long I ghall occupy a por!, on whore there will be nothing to enW a' d then. po»8,l,|y, I may escupe the gos ;.,;, t- rack. Eugen... may think me a f,K,l, .} ' . Jikes; InitsuMK.rt my^df I will, if it v r,,., mo my hfe Vvhat d.llcrence should it m» tohun so long an I ,„.„fe,. ,>. ? ()„e mr,. yoar of study, an.l 1 shall l.e.jwnlified for any situation ; tht.nl can breathe more freely^ May God shield me from all harm ! " positively fnrbadp yoir sitting It IS mi.lnight, ehihl ; go to CHAPTER XVI. »nS** ^*"! "^ '^"'^^ ■■""«'• »«""ly away ; another winter came and passed ; 'another •pnng hung Its verdaut drapery o^er earth' and, 10 warden summer reigned once more it was near the noon of a starrv Jiilv n-Khtthat Beulah satin her own 7^om S side her writing-desk. A manuscript lay tral'-l ^i^"-, yet clamp with ink. and as ahe do*f h ^ °°"«'"'l!"K words, and threw down her pen, a triumphant smile flashed tionof Its pupds; to-morrow she would graduate, and deliver the valedictory to ihe graduating class. She had just finished copying Ser address, and^ placing i against the window, that the cool night air might fan her fevered brow. The hot blood beat heavily in her temples, ami fled with arrowy swi tness through her veins. Con- tinned mental excitement, l,ke another Sl.v. lock, peremptorily exacted its debt, and L she looked out upon the solemn beauty ^ the night, instead of soothing, it seemed to mock her restlessness. Dr. Hartwell had been absent since noon, but now she detected the whir of wheels in the directio! Of the carriage-house, and knew that he was in the study. She heard W m throw open the shutters, and speak to Charon ^vifo^.^"«."^•',"'• ''""•• ^'^•"b hung loose! r^i * her shoulders, slie confined it with a comb, and glided noinnl^afil., .!„...„ ijj. .. door ^t^l''*^''* •S'^"'* .*^'-°»g»»" the 'opVn S X ^*"^"''* °° *^* threshold, she •' May J come in for a few minntes, or are you too much fatigued to talk f ' "Benlah, I up this lat^. ,Z\y^'\ '*' """*' '"*''*'''■''• "'"' 'poke with. ••ntj»«^n glancing toward her. ^ ^iM, Iknow; but I want to ask vnn •something before I sletp " ^ " nn'f.^^ "'!' "^^"^ " " •" ''^till he did not look up from Ins papers. row r '" ^"" ""'""' ^^^ exercise, to-mor- ui'I/i" '*i i' '"•"*"■ "' *"y ^consequence w h'^ther I do or not ?" »Hunui,o •• To me, sir, it certainly is." ^^ 'hild, 1 sh.ill not have leisure." vdhoiifst, nnd say that you have not ! sud„ ent interest.'- .He,! she,%,„«,.o,':tely ■ aosiiiil..,!, and answeio.l placidly • I (...„d „mht. Mpulnh. Nou Hhonid have been asleep loi.„ ago." ii.r lips «,„,.. red and she lingered, loth to leave ilim in «o « ! friend^, .,, .Suddenly he raised hi. head look.Hl at her steadily, and said : Have you sent in your name as an appli. cant for a situation';" ^^ "I have." "fiood.ni^ht." His tone wae stern, and she immrd.audy retreated. Unable to ileVn she passed the reiiiaiidng hours of the sh .?i night in pacing the floor, or watching the dawn^^Th ""^ "'r '^""'^ ^" the coining dawn. 1 hough not ,,uite eighteen, her face was prematurely grave and thoughtful and ts rest ess unsatis.ie.l exp.e.Hion^^.lainiy d? ! covered a periurl.ed state of miml and heart 1 he time had come when she must no out sea , and though she was anxious to com- mence the work she had assigned herself, .he t?^ T t'»« thought tf quitting' Se? guardian 8 home and thus losing the only •ompanionship she really prized. He had not sought to diH^ua.le her ; had appeared perfectly indifferent to her plans, and th^. unconcern had wounded her de;pry To' ZJTJ°"^'^ •'''''^' '"=^ electionasa teacher. an BEULAH. ed t'.io black-boards ; and next in succesaion werii idass'.s n rhetoric; and natural history. There ^\\■^ a tediousneBS ia the examinations incident to suuh occasinns, and as repeated inquiries were pmpoiiiided, Benlah rejoiced at the prospect of release. Finally the com- miasionera declared themselves iiniteaatiatied with the proficiency attaiiie^ ces, made good their claim to an exalted place in the temple of Fame. But necessity forced them to purely mercantile pursuits. Eugene's case is by no means an- alogous ; situated 'as he is, he could b« just what he chose, I honour all meu who do their duty nobly and truly in the positions fate has assigned them; but, sir, you know there are some more rich- ly endowed than others, some whom natupe seems to have destined for arduous diplo- matic posts ; wliose privilege it is to guide the helm of state, and achieve distinction as itien of genius. To such the call will be im- perative ; America needs such men. Hea- ven only knows where they are to rise from, when the call is made I I do not mean to disparage mercantile pursuits ; they aflford constant opportunities for the exercise and display of keenness and clearness of intellect, but do not require the peculiar gifts so es- sentia, 5n stateanicii. Indolence is uupar- i^, douable ill any avocation, and I would be a|'j^y. .Miuiended to tlie industrious, energetic : uierchant, in pi-efcrenco to su|)erficial, so- oalled ' professional men.' But Eugene had rare educational advantages, and I expected »« u J *" *°. i™P''"ve them, and be something My head more)than ordinary. He expected it five ago. What infatuation possesses him I cannot imagine." i,„,» Tr„ i„ ,° , T. , 'JS" '■""■ '"wcii.v, J uniiuoi, imagine. t n hefhand "''" ^"^ ^°"^'' """^ ?"* <^'-;. «"^*^«" «»"''«'' •"<» ««d, very quiet- in ner nana. jriy , ^ « jj^^ ,t ever occurred to you that you mighty have over-estimated Eugene's" "a bili" "Sir, you entertairrid a flattering opinion of them when he lef lere." She could ani- madvert upon his fickleness, but did not choose that others should enjoy the same privilege. " I by no means consider him an embryo \Vebster, or (Calhoun ; never looked on him as an intellectual prodigy. He had a good mind, a handson face, and frank, gentle- manly manners, which, in the aggregate, im- pressed me favourably." Beulah bit her lips, and sti.r.ped to pat Charon's head. Ihere was silence for some moments, and then the doctor asked : " Does he mention Cornelia's health T" "Only once, incidentally. I judge from the sentence, that she is rather feeble. There IS a good deal of unimportant chat about a lady they have met in Florence. She is the daughter of a Louisiana planter ; very beauti- ful and fascinating ; is a niece of Mrs. Gra- ham's, and will spend part of next winter with the Grahams." " What is her name ?" " Antoinette Dupres." Beulah was still caressing Charon, and did not observe the purplish glow which bathed the doctor's face at the mention of the name. She only saw tliat he rose abruptly, and walked to the window, where he stood until tea was brought in. As they concluded the meal, and left the table, he held out his hand. " Beulah, I congratulate you on your sig- nal success to-day. Your valedictory made me proud of my prot^g^e." She had put her hand in his. and looked up in his face, but the cloudy splendour of the eyes were more than she could bear, and dropping her head a little, she answered: "Thank you." " You have vacation for two months ?" " Yes, sir, and then my duties commence. Here is the certificate of my election." She offered it for inspection, but without notic- ing it, he continued: "Beulah, I think you owe me something for taking care of you, as you phrased it long ago, at the Asylum. Do you admit th" Uebtt" " Most gratefully, sir! I admit that I can never liquidato it; I can njiay you only witli the uio.-»t earnest gratitude." I.argi tears hung upon her lasiies, and with an ua« .1 i : i " S9 BEULAfl. U :» •«•. y. controllable impulse, she raised his liimd to 11 er lipi. " I am about to te»t the sincerity of vour yatitude. I doubt it." She trembled, and looked at him uneasily.' He laid his hand on her shoulder, and said, J'lowly; " Relinquish the idea of teaching. Let ".'".^."■^'ml* y" *^ "^'**y »3 ""y adopted cliil'^e iihan 1 can be.v ; .,iorc than I can voAr I " Mark me, Beulah ! Your pnMr> „i;i wreck you; wreck your happiness your pease of mind. Already its iron uand is crushing; your young heart. Beware, le'^t in yielding to its decrees, you become the hopeless being a similar course has rendered me. Beware 1 But why should I warn you '' Have not niy prophesies ever proved Cas- •andran? Leave me." " No, J will not leave you in angir." She \ drew neaf'him, and took his hand in both \ Jiers^y^The hngers were cold and wliite 9 manWe, rigid and inflexible a-? steel >" My guardian, would you have me take a .•Ktep (through fear of your displeasure) - '-ii'trr- iity iiica Daroeii T Wiii von urge me to remain, when I tell you that ' <» mot be happy here ? I think not." ' Urge you to remain ? By the Furics,no i urge you to go ! Yes, go 1 I no lon-jer want you here. Your presence would irritate me beyond measure. But listen to me : I am going to New York on business ; had in- tended taking you with me ; but since you are so stubbornly proud, I can consent to leave you. I shall start to-morrow evening —rather earlier than I expectcd-and shall not return before September, perhaps even later. What your plans are, I shall not enquire, but it is my request that you remain in this house, under Mrs. Watson's care, until your school duties conmence; then you will, I suppose, remove elsewhere. I also request, particularly, that you will not hesi- tate to use the contents of a purse which I shall leave on my desk for you. ilemember that m coming years, when trials assail you, Uyou need a friend, I will still assist you. You will leave me now, if you please, as I have some letters to write." He motioned her away, and, unable to frame any reply, she left the room. Though utterly miserable, now that her guardian seemed so completely estranged, her proud nature rebelled at his stern dis- missal, and a feeling of reckless defiance speedily dried the tears on her cheek. That !>« "hould look down upon hor with scornful indifference, stung her almost to desperation, and she resolved,instead of weeping, to meet and part with him as coldly as his Jontempt- uous treatment justified. Weary in mird and body, she fell asleep, and soon forj,ot all her plans and sorrows. The sun Mas high iii the heavens when Harriet waked her, and starting up., she asked : " \\'hat time is it t How oame I to Bleeo so late f *^ "It w eight o'clock. Master ate break- fast an hour ago. Look here, child ; what is to pay? Master is going ofi' to the North, to be gone till October. He sal^ up all night writing and giving orders about things on the place, 'specially the greenhouse, and the flower seeds to be saved in the front yard. He has not been in such a way since seven years ago. 'What is in - the wind now ? Hhat ails him?" Harriet sat with her elbows on her knees, and her wrinkled face resting in the palms of her hands. She looked puzzled and discontented. "He told me last night that he expeeted to leave nonre this evening; that he was goih^ to New York on busines?.'' Beulali affected indifTtrence ; but the searching eyes of the old woman were fixed on hor, and aa she turned aWay, .Harriet exclaimed : •Mm.iuk this eveninsr ! Whv. rhil.i l,« has gone. Told us all 'good-bye,' from Mrs. \Vatsou down to Charon. Said hia trunk must be sent down to the whurf at three o clock ; that he would not have time to come home again. There, good gr;ttiou8 I BEULAH. co^ I chair, stunned by the intelli some wine, lank into a gence. When Harriet proffered a glass of cordial, she declined it. and said composedly • "I will come, after a while, and take my breakfast. There ia no accounting for your master's movements. I would as soon engaKe to keep up with a comet. There, let go mv ^"."..■^c?" 8"'°« '°*° *he study for a while. She went slowly down the steps, and locking the door of the study to prevent intrusion, looked around the room. There waji an air of confusion, as though books and chairs had been hastily moved about. On the floor lay numerous shreds of crape and glancing up, she saw. with surprise, that the portrait had been closely wrapped in a sheet, and suspended with the face to the wall. Instantly an uncontr-^llable de- sire seized her to look at that face. She had always supposed it to be his wife's likeness, and longed to gaze upon the features of one whose name her husband had never men- tioned. The mantel was low, and standing on aohair, she endeavoured to catch the cord which supported the frame ; but it hung too high. She stood on the marble man tel, and stretched her Lands eagerly u but though her fingers touched the cor' she could not disengage it from the hook' and with a sensationof keendisappoi!itmen+,' she was forced to abandon the attempt A note on the desk attracted her attention • it was directed to her, and contained oolv a few words ; "^ t, 4°°?T'^?"y*"'i'''^'8 's a purse containintt a hundred dollara. In any fme'xeiicy which the future may present, do not hcsi7at- toeall on 'VouR Guardian. She laid her head down on his desk, and sobbed bitterly. For the first time she real- ized that he had, indeed, gone— >:one with- out one word oi adieu ; one look of kindness Jr reconciliation. Her tortured heart whis- pered: " Write him a note, ask him to iome ; tell him you will not leave hishon^e " But pride answered : " He is a tyrant • JiMi't bs grieved at his indifference"; he ig authing to you ; goto work boldly, an-l pp. pay the money you have cost him." Owp, more, as in former years, a feeling of desol ,. Hon crept over her. She had rejected her juardian's requ'sst, and isolated herself from lympathy ; for who would assist and sympa- (hke with her mental difficulties as he had lone ? The tears froze in her eves, and uhb lat for some time looking at the crumpled note. Gradually, an expression of proud de- fiance settled on her i't:»tur«s ; she took th6 purse, walkfed up to her room, a.,d nut on hei- bonnet and mantle. Descending to the , . , <=> — ■•--ouuouo wuuiu oe an- to .^m" ^^^''r ^*- ^y™°°'«- She asLd to see MiS3 Sanders, and after waitin;^ a few minutes m the parlour, Clara made her ap- pearance bhe looked wan and weary, bnt greeted her fneu.l with a gentle sm'lc. 1 heard o( your triumph yesterday, Ben- lah, and most sincerely congratulate yon " n„„ /^ '° ^'i.^°°^ for congratulation ju.t .Tn^- +^ ffi''"^ notyoutdl me, a fen- days since, that the music teacher of this ostai- lishmentwasill.and that Madame St. CymoB was anxious to procure another ?" •; Yes I liave no idea she will ever be wtl again. It strong enough, she is going back to her family, in Philarlelphia, next we«k. Why do you ask ?" "I want to get the situation, and wish yon would say to madaine that I have cnllp.l to see her about it. I will wait here till , ,..• speak to her. " •' "Beirtah, are j-ou mad? Dr. HartwelJ never sjlll consent to your teaching music." lara, with astonishment written mi feature. P""- ."^/f.'*'^" " not my master, Clara -lers! VVill you speak to madame, or shall T have to do [it ?" "Certainly, I will speak to her. But oh lieulah J are you wild en >ugh to leave Voar presoit home for such a life?" " \^^J« been elected a teacher in the pul) lie schools, but shall have nothing to dm,, til tuo first of October. In the memti u.. intend to give mnSic lessons If uKulaiiie •■. '• employ me for two months, she may hn ,•>) ^ to sficure a professor by the opening of i next term. And fiirther, if I can mtke tni- arraujrenient. I am coming iinniu 1'i.ttrv ^ board with M,s. Hoyt. Nowspeak tom^i'-. for me. will vnn ?" ; '■ Oi)o moment, more. Does the d, ' know of ail this?" '* Ho knows that 1 intend to teach i,, public school. He goes to New "^ork i i afternoon." Clara looked at her mournfully, and sai with a sad emphasis ; "Oh, Beulah ! you may live to rue v.>ui rasliness. " To Madame St. Cyinon the proposal w- singularly opportune, and hastening to m ' rhe aiiphcant, she expressed macH pleas ur at seeing Miss Benton again. She was very jvnxious to nrocnre a teacher for the yonug datigliters, and the limited engagement would «iitvery well. She desired, "however. t« h^^ir Miss Benton perform. Benlah ^onk off ' her gloves, and played several very diHicult pieces, with the ease which only constant , I '1 ii Oi BEULAH. practice and skilful trninint. can con- fer. Madame .leolare.] herself more than satished with her proficiency, and re- quested her to commence her inBtruc- tions on the following day. She had given the former teacher six hundred dollars a year, and would allow Miss Benton eighty doJare for the two months. Beulah was agreeably eurpni-ed at the ample .emunera- tion, and haying arrange.l the hours of her attendance at the school, she took leave of the principal. Clara called to her m she reached the street ; and assuming a gaiety which, just then was yery foreign to her real feelings, Beulah answare*! : " It IS all arranged. I shall take tea with you n my new home, provided Mrs. Hovt can give me a room." §he kissed her hand H?ffi. r/""^ "^^ ^^'- Hoyt found no difficulty ,n providing a room ; and to Beu- lah 8 great joy, managed to have a vacant one aajoining Clara's. She was a gentle, warm- hearted woman ; and as iteulah entered the rp.,rtinent, and inquired the terms, ahe hesi- tated and said ; "My terms are thirty dollars a month ; but you arc poor, I should judge, an.l being Uara « friena, I will only charge you twenty- " I do not wish you to make any deduction in my favour. I will take the room at thirty do lars, answered Beulah, ratheHiaughfily Very well. W hen will you want it ?" ,•♦ . ^'^'»«'?"'ely- Be kind enough to have iftir„^"'n',^°'" ""V I 'haircomethis afternoon. Could you give me some window- curtams r I should like it better, if you could *?^^ ""'' ""°^ inconvenience '' Oh, certainly I they were taken down yoBterdav --.o be washed. Everything ^all be mordei foryon." ■* ■m'-" bJ,*iT" *?",^»"° *« ^*'k home ag^iAd Beulah called a c«-riage. The d.lverf ad not proceeded far, when a press of vehicles forced him to pause a few minutes. Thev happened to stand near the post-office: and as Beulah glanced at the eager crowd col- lected in front, she started violently on rer- ceiving her guardian. Ho stood on the cor- ner, talking to a gentleman of venerable as- pect, and she saw that he looked harassed. Sha was powerfully impelle.l to beckon him to her, and at least obtain a friendly adieu, ^flw^'*}? iP"'**' .P?"'^^'^i'e''- Ho haddeliberl ately ieft her wahout saying goodbye, and she would not force herself^n his notice itven as she dropped her veil to avoid obser- .11*'": \^ carnage rolled on, jind she was ..r xaariwch 5 door. Unwilling to reflect on the step she had taken, she busied herself in packing her clothes and books. On every side were tokens of her guardians constant interest and remem- brance; pictures, va'ao,i ,a let my master take care of you : Tha. .. wnat 1 "^l*"' •,^"'^ ^®® ''* i* do'sn't -ome to uaas. but he will not do it then ; T oell you'now nc ..on t. There la no forgiv'ng spirit about him } he is as fierce, and bears malice aa long as a Comanche Iniun ! It is no hiis.-.-. of name, though. I havesaid my say Tand 1 will be bound you will go your own gait. You are just about as hard-hcadad ai he ia himself. Anybody would almost uelievft you belonged to the Hartwell family. Every BEULAH. hk 71 Boul of them is alike in the matter of tem- per ; only Miss Pauline has something of hei pa's disposition. I suppose, now her ma is married again, she will want to come back to her uncle ; should not wonder if he 'dopted her, since you have got the bit between your teeth." "^ " I hope he v\ll," answered Beulah. She ill brooked Harriet's plain speech, but remem- brances of past affection checked the severt rebuke which more than once rose to her lips, " We shall see ; we shall see 1" and Har- riet walked off with anythinii; but a placid expression of countenance, while Beulali sought Mrs. Watson to explain her sudden departure, and acquaint her with her plans for the summer. The housekeeper endeavour- ed -most earnestly to dissuade her from tak- ing the contemplated step, assuring her that the doctor would be grieved and dirpleased ; but her arguments produced no efTeot, and' with tears of regret she bade her farewell. The sun was setting when Beulah took possession of her room at Mrs, Hoyt's house. The furniture was very plain, and the want of several articles vividly recalled the luxu- rious home shehad abandoned. She unpack- ed and arranged her clothes, and piled her books on a small table, which was the only substitute for her beautiful desk and elegant rosewood bookcase. She had gathered a superb bouquet of flowers, as she crossed the front yajni, and in lieu of her Sfevres vases, placed them in a dim-looking tumbler, which stood on the tall, narrow mantelpiece. Her room was in the third story, with two wia» dows, one openine to the south and one to the west. It grew dark by the time she had arranged the furniture, and too weary to think of going do >^n to tea, She unbound her hair and took a seat beside the window. 'I he prospect was extended ; below her were countless lamps, marking the principal streets ; and, in the distance, the dark cloud o^.'masts told that river ami bay mi^'iit be distinctly seen by da> light. The quiet' stars looked dim througli tlie dusty atmosphere, and the noise of numerous vuiiides rattling by produced a confused impression, such as she had never before received at this usually calm twilight season. The events of the day passed in a swift review, and a mighty barrier seemed to have sprung up (as by some foul spell) between her guardian and herself. \>hatan immeasurable gulf now yawned to separate them I Could it be possible that Y'c i'lfiuily relations or years we're thus si d- denly and irrevocably annulled ? Would he relinquish all iuttrest in one whom he had so iongtwatohed over and directed ? Did he intend that they should be complcteiv es- I lidnyed liencelorth ? For the first time since Lilly's death, she felt herself thrown upon the world. Alone and unaided, she was essaying to carve her own fortune from the huge quarries where thousands were diligently labouring. An undelinable feel- ing of desolation crept into her heart ; but she struggled desperately against it, and asked, in proud defiance of her own nature : "Am I not sufficient unto myself? Leanii.g only on myself, what more she uld I want? Nothing! His sympathy is utterly unnecessary. A knock at the door startled her, and in answer to her " Come in," Clara Sanders entered, She walked slowly, and seating herself beside Beulah, said, in a gentle but weary tone : " How do you like your room ? I am so glad it opens into mine. " " Quite as well »8 I expected, The view fi cm this window must be very tine. There is the tea-bell, I suppose. Are you not going down ? I am too much fatigued to move. " "No ; I never want supper, and geneially spend the evenings in my room. It is drearily monotonous here. Nothing to vary the routine for me, except my afternoon walk, and recently the warm w eatlier has debarred me even from that. You are a great walker, I believe, and I look forward to many plea- -ant rambles with you, when I feel stronger, and autumn Mifnes. Beulah, how long does Dr. Hartw^expect to remain at the North ? He told^ffie, some time ago, that he was a delejKlfe to the Medical Convention." ^ believe it is rather uncertain ; but probably he will not return before October." " Indeed ! That is a long time for a phy- sician to absent himself." Just then an organ-grinder paustd on the pavement beneath the window ana began a beautiful air from " Sonnatnbula." It was a favourite song of Beulah's, and ei the melan- choly tonea swelled on the night air, tiiey recalled many happy hours spent in the quiet study beside t>' .nelodtou. She lean- ed out of the wi- ., till the last echo died away, and as uusicii.. shouldered bia instrument ana trudged ..if, she said, ab- ruptly i " Is there not a piano in the house T" " Yes, just such a one as you might ea- pecttotind in a boarding-house, where un. ruly children are thrumming upon it from morning till night. It was once a line in- strument, but now is only capable of c»- iruciating discords. You will mi«s voiir grand piano. " " 1 must have Fomething in my own room to practise on. Ferhaps I can hire a melo deon or piano for a moderate Bum ! I will try to-morrow.' 'The (iiaiiams are coming home f < !i, I w BRULAH. hear. One of the principal upholstereiis boards here, and he mentioned thi» morning at breakfast that ho had received a letter from Mr. Graham, directing him so attend to the unpacking of an entirely new set of furniture. Everything will be on a grand scale. I suppose Eugone returns with them ?" "Yes, they will all arrive in November," " It most ]>a a delightful anticipation for you." " Why so, prayr " Why ? Because you and Eugene are such old fr;e that success may oiown your efforts, and the sun./tnne of happiness dispel f.)r you the shadows that have fallen thici fci..iitmy pathway, i ou liave boen rash, BeJih, and short-sightnd ; but I trust that all .V ill prove for the best. Qood-night." She glided away, and locking the door. Beulah ;fUirued to her seat, and laid hel head wearUy down on the window-sill. What a Hermes if, thought! Like a vanisliincr dream fled the consciousness of surrouniliile objects, and she was with Eugene. Now, in the earlier years of his absence, she was in Heidelberg, listening to the evi-uing chimes, and rambhng with him through the heart of the Odenwald. Then they explored the Hartz, climbed the Brocken, and there among the clouds discussed the adventures of Faust, and his kinsman, Manfred. Anon, the arrival of the Grahams disturbed the quiet of Eugene's life, and faraw-iy from the picturesque haunts of Heidelberg students, he wandered with them over Italy, Switzerland, and France. En- j her future indissolubly linked wii^i ais ; and d th ii com- his parting words seemed to si pact as holy and bindinit, when l.o daofs. -ed, " I mean, of course, tc fake can .if yen my- self when T come home for you know you belong to me." His lett-is tor mau'' months retained the tone of dictatorship,' but the te'idernessBCvrnti! all to have melted away. Ht croteas''' v ;th a heart preoccat*-ed by weightier matters, and now Beulah could no longer conceal froii he ...df tht piinful fact that t!' » man was far di feren! frcn the S)oy. After five years' akseii.oe, l.o jras c(Mi;ii),sr back a man; engrossed by ther t .i-pghts and feelings than those uhich had pr'j ted bim ill days gone by. With the tenacious lope of youth she still trusted that she might li.ive misjudged him ; he could never be other than noble and generous ; she would silence her forebodings, and v ait till his re- turn. She wished beyond a.'I expression to see him once more, and th-i prospect of a speedy reunion often made '. r heart threb painfully. That he would r;, roach her for her obstinate resolution of teaci-ing, she wa» prepared to expect ; but strong in the con- sciousness of duts', she committe(' herself to tlie care^f ft merciful God, and soon slept as souniU»*as though under Dr. Hartwell's roof. CHAPTER XVII. grossed by these companions, he no longer found time to commune with her, and when occasionally he penned a short letter, it was hurried, constrained, and ui)s.itisf!ii'*-ory. One topic had become stereotyped ; h^-- >. ver failed to disoouraue the idea of te, ' ■ r • urged most earnestly tiie folly of such .. o.op,' and dwelt upon the numerous advantages of social po.sition arieing from .a residence under =:; her gnardiiiii's ruuf. ';Vc h.-ivc aeeu ihiit from the hour of Lilly's (ioparture from the Asy- lum, Beulah's affeotious, hopes, pride, all centred in Eugene. There had lf>ng existed tk t.icit compact, which led her to couaidev Sometimes after sitting for five consecu- tive hours at the piano, guiding the clumsy lingers of tyros, and listening to a tiresome round of scales and exercises, Beulah felt ex- hausted, mentally and physically, and fear- ed that she had miserably overrated her powers of endurance. The long, warm days of August dragged heavily by, aud each night she felt grateful that the summer was one day nearer its grave. One afternoon, she proposed to Clara to extend their walk to the home of her guardian, aud as she readily as- sented, they left the noise aud crowd of the city, and soon found themselves on the com- mon. "This is my birthday," said Beulah, as they passed a clump of pines, puil caught a Klimpse of the white yate beyon "Ah I how old are you ?" " Eighteen-but I feel mucJ :; ler." She opened the gate, a i • y leisurely ascended the avenue of ■ , .rg, Beulah felt once more as if she v • -,oi;ig home. A tierce bark greeted her, an 1 . lext moment Charon ruslied to meet her ; :•' : i'.This liu&e paws un lier shouMers, a i.i , -g as7(t barking joyfully. He bounded • j her to the steps, and laid down conti ; von the pi:izy.,i. Harriet's turVmned 1. ' (^jpcu-fi at the entrance, aiins deliuht written on eveiv feature, «lic thought that she had indeed misju-hred ner m using the epithets "freezing Tnd heartlesu. " ° "You are enthusiastic," said she gently. Hew can I help it T I love the grand and biaiidful too well to ofTer a tribute of silent admiration. Oh, my homage is that of a whole heart !" They reached home in the gloaming, and each retired to her own room. For a mere trifle Beulah had procured the use of a melo- deon, and now, after placing the .iruoping flowers in water, she sat down before the instrument and poured out the joy of her soul in song. Sad memories no longer floated like corpses on the sea of the past ; grim forebodings crouched among the mists (Jf the future, and she sang song after song, exult- ing in the gladness of her heart. An analysis of these occasional hours of delight was as impossible as their creation. Some- times she was conscious of their approach while gazing up at the starry islets in the boundless lake of azure sky ; or when a gorgeous sunset pageant was passing away j sometimes from hearing a solemn chant in church, or a witching strain from a favourite opera. Sometimes from viewing dim old pictures ; sometimes from reading a sublime passage in some old English or German author. It was a serene elevation of feeling r an unbounded peace ; a chastened joyous- ness, which she was rarely able to analyze but whicli isolated her for a time from all surrounding ci-cumstauces. How long she sang (in rhe present occasion she knew not, and only paused on hearing a heavy sob be- hind her. Tnrninu round, she saw '"'ara sitting near, with 'her face in her iiands Kneeling beside her, Beulah wound her arm around her, and asked her earnestly : " What troubles you, my friend? May I not know ? " Clara dropped her head on Beulah's shoulder, and answered hesitatingly : "The tones of your voice always sadden me. They are like organ-notes, solemn and awful ! Yes, awful, and yet very sweet- s' eeter than any music I ever heard. Your singing fascinates me, yet, strange as it may seem, it often makes me weep. There is an uuearthliness, a spirituality that affects me singularly. " " I am glad that is all. I was afraid you were distressed about something. Here take my rocking-chair ; I am going to read,' and if you like, you may have the beneflt of my book." "Beulah, do put away your books for one night, and let us have a quiet time. Don't study now. Come, sit here, and talk to me." " Flatterer, do you pretend that you pre- fer my chattering to the M-ouderful words of a man who 'talked like an angel?' You must listen to the tale of that ' Ancient Mariner with glittering eye.' " \ BEULAH. 75 Spare me that horrible ghostly story of TWtels freighted with starinL' corpses ' Ugh I It curdled the blood in my veins once, •nd I shut the book in disgust. Uou't begin It now, for Heaven'8 sake ! " "Why, Clara? It is the most thrilling poem m the English language. Each re-peru- sal fascinates me more and more. It requires a dozen readings to initiate you fully into its weird, supernatural realms." *k'lT*"/ *I"^ ',* '*■ Precisely for that reason that 1 don t choofe to hear it. There is quite enougli of the grim and hideous in reality, without hunting it up in pages of hction. When I read, f desire to relax mv mind, not put it on the rack, as your favour- ite books invariably do. Absolutely, Beu- lah after listening to some of your pet authors I feel as if I had been standing on my head. You need not look so coolly in- credulous ; it is a positive fact. As for tnat Anj>i«nt i 'aiiner 'you areso fond of. I »m dipi^sed to take the author's own opim^ of It, as expr'jssed in those lines ad- a);insed to himself." 7 7 ^ "I suppose, then, you fancy 'Christab^P as little as the other, seeing that it is a tale of witchcraft. How woulj you relish that grand anthem to nature's God, written in the vale of Chamouni ?" ^1' I never read it," answered Clara, very "What? Never read ' Sibylline Leaves T' Why 1 will wager my head that you have parsed from them a thousand times I Never read that magnificent hymn before sunrise, in the midst of glaciers and snow-crowned cloud-piercing peaks ? Listen, then; and if you don't feel like falling upon your knees you have not a spark of poetry in your soul I " bhe drew the lamp close to her, and read «iou( . Her hne modulated voice was peculiar- ly adapted to the task, and her expressive countenancefaithfullydepictedthecontenclina emotions which filled her mind as she rZ^ Chra listened with pleased interest, and When the short poem was concluded, said: Ihank you j it is beautiful. I have Often seen extracts from it. Still, there is a description of Mont Blanc in 'Manfred' ^.%[ ^'I'^'^rSj "ke quite .3 well." ;;^^hat? Thatwitobf v„:ent!" .„'iL**°"'* "n<^erstand Manfred.' Here and there are passages in cipher. I read and catch a glimpse of hidden ineaniiiL' ; I read agaiD, and it vanishrs in mist. It seems to me a poem of svnibol.o., .-iimly adu ' it"*fi'/*''°^ I!"^ cioud'e. ''intellect XS tha't^'A.^" ,^^*^•«« .«»••■ ^f shadowy belief Z)\i A8t»'-te,'asm its .dent mythologi- cal significance, symbolizes nature. There J8 .> dusky veil of mystery shrouding her. which favours my idea of her, as represent- lug the universe. Manfred, with daiiiiK hand, tore awuy that ' Veil of Isis,' which no mortal had ever seen before, and, mad- dened by the mockery of the stony features paid the penalty of hfs sacrik-gious rashness, and Hcd from the temple striving to shake off the curse. My guardian has a curious print of 'Asl arte,' taken from some Euro- pean Byron.c gallery. I have studied it, until almo|it it seemed to move and speak to me. She is clad in the ghostly drapery of the tomb, just as invoke! by Nemesis, with trailing tresses, closed eyes, and folded hands. Ihe features are dim, spectral, yet marvel- lously beautiful. Almost one might think the eyelids quivered, there is such an air ot dreaminess. That this is a false and inade- quate conception of Byron's ' Astarte,' I feel assured and trust that I shall yet find the key to this enigma. It interests me greatly, and by some inexplicable process, whenever I sit pondering the mystery of Astarte, that jHionderful creation in Shirley presents itself ^arte becomes in a trice that 'woman, -litan, Nature, kneeling bsfore the red hills ot the west, at her evening prayers. 1 a^e her prostrate on the great steps of her altar, praying for a fair night, for mariners at ses,. tor lambs in moors, and unfledged birds in woods. Her robe of blue air spreads to the outskirts of the heath. A veil, white as an avalanche, sweeps from her head to her feet and arabesques of lightning flame on its borders. I see her zone, purple, like the horizon ; through its blush shines the star of evening. Her forehead has the expanse of a cloud and 18 paler than the early moon.riien ong before dark gathers. She reclines on the ndge of Stillbro' Moor, Hkr mighty hands are joined beneath it. So kneeling, face t' face, 'Nature speaka with God.' Oh! i would give twenty years of my life to have painted that Titan's portrait. I would rather have been the author of this, than have wielded the sceptre of Zenobia, in the palm- iest daysW Palmyra !" She st^e rapidly, and with white lips that qmvei-ed. Clara looked at her wonder- ingly, and said, hesitatingly: "I don't understand the half of what you have been saying. It sounds to me very much as if you had stumbled into a Inmbcr- room of queer ideas ; snatched up a handful, all on different subjects, and woven them into a speech as incongruous as Joseph's variegated coat." There was no renlv iieuiaiishands were clasped on the table^e- fore her, and she leaned forward with eyes hxed steadily on the floor. Clara waited a moment, anti then contiaaed: .M ^f'j'fxl"*" '^ *°y °^ *''« mysteries of Manfred,' tha\, i«em to trouble you so nuch. *:^^< : •: h( k ij^ -I; m m^ 76 RIM '^- An. I enjoy the fine passages, an'' ;i'">r tlii <;a'< t.'idm the hiailtn meanings, at whereas it seem* you are ivr,iy» plniij(i«g •bout iijt]»«''dark, huiitii. . >ou know not what. Jnm content to u\u\i on the surface, ^^'^ And live in the midst of foam and l)ul)lil«s I" oried Boulah, with a gesture of inipatieijoc. " Better timt, tl>i»n gropo unoug subter- laiiean caveins, bl.ick and icy, as you are fbt tvor di'inn. you areeven getting a weird, unearthly look. Sometimes, when I come in, and rind you, liook in hand, with that far-off estpressioii .'. your eyes, I really dislike tospeaU to you. T'lereisnnmoreoolourinyour I'acu /nd haids than in that wall yonder. Yoij will dig y ^ iV ^rave among book?", if you iti^i't take care Thore is such a tliini? as /.u lying too mu. :i. Your mind is perpetu- ally at work ; all day yon are thinking, thinking, thinking ; and :\t night, since the warm weather has made me open the door between our rooms, I hear you talking ear- nestly and rapidly in your sleep. Last week I came in on tip toe, and stood a few minutes beside your bed. Th« moon shone m through the window, and though yoi were fast asleep, I saw that you tossed your hands restlessly ; while I stood then, you spoke aloud, in an incoherent manner, of the 'Bream Fugue,* and 'Vision of Sudden Death,' and now and then you frowned, and sighed heavily, as if you were in pain. Mu- sic is a relaxation to most people but it seems t > put your thoughts on the rack, fou will wear yourself out pr."'>iturely" if you dtm't quit this constant stui. i-.'." She ruse ti /o. and, glancing up at her, Beiilah aiismi- d, musingly: '' We are vo.y uuUke. The things that I love, you shrii.'k frohn as dull and ti' ,,. I live iu a diftorent world. Books ar« to me, what family, an,l friends, and society are to other people. It ijiay be that the i.so. lation of my life necessitates this. Doubt- leas, you ofton find me abstracted. Are you ' going sp soon ' I had hoped we should spend a profitable evening, but it has slipped away, and I hare done n.)thing. Qood-iiighi" She rose and gtve the customary good-night kiss, and ",s Clara letired to her own room, Beulah t ud up the wick of her lamp, and resumed iier book. The gorgeous mazes of Colerid,^.! no longer imprisoned her fancy ; it wandered mid the silence, and desolation' and sand rivulets of the Th-y):ud do.?ert • through the date groves of the lonely Liura; through the museums of Alexandria. Over the coot, crystal depths of "'i'vpatia," her thirsty spirit huiiy eagerly. in Philamon's mtelleotual mture she fousid a startling re- i «emblau.:e to her own. Like him, she had j er.terod a lorbid.icn twnipie, and If i-im,! *<» question ; and the same "insatiable cravi.i,! to know the mysteriea of learning " was im- pelUng her, with irresistible force, out into the world ui philosophic enquiry. Hours lle.l on unnoted ; with nervous haste the leave* were turned. The town clock struck three. A-^i • ' , «thed the book, and laid it on •. u rt.),e, site u.jwed i.or head upon her hands. .She was bewildered. Was Kings, ley his own Raphael- Abon-EzraT or did he heartily believe in ths Christianity of which he had ^jiven so hideous a portraiture ? Her I brain whirled, yet there was great dissatisfac- tion. She could not contentedly go back to the Laura with Philamon ; "Hypatia" was nf.t sufficiently explicit. She was dis- satisfied ; there was more than this Aleian- driin ecstosy, to which Hypatia was driven; but where, and how, should she find it? Who would guide her T Was not her gnard. lan, m many respects,a8 sceptical as Raphael himself ? Dare she enter, alone and unaid- ed, this 'retan maze of investigation, where al. the wonderful lore of the gifted F . "\tia had availed nothing T What was her lutel. lect given her f ,r, if not to be thusemployed? Her head ached with the intensity of thought and as^he laid it on her pillow and closed I her M^es, day looked out over the eastern 8 lyr^ k^The ensuing week was one of anxioua apj.reliension to all within the city. Har- riet ■! words seemed prophetic ; there was every intimation of sickly season. Yellow fever lia.' nade its aj .pearance in several sec- Ti!"*D ' t°«°' '" ' ' ' ™"** malignant type. Ihe Boii , of Health , ovised various sJhenies for arresting the advanc^ing evil. Thu streets were powdered with lime, and large fires of tar K'pt c )nstantly burning, yet daily, hour- ly, the fa'.ell8 toiled uncea'-inply, and the desulatio' ic horror, was indescribable, as the sabli .vin^.of Hie destroyer hung ovtr the doomed city. Out of her ten ftllow- gradnates, four b1 <■ the cemetery. Tlie night before, she hiiu itched'beside arother, and at dawn, sasT the iindi stiffen and lh_ eyes grow sightless. Among her former scliooluiat 8 the contagion had been pnr- tioularly fat#l, and, fearless of danger, slie had nursed two of treni. As she stood fMi- ning herself, Clara entered hurriedly, and sinking into a chair, exclaimed, in accents of terror : " It has come ! as I knew it would I Two of Mrs. Hoyt's children have been taken, and, I believe, one of the waiters also I Merciful God! what wi]' become of me ?" Her twHi ( liattered, and slie trembled from head to fool *' Dull t bu alarmed, Clara ! Your eroes- sive terror is your greatest danger. If you W( "Id escape, you must keep as quiet as possible." She {Kiured out a glass of water, and mad • her drink it ; then asked : " ''.in Mrs. Hoy t get medical aid ?" " >o; she has sent for every doetor in town, and not one has coine. " "Then I will 00 douii and assist her. " Bculah tunied toward tin' door, but Clara caught her dress, ainl saui hoarsely : "Are you mad, tlius continually to put youv life in jeopardy ? Are you shod with iiriniortality. tliat you tliiuat yourself into tJie V'.ry patli destruction?" " I lun II' t afrnid of the f« remedies ehe had seen prescribed on pievioiiH ouoasions. The fever rose rapidly, and un- '^untedby thoughts of peisoual aanger, >•■ >■ (ik her place btgjde the bed. It was \< i midnight when Dr. Asbury came t exhausteil and haggard from unremitting toil and vigilx. he looked several years older than when snc had last seen him. He ntartrd on uercciviin- hir perilous post, and said nnxion-iiy : " Oh, you are rash ! very ranh ! Wlini would Hartwell say T What will ho think w hen he comes ?' "Comes! Surely you have uot ur|{od him to conn back now 1" said she, grasping his arm convulsively. "Certainly. I "tcKgrailKd to him to come home by expre s. Yovi .eed not look so troubled ; he has had this Egy|itiiiii plaffu , will run no risk, and evi n if he wiji return assocjn as possible," Nlv'^Vou .sure that ho has hal the sure. I nnraed hiu) myself, tho sninmer after he came fiom J'Uropc, and tlioughtlie would die. That was tho Inst sickly season we had for years, but this gentlemen boarders, who had luckily escaped, arranged the mournful particulars of the burial ; and after sereritig a suimy look of hair for the mother, should she live, Beulah saw the cold form borne out to its last resting-place Another gloomy day passed slowly, and she was rewarded by the eonvalescence of the remaimng sick child. Mrs. Hoyt still hung ujmn tho confines of eternity j and Beulah, who had not closed her eyes for many niglUs was leaning over the bed, counting the rush- mg pulse, when a rapid stap caused lier to lool; up. and falling forward in her arms. Clara cried : " Save me I save me I The ohiU is on me now I It was tootrue ; and as Beulah assisted her to her room, and carefully bathed her feet her heart was heavy with dire dread lest Clara's liorror of the diseaseshouldaugmeutits ravages. Dr. Asbury was summoned with aU haste, but as usual seemed an age in coming, aud when at last he came, could only iweacnbe what had already been done It was pitiable to watch the agonized ex that of her friend, striving to discover theif I shall see him no opinion of her case. " Doctor, you must send Hal to me. He can nurse Mrs. Hoyt and lictlo Willie while I watch Clara. I can't possibly take care of all three, though Willie is a great deal bet- ter. Can you send him at once ? he is a good nurse. " ° ■'Yes ; he has been nursing poor Tom Hamil, but he died about an hour ago and Hal is released. I look for Hartwell ho'urlv 4' Vi.°..,'*'*?li ."'' ai'-^^ogfy ! Bless youj iJiiUlah ! Wnuging hur liaud, he descend- ed the stairs. Reentering the room, Beulah sat down be- side Clara, aud taking one burning hand iu her cool palms, pressed it softly, saying, in an encouraging tone : " 1 feel so much relieved about Willie ; he uagreat de.'il better; and I think Mrs. Hoyl's fever is abating. Yon were not taken so severely as Willi«, and if you will go to sleep quietly, I believe you will hare only a slight attack." " bid those downstairs have blaok'Tomit T" uked Clara, shuddenngly. " Lizzie had it ; the others did not. Try not to think about it. Go to sleep. " " What was that the doctor said about Dr. Hartwell ? I could not hear very well, you talked so low. Ah ! tell p^, Beulah. " " Only that he is coming home soon— thv wa« all. Don't talk any more:" Clara closed her eyes, but tears stole from beneath the lashes, and coursed rapidly down her glowing cheeks. The lips moved in prayer, aud her fingers closed tightly over those of her companion. Beulah felt that her (ontmued vigils aud exertions were exhaust- ing her. Her limbs trembled when she walk- ed, and there was a dull pain iu her head, which she could not banish. Her appetite had long since forsaken her, and it wa« only by the exertion of a determined will that slie forced herself to eat. She was warmly at- tached to Clara, and the dread of losing this friend caused her to suffer keenly. Occa- sionally she stole away to see the other suf- ferers, fearing that when Mrs. Hoyt discov- ered Lizzie's death, the painful intelligence would seal her own fate. It was late ; '■■ night. She had just returned from one of these hasty visits, and finding that Hal was as attentive as any one could be, slie threw herself, weary and anxious, into an arm-chair, beside Clara's bed. The crimson face was turned toward her, the parched lips parted, the panting breath, laboured and irregular. Tho victim was delirious ; the hazel eyes, in- flamcjj, and vacant, rested on Beulah's cpun- i * and she murmured : pression ofOlaras sweet face, as she lookeirjjT" He will never know I Oh nol how from the countenance of the physician t^^^hould he? The grave wHI shu^t me i^a. and more— no more I" She shuddered and turned away. Beulah leaned her head against the bed, and as a tear slid down upon her hand, she thought and said with bitter sorrow : " 1 would rather see her the victim of death, than have her drag out an aimless, cheerless, existence, rendered joyless by this hopeless attachment !" She wondered V t'ther Dr. Hartwell sus- i pected this love. o was remarkably quick- j sighted, and men, as well as women, were 1 very vain, aad wont to give cxtu inifhu- j weight to .very circumstance whici' ll.i.vc.o.i ; Uioir s>.li love. She liad long seen this par- j ti»ht> ; Would not the object of it be quite t softly, «*yiag, in il about Willie ; he ami I think Mrs. V(ui were not taken if you will go to lu will hkre only a lave blaok-Tomit T" ^ lers did not. Try to ileep. " ictor laid about Dr. jar very well, you t^e, lieulah." ig home toon— th»' more:" it tears stole from I couned rapidly The lips moved :losed tightly over eulah felt that her ions were exhaust- ed wliea she walk> ain in her head, h. Her appetite r, and it whh only lined will th:U tilie le was warmly at- read of losing this ir keenly. Occa- tee the other suf. [rs. Hoyt disoov- inful intulligeuce It was late : '■■ urned from one of iug that H^lwas Id be, she threw into an armchair crimson face was ohed lips parted, id and irregular, he hazel eyes, in- )n iJeulah's coun. I: ! Oh, no I how I shut me in, and no more 1" She against the bed, >n her hand, she r sorrow : sr the victim of out an aimless, (d joyless by this r. Hartwell sua- smarkably quick- i women, were ivc even iiiifiuo e wliioli tl.i.>,c. ou g aeen tins par- t of it be quite BEULAH. 70 M penetrating? Clara was very pretty ; nay, at times she was beautiful. If UDiisciouM of her attachment, could he ever suflFer himself to be influenoed by itT No ; impossible I There were utter antagnninnis of taste and temperament which rendered it very certain that she would not suit him for a companion. Yet she was very lovaMo. Beulah walked softlv across the -oom aiul leaned out of the window. An awful stillness brooded over the Mourged city. " The movlnsr moon went up the sky, will 1^ Anil novrTprn did nbide j Softl.rshe wa>( ktoin up, And a star or iwo tieuide." The soft beams struGigled to pierce the murky air, denie with smoke from the burn- ing pitch. There was no tread on the pave- ment; all was solemn as Death, who held such mad revel in thw crowiled graveyard.?. Through theshroudof smoke shecould seethe rippling waters of the bay, as thu faint south- em breeze swept its surface. It was a deso- lation realizing all thehorrois of the "Masque of the Aed Death,"and as she tliougrit of the mourning hearts in that silent cii-y, of Clara's danger and herowu, Beulah repeated, sadly, those solemn lines : " Liki" clouds that ruke the nionntii n summit. Or waves I hat own no cii liiiiiihiind, How fast has l)i'other foil wcil liioihpr, From sunshine to the suhIl'hs Und !* Clasping her hands, she a-ldtd, earnestly: "I thank thee, my Father ! that the Atlan- tic roils between Eugene and this ' besom of destniction. ' " A touch on her shoulder caused her to look around, and her eyes rested on her guardian. She started, but did not speak, and held out her hand. He looked at her, long and search- ingly ; his lip trembled, and instead of tak- ing her offered hand, he passed his arm *round her, and drew her to his bosom. She looked up, with surprise ; and bending his haughty head, he kissed her pale brow for the first time. She felt then that she would like to throw her arms round his neck, AUt) tell him how very glad she was to ueo hhn again — how unhappy his sudden depa-ture had made her ; but a feeling she could not pause to analyze, prevented her from follow- ing the dictates of her heart ; and holding her oflF so as to scan her countenance, Dr. Hartwell said : '' How worn and haggard you look 1 Oh, child ! your rash obstinacy has tortured me beyond expression. " "I haVt; but ;; ■; my duty. It has been a horrible time. I m glad you have come You will itfjClet Clara die. " , child. You are trembling 'ell ent^^red together. There was little to be told, and less to be advised, and while the latter atten- tively examined the pulse, and looked down at the altered countenance, stamped with the signet of the dread disease, the former took Beulah's hand in both his, and said kindly : " lIow do you do, my little heroine? By Nebros ! you are worth your weight in medi- cal treatises. How are you, little one ?" "Quite well, thank you, sir, and I dare say 1 am muoh more able to sit up with the sick than you, who have had no respite whatever. Don't stand up, when you must be so weary ; take this easy-chair." Hold- ing his hand tirmly, she drew him down to it There had always been .i fivtherly tenderness in his manner towardher, when visiting at her guardian's, and she regarded him with re- verence and affection. Tb? ^h often blumt, he never chilled nor repelled her, as his partner 80 often did, and hdW isiic stood be- side him, still holding one of his hands. He smoothed back the gray hair from his fur< rowed brow, and with a twinkle in his blue eye, said: BEULAH. 81 "■) "How much will you take for your services T I want to engage you to teach my madcap daughters a little quiet bravery and uncomplaiuing endurauce." '|I have none of the Shylock in my com- position ; only give me a few kind words and I shall be satisfied. Now, once for all, Dr. Asbury, if you treat me to any more barefaced flattery of this sort, I nurse no more of your patients. " Dr. Hartwell here directed his partner's attention to Clara, and thoroughly provoked at the pertinacity with which he avoided noticing her, she seized the brief opportunity to visit Mrs. Hoyt and little Willie. The mother welcomed her with a silent grasp of the hand and gush of tears. But this was no time for acknowledgments, and Beulah strove, by a few encouraging remarks, to cheer the bereaved parent and inteiest Willie, who, like all other children under such circumstances, had grown fretful. She shook up their pillows, iced a fresh pitcher of water for them, and promising to run down and see them often, now that Hal was forced to give his attention to the last victim, she noiselessly stole back to Clara's room. Dr. Hartwell was walking up and down the floor, and his companion sat ju8t as she had left him. Ho rose as she entered, and put- ting on his hat, said, kindly : "Are you able to sit up with Miss Sanders to-night ? If not, say so candidly." "I am able, and determined to do so." " Very well. After to-morrow it will not be needed." •'What do you meanT cried Beulah, olutc; ng his arm. "Doxi't look so savage, child. She will either be convalescent, or beyond all aid. I hope and believe the former. Watch her closely till I see you again. Good -night, dear child. " He stepped to the door ; and J' a light inclination of his head, Dr. (veil followed him. vas a vigil Beulah never forgot. The u.^uv seemed interminable, as if the car of time were driven backward, and she longed inexpressibly for the dawning of day. Four o'clock came at last ; silence bromled ovet the town ; the western breeze had sung itself to rest, and there was a solemn linsh, as though all nature stood still, to witness the struggle between dusky Azrael and a human soul. Clara slept. Tlie distant stars looked down encouragingly from their homes of bl»e, and once more the lonely orphan bent her knee in supplication before the throne of JehoTah. Hut* ft cloTid seemed hoTeiini? I>e- tween her heart and the presence-chamber of Deity. In vain she prayed, and tried to believe that life would be spared in answer her ''titiona. Faith died in her soul, and she sat with her eyes riveted upon the face of her friend. The flash of consuming fever paled, the pulse was slow and feeble, and by the grey light of day, Beulah saw that the face was strangely changed. For several hours longer she maintained her watch ; still, the doctor did not come, and while she sat with Clara's fingers clasped in here, the brown eyes opened, and looked dreamily at her. She leaned over, and kissing the wan cheek, asked, eagerly : "How do you feel, darling?" " Perfectly weak and helpless. How long have I been sick 7" " Only a few days. You are a great deal better now." She tenderly smoothed the silky hair that clustered in disorder round the face. Clara seemed perphxed ; she thought for a moment, and said, feebly : " Have I been very ill ?" " Well— yes. You have been right sick. Had some fever, but it has left you." Clara mused again. Memory came back slowly, and at length she asked : "Didthevalldie?" "Did who die?" " All those down-stairs." She thnddered violently. " Oh, no 1 Mrs. Hoyt and Willie are al- most well. Try to go to eleep again, Clara." Several minutes glided by ; the eyes closed, and clasping Beulah's fingers tirrhtly, she asked aj^ain ; " H.ive I had any physician ?" "Yes. I thought it would do no harm to have Dr. Asbury see you," answered Beulah, carelessly. She saw an expression of disap- pointment pass sadly over the girl's counte- nance ; and thinking it might be as well to satisfy her at once, she continued, as if speak* ing on indifferent topics ; "Dr. Hartwell came home since you were taken sick, and called to see you two or three times." A faint glow tinged the sallow cheek, and while a tremor crept over her lips, she said, almost inaudibly : " When will he come again ?" "Before long, I dare say. Indeed, thetw is his step now. Dr. Asbury ia with him. " She had not time to say more, for they came in immediately, and with a species of pity she noted the smile of pleasure which curved Clara's mouth, as hor guardian bent down and spoke to her. While he took ler thin hand and fixed his eyes on her face, Dr. Asbury looked over his ahoalder, and said bhintlv • ■ 4 - "Hurrah for you! All right again, M I thought you would be 1 Doeg your bead ache at all this morning T Feel like eating half-a-dojsen partridges I ill " w I 82 BEULAH. "She is not deaf," said Dr. Hartwell, rather slif)rtly. ' "I am not 8.) aure of that ; she lias been to all my questions lately. I must see about tarter below. Beulah, child, you look the fS "'" ^"""' "PP'^^^'iceship'to our pro- "S'^ do you sir,"saM she, smiling, as her eyes wandered over his trrim visage. " "You may well say that, chihl. "l snatch- e. about two hours' sleep this morniug, and when I woke I felt very much like ColeFidoe'a unlucky sailor : " ' I moved, and could not feel my limbs : I WRs 30 light -almost, I thoui^" ""'''^' ^ ^*n* *<> families ventured hom« .„..'®"Kth, fueritive bands of crape iimbad<.pfn°f I *"^ *^°"«^ met the ey. on ^iT sidof »n ^^--^^^^ ^"*' Death hJd removed'^ ; tu;r"ttt'r* hideous carnival was omr p1 ' ■ '"' her strength verT slowlv . a" i:*«*^"«^^ enough to%.„t hTr tomf ^aTkedtfth T?" i ^'dro/ttob^ ofJ^eSsl^S ht . ^Partt'nt^^nftui'dtv'".*''"^' ^''i''''''' constantly busy." "^ "'^ °'«ht, yon are Apparently, this remark fell nr, ^»./ for, without replyinT B^nl.r^*!^/*!:'' drawing, looked /t,^' -T f,^ ^•^*^<* ^er round once or twice aL A"""^' *"'-°«d '* crayon. °' """^ *^«" w«nmed her itr'rnt^ue'^i'crrr""''*''"""*' ^^ i- "Mora." .nyttVfkeit^J.'"' ^J^''* ^id yon «• "leeprf S:'Sndf *^«,T'«™'<'' I'«» Mor^was « Je^^TdoVn-^l^rlAl'* butn.thideorr-.'-SlT^l'f/^.Tfc BEULAH. 83 Tat" wirf '"f ^°« ^'"^ •elbows on the table h dTlwiir rVrV'" '^'."t' «--ng upon sho„,d3- a Jinre iTeSe . te"c^' 7' nancp was ;r,fl<.„i i '^'naie , the counte o"f skeleton "'"^'^'^ ^'"^^^ "-« "^e^those shudderingly. """"uce, said Clara " I cannot draw it aa T ....^ -t. • tone as sh^ tn-i 1' *° * discontented .nd tl„i,h Ihi. Io,dy G™t ;.o« ot^h^' ro^n."'&^v;nidhr^ 'V'"'"°^**' rnto^r"^f^'''«^«p'^^^^^ at this Po'So'fTh:°.r^^^^^^^^^ guardian for one. would sneer superbly '''' «warthTGr;ek T hL'* '' °\I°^-browed, broad, ' expative' ' o7ehS'*t*i^°I^^«''' bSf'^ti' ?" thea^^'nt tils'';! aSue.bo¥wh„°''^'*''^ characterize th. Of ebonTaj;,"oX,Si'e'f '.Slori^^" other than I hare drawn her ♦" ai,„ ,,„i j WuTb'^".' -i'ed triumphant^ '' "^ of '"ova7*oui ir-4;riiio'-7 ''^^^'"- = s*s-d^^=^^^:3AS£ beamed with the rad ance nf ;„ -^ .?y^' the full rirw. i;l _'*"°? °f inspiration ; curling ■haiT;iu8\ered"with'ohnH'"rt ' -^^ WK.I! for, p„e,„,, J^momb^r^'e # if ara IB iWH M BEULAH. hath madness in it," answered Beulah, still looking earnestly at her drawing;. " Madness ? What do you mean ? " " Just what I say. I believe poetry to be the highest and purest phase of insanity. Those finely-strung, curiously nervous na- tures, that j'ou always find coupled with poetic endowments, are characterized by a remarkable activity of the mental organs ; and this oontimied excitement, and prema- ture development of the brain, results in a disease which, under this aspect, the world offers premiums for. Though I enjoy a fine poem as much as anj'body, 1 believe, in nine cases out of ten, it is the spasmodic vent of a highly nervous system, overstrained, dis- eased. Yes, diseased 1 If it does not result in the frantic, madness of Lamb, or the final imbecility of Sou they, it is manifested in various other forms, such as the morbid melancholy of Cowper,the bitter misanthropy of Pope, the abnormal moodiness and misery of Byron, the unsound and dangerous theories of Shelley, and tlie strange, frafi;mentary na- ture of Coleridge. " "Oh, Beulah! what a humiliating theory ! The poet placed on an ignominious level with thenervous hypochondriac ! You are the very last person I should suppose guilty of enter- taining such a degraded estimate of human powers, "interposed Clara, energetically. "I know it is customary to rave about Muses, and Parnassus, and Helicon, and to throw the charitable mantle of ' ncttln idiosyncrasies' cer all those dark spots on poetic discs. All conceivable and incon- ceivable eccentricities are pardoned, as the usual concomitants of genius ; but looking iato the home lives of many of the most dis- tinguished poets, I have been painfully im- pressed with the truth of my very unpoetic '' theory, Common sense has arraigned before ^her august tribunal some of the aocalled • geniuses ' of past ages, and the critical ver- dicjk'is, that much of the famous ' fine frenzy,' 8 bona fi(fe frenzy of a sadder nature. " " Do you think that Sappho's frenzy was tablisbed by the Leucadian leap ? " " You confound the poetess with a Sappho who lived later, and threw herself into the ■ea from the promontory of Leuoate. Doubt- less she too had ' poetic idiosynorasiea ; ' but her spotless life, and 1 believe natural death, afford no indication of an uusound intellect. It is rather immaterial, however, to " Beulah paused abruptly, as a servant entered and approached the table, .raying ; '' Miss Clara.Dr. Ilartwell is in the parlour,, and wishes to sea you." "To 8«e mel" repeated Clara, in snr- priae, while a ro£y tinge stole into her' wan iaoa; "to we m»t No I It muat b« you, Beulah." ^ ^ esta "He said Miss Sanders," persisted the' servant, and Clara left the room. Beulah looked after her, with an expres- sion of some surprise ; then continued pen- cijling the chords of Sappho's lyre. A few minutes elapsed, and Clara returned with flushed cheeks, and a smile of trembling joyousness. "Beulah, do pin my mantle on straight. I am in such a hurry. Only think how kind Dr. Hartwell is ; he has come to take me out to ride ; says I look too pale, and he thinks a ride will benefit me. That will do, thank you." She turned away, but Beulah rose, and called out : . " Come back here, and get my velvet man^ tie. It is quite cool, and it will be a marvellous piece of manage- ment to ride out for your health, and come home with a cold. What 1 no gloves either 1 Upon iny word, your thoughts must be travelling over the bridge, Shinevad." " Sure efaough ; I had forgotten my gloves; I will get them as I go down. Good bye. "^ With the mantle on her arm, she hurried away. Beulah laid aside her drawing materials, and prepared for her customary evening walk. Her countenance was clouded, her lip un- steady. Her guardian's studied coldness and avoidance pained her, but it was not this which saddened her now. She felt that Clara was staking the happiness of her life on the dim hope that her attachment would be returned. She pitied the delusion, and dreadtid the awakening to a true insight in- tc* his nature ; to a consciousness of the utter uncongeniality which, she fancied, barred all thought of such a union. As she walked on, these reflections gave place to others en- tirely removed from Clara and her guardian ; and on reaching the grove of pines, opposite the Asylum, where she had so often wander- ed in days gone by, she passed slowly up and down the "arched aisles," as she wa« wont to term them. It was a genuine Oc- tober afternoon, cool and sunny. The de- licious haze of Indian summer wrapped every distant object in its soft, purple veil ; the dim vistas of the foresteuded in misty depths; the very air, in its dreamy laagour, re- sembled the atmosphere which surrounded •• The mild-eyed, melancholy lotus-eaters" of the far East, Through the openings, p&le, golden poplars shook down their dying icsavt)8, Aiv! iivtc tud tiitire alou|,; llie ravine, crimson maples glaamed against the back- ground of dark green pines. In every direc- tion, bright-coloured leaves, painted with *'auiumual hectic," strewed the bier of th» BEULAH. U persisted the 3m. ith an expres- continued pen- 1 lyre. A few returned with of trembling le on straight. ;hink how kind to take me unt and he thinks will do, thank ilah rose, and my velvet man^ and it will of manage- your health, . What 1 no word, your ver the bridge, ;ten my gloves; I. Goocl 'bye. " 1, she hurried ing materials, r evening walk. , her lip un- Jied coldness it it was not She felt that IBS of her life ihment would delusion, and 'ue insight in- 338 of the utter iucied, barred \.s she walked e to others en- her guardian ; [>iue8, opposite often wander- sed slowly up " as she waa \ genuine Oc- my. The de- wrapped every pie veil ; the 1 misty depths; ■ langour, re- surrounded lotus-eaterB* >pening8, pfele, their dying i|,; liic rsviue, ist the baok- n every direo- painted witk le bier of the I 4 declining year. Beulah sat down on a tuft of moss, and gathered clusters of golden-rod and purple and white asters. She loved those wild wood-flowers much more than faudy exotics or rare hot-house plants, hey linked her with the days of her childhood, and now each graceful spray of golden-rod seemed & wand of memory, calling up bygone joys, griefs and fancies. Ah, whst a hallowing glory invests our past, beckoninc us back to the haunts of the olden time 1 The paths our childish feet trod seem all angel-guarded and thornless ; the songs we sang then sweep the harp of memory, making nm.gical melody ; the words careless- ily spoken, now breathe a solemn,my8teriou8 import ; and the faces that early went down to tho tomb, smile on us still with unchang- ed tenderness. Aye, the past, the long past, is all fairy-land. Where our little feet .were bruised, we now see only springing flowers ; where childish lips drank from some Marah, verdure and garlands woo us iback. Over the rustling leaves a tiny form glided to Beulah's side ; a pure infantine face with golden curls looked up at her, and a lisping voice* of unearthly iweetness whis- pered in the autumn air. Here she had often brought Lilly, and filled her baby fingers with asters and golden-rod ; and gathered bright scarlet leaves to please her childish fancy. Bitter waves had broken over hei head since then ; shadows had gathered about her Leart. Oh, how far off were the early years ! How changed she was I how diflerent life and the world seemed to her now ! The flowery meadows were behind her, with tho vestibule of girlhood, and now she was a woman, with no ties to link her with any human being ; alone, and depend- ent on herself. Verily, she might have ex- claimed.in the mourntnl words of Lamb: all are crone, the old familiar faces. She sat looking at the wild flowers in her hand ; a sad, dreamy light tilled the clear grey eyes, and now and then her brow was ploughed by st -le troubled thought. The countenance told of a mind perplexed and questioning. The "cloud no bigger than a inau'B hand," bad crept up from the horizon of faith, and now darkened her sky ; but she would not see the eathering gloom; shut her eyes resolutely to the coming storm. As the oool October wind stirred the leaves at her f«et, and the scarlvt and gold cloud- dakes faded in the west, she rose and walked slowly homeward, She was too lucspjy pouGei'iii^ ixn'i specuirttiive doublb toMotJoeDr. IlftrtwoH's bu|jgy whirling along .the street ; did not see his head extended, land bit cold, searcbine; ({lance; and of course lie belie vi)d tho blinanesa mtentiona!, and credited it to pique or anger. On reaching home, she endeavoured by singing a favourite hymn to divert the current of her thoughts, but the shadows were growing tenacious, and would not be banished so easily. " If a man die shall he live again ?" seemed echoing on the autumn wind. She took up her Bible and read several chapters, which she fancied would uncloud her mind ; but in vain. Rest- lessly she began to pace the floor ; the lamp- light gleamed on a pale, troubled face. After a tim.e the door opened, and Clara came in. She took a seat without s])eakiug, fur she had learned to read Beulah's countenance, and saw at a glance that she was abstracted and in no mood for conversation. When the tea- bell rang, Beulah stopped suddenly in the middle of the room. " What is the matter?" asked Clara. " I feel as if I needed a cup of coffee, that is all. Will you join me T" " No ; and if you take it you will not b« able to close your eyes." " Did you have a pleasant ride?" said Beulah, laying her hand on her companion'B shoulder, and looking gravely down into the sweet face, which wore an expression she had never seen there before. "Oh, I shall nevurforget it— never 1" mur- mured Clara. " I am glad you enjoyed it ; very glad. I wish the colour would come back to your cheeks. Riding is better for you now than walking." She stooped down and pressed her lips to the wan cheek as she spoke. " Did you walk this evening after I left you ?" "Yes." " What makes you look so grave?" "A great many causes — you among the number." " What have I done ?" " Y ju are not so strong as I should like to see you. You have a sort of spiritual look that I don't at all fauoy." " I daresay I shall soon be well agun." This was said with an effort, and a sigh quickly followed. Beulah ram? the bell for a cup of coffee, and taking a book, drew her chair near the l»mp. " What I studying already !" cried Clara, impatiently. ' ' And why not ? Life is short at best, and rarely allows^ time to master all depart- ments of knowledge. Why should I not seiae every spare moment ?" " Oh, Beulah 1 though you are so much j'O'uijgei'iyuu awe lue. i toid yuurguardiuiitiO- day tha- you were studying yourself into & mere shadow. He smiled, and said you were too wilful to be advised. You talk to me shout not looking well 1 You never have h*d any 86 BEULAH. ?,J"! eolour and lately you have grown very thin and hollow-eyed. I H.ked the doctor if he did not think you were looking ill, and he said that you had changed very much mnce the summer. Beulah. for my sake, please dont pore over your books so incessantly." u^^ ^^'J'"*', « hand, gently, in both hers. Want of colour ia as constitutional with me as the sha^e of my nose. I have always been pale, and stu.ly has no connection with «ounf" ^"""^^^ perfectly easy on my ac- .Jl^""' •"!;■' ^?'y '?''""'• *" yo""- guardian «ays, cried Clara, impatiently. " YeM, that is like my sallow complexion 7-consi,tiitiona]," answered Beukh, laurh- Tl'kl *''^°'°*^ * ''*'^"™« ""^ Carlyle as she " Oil Beulah. I don't know what will be- come of you 1" Tearsspranginto Clara's eyes. •«„^^i T ** *" «neasy, my dfar, dove •yed Clara. I can take care of myself." CHAPTER XIX It was the middle of November, and absen- tees, who had spent their summer at the North, were all at home again. Among these were Mrs. Asbury and her two daugh- ters ; and only a few days after their return, they called to see Beulah. She found them polished, cultivated, and aereeable ; and when, at parting, the mother "kindly pressed her hand, and cordially invited her to visit them often and sociably, she felt irresistibly drawn toward her, and promised to do so. ^re long there came a friendly note, re- questing her to spend the evening with them ; and thus, before she had known them many weeks, Beulah found herself established on the farmhar footing of an oM friend. Uni- versally esteemed and respet.'ted, Dr As- bury s society was sought by the most refin- ed circle of the city, uid his house was a ^ivounte resort for the intellectual men and women of the community. Occupying an enviable position in l.ia profession, he still loin ,1 leisure to devote much of his attention |o strictly literary topics, and the honest \ £«n^"f ' -T'}, <=.0'''""li''y of his manners, i blended with the instructive tone of his con- rtr* a"?' '■^"^^ere.l him a general favourite JL^j;^sbury merited the elc.ate.l ,>n.s,tion Which she so ably lille.l, as the wife !.f .udi a maa While due attention was L'iven to the education and rearing of her daughters, s e admirably discharged the claims of socie: tj.andby a consistent adherence to the ihl'r^"l.°t..*j! '-"«-" .«'- professed! I K... _, c.^Ty riicans wilhui iier power the fnvolous excesses and dangerousextremes w I h {.revailed throughout the fashionable «"cle8 in which she moved. Zealously, yet nostentatiously, she exerted herself in ba- half of the various charitable institutiimsor- ganized to ameliorate the sufferings of the poor in their midst ; and while, as a Chris- tian, she conformed to the outward obser- vances of her church, she faithfully incul- cated and practised at home the pure pre- cepta of a religion, whose .effects should be the proper regulation of the heart, and cha- noUCT^ th« world Her pariours were not the favourite rendevous where gossins met to retail slander. Refined. digS? gentle and hospitable, she was a ;.oman toi rarely, alas 1 met with in e.> called fashion- able circles. Her husband', reputation secur- ed them the acquaintance of all distinginsh- ed strangers and made their house a great centre of attraction Beulah fully enjoyed •nd appreciated the friendship thus tendered her. and soon looked upon Dr. Asbury and his noble wife as counsellors, to whom in any emergency she could unhesitatingly apply. They based their position in society on their ^.\r'^^'. "?* ^^^ extrinsic appendages of wealth and fashion and readily ucknowledg- ed the claims of all who (however humbfe their abode or avocation) proved themselves worthy of respect and esteem. In their was an utter absence of that contemptible supercilious condescension v, hich always char- acterizes an Ignorant i^nd parvenu aristocracy. They treated her as^ an equal in intrinsic worth, and prized her as a friend. Helen Asbury was older than Beulah, and Georgi* somewhat younger. They were sweet tern- pered gayguls, lacking their parents' intel- lectual traits, but sufhciently well-informed and cultivated to constitute them agareeable companions. Of their father', f^tensive library, they expressed themsdves rather atraid, and frequently bantered Beulahabout the grave books she often selected from it. ™ ', ''""i:^^"■f''°°^•'"*^^« ^"'•Jess irk- some than she haected , an. notwithstanding two months had elapse,! without Eugene's writ- mg, siie looked forward with intense plea- sure to hiaexnijctpil arrival. Th."!.-' --va- ••• - source ot constant pain for her in Dr? Hart'^" wells continued .in,l comjlete e.^tran-rrment. l.xceptaoohl,forinai i«.w, in p.issiug. there was no intercourse whatever ; and she aor- J!^-"^S!mSoaim BEULAFf. heisulf in b»- inatitutiiusor- utferiiiga of the ile, aa a Chrii* uutward obser- tithfuUy incul- J the pure pre- ecta should be leart, and cha- f parlourB were where gossips ined, dignified, 'S a woman too called fashion- putation secur- all disting-iiish- houae a great fully enjoyed > thua tendered )r. Aabury and whom in any Jatingly apply, ociety on their appendages of lyackuowledg. wever humble red themselves «in. In their teacher, there contemptible :h always ehar- 1M aristocracy. 1 in intrinsic riend. Helen 1, and Georgi* re sweet tem- parents' inteU well-iuformed em aggreeable 'f'ti extensive isdves rather I Beulah about ected from it. far less irk- or she loved rested in the lasses. From 'as closely oc- the day were 8 much as she of the session, y away, and I ber ere she he Grahams flaily ex- two months ene's writ- intense plea- he so was oiia u Dr. Hart- straii<.'f;ment. liissiutr, there iud she Bor- U\ rowed bitterly over this seeming indifference m one to whom she oN«-i-„r much and wa^ so warmly attached. Hlelnotely connected tra3.nL r*- ^^ »"'y suddenly transp anted to some arid spot, she had SFe 'but?' "'r '"^ r-kof her' rid*;' UtnUe, but liopeless and depressed she went, day after day, to her duties at Madame St. Cymon s school, and returned at njht wear.e.l sdent and wan. Her step S more feeble,her face thinner and paler Often fplj . '^^ T"g8 to entertaining and in- teresting her ; but Uiere was a constra t r^emo'^d"'"'""*'^' "^^'^^ oould'not I One evening, on returning from a walk with Jelen Asbury, Beulaf ran into her !"f,':' !,':;r *'*K* <=^"«'« of flower" Clkra .nf r„ fi c "'"'"Ciuscer ot Howers. Cat a lu.r h(,-,rt a, i ." """',i seemed to clutc sat by the fire, with a piece of needle-work hJ [ ' "' 'J^,^'" * ^luidder orept ov( lu her band; she looked listless ^d sad ^'f.' T '"^''''*'^"^ '"^^^'f l^^sideher, ^1^. Beill'Xl' ?^ '""i'^^" 'i«tless and sad. chrisauthemums in her lap, and stoonim/ down, kissed her warmly, saying: ^^ How isyour troublesome head ? Here IS a flowery cure for you. " w3^l-?'^'^°^?""*'"^''« quite so badly. \\ here did you find these beautiful chry- santhemums?' answered Clara, languidly. I stopped to get a piece of nmaic from t >'m' "'"^ ^^^«"' '^ut them for me what blessed things flowers are ! They have been well styled, 'God's nnder-tones of en couragement to the chiklren of earth "' herfinrr«'**pf''«?",*^« ^^^'^^' ^-'^'•"""g tier fingers. Clara looked up at the dark clear eyesanddehoatc fixed IJpa before her' thLltf '"7?i""t'^."^y- Be^ulah knelt on the carpet, and throwing one arm around her companion, said, earnestly : T.;!*^ "iear Clara, what maddens you to- night? Can't you tell me »" «1»^«?r ^''l'^ ^* the door gave no time for .. f ^ t^' ^ "ervant looked in. la Miss Beulah Benton here? There is B*alahstil! knelt on the Boor, and held out x*r h*nd indifferently. The card was given au,. she sprang up with a cry of joy. Oil, It IS Eu^'die ! ' J J J At the door of the parlour she paused, and heart A tal form stood before the grate andaKluiice discovered to her a dark mous- tache ana Heavy beard ; still it must be Jbu^ene.^and extending her arms unconsci- ^'J Eugene 1 Eugene I have you come at Hestarted looked up, anrl hastened to- waidher. Her arms suddenly dropj.ed to 87 her side, and only th^ir hands met in a~th^ tight claHp Fo, a moment, they Led Ti ^tihUmVr ',■'""■'• ''•i^ '^"'"'^ ^he'cha'ng:i slowly: '^ '"■""*5^''- ■»*'«" tie said! '• 1 should nor. have known you Beulah You have alter, d surprisingly.^ His ev's wandered wondeiiiiclv ov. ••»,.. f * ^ She was pale and br^YhC her 'ipf rem' Wed vu.lei.tiy.and there wa. a st ai^e Sn in he. largo, eager eyes. She did not feuly some faei ^''Th':^ "^ '""'T'' ''^'° ^'^ h'^^^' Et^es|$;JuJ;-j^t^^w. axed their elasp of bi.. and she satlown on f fvM "'^';- .^*' • ^''' v^-inanly intuhions wafnf lL?.!er'ir'^''^^ '^'''■' '"'^' her tha i; rvoedlv^ V'''^"f"^«hehad loved so cvotedly. All iron hand seemed to cluteli her heart, an,! aga n a .luidder crept "ve T , "coiueut!!, SaVIIlt' • lam very nauli pained to find ^ou here ' I am just from Dr. Hartwell's, where I ex'- pected to see you." ""cio x ex- He paused, for something about her face rat-'er disconcerted him, and he! took her hand again in his. '^ "'=' " How could you expect to find me there after reading my last letter ' " ' tH-e'vItft" v,^;';"l *'""' ^'T «"''^' «^"«« «-o"id step." '""'*'' '"''' ""'' extraordinary &iie smiled, icily, and answered : .V.Mii '* .^° ertiaordinary, then, that I should desire to maintain my self-respect ? '' remiinjr'" °"* ''^^*' '^''^'^ compromised by remaining where you were." " I should scorn myself,' were I willing to Eugene if 1 prefer to teach, for a support w hy should you object ? " ""pporc, •'Simply because you are unnecessarily lowering yourself in the estimation of the community. You will find that the circle which a residence under Dr. Hartwell's roof S-Jfyorx the entree of, will look down wUl TubftUn-V"'"^^'"'^**^ *-^^- - ^ '• Then, thank Heaven. lam for ever shut 2 °K \^."* '""^^^ ' ^« "-y "nerit to be gauged by the cost of my clothes, or the number of fashionable parties I attend, think '= Assuredly, Beulah, the things you value «o ightly are the standards of worth anl gentility ,n the community you live in as you will UMfortunately find.'' ' She looked at him steadily, with grief aL.l i BEULAH. wonder in her drep, aearching ' as she exclaimed : Eugene ! what has o)ianged yon so, since the by. o:ie years, when, in the Asylum, we talked of the future — of labouring, con- quering, and earning homes for ourselves ? Oh, has the foul atmosphere of foreign lauds extinguished all your self-respect ? Do you come back sordid and sycophantic, and the slave of opinions you would once have utter- ly detested? Have you nan owed your soul, and bowed down before the miserable standard which every genuine, manly si)irit must loathe ? Oh ! has it come to this ? Has it come to thii ? " Her voice was broken and bitter, scalding tears of shame and grief gushed over hor cheeks. " This fierue recrimination and unmerited tirade is not exactly the welcome I was pre- pared to expect," returned Eugene, haughti- ly ; and rising, he took his hat from the ta- ble. She rose also, but made no effort to detain him, and leaned her head against the mantelpiece. He watched her a momeut, then approached, and put his hand on her shoulder : " Beulah, as a man. I see the world and its relations in a far different light from tSiat in which I viewed it when a boy." " It is utterly superHuous to tell me so ! " replied Beulah, bitterly. "I grapple with realities now, and am forced to admit the expediency of prudent policy. You refuse to see things in their actual existence, and prefer toying with ro- mantic dreams. Beulah, I have awakened from these since we parted. " She put up h«r hand deprecatingly, and answered : "Then let me dream on! let me dream on!" " Beulah, I have been sadly mistak- en in my estimate of your cha- racter. I could not have believed there was so much tierce obstinacy, so much stubborn pride, in your nature. " She instantly lifted her head, and their eyes met. Other days came back to botli ; early confidence, mutual love and dejiend- ence. For a moment his nobler impulse.^ prevailed, and wifcli an unsteady lip, Ikj passed his arm around hor. But she drew coldly back, and said : " It seems we are mutually disappointod in each other. I regret that the ili,'cli!irs.fo. of my duty sliouM so far conflict witli your i opinions and standard of i^'opriety as ti iipleteij SctrtilS iiLciy to do. All my life I have Ujoked to you for guidance and couuael ; but to-night y.ui liave ■hakeu my trust, aud heucefortli I must de- pend upon my owu heart to support me in my work. Oh, liugeue I friend of my cluld- hood ! beware, lest you sink yourself in your own estimation 1 Oh, for days, and months, and years, I have pictured the hour of your return, little dreaming that it would prove one of the saddest of my life ! I have always looked up to you. Oh, Eugene I Eugene 1 you are not what you were I Do nob ! oh, do not make me pity you ! That would kill me I " She covered her face with her hands, and shuddered convulsively. " I am not so changed as you think rae," returned Eugene, proudly, " Then, in early years, I was miserably deceived in your character. For the sake of wealth, and what the world calls ' position,' you have sold yourself. In lieu of his gold and influence, Mr. Grsham has your will, your conscience. Ah, Eugene I how can you bear to be a meie tool in his hands ? " " Beulah, yoar language, your insinuations are unpardonable ! By Heaven, no one but yourself might utter them, aud not even you can do so with impunity ! If yon choose to sutfer your foolish pride and childisli whims to debar j'ou from the enviable position in society which Dr. Hartwell would gladly confer on you, why, you have only yourself to censure. But my situation in Mr. Gra- ham's family has long been established. He has ever rei^arded me as his son, treated me as such, and as such I feel bound to be guided by him in the choice of a profession. Beulah, I have loved you well, but such ano- ther exhibition of scorn aud bitterness will indeed alienate ue. Since you have set aside my views and counsel, in the matter of teaching, I shall not again refer to it, I pro- mise you. I have no longer the wish to con- trol your actions even had ' the power. But, remember, since the hour you stood be- side your father's grave, leauiuK on me, I have been constantly your friend. My ex- postulations were for what I considered your good. Beulah, I am still, to you, the Eu- gene of other days. It will be your own fault if our friendship is not maintained." "It shall not be my fault, Eugene." She hastih' held out her hand. He clasped it in his, as if dismissing the topics which had proved so stormy, drew her to a seat, aud said composedly : " Come, tJell me what you have been do- ing with yourself these long tive years, which have ohanged you so. I have heard already of your heroism in nursing the sick, ilriti!i<^ the late awi'ul season of pestilence and death." tiiemes, i,Sich feeling that tiie other was veil- ing tiia true impulses of the heart, and final- ly Euyeue lose to go. " How is CorLU'lia's health now?" asked Beulah, as they stood up U-fore the tire. hEULAH. 8S ou think me," " About the same. She never ooniplains, bnt does not look like herself. Apropos, ahe entrusted a note to nie, for you, and I had nearly forgotten. Here it is. Miss Dupres is with her for the winter ; at least a part of it. Cornelia will come and tee you in a day or two, she requested me to say ; and I do hope, Beulah, that you will visit her often ; she has taken a great fancy to you." "How lont; since!" answered Beulah, with an incredulous smile. " Since she met you at a concert, I believe. By the way, we are very musical at our house, and promise ourselves some delightful erenings this winter. You must hear An- toinette Dupres sing ; she is equal to the best nrima donna of Italy. Do you practise much?" "Yes." " Well, I must go. When shall I see you •gain?" " Whenever you feel disposed to come, and I hope that will be often. Eugene, you were a poor correspondent ; see ithat you prove a better visitor." " Yes, I will. I have a thousand things to say, but scarcely know where to com- mence. Yon are always at home in tlie evening, I suppose ? " " Ves. except occasionally when I am with the Asburys. " " Do you see much of them ?" ' ' Yes, a good deal. " " I am glad to hear it ; they move in the •very fii^t circle. Now, Beulah, don't be offeinj'ed if I ask what is the matter with Hartwell ? How did you displease " Just as I displeased you ; by deciding 'to teach. Eugene, it pains me very much that he should treat me as he does, hut it is utterly out of my power to rectify the «viL'* "He told me that he knew nothing of your movements or plans. 1 wish, for your sake, you would be reconciled." "We will be some day. I must w«t patiently," said she, with a sigh. "Beulah, 1 don't like that troubled look about your mouth. What is the matter? C»n I in any way remove it ? Is it connected with me, even remotely ? My dear Beulah, do not shrink from me." " Nothing is the matter that you can rec- tify," said she, gravely. "Something is the matter, then, which I mnv ' •* 'ninv." '•Ye*" " All. I yuii will not trust me ?" " It is not a question of trust, Eugene." " You think 1 cannot help you V' "You cannot help me, I am sure." "Well, I will see you again to-morrow till then good-bye." They shook hands, and she went back ti her own room. Cornelia's note contained an invitation to spend tlie next evening with tliem ; she would call as fcoun as possible. She put it aside, and throwing her arms on the mantelpiece, bowed her hea I upon tliem. This, then, was the hour which, for five years, she had anticipated as an occasion of unmixed delight. She was not weeping ; no, the eyes were dry, and the lips firmly fixed. She was thinking of the handsome face which a little while before was besiUe her ; thinking, with keen agony, of foot- pi ints there which she had never dreamed of seeing ; they were very slight, yet unmis- takable — the fell signet of dissipation. Above all, she read it in the eyes, which once looked so fearlessly into hers. She knew he did not imagine, for an instant, that she suspected it ; and of all the bitter cups which eighteen years had proBered, this was by far the blackest. It was like a hideous dream, and slie groaned, and passed her hand over her brow, as if to sweep it all away. Poor BeuJah I the idol of her childhood fell from its pedestal, and lay in crumbling ruins at her feet. In this hour of reunion, she saw clearly into her own heart ; she did not love him, save as a friend, as a brother. She was forcel to perceive herown supi'iiority ; could she love a man whom she did uoi, revere ? Verily, she felt now that she did not love Eugene. Thoro was a feeling of contempt for his we,vkne«i3, yet she could not bear lo see him other than she had lio^/ed. How utterly lio had disappointed hur ! Cuuld it be posiihle that he had fallen so low .is to disi t'^^u"?*"',*^ ^"" h^'^fht, she replied, with haughty coldness • '^ jec'tu^e!"* '^^ ^°'' '"'*° • ^ °" ""'y ~°- " Beulah, yon know he loves yon," cried ^!% ^ o * »*'"»ngely quiet sroile. InnJ*^ Sapders never say that again as loi^M you hve; for there is not a shadow truth in it." t^"^' ^ would not believe it tillit was forced upon me. The heart bars itself a long time to pamful truths! I have looked at f„?' *°/ .wondered whether you could be Ignorant of what I saw so cleariy. I believe you are r.onest m what you say. I know that yon are ; but it is nexTertheless true I saw It the evening I went to ride. He ioves you, whether you see it or not. And, tnore- the over, the worid hits begun to join your nam* •- 1 have htiard, more than once, that he educated you with th*^ intention of marrying you ; and recently ic h t been rumoured that the marriage woul.l take place very soon. l>o not bo hurt with me. Beulah I I think it 18 right that you should know all this." " It is utterly false from beginning to end! He never had such a thought I never ! neverl" cried Beulah, striking her clenched hand heavily on the table. " VV hy, then, was ho so anxious to prevent your teaching ?" "Because lie is generous and kind, and fancied it was a life of hardship, which I could escape by accepting his offer to adopt nie. \ ,nir supposition is perfectly ridiculous. He 18 double my age. A stern, taciturn man ; what could possibly attract him to one wlioia he looks upon as a mere child ? And, moreover, he is a worshipper of beauty J Now, it is an indisputa'jle fact that I am anything but a beauty 1 Oh, the idea is ab- surd beyoml all degree. Never mention it to me again. I tell you solemnly, Clara, your jealous fancy has run away with your common sense. " A sad, incredulous smile flitted over Clara's face, but she made no reply. "Clara, rouse yourself from this weak dream. Oh, where is your pride— your wo- manly pride— your self-respect ? Is your life to be aimless and dreary because ot an un- requited attachment? Shake it offl Rise ahove It! Destroy it! Oh, it makes the blood tingle m my veins to think of your wasting your energies ami b()pe8 in love for ou« who is so utterly indifferent to 'you Much as I love you, Clara, had I the power to make you his wife to-morrow, I would rather see you borne to your grave. You know nothing of his fitful, moody na- ture—his tyrannical will. You could not be happy with him ; you would see how utterly unsuited you are." "Are you acquainted with the ciroum- •tanoesof his early life and ill-fated mar- riage ? " asked Clara, in a low, passionless tone. " No ; he never alluded to his marriage in any way. Long as I have lived in his house, there was no mention of his wife's name, and I{should never have known of his mairiag* but from his sister," " It was a most unhappy marriage," said Clara, musingly. "So I conjectured, from his studious avoidance of all allusion to it." "His wife was very, very Vieftntiful ; I saw her once when 1 was a child,' contianed Clara. " Of course she must have been, for ha could no: love one who was not." BEULAH. 01 9U8 to prevent 1 over Clara's " She lived but a few months, yet even in that short time they had become utter ly eg- trauKed, aud she died of a broken heart. There is aome mystery connected with it • they were separated. " ' "Separated!" cried Beulah, in amaze- meiit. " Yea, separated ; she died in New Orleau*. I believe." I ^ " And yet you profeas to love him I \ [ ( V man who broke his wife's heart," laid Beu- lah, with a touch of scorn. "No : you do his noble nature injustice. He IB incapable of such a cours- Even a censorious world acquitted him ' unkind- ness. " " And heaped contumely on the unhanpy victim, eh ? " rejoined Beulah. "Her conduct was not irreproachable, it has been whispered." " Aye, whispered by slanderous tongues ! Not openly avowed, to admit of denial aud refutation ! I wonder the curse of Gomor- rah does not descend ou this gossipinK, libel- lous community." "No one seems to know anything definite •bout the affair, thonaflpi I have often heard it commented upon and wondered over. " " Clara, let it be buried henceforth. Nei- ther you nor I have any right to discuss and censure what neither of us knows anythiug about. Dr. Hartwell has been my best aud truest friend. I love and honour liim ; his faults are his own, and only his Maker has lithe right to balance his actions. Once for all, let the subject drop." Beulah compressed her lips with an expression which her com- panion very well understood. Soon after the latter withdrew, etBdMniug her arms on the table near her, Uenlali sank into a reverie which was far from pleasant. Dismissing the unsatisfactory theme of lier guardian's idiosyncrasies, her thoughts immediately re- verted to Eugene, and the revolution which hve years had effected in hi> character. In the afternoon of the following day she was engaged with her drawing, when a suc- cession of (juigky raps at her door forced an impatient " Come in " from her lips. The door opened, and she rose involuntarily as the queenly form of Cornelia Graham stood oefore her. With a filow, stately tread, she approacho.l, and e.xteading' her hand, said unconceniedly: "I iiave waived ceremony, you see, and came up to your room. " "How are you?" said Beulah, as thev shook hands and seated thcinsolvcs. "Ju3ta= lijual. How did you contrive to i escape the i^latne?" | " By resolving not to have it, I believe." ! II You have a wan, sicMy l(,.,k. I think." : bo have you, 1 am siu.o. 1 hoped that you would come home strong bim! welj." Beulah noted, with a fueling o?comp«N(.i(,o, the thin, hollow cheeks, and sunken, sit burning ey. 8 before h A ,.v ^ 92 BEULAH. With a sudden impulao, she laid her white jewelled haudon Beulah's. "la honesty, or rather candour, so very rare, Cornelia T" " Come out from your ' loophole of re- treat,' into the world, and you can easily iiuswer your own question." " You seem to have looked on human nature through raisaiithropio lenses." "Yes, 1 bought a pair of spectacles, for which I paid a most exorbitant price ; but they were labelled 'Experience 1' She smiled frigidly. " You do not seem to have enjoyed your tour particularly." " Yes, I did ; but one is glad to rest some- times. I may yet ^)rove a second Bayard Taylor, notwithstanding. I should like you for a companion. You would not sicken me with stereotyped nonsense. " Her delicate fingers folded themselves about Beulah's, who could not bring herself to withdraw her hand,, " And sure eno'igh, you would not be adopted ? Do you mean to adhere to your determination, and maintain yourself by teaching ?" "lUo." "And I admire yon for it I Beulah, you must get over your dislike to me. " " I do not disliKe you, Cornelia." " Thank you for your negative preference," returned Cornelia, rather amused at her companion's straightforward manner. Then;' with a sudden contraction of her brow, she ■added : "I am not so bearish as they give me oredit for." "I never heard you calkdso." "Ah? that is because you do not enter the enchanted circle of ' our clique. * Dur- ing morning calls, I am flattered, caioled, and fawned upon. Their carriages are not out of hearing before my friends and ad- nairers, like hungry harpies, pounce upon my character, manners and appearance, with most laudable zest and activity. Wait till you have been initiated into my coterie of fashionable friends ! Why, the battle of Marengo was a farce, in comparison with the havoc they can effect in the space of a morning, among the characters of their select visiting list I What a precious age of haokbiting we city belles live in." She spoke with an air of intolerable scorn. " As a prominent member of this circle, why do you not attempt to rectify this spreading evil ? You might effect lastintr good. " <ok up a piece sketches very BEULAH. 03 All rather Bcilia ? There V here," con- ous glance at e original in> a collection of brought from lice paintings. Any that you B for modelB. " ;lad to avail 5 Saturday V 3 prevent, I eufah pressed descend the lich she could jy the win- aused to look ig before the the top was cushions sat, sed and very sd out to ex- lore closely, opened the pped in, the Dupres. of lyi Vilson," was ed her rich vas whirled warmed her I ; thinking lauge places and luxury. rnoon, bot al'out her, promised visit. The air was damp and raw, and leaden, marbled clouds hung low in the sky. Mr. Graham's house was situated in the fashionable part of the city, near Mr. Grayson's residence, and as Beulah passed the crouching lions, she quickened her steps to escape tho painful reminiscsnces which they recalled. In answer to her ring, the servant ushered her'into the parlours, fur- nished with almost oriental magnificence, and was retiring, when she gave her name. "You are Miss Benton, then. I have or- derato show you up at once to Miss Cor- noJna's room. She has seen no visitors to- y. This way, miss, if you please." He led the way up an easy, spiral flight of steps, to the door of a room, which he threw open. Cornelia was sitting in a large cushioned chair by the fire, with a papier- mache writing-desk beside her, covered with letters. There was a bright fire in the grate, and the ruddy liaze, togtsthcr with the reflec- tion from the crimson damask curtains, gave a dim, luxurious aspect to the chamber, which in every respect betokened the fas- tidious taste of a petted invalid. Clad in a dark silk robe-de-chambre, with her cheek pressed against the blue velvet lining of the chair, Cornelia's face vore a sickly, sallow hue, which was ren'lered more p.alpable by her black, glittering eyes and jetty hair. She eagerly held out her hand, and a smile of sincere pleasure parted the lips, which a paroxysm of pain seemed to have just com- pressed. "It is such a gloomy day, I feared you would not come. Take off your bonnet and shawl." "It is not so gloomy a day out as yon imagine," jaid Beulal^ " What? not with dull clouds, and a stiff, raw, northeaster? I looked out of the win- dow a while since, and the bay looked just as I have seen the North Sea, grey and cold. Why don't yon take off your bonnet?" " Because I can only sit with yon a short time," answered Beulah, resisting the at- tempt made to take her shawl. " Why oan't you spend the evening ?" said Cornelia, trowning, " I promised not to remain more than an hour." "Promised whom ?" " Clara Sanders. She is sick ; nn.iH ' • leave her room, and is lonely wjl.mI am am away. " " My case is analogous ; so I will put my- self on the charity list for once. I have not been down-stairs tor twa days. " But you have every thinur to interest you even here," returned Beulah, glancing 'Around at the numerous paintings and engrav- ings which were suspended on all siden. while ivory, marble, and bronze statuettes were scattered in profusion about the room. Cornelia followed her glance and asked, with a joyless smile : "Do you suppose those bits of stone and canvas catisfy me ?" "Certainly 'A thing of beanty should be a jov.iflfever. ' With all these, and yont libx»ry7 surely you are never lonely." Pshaw I they tire me immensely. Some- times, the cramped positions, and unwink- ing eyes of that ' Holy Family' there over the chimneypiece, make me perfectly nervous." " You must be morbidly sensitive at such times. " "Why? do you never feel restless and dissatisfied, without any adequate reason V "No, never." " Au