IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) y A O / ,% %. C % 5r ^z- 1.0 I.I 11.25 lie 122 M 2.2 t li^ 12.0 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 J\ ^s< W ^\ '^'^T*. '^\ '^'^ 4. ^ >> > /, ^ ^ ^ ^J^ i .**'>.,*%■ .. «o- f/i :/- CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiq ues Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filriing, are checked below. D D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicui^e I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reiid avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrde peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 fiimdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires; L'Institut a microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6x6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. D D n \/ n D D Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicuides Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolordes, tachetdes ou piqu^es Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes Showthrough/ Transparence I I Quality of print varies/ Qualitd indgaie de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprerid du matdriel suppl^mentaire Only edition available/ Seuie Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have b«»en ref limed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6td film^es 6 nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est i\\m6 au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X V 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X ilaire )s details iques du nt modifier xiger une je filmage The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Harriet Irving Library University of New Brunswick The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce d la g6n6rosit6 de: Harriet Irving Library University of New Brunswick Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet^ Jo I'axemplaire film6, et en confor'^-.ii.e avec les conditions du contrat de f"r..age. d/ :)ude8 Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —^(meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont filmds en commengant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iilustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iilustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ♦► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". aire Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour §tre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est filmd d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de ut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'imagf s n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. by errata ned to lent une pelure, fagon d 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 32X J h\ ^1 Page n8. J 11.1^. [^ Page ii8. MARY M'NEILL; OR, THE WORD REMEMBERED. gi Storg of f wmbk fife. By J. W. C, AUTHOR OF 'ALICE LOWTHEH,' ETC. ETC. MONTREAL AND TORONTO: TAMES CAMPBELL AND SON. .<>v VVf*'t^-'' ao50 MARY M'NEILL OR, THE WORD REMEMBERED. CHAPTER I. N autumnal funfet was leaving ^ its parting glories on a High- land landfcape, which, for picturefque lovelinefs ftands un- furpaffed by any rival. The * flow defcending fun* had juft plunged behind a lofty range of hill^, which bounded the far horizon ; and the gentle breeze which fl:irred the meadow grafs feemed to bear a farewell meffage from <"he bright orb to the 8 MART M'NEILL ; OR, fpeftator, as he flood gazing on his receding path, and to fay, * Go, to-morrow we fliall meet again.' Each cottage in the romantic little village of Glentree repofed in a perfeft halo of golden funfhine, and the grey fteeple of the primi- tive old church looked ferenely bright, emerging from its verdant mantle of ivy, every leaf of which was quivering and glancing in the foft funlight. The toils of another day were paft, and the labourers (lowly wended their homeward way, fome to the ftraggling cottages which dotted the landfcape in the far diftance, others to the more fheltered village in the glen. It was a peaceful hour, and a peaceful- looking fcene. The fmoke breathed forth languidly from chimney, or window, or door, as the cafe might be ; and the fweet mufic of a * burnie,' running merrily paft, mingled with the lowing of the cattle, the lierd-boy's call, I \. THE WORD REMEMBERED. th 11. J / I and the hum of the labourers' voices home- ward-bound. A ruAic bridge fpanned the ftream, connedling the woodland and fields beyond with the village of Glentree. A knot of villagers had gathered together on the bridge, chatting over the incidents of the day, and watching the rife of the trout in the water below. Suddenly the found of carriage wheels attracted their attention, and fpeedily was feen proceeding up the village towards them, a handfome carriage and pair. It mull: crofs the bridge, and as it came near, the group moved to the fide. The horfes trotted leifurely along, and {landing in the open carriage were feveral figures, who, with guide-books in their hands, were afcertain- ing the names of the places they pafied, and apparently wrapt in admiration at the fcenery through which they were driving. Juft as the horfes fl:epped on the briage. I 10 MARY M*NEILL: OR, the fhout of a boy who was fifhing, and had taken a trout, ftartled them, and they dafhed off in frantic hafle, threatening to pitch the whole party over the little archway. Pro- videntially, however, by the prefence of mind of a young man who faw the danger, this dreadful cataftrophe was averted -, he rufhed forward, and with a firm hand feized the horfes' heads, and faved the awful leap. All his courage and energy, however, could not tranquillize the ftartled animals ; and the moment they felt the folid ground again beneath their feet, they flung off the brawny arms which had grafped them, and fet off at full gallop. . At this rapid pace they proceeded until their career was flopped by a log of wood, which, in his hafte to go and fee * what all the ftir meant,' a lad had careleflly dropped on his way from the plantation, whither he had gone to fetch it for his mother's fire. The carriage was overturned, and the whole I THE WORD REMEMBERED. II party fent fprawling on a bank at the fide o£ the road. The villagers, forefeeing that an accident of fome kind would in all likelihood overtake the travellers, had inftantly followed the carriage from the bridge, and on arriving at the fpot, found that their afllftance was greatly needed. Two gentlemen, evidently father and fon, had efcaped with mere bruifes ; a young lady looked pale and trembling ; but the one who had fufFered moft ferioufly from the overturn, was an elderly lady, who proved to be the wife and mother of the little party. Round her the family gathered in anxious folicitude, as fhe lay on the grafs with clofed eyelids in a faint ; and the kind, fympathizing vil- lagers rendered valuable affiftance, one darting for the medical man, and others fetching water to fprinkle on the poor lady's face, while the more courageous fecured the ftill excited horfes, and lent timely aid •ft 12 MARY M*NEILL; OR, to Evans, the coachman. Evans was not altogether unhurt, but he faid nothing of his bruifes. The only one who feemed to have fus- tained no injury whatever, and who yet- was the moft ufelefs and helplefs of all, was Mifs Briggs, the lady's maid. Seated on the box befide Evans, fhe had managed to fall lightly on the projefting bank, — which had fo providentially intercepted be- tween the whole party and the ground, — fcathelefs and fafe. She, neverthelefs, claimed her own fhare of intereft, and by a rapid fucceilion of interjeftions, pretty little fcreams, fhakings of her head and limbs, to make fiire that each was in its proper place, fhe attrafted confiderable notice and attention. All anxiety, however, ere long concen- trated on the ftill infenfible lady, who, as yet, had manifefted no figns of returning confcioufnefs. The grief of her family was extreme -, everything was done to reflore 1^ 1 THE WORD REMEMBERED. 13 animation ; and at laft, to their inexpreflible thankfulnefs, (he opened her eyes and fmiled faintly on her hu{band and children, who flood around hei. * Grace, love, you are better,' faid her hus- band, tenderly, as he took her paiTive hand. * Oh, yes,' flie murmured, * but where are we ?' This queftion recalled to mind the fafb of their prefent pofition ; and haftily looking round. Colonel Whitmore — for fuch was the gentleman's name — inquired of the by- ftanders if there was any inn near, not hav- ing obferved anything refembling fuch a place of refrefhment in the village or neigh- bourhood. * There be'nt na inn till you comes to D ,' anfwered one of the men. * That is where we intended flopping all night,' faid Colonel Whitmore ; * but we are feveral miles diftant yet.* ' Six an' a bittock, guid,' interjedled a % H MARY m'NEILL; OR, fecond brawny Highlander. Mrs Whitmore ihook her head languidly, fignifying her total inability to proceed fo far. * Is there any houfe where we could find accommodation clofe at hand ?' again afked the Colonel, with a look of concern, for he greatly feared the efFefts of the night air on his wife. * No that I ken o',' faid one. * No for gentry folks like you, fir.' At this moment a horfeman appeared, coming from the village direftion. ' There's '' Tonal" McNeill, hell gie us a helpin' haund, as he aye does,' exclaimed feveral voices, eageirly. * There never was a knot fa fair tangled that his fingers could na uuravel.* The fo-called * Tonal ' immediately ad- vanced, and inquired earnelHy what had happened. AH was explained to him, and the unfitnefs of the * leddy' to be moved to any diltance. i n THE WORD REMEMBERED. 15 * Well, fir,' faid he, addrefling the Colonel, and refpeftfully touching his hat, * I fee nothing for it but for you to come to my bit houfe, juft down the brae here, and in at a long avenue ; my gudewife and dochter Mary will make ye hearty wel- come.' This propofal feemed to give the moft unbounded fatisfaftion to the kind-hearted villagers, who would, any one of them, have gladly put his own dwelling at the fervice of the travellers, but felt inflinc- tively that their accommodation would have been quite unfuitable for * nobility folk.' Donald's houfe, however, was quite fupe- rior, and worthy to receive any * gentry.' * Och, an' wha but Tonal his ainfel' wad ever hae thocht o' that plan ? ' * Hech but they will be weel put up there,* and fuch like phrafes met the Colonel's ears, and induced him to think favourably of the kind propofition. There was fomethmg about i6 MARY M'NEILL -, OR, the man himfelf that at once commended him to the whole party, and with grateful thanks the travellers accepted his hofpitality, and very foon found themfelves comfortablv houfed in Donald's cottage. THE WORD REMEMBERED. 17 ided teful ility, :ablY CHAPTER II. ^ ONALD MCNEILL was head gamekeeper to the Duke of B , and refided within the beautiful grounds of Glentree Caftle. High-principled, fhrewd, and intelli- gent, he had not only become a favourite and trufl: worthy fervant of his Grace, but had won befides the efteem and affedtion of the whole country-fide. In all difficulties or difagreements appeal was made to the worthy man, and under his bright, sunny temperament many a clcmd and fiiadow were fmiled away. His houfe — for although it had originally been a cottage, it was now a flated houfe — was a pifture of beauty and neatnefs. Infide n ? tl i8 MARY MCNEILL ; OR, and out, all was clean and in order, for Margaret McNeill was a notable houfe- keeper. The garden was faned far and wide for its luxuriance ; and flowers and plants which others failed to cultivate, flourifhed under M'NeilPs fkilful hands. At this feafon there were but few flowers in the garden, but in Donald's home there was one fair flower which bloomed alike in winter and in fummer, and which gladdened and blefled his home ; and that was his young daughter and only child, — fweet Mary M'NeilL Such was the humble but interefting family group amid which Colonel Whit- n ore and his party found themfelves located one hour after the occurrence of the acci- dent, which had threatened fuch ferious refults. Cheerful fires foon burned in the rooms, the befl: parlour was put at their difpofal, and fuitable accommodation pro- vided for each and all. The round table V i» 1 ! THE WORi:) REMEMBERED. 19 , for oufe- and ; and ivate, ands. )wers there ike in dened IS his fweet efting WKit- )cated acci- rious n the their pro- table I . n in the parlour was fpread with a plentiful repaft of tea, game, home-made fcones, and delicious butter and cream. Writing to fome Englllh friends after a few days* re- fidence at the cottage, Colonel Whitmore remarked, * By a ftriking accident I have found the firft realization in this lovely Highland retreat of many a day-dream. Far from buftle and bufmefs, furrounded by fcenery which neither in foreign nor continental travel have I feen equalled, one has, befides the addition of all good crea- ture comforts, a dry and warm houfe, and the inhalation of the pureft oxygen. It is a rare fpot.' The family at the caftle was abroad, being, from the delicate ftate of the Duke's health, reluctant abfentees from their fine eftate. Had they been at home, M'Neill afTured the Colonel that they would have received all kindly attention from them. It did not, however, feem as if this were 20 MARY m'nEILL , OR, wanted to enhance the enjoyment of the Whitmorcs. Young Mr Edward pro- ceeded home to refume his bufinefs in London, after feeing a marked improve- ment in his mother's health ; the others, however, appeared in no hurry to go. The Colonel made generous arrangements with the McNeills as to board for himfelf and family ; and fo greatly did the fine air feem to conduce to Mrs "Whitmore's reftoration, that fix weeks had pafled ere any final plan for leaving was made. If things had been going on harmonioufly up fl:airs, the watchful eye and heart of Mrs McNeill had been full of anxiety as regarded matters within her province below flairs. The only one of the Englifh party whofe fociety and influence Cue difliked was that of Bnggs, the lady's maid ; or, as fhe called herfelf, ' Mifs 'Arriet Briggs.' Showy and frivolous in her taftes, nothing but the exprefs order of her miftrefs kept her within I THE WORD REMEMBERED. 21 as jlow [arty I was (he )wy the Ithin rational bounds as to drefs and manners. She winced and fmarted under the reftraint, hue knew too well the value and eafe of her fituation not to yield obedience. On all occafions, however, when fhe could exercife her love of drefs and finery among thofe of her own clafs, (he came out, as fhe expreffed it, * extra ftrong.* Very foon her influence over the young country girl Mary began to be obferved. Mary's imagination became dazzled with pictures of London life, and the fimple pleafures Ihe had hitherto known began to iofe their relifh. Little bits of finery, manufaftured by Briggs' really tafteful fingers, adorned the beautiful girl's per- fon, and under the praftifed eye of the London waiting-maid, her natural tafte for millinery became cultivated and improved. An evil change, however, pafTed over her fpirit ; a fhade fell acrofs her path ; the little wedge of envy infinuated itfelf into ^ f 22 MARY m'NEILI.; OR, her heart, and her fweei face, from growing difcontent with her lot and pofition, began to grow clouded and peevifh. * Pm rale unea" Jonald,' faid Mrs M'Neill to her hufband, one evening, as together they fat by the cheerful' firefide ; * Tm rale uneafy about Mary. She's fair altered ^fince that weak — that vain filly woman cam.' Donald ftarted ; a new light feemed inftantaneoufly let in upon a fubjeft which had been perplexing him. * Eh, Maggie, do ye fay fo ?* * Yes,' replied the poor woman, bitterly ; * ihe's no the fweet, frefh rofe-bud fhe once was.' 'No, fhe is not,' again fpoke out Donald, emphatically and fadly. * I've wondered what it was ; but thought it was fome love ftory, and that, like a fummer cloud, it would pafs away.' * Oh, that woman ! ' groaned out Mrs ^ THE WORD REMEMBERED. 23 M*NelIl, heedlefs of her hufband's words ; oh, that her glamour fliould ever hae fallen into my Mary's blue een ! How Mrs Whitmore fhould ever hae ta'en ficcan a vain, frivolfome woman into her fervice, beats my underftanding outright.* *She did it from the kindnefs o* her nature,' interrupted Donald ; * fhe told me herfelf one day that the laffie was the dochter o' an old coachman o' theirs, who, with her mother, died when the bairn was young and filly, and that flie had promifed the puir mother that fhe would take notice o' the little lafs, and try to help her on in life.' * Shell never do ony good — never, no never,' replied Mrs McNeill ; * her deceitfu* ways and impertinent pride will be brought low fome day ! ' * She's our fellow-creature, Margaret, woman,' faid Donald quietly ; ' dinna be fae hard on the mitherlefs bairn. God 24 MARY M*NE1LL. OR, is mair pitifu' to us than we aic to one another -, and ye know His grace can fathom the deepefl: gulf o' fin. But what makes you think Mifs Briggs has ought to do with the change in Mary ? * * She never lets the la/Tie alone,* anfwered Mrs M'Neill, * and Mary is completely captivate' with her, and has loft her tafte for the Sabbath fchool, and her reverence for the Sabbath itfelf, for only yefterday I found her readin* fome play-book with Briggs, when I thought it was her Bible.* * You furprife me,* fliid Donald, gravely ; then ftartip^, and looking at his watch, he faid, * Where is the laffie the night ? * * She faid fhe was going to the fchool library,* replied Mrs M'Neill, * but that fhe might be late, as flie had promifed to go with Mifs Briggs to Saunders Frafer's, an* take tea wi' his mither an' him.' Donald looked troubled. For some time paft he had nodced a change in the treafure T II ,» e e THE WORD REMEMBERED. 25 K of his heart. Once funny, affeftionate, and tranfparently open, (he had become (hy, and, as he had difcovered to his grief, expert in devifing excufes for her condiift. She who had cheered him on his return at night, fat by his fide, or fprung on his knee, and, with her pretty arms twined round his neck, had fung him his favourite fongs and hymns, where was fhe ? The twilight hour, to which he had looked forward throughout a toilfome day, to reward and gladden his heart — the happy little firefide circle, the evening meal, the family worfliip — all came and pafifed in cheerlefs difappointment. Ten o'clock ftruck, then eleven -, and Donald had juft taken down his plaid, and, wrapping it round him, was about to fet out in queft of his daughter, when a timid rap at the door announced the return of Mary and Briggs. The latter having whifpered int50 Mary s ear, * Put a bold face on it, and brave them both,' uttered aloud a carelefs 'good night' ^} 26 MARY m'NKILL ; OR, to Donald and his wife, and fwept on to her own room. Mary looked pale, and, it muft be confefTed, her heart quailed under the cruel words of Briggs. Her father did not reproach her, but looked fadly enough on his treafured child, and quietly faid, ' Mary, where have you been all this time ? ' * Takin' a cup of te\ at Saunders Frafer's,' fhe replied -, * Fm furely old enough, now that Vm feventeen, to go that far my lane,' and fhe gave a flight tofs of her head ; ' and, father,' ftie added hurriedly and with flufhing cheeks, * I want to go to London and be a lady's maid, and not flay moping here among heather and rocks.' Had Briggs heard this fpeech, fhe would have been proud of her pupil : as it was, however, it fell upon no ears but thofe of her parents, and went like a barbed arrow to their hearts. ' Mary, you'll kill your father an' me, if you fpeak this way,' at lafl murmured Mrs McNeill ; * how could THE WORD REMEMBERED. 27 Id we ever live without ye, ladle ?* Mary was touched ; but the unhappy remark which followed awakened again the bad feelings of her heart. * That hufly ! O that vain, foolifh, up- fettin', empty woman, it's fhe's done the whole mifchief. Wae's me that ever her fhadow darkened my houfe door.' Mrs M'Neill, although a worthy woman, wanted the prudence which fo ftrongly cha- raclerized her huiband, and the prefent in- ftance called forth an angry reply. * Mother, you don't know Mifs Briggs, or ye wadna mifca' her. She's a very fine perfon indeed, and I juft wifh I was like her.' We ftay not to detail this and other fimi- lar converfations which followed. Mrs McNeill fpoke immediately on the fubjeft to Mrs Whitmore, who, along with her hu/band and daughter, lamented exceed- mgly tbe determination which Mary had taken to leave her home. No remonltrance, 28 MARY M'NEILL ; OR, however, availed ; and the contrail which the ladies drew to the young girl, between ner prefent happy home and the buflle and temptations of a city life, fell unheeded upon her ear. Mrs McNeill next appealed to the fenfibilities of Mifs Briggs herfelf, which were, however, fo blunted and feared, that her * cool infolence,' as the good woman called it, * nearly drove her demented.' Had the fubjeft been a lefs touching one, a by- ftander would have liftened to the dialogue with amufement, ' Mifs Briggs,' faid Mrs McNeill, entering theferving woman's room one afternoon, and clofmg the door fignificantly behind her, * Mifs Briggs, I want a word or twa wi' you.' * A thoufand if you choofe,' faid Briggs, officioufly buftling to fet her by no means welcome vifitor a chair. * A hantle fewer will ferve my purpofc,' faid the poor woman fomewhat ungracioully ; * I've come to Ipeak to you about my Mary.' THE WORD REMEMBERED. 29 * Sweet dear,* replied Mifs Briggs, with a patronizing bend of the head. * She's a fine young girl, is Mary; and it is a thoufand pities fhe fhould wafte her fweetnefs on the defert hdxr, and be buried alive all her days within them rugged 'ills. I hope you are no longer goin' to withhold your confent to her accompanyin' me and the family to town.' Mrs McNeill, fo foon as fhe could com- mand herfelf to open her lips after this rude fpeech, fpoke her mind very plainly, and accufed Briggs of injuftice and ingratitude in ftealing her daughter away. ' Me, MifTus McNeill ; um— no lady nor gen'lman neither would ever fay them words to me. Says Mr Saunders Frafer to me the other night, Mifs 'Arriet Briggs, um — fays he, you're the fineft, moil: beautifuUeft young leady I ever feed — * ' Stupid fool !' broke in Mrs McNeill, now thoroughly exafperated, * he is indeed a fool , but for all that, I'm very fure he •« 30 MARY MCNEILL; OR, never flippit them h's, like yoa an' your Cockneyfied tongues.' From this fpecimen of a fingle interview, it will eafily be inferred that no fatisfaftory impreflion could be made on Briggs ; and, after a time, Mrs McNeill ceafed all efforts to move fuch cold afteftions. Briggs had worked very efFeftually on Mary's mind, partly by fulfome flattery, and partly by falfe"but highly painted pictures of London life. She had, however, as is often the cafe with double-minded perfons, fomewhat overfliot her mark by altogether ignoring the authority and wifhes of Mary's parents. Befides the popularity of patronizing fo young and pretty a girl, and introducing her into fervice and company, Briggs had counted upon Mary's friendfliip being of fervice to herfelf, and piftured in imagina- tion an occafional pleafure trip together to the beautiful Highland home. She had, too, matrimonial vifions floating airily ia 1 ii * THE WORD REMEMBERED. 31 imagination between Mary and a brother of her own, a footman in a high London family ; and flie counted on a nice little dowry accompanying the Scotch bride, which would be faperlatively welcome to Frederick, whofe habits were of a fome- what loofe and expenfive kind. Thefe afpirations, however, received a check when the undifguifed difpleafure of Mrs McNeill was made known. But, had Briggs even wifhed now to recant from her propofal, Mary's own refolution would have rendered that difficult, if not impoiTible. The time was now at hand when the Whitmore family mufl: go, being anxious to fpend Chriftmas in their own home, and, as was their cuftom, fur rounded by rela- tives and friends. With many kind wifhes and grateful thanks to thofe who had proved fuch true friends, they bade fare- well to the cottage and glen, leaving be- hind them fubflantial proots ot their grati- V 32 MARY MCNEILL; OR, I ; I tude not only to the M'Neills, but to many with whom, in their walks and drives, they had become acquainted in the diftridl. Mrs McNeill having found that neither entreaties nor reafoning could prevail to alter Mary's defire, put forth her maternal autho- rity, and forbade her to go, or to fpeak any more on the fubjeft. Mary was forced to obey, and with a fuUen heart and pouting face, down which the bitter tears flowed, fhe faw the carriage roll away, and found her- felf again furrounded with the monotony and folitude of country life. Letters from Briggs came, announcing their fafe arrival, and the convivial gaiety of the Chriftmas feafon ; and Mary's fpirits drooped, and flie pined in melancholy grief. At the end of a few weeks, a perceptible change had pafled upon her ; and in an- fwer to the anxious and tender inquiries of her parents, ftie fullenly replied, that if flie % THE WORD REMEMBERED. 33 were longer thwarted in her willies, flie would foon fink into her grave. Such being the cafe, and all expoftulation, however true and afFeftionate, having failed to produce any efFeft, her poor mother faw no alternative but to allow her to write to Briggs, and intimate that her parents no longer withheld their confent to her going to London. In reply, fhe received a wordy but conftrained letter from Briggs, whofe ardour time and diftance had cooled, and who had begun ferioufly to refleft that it was quite pofTible the Highland beauty might out- fhine her own attractions, and prove a rival to her own important and confequential felf. The letter, however, fatisfied the ignorant Mary, and all preparations were fpeedily made for her departure to the great city. When confcience and natural affedlion fpoke out loudly, Mary ftrove to quiet them by afluring herfelf that her parents could know but little of life, or of what was advanta- c 54 MARY M*NEILL ; OR, f ' geous for a young girl like her, compared with Mifs Briggs. Befides which, when fhe had fucceeded in advancing and raifing herfelf in the v/orld, would they not ihare in her triumph, and come to fee that fhe had been wifcr and further -feeing than themfelves ? * And what,* whifpered doubt, ' what if you fhould be altogether difap- pointed in your expedlations ?* * Then I can come back to the old folks at home, who will be ready to receive me, I know.' Mary had a folemn interview with her minifter before flie left. He had known her from a child, and had at one time hoped that there was fome gracious work begun in her foul. He had marked the change which had palled over her fpirit from the moment of her intimacy with Briggs, and, with a father's heart yearning towards her, he wept tears of for row over the prodigal daughter leaving her home, her parents, her Sabbath fchool, and all her fwcet and facred THE WORD REMEMBERED. 35 afTociations. Like an unfledged bird, he be- held her fpringing from her fond parents' bofom, and plunging into an untried and dangerous courfe. * Mary/ he faid, at the clofe of the interview, * I know not what is before you in the future •, but of this I am fure, that you will have difRculties and trials to meet ; and when you come to know what it is to be fick, and lonely, and weary in heart, remember who hath faid, ** Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reft."* 3^ MARY M'NEILL ; OR, * .; CHAPTEP III ARY»S firft fet out on her felf^ willed courfe was not very elevating to the fpirits. We pais over the anguifli of her parents' hearts when, the morning of depar- ture having arrived, they bade fare- well to their tenderly loved child. Donald's fimple Chriftianity fuftained him under a trial which, but for this fupport, would have cruflied him to the dull:. He faid little, but that little was much from him. He had inftilled Chriftian principles into his child's heart from the time flie could lifp his honoured name, and his whole life was a felt expreffion of that religion which fprang from a living union to a living Redeemer. . THE WORD REMEMBERED. 37 faid nim. his his US a ang r. , He had knelt for the lafl: time with Mary in her fmall fweet room, and commended her to her father's God, who would ever be near her wherever placed -, and as he prefTed his lips on the foft cheek, down which the tears flowed faft, Mary's refolu- tion faltered. But pride intercepted, * What ! give in now, when on the very threfliold of hope's realization : what would Mifs Briggs think of fuch fimple foftnefs ? ' The tempter triumphed over the true love of thofe who would willingly have laid down their lives for her. Mary flrove to be quiet, and the volubility of her mother's grief, and the ceafelefs injunftions which, up to the lafi: moment, fhe poured forth, fomewhat coun- teracted the efFeft of her father's deep fdent forrow. She was to proceed to the railway ftadon under the charge of Saunders Frafer, who happened to be going, and arranged to take her with him, her father being prevented f ill I. li 3« MARY M*NEILL; OR, by urgent bufinefs. In Saunders' company Mary regained a little cheerfulnefs. She did not wifh him to fee her grief -, and he, having paid one memorable vifit to London, could talk learnedly about the Strand, the Tower, St Paul's and its wonderful whifper- ing gallery, — thus beguiling the way till they reached the railway ftation. There they parted, but not until Saunders had feen Mary properly accommodated, and charged her * to give Mifs Harriet Briggs his compli- ments, and he fliould make a point of calling on her the firft time he was in London town.* The journey to Edinburgh was performed without incident, and the young traveller was in time for the Granton fleamer, in which fhe took her paflage. The voyage was extremely rough, and Mary fufFered feverelyfrom fea-ficknefs, and thought, if (lie were once more on folid ground, (he would not put foe*- on fhipboard for very long THE WORD REMEMBERED. 39 Imed iller in age red Hie lUld long again. Amil the bnftle and confufion at Blackwall, (lie followed ftrlflly the written inflru6tions flie had received from Briggs, and proceeded from the wharf to Colonel Whitmore's, whither flie had a warn in- vitation, the family having promifed the McNeills to nke every poiTible charge of Mary, and to keep her with themfelves till a fuitable and proper fituation opened np. Mary approached the city with an ima- gination greatly excited. If fiie did not aftuaUy expe6l to find gold lying on the ftreets, fhe did imagine that (he was about to enter precindls of wealth and fplendour fo vaft, that flie had only to flep within the enchanted circle to be enriched and blcfl. She was fcated in a cab, and free to look about on every fide. Notwithflanding her excitement, however, flae became greatly alarmed as they rattled along through what appeared to her to be an ever-gathering mob; and recalling to memory fccnes of flfS*^ t ii 40 MARY M*NEILL ; OR, Chartifl: riot, of which fhe had heard her father fpeak, flie trembled left flie fhould be deliberately landing herfelf in the heart of fuch difturbance, and longed greatly to be at her journey's end. Unable to control her anxiety, ilie at laft put out her head at the window, and called, * Stop, coachman, flop a minute, I want to fpeak to you.' 'Speak, Mifs?' exclaimed the furprifed cabman, as he glanced at the labyrinth through which he was carefully threading his way ; * fpeak on, Mifs ; but it aint pos- fible to (lop here.' Mary faw the truth of his remark, and then added, * Well, pleafe tell me when we are near London.' 'What, Mifs?' faid the coachman, this time gently checking his reins, and leaning back to catch the words, which he thought he mufi: have miftaken. * Tell me when we are near coming to I THE WORD REMEMBERED. 41 I to London,' repeated Mary flowly and em- phatically. *Why, Mifs, where is it you think you are } where has you corned from, that you don't know that you're at this prefent mom.ent /*;/ London ? ' Mary's eyelids drooped, but fhe merely faid, * We are /// London, are we } I thought we were only on the way yet.' It was a heart-crufhing announcement ; and, forely difappointed at this firil: glimpfe of the fairy fancied city, ilie with difficulty reprefTed the rifmg tears. * Well,' flie thought, * Grofvenor Square will come up to my expeftation at any rate.' Away they joflled through the crowded thoroughfare, until finally the cabman pulled up at the door of a handfome, but, to Mary's rofeate imagination, a very grim and folemn-look- ing manfion. A powdered footman opened the door, and Mary ftarted The cabman, who was juft lifting her rl * 1 42 MARY m'NEILL ; OR, box Up the fteps, noticed her furprife, and muttered to the man, * Well, I tiever feed fuch a hignorant young *ooman — no, never * Mary overheard the words, and a deep blufh fufFufed her face. She had, however, no time to cogitate ; for, having paid the coachman and difmifTed him, fhe found herfelf in a large, fpacious hall, and greeted by the powdered head with the words — * You are the young perfon mafter and miffus is expeftin' from Scotland, aint you ?' *Yes, I am Mary McNeill,' faid the young girl. * Come this way then -,' and he ufhered her into a neat library, where the Colonel and Mifs Whitmore were feated. On her entrance, they immediately rofe and welcomed her warmly, making many kind inquiries after all at Glentree. Mary, having anfwcred their interrogations, aflced for Mrs Whitmore, and learned with fur- prife and forrow that that lady was very h THE WORD REMEMBERED. 1 4 43 poorly, and confined to her own room. A feverifh attack had fucceeded the exer- tions fhe had made while fome of the abfent members of the family had been with them during Chriflmas, and anxious fears were entertained concerning her. Not to dwell on this part of our narrative, we anticipate the fatal termination of Mrs Whitmore's ficknefs, which plunged her devoted family into the profoundeft grief. No one unconnefted with the family had more caufe to mourn the lofs than Mary McNeill. During the firft weeks which had fucceeded her arrival in London, none of the houfehold, owing to Mrs Whitmore's ciitical ftate, felt able to look out for a fituation for her. She was thus thrown much on the friend fi"^p and kindnefs of Briggs, who, by fits and ftarts, lavi(hed on her favour and frowns. The feeling that fhe was of no ufe, and dependent in the houfe, roufed the Highland blood 4? MARY M*NEILL; OR, in Mary*s veins ; and having become ac- quainted with a grocer's family, to whofe fhop ihe frequently went errands, fhe allied them to help her to a fituation. At the end of a month's refidence in Grofvenor Square, and when her temper had been foured and irritated by the con- flifting circumftances in which fhe was placed, Mary heard from the grocer one morning, to her great joy, that he had re- commended her to a cuftomer who was in want of a lady's maid, and that he had given her the * highejft of charafters.' Mary repaired to the lady's houfe — Mrs Sealing by name, and a lady of fafhion and ftyle. Each was mutually pleafed with the other, and an engagement w^as made ere they feparated, — Mary having ftated that Mifs Whitmore would give her a recom- mendation at once ; and Mrs Sealing, on the other hand, saying, that the faft of her being refident in Colonel Whitmore's family I THE WORD REMEMBERED. 45 le ac- whofe aflced ice in ?mper con- was r one d re- /as in had -Mrs and 1 the ere that :om- , on her mily a^ until fuited with a place, was fufficient tes- timony of her charafter ; and confidering the alarming ftate of Mrs Whitmore's health, fhe could not trouble the family on the matter. Mary returned home in tri- umph, and informed Briggs that flie had got a fituation, and (hould leave the follow- ing day. Mifs Whitmore was clofely con- fined to her mother's room, and, without her knovdedge, Mary entered the next day on her nrll fervice. Mary very foon found that her fituation differed entirely from the quiet, eafy one of Briggs ; ftill the novelty pleafed her, and her fpirits rofe. Mrs Sealing was, as we have faid, a lady of fafhion — a woman of the world. She and her hufband lived upon the principle, that life is not fuch a bad thing as many feem to imagine ; and that if people laid themfelves out to enjoy it, they might extraft a good deal of plea- fure. Notwithllanding all their projec^ts ii i ia i ir~: J! }. \ ) 46 MARY MCNEILL ; OR, and plans, however, they found it preity hard work to kill time, and the drops of pleafure were muddy enough. Neverthe- lefs, they prefTed their eager lips to the broken ciftern, and turned their backs on the pure river of living water, which can alone fatisfy the thirft of an immortal fpirit. Under their roof Mary gradually loft the outward lefpeft for religion which fhe had brought with her from her father's houfe. There was no family worfhip, no word fpoken to any about another life, and the Sunday was as bufy and reftlefs as the other fix. Mr Sealing being necefTarily free from bufinefs on that day, and very much dis- pofed to fee a feleft number of friends to a family dinner, the ordinary buftle of the hpufe knew but little intermiffion. Mary's chief duties were with the lady. She attended to her varied wants, exerted her tafte and neat-handednefs on her bon- nets and dreffes, and made fuch advances THE WORD REMEMBERED. 47 idy. •ted Lces < in flyle and trimming that Mrs Sealing gradually transferred her entire millinery and drefTmaking to her care, and poor Mary's flender fingers were fully occupied. It was, however, work that interefl-ed her, and her miftrefs beftowed warm eulogiums on her performances, increafed hoi' wages, and gave her many articles of drefs, which, although moft unfuitable for her, pleafed the young girl, and gratified her tafle for finery. The moft trying part of her occupation was fitting up for her miftrefs at night. Never happy except when in the gay whirl, Mrs Sealing feldom fpent an evening at home, and one, two, nay three o'clock, found the young maid watching her return. Thefe late hours produced a vifible change on the health and temper of the young girl, fo unaccuftomed to fiich a life. How- ever late of gomg to bed, (he was expefted to be in attendance upon her miftrefs in the r 48 MARY M'NEILL; OR, morning, who, although fhe rarely rofe to breakfafl, had ever a thoufand things for Mary to do and fee after. There was one advantage which, if Mary had wiflied, flae might have derived from her late hours, and by which others in like circumftances have often profited. She had leifure for reading the word of God, but Mary had no fuch inclination. Her neglefted Bible lay in a corner of her box ; and although ihe had at firft maintained the praftice of reading from its facred pages a fliort portion every Sunday, that cafual glance foon became difcontinued, and flep by ftep fhe defcended to the low moral fcale which pervaded this, her felf-chofen home. Mary was a favourite with her fellow- fervants. Her gentle manners had charmed them at firft, and her frefh beauty attrafted universal admiration. This might have engendered envy on the part of the maids, THE WORD REMEM13ERED. 49 low- rmed Ifted lave lids, I had not Mary diiarmed fuch feelings by her obliging readinefs to afTifl: them with her tafle and neatnels in trimming caps and bonnets, and various other little afts of kindnefs. In return, they invited her to accompany them in their evening vifits to friends, and brought her favourite books and plays to wile away the long fitting-up hours. Thefe little attentions were not confined to the maid-fervants ; the footman and butler vied with each other in fhowing her marks of admiration. In particular, Thomas the butler was fertile in expedients for relieving the tedium of her vigils, and he was by no means fcrupulous of the means he employed. A glafs of wine from his mafter's cellarette, a * tafting* of fome delicious liqueur or cor- dial, proved very acceptable to the jaded girl. At firfl fhe hefitated to receive from Thomas what fhe knew was not his to give; but gradually and infidioufly he overruled i.sga 50 MARY MCNEILL ; OR, her fcruples, faying that * flie was fuch a favourite of miffus, fhe would not obje6l to anything flie had a mind to ; at the fame time, it would be much prudenter to fay nothing whatever of the matter.' In fuch an atmofphere Mary loft much of her fweet fimplicity, and her pretty face became pale and peevifh-looking ; but fhe was confidered only more ftylifli and interefling from thefe alterations. Step by ftep fhe glided into the unprincipled ways of her fellow-fervants, — lofmg thus fadly her up- rightnefs, and confequently her peace of confcience. Occafionally thoughts of her father's counfel and precepts vifited her, but fo tormenting were they, that fhe drove them forcibly from her mind. Sometimes, how- ever, they refufed to be thus fummarily difmiifed, and haunted her painfully. Then file readily yielded to the folicitations of her fellow-fervants to join them in clandefline vifits to the theatre, or to the houfes of THE WORD REMEMBERED. 51 h a ame fay nuch face 2 was }fting 3 fhe f her • up- :e of • her ,but them how- rily hen f her (line es of friends, where, amid drinking, finging, and vain converfation, the poor votaries of plea- fure tried to cheat themfelves into the belief that this was happinefs. Mary contrived all this time to keep up a proper appearance before her miflrefs. That lady's hours were generally fo late, and her mode of vifiting fo fyftematic and conftant, that her domeffics had ample opportunity for fpending the evening, either abroad or at home, exaftiy as it pleafed themfelves ; and, provided that all was quiet in the houfe when fhe returned, and Mary ready to re- ceive her with her pleafant face, and nice fire in the dredmg-room, Mrs Sealing cared not how or where they had pa (Ted their time. t r ii ■v ■1 i id 52 MARY MCNEILL; Oil, CHAPTER IV. ARY remained in her fituation y^ for fix years, and during all ^ that time had not once vifited her home. She had, however, had many thoughts about her parents, from whom flie received letters regu- larly, and had many times longed for their true-hearted love and counfel -, yet the con- fcioufnefs of her altered charafter, and the new taftes and habits fhe had formed, had hitherto kept her from afking leave from Mrs Sealing to vifit Glentree. A letter, however, from her father, ftating that her mother was ill, brought her to the refolution of feeking permiilion to return home for a fhort time. Mrs Sealing gave her confent, although well THE WORD REMEMBERED. 53 lation gall ifited , had rents, regu- their con- d the . had Mrs ever, r was eking time, well aware how greatly Ihe fliould mifs her fer- vices ; and kindly hinted to Mary how valu- able flie was to her, and that (he fhould trufl: to her own confideration not to extend her vifit too long. With mingled feelings, Mary arranged her preparations, when an event occurred which changed not only the current of her prefent circumftances, but of her whole future life. Mary, with coquettifh vanity, had received the marked attentions of Thomas the bmler, without the rcmoteft intention that thefe fhould ever go beyond the fimilar proofs of admiration which flie received from many others. Thomas, however, was not to be thus indifferently treated, and was extremely indignant when he difcovered the real flate of her feelings towards him. He renewed his addreffes, but with the fame refult, and became nearly defperate when he heard of her intended vifit to Scotland, imagining that her beauty would be fure to captivate fome I 54 MARY M'NEILL ; OR, u Scotchman, and that he fhould never fee more of his blue-eyed beauty. He refolved on one more effort to change her refolution towards himfelf ; and knowing Mary's pas- fion for dref!; and jewellery, he determined to win her love by the gift of fome article of finery. To obtain this, Thomas, whofe whole wages were fwallowed up in drefs and felf-iDv^algence, found his purfe inade- quate. What was to be done ? An eafy mode fuggefted itfelf. His mafler was very carelefs about his loofe money, leaving it in open drawers, or otherwife expofed -, and Thomas ox:tiaLi:ed various sums, at different times, until the neceffary amount was within half-way of being made up. Contrary, how- ever, to his expeftations, Mary refolved, in confequence of more ferious tidings relative to her mother's ftate of health, to leave a week previous to the time originally fixed, and her miftrefs made no objeftion. This greatly difconcerted the plans of > er fee ifolved Dlution 's pas- rmined article whofe 1 drefs inade- lII eafy as very ig it in i ; and ifferent within , how- ved, in relative eave a fixed, THE WORD REMEMBERED. 55 > I ans of Thomas, who, in his weak-minded conceit, had calculated that the prcfentation of a cer- tain gaudy trinket would operate as a fpell over Mary to bind her within the fphere of his attentions, and pofTibly fet afide al- together the dreaded expedition to Scot- land. But now what was to be done ? The feller of the bauble would take no promife : he was too well aware of the common value of thcfe to truft them ; and once allow Mary to go, flie might never return. It happened one evening, when in this perplexity, that Thomas repaired to the lady's dreiling-room, carrying with him a glafs of claret and fome biicuits for Mary's refrefhment. Glancing round the room, he obferved various jewels and ornaments of Mrs Sealing's fcattered about upon the toil- ette table. One was a remarkably pretty ruby ring. He lifted it, and remarked on its beauty to Mary. She fell into raptures 56 MARY MCNEILL ; OR, on its ' elegant look,' adding coquettifhly, * A thing like that would have fome efFeft on a girl, Mr Thomas ; but fuch things as them is fcarce.* A fudden thought ftruck Thomas, and he anfwered falfely, but with eafy indiffer- ence, * Well, it is a curious fa6l, Mary, that I've been favin' an' fcrapin' up off my money to buy you a beauty like this, — the identical fame. Mary, would you look kindly on me if I placed fuch a jewel on your finger ?' Mary turned away her head to hide a fmile at the ridiculous fpeech ; but Thomas, imagining fhe was hefitadng, affured himfelf that the bait was fwallowed. The following evening there was a gay ball at Mrs Sealing's. Carriage after car- riage rolled to the door, and fet down the fafliionable company who did Mrs Sealing the honour to crowd her rooms, eat and drink at her expenfe, and then depart to THE WORD REMEMBERED. 57 tifhly, efFea igs as ;, and differ- Mary, \ff my — the look ^^el on lide a omas, imfelf a gay car- n the waling and irt to criticife and laugh. Mary, fparkling with fmiles, excited much admiration in the cloak- room, as fhe waited to affift tlie ladies in taking off their hoods and cloaks, and tafle- fully adjufted their wreaths and drefTes. When a fhort refpite came, after the party was alTembled, Thomas eagerly fought Mary. Confiderably excited, he took from his pocket a tiny parcel ; and opening it, he difplayed to Mary's dazzled eyes a fmall but beautiful ring, which he aflured her was * as like that which at this moment fparkled on miffus's hand, as the refleftion in the mirror before them was of her own fweet perfon.* Mary took the ring, and was juft going to remark upon it, when the found of voices approaching the room where they were, made her flip the parcel haftily into her pocket, without more than a glance having been bellowed upon it. She did not get it again looked at until the clofe of the bufy 58 'XTT- MARY M'NriLL ; OR, ii night, when, having liftened to the fretful remarks of her miftrefs, whofe temper had been forely irritated by the unexpefted abfence of fome of the * ftars of her ball,' fhe retired to her own room, wondering much that ladies like Mrs Sealing (houM expend fo much money and an.dety on entertainments which, inftead of giving any apparent pleafure, feemed only to fret and difcompole. Next morning, before Mary had any opportunity of feeing Thomas, fhe was haflily fummoned by her miftrefs. On entering the room, fhe found the lady up and bufHing about, as if fearching for fome- thing. * Mary,' fhe inflantly faid, as her maid appeared, 'have you feen anything of my ruby ring?' Mary ftarted, — fhe hardly knew why ; but anfwered quickly, * You wore it laft night, ma'am ; it can't be far off.' THE WORD REMEMBERED. 59 laft * No, I did not wear it laft night,* replied Mrs Sealing, whofe quick eye had marked Mary's momentary confufion ; * I could not fee it, but, as I fomedmes miflay things, I trufted to you to find it.* Mary foon refumed her felf-complacency, and fought in every corner for the miffing jevv'el, but it could nowhere be found. At breakfaft, Mrs Sealing related the circum- ftances to her hufband, with her ufual modicum of exaggeration, adding that her ' fufpicions were reluftantly roufed againft her maid.' Mr Sealing declared that he did not know where the mifchief lay, but that his cafh was certainly diminidiing in a way which was not to be accounted for, except by the inftrumentality of fome light- fingered people, and that poffibly this 'ring affair' might lead to the detection of the culprit. Neither Mr nor Mrs Sealing at- tached the fmalleft blame to themfelves for the conftant temptation which they fo fin- 6o MARY M'NEILL; OR, fully put in their fervants' way, but refolved to fift the afFair thoroughly and at once. Mr Sealing fummoned the whole of the fervants to his library, informed them of the prefent lofs, of the fufpicion that fome of the houfehold were parties concerned in that lofs, and afked each one in fucceffion whether or not he or (he knew anything of the miffing ring. All replied in the negative ; when Mr Sealing added, authoritatively, * Then no one will objeft to their room and boxes being fearched ; it can only confirm their inno- cence, and will quafli the whole matter.' Two conftables were foon in attendance -, and, after a careful inveftigation of all the worldly poffeffions in the fervants' apart- ments, the ring was difcovered in Mary's box. Nothing could exceed the difmay and diftrefs of the poor young woman on learn- ing that the ring, which {he had received THE WORD REISIEMBERED. 6l and earn- eived from Thomas, was * her miffus's valuable ruby hoop.' That it clofely refembled it, jQie was aware ; but flie had implicitly be- lieved Thomas, when he aflured her that he had gone that morning from one jewel- ler's fhop to another, until he had fatisfied himfelf with a ring * as like as poflible to that which was then fparkling on miffus's hand in the ball-room.' Mary, although ufed to deception and prevarications, had never imagined anything fo daring as a theft like the prefent ; and having very excitedly ftated the fafts, as to how the ring came into her poffefTion, fhe received, in reply from the conftables, the cool remark, that fuch a ftory, though a pretty enough one, would fcarcely ftand in a court of law, and that fhe mufl inflantly prepare to accompany them. Mary ap- pealed to her miftrefs, in looks and tones of defpair, to fave her from fuch degradation and ruin. 62 MARY M*NE1LL; OR, Mrs Sealing was really grieved at the difcovery, not having anticipated, when the fearch was made, that anything fo ferious would have refulted, or that proof fo direfV would have been found againft her maid. But now, with that proof, what could ftie do ? The officers of juflice took the mat- ter into their own hands, and, amid pas- fionate tears and expoftulations, Mary was driven off to the police office, accompanied by Thomas, and each was placed in a feparate cell — all communication with one another being precluded. The trial came on -, and on Mary being ufliered into court, a marked change was perceptible in her appearance. She had hardened and fleeled her heart to brave out this exhibition of herfelf unflinchingly ; ^Jhe would not whine and fret, not fhe — no one (hould difcover from her whether fhe felt her pofition or not.' From what fhe knew of Thomas, fhe was quite as prepared to THE WORD REMEMBERED. 63 the 1 the rious ireft naid. i {he mat- pas- r was anied in a one leing was had le out one felt new id to hear him fwear falfely as to the truth. Great, then, was her furprife, when, in the open court, which was thronged with fpec- tators, file heard him, when under his ex- amination, confefs the whole. He candidly declared that his love for Mary had led him to the perpetration of an aft which, on his Bible oath, he declared was only meant to be a mere temporary one. Stung with ap- prehenfion, that were Mary fufFered to vifit her home, Ihe would never return to Lon- don fervice, he had reforted to the plan which had proved fo difaftrous to them both. Imagining, in his weak-mindednefs, that the pofleffion of a trinket would mollify her feelings towards himfelf, and induce her to poflpone her journey to Scotland, and pos- fibly lead her to confent to a private mar- riage with himfelf, the foolifh man had, in an evil hour, glided into his. miflrefs's dreffing- room, and abflrafted the ring, with every intention, he averred, of reftoring it, all the 64 MARY MCNEILL J OR, time flattering himfelf, that the lady who left valuable things fo careleflly about would never mifs it off her table ; and, as foon as his wiflies in regard to Mary fhould be realized, he would, without delay, procure for her an inferior ring, as clofe as poffible in refemblance to the valuable one of her miftrefe's, which fliould then be reftored to its place on the pretty toilette table. The whole was to be accompli (hed in fo fkilful a manner, that Mary fhould never deteft any change or fubftitution in the glittering gem. It was not likely that a Hory fo garbled could produce any favourable impreflion on the jury j and granting that his intention was genuine enough, — which was plainly not the mind of the court, — to reflore, when it fuited himfelf, the ring to his mis- trefs's toilette table, the abftraftion of the jewel was virtually and truly a theft on the part of Thomas. ^SSSSmSBm THE WORD REMEMBERED. 65 f who would bon as aid be rocure )offible of her 3red to . The fkilful deteft ittering garbled [ion on Ltention plainly •eftore, lis mis- of the on the At the clofc of his flatement, Thomas made a touching appeal to the judge on Mary's behalf, praying that the innocent fliould not fliare the puniOiment of the guilty. The appeal produced effeft, al- though it was evident that the court was not altogether without fufpicion towards Mary, as the recipient of the flolen jewel ; while her own proud and fupercilious man- ner throughout the examination did not lefTen the prejudice entertained towards her. Due confideration having been befcowed on the fubjeft, the judge fentenced Thomas to a fhort imprifonment, while he difmifTed Mary with a ftrong and fevere reprimand : cautioning her againft the love of drefs, which was the ruin of fo many of her fex ; and reminding her that but for the confeffion of her fellow-fervant, the confequence of her ihare in the prefcnt.tranfaftion would have been much more ferious to herfelf. Mary liitened to the ftern but falutary E r mmti 66 MARY M'NEILL, OR, admonition with fladiing eyes and haughty look ; and walked out of the court with a proud ftcp, and a fpirit ftill more proud and unfubducd. The fearing procefs in her heart was going on fteadily and furely. THF WORD REMEMBERED. 61 CHAPTER V. S Mary quitted the court, (he ' felt confcious that her ap- pearance had excited intereft among the crowd ; and many remarks, expreffive of admiration and fympathy, fell upon her ears. * Shame, that fuch a fweet-faced creature fliould have been treated fo shockin' bad,' fliid one, ' and brought amid a court rabble.' * Well, but they couldn't make out nothin' againft her,' faid a fecond. * But her charac- ter's broke, notwithftanding,' faid a third ; * broke, an' no miftake. She'll do no good after this bufinefs, I promife you. No high lady will take her into fervice after this day's work.' This laft remark fell 68 MARY M'NEILL; OR, I! like a knell on Mary\s heart, in the midft of the mob laudations, which were io gratifying to her felf-love. The recollec- tion of her loft fituation, — for Mrs Sealing had provided herfelf with another maid, — and of the poffible difficulty fhe might have to procure a fimilar fervice, together with her fricndlefs condition in the great city; thefe confiderations, for a moment, prefTed heavily on her mind, and fomewhat tempered the p'oud feelings with which fhe ftepped into the ftrect, — a fine fpecimen of injured innocence, (lie thought — a fort of martyr of fraud and injuftice. At the turn of the ftrcet fhe caught fight of a familiar figure, — no other than that of Briggs, flauntily dreffed, who had evidently juft left the court, in company with another woman. Mary fprang towards her. It was fome years fince they had met — Briggs having accompanied the Whitmore family to Briftol, whither they had gone to refide THE WORD REMEMBERED. 69 nidfl e lo )llec- :aling naid, night ether great [nent, jwhat h fhe en of )rt of fight lat of lently other t was Griggs amily -efide foon after Mrs Whitmore's death. Mary had received letters both from Mifs Whit- more and Briggs, the former expreffmg great fatisfaftion that flie kept her place, and proved fo good and faithful a fervant. Her communications from Briggs had been few and fitful. It was, therefore, with glad furprife that Mary's eye fell upon her early friend, whofe influence and advice might prove extremely helpful in the prefent critical jun6lure of her life's hiftory. Very great, then, wa-^ her difcomfiture, when, inftead of her warm greeting being refponded to, Briggs drew back haughtily, and refufed the proffered hand which was eagerly held out by poor, friendlefs girl. Mary bit her lip to reft rain the deep emotion (lie felt. * You won't fpeak then. Brig — Mifs Briggs ; you don't believe any of them lies that has been told againfl: me ?* Briggs, who didiked the idea of being 70 MARY MCNEILL; OR, feen in the public ftreets, * hand and glove,' as fhe exprefled it, * with one frefh from the law court, and whom all the ladies and genlemen had been ftarin' on as a thiet,' faid quickly and ftiiHy, * Mary, don't talk to me about your good ways. It's all rank hypocrify : for you've proved yourfelf to be exaftly like your neighbours, with all your Highland pride and prudence, forfooth. What will your grave faint of a father think, when he fees his doated Mary's name flung high and dry in the public prints ? My heart! I would not like to be in your fhoes, when you meets him for the firfl: time after this nice fcrape. You've gone and done for yourfelf now, I promife you.' As flie finifhed her heartlefs fpeech, Briggs jerked herfelf off, and was loft among the crowd. Brief as was this inter- view, Mary faw enough of her quondam friend, to note a marked change for the worfe in her whole appearance. Her gaudy m^x ♦ THE WORD REMEMBERED. 71 drefs told of unrefl rained licence to exert her own tafte in the adornment of her perfon, while a certain rofinefs of complexion and blearednefs of eye, fpoke unmiftakeably of the confirmation of long eftablifhed habits of intemperance. Thefe growing habits had, for a lengthened period, been carried on fo fecretly by the cunning woman, that they had evaded the obfervation of the Whitmore family. Plaufible and fawning, fhe had continued to keep up appearances before her unfuipe6ling miftrefs, and prided herfelf on the fkill with which ihe praftifed her evil courfes, and avoided deteftion. But even- tually, in her cafe, as in all others, was ful- filled the Divine declaration, * Be fure your fin will find you out.' On the occafion of an evening party, Briggs, having rendered the necefTary fer- vices to the ladies, betook herfelf haftily to her own room. So confirmed a drinker had (he become, that (he now preferred the SSUr^KS^V^XttSFUnXHttaB- IMV 72 MARY MCNEILL; OR, lecret indulgence of the bottle to the more focial but more reftrained conviviality with others. Having bribed a young fellow- fervant to call her at a certain hour, when fhe fhould again be wanted i:o attend upon the ladies, fhe clofed her door, and, with grim fatisfadlion, drew from its hiding-place a bottle of ardent fpirits. Her ufual plan was to throw herfelf in bed, when her fenfes were fufficiently impaired to render every other pofition untenable ; and fhould any one unexpe6ledly come to fetch her, (he was found with her face plunged in the pillows, apparently, to uninitiated eyes, in the enjoyment of profound natural sleep. This evening, however, flie lingered over her potations, and, at the moment in which (he ruflied towards her bed, fhe overturned the fmall table drawn clofe by the fire, on which flood the remainder of the liquid poifon. The bottle fell with a crafli on the grate, and the contents flared up furioufly. *jgt:« g immiim i4».i.ii-^^r,^'. THE WORD REMEMBERED. f 73 The flames darted out, and licked up fundry articles of finery, which lay fcattered about, fpreading conflagration with fearful rapidity. Very foon the flames and fmoke made known to others their alarming proximity ; and juft as the gaiety had commenced in the fuperb drawing-rooms, the company was fl:artled with the cry of ' Fire,' which was raifed throughout *he houfe. Panic-fl:ruck, the guefl:s fled from the houfe in a way much lefs ceremonious than they had entered it, and the brilliant fcene was foon defolate. Mifs Whitmore, whofe prefence of mind did not for one moment leave her, having fucceeded in conftraining her father to quit the houfe along with fome of their friends, haflencd to the apart- ment occupied by an old and valued nurfe, whom, flie feared, might be forgotten by the other fervants. On her way thither flie had to pafs clofe to the room whence the flames were iflliing. It was Briggs's, who, 74 MARY M'NEILL ; OR, at the moment her young miflrefs appeared, having managed to roll herfelf out of the burning room, fell down in the lobby with- out. Mifs Whitmore feized her by the arm, and dragged her from the dangerous fpot to another room, where, leaving her, fhe prefled forward to the refcue of her dear and valued nurfe. How fhe managed to fave the trembling old woman, and to fhake Briggs from her drunken fleep, and joftle her along the corridor to a place of fafety, Mifs Whitmore could never explain ; but certain it was that flie faved from a tor- turing death the woman whofe wicked habits were the caufe of this night's cata- ftrophe. The damage done to Colonel Whitmore's beautiful manfion was great ; and his in- dignation at the afcertained caufe of the conflagration knew no bounds. His firft aft was to turn Briggs from his houfe, afTur- «.v»»--v.Ht^-jiia»t.wf>-iil ' i W ii'i <' « ' ' ilk THE WORD REMEMBERED. 85 ex- EvU )nde, [rrent * You fhall rue your words, Mifs, I pro- mife you. That young gen'lman there thinks you as perfeft and good as I once did. But I'll treat him to a pafTage or two of your hiftory, in cafe you fhould have for- got them, Mifs.' Mary, pale with terror, convulfively broke away, and rejoined Jones. JufI: as flie was explaining to him that Thomas and flie were old acquaint- ances, but that fhe had always difliked his company, a voice uttered in Arthur's ear, 'Take care of your pretty jail-bird, my young gen'lman. She's flippery game, and will bring you, mayhap, to the court, as llie did me, and break your characfter for life, too.' Mary flirieked, and turned to look whence the voice came. But Thomas, who had glided- along the foft grafs which grew on one fide of the lane, was gone. He had dropped his poifon, and he left it to rankle and fefter, to the neftru6lion, as 86 MARY MCNEILL : OR, f, ! he mplicioudy hoped, of the proipe^AS cF her whom his own arts had fo ihamcfully mifled. Arthur turned to look at Mary. Her pale face and trembling frame gave affent to what had been declared. Yet, ftruggling to be calm, (lie faid, with affcftcd indifference, * You don't believe fuch noufenfe, furely. He's a difcarded thief, is that Thoma': ; and is notorious for his efforts to ruin other people's good name, and make them out as bad as himfelf.* It was a lame fpcech which poor j)*Iary delivered in her extreme agitation, and •'he quick perception of Arthur detedled that. Although a man deftitutc of Chriftian prin- ciple, and completely abforbed with bafi- nefs and pleallire, he had a correct moral nature as ftir as regarded outfide refpefta- bifey of character, and flirank with horror from the fociety of any whofe fair name was ftained with even the breath of fus- 1 1 ^ tm as iral :a- -or tne THE :ORD REMEMBERED. B7 picion. It wo/^N quite enough to exrjte his doubts about Mary, to hear her own avowal that Thomas was a difcarded thief, and an old acquaintance of hers. He ha^i often marvelled at the faft, thac Mary, after a refidence of fo many years in London, had no friends of influence or fubftance of any kind ; but he had willingly killed to fleep his fears, in the belief of the flory of her life which flie had told him, — a ftory ot mingled falfities and fa6ls. The events of this day, however, made him refolve to inveftigate the whole matter i and the reliilt of his inquiries was the painful difcovery and convidion, that the fufpicions excited were only too well grounded. It was a difcovery which nearly broke his heart, and filled him with anguifh and difmay. Yet, with the knowledge of all this, he felt that their engagement mufl: ceale. It had been formed under imprelTions erroneous as regarded her part character ; and he could ar ' ! 1 i '^'i^H 88 MARY M'NEILL; OR, not refpeft any woman as a friend, far lefs make her his wife, who had fpoken to him falfe things. Gently, but firmly, he wrote to Mary on the fad fubjeft, telling her what he had learnt, — and his information was a greatly exaggerated account of the cata- ftrophe in Mrs Sealing's, and given by one who was jealous of his love for Mary, — and reprefenting to her the impoflibility for a mind that had been fo deceived, to repofe any longer trufl; in the deceiver. He fpoke of his deep love for her, — of the funfhine file had cafl: acrofs a path friendlefs and folitai-y, — afTuring her that his heart fhould never recover the wound infl'K^led, and that he never could feci towards any other as he had done co her. He concluded by faying, that he had accepted an offered fituation abroad m a branch of the houfe in which he no\/ fervf J. and that by the time llie re- ceived his i cotter, he would be fpeeding rapidly away from fcenes and afTociations f. I ff-^r-f^-piv;,*. he ^^-g> t THE WORD REMEMBERED. now rendered to him altogether portable. Mary received this communication after a day of unufual worry and work. It was the bufy feafon, and her brain was giddy with the various orders and duties ftie had had' to perform. Ever fince the Sunday on which the fatal interview with Thomas had taken place, (he had feen lefs of Arthur than was ufual ; and fhe failed not to per- ceive that when they were together, his manner was changed and conflrained. Again and again flie had determined to tell him all, and to affure him of her innocence and her grief at the paft event of the trial. But then came the remembrance of her fliare in the unfaithfulnefs of her fellow-fervants towards her miftrefs, and fhe felt how difficult it would be to difentangle the true from the falfe accufations againft her, and how ftart- ling the whole confeffion would be to a man fo upright and truthful as Arthur. Bitterly 11 90 MARY MCNEILL; OR, did flie afterwards lament that Hie had not carried out her intention, and cafi: herfelf at once upon his manly generofity. Truly * the way of tranfgreiTors is hard.' As Mary entered her apartment at a late hour at the clofe of this toilfome day, with a mind forely perplexed about her own affairs, and her temper foured with harafTing labours, her eye fell on two letters which the pofi: had brought. The one was in her father's handwriting, the other in Arthur's. Snatching up the latter, (he tore it open. The reader already knows the fum of its contents. As Mary's eye ran rapidly over the lines, her mind feemed to reel. Still flic grafped the paper, and read with the feelings of one who is tracing out the cha- racters of a death-warrant, and who yet, with a ft range fafcination, lingers over the terrible deed. When, however, the poor young woman arrived at the clofing fentence of Arthur's letter, in which he told her that Ol s_'**B*te9>*^>tt«v'--"F'-"; ■■ ittnM THE WORD REMEMDERED. 91 i> while fhe fliould be pcrurmg this lafl epiftle he would be on his way to a diflant land, her fingers relaxed their firm grafp of the paper, and uttering one wild fhriek, fhe fell fenfelefs on the floor. Her landlady, alarmed at the fcream, haftened to the apartment, and was greatly fliocked to find Mary in a death-like faint. Mrs Carr adminiftered the needful reftora- tives; and,afteran unufuallyprotradledtime, the clofed eyelids opened, and the fufferer. * Woke, alas, to weep ! ' Before morning (lie was in a raging fever ; and the medical man, fummoned by Mrs Carr, pronounced her illnefs an aggravated cafe of brain-fever. For fome weeks Mary continued in a critical fiate, with only occa- fional intervals of unclouded reafon. At the end of that time, however, fhe began to recover, and to wake up Howly to the re- colleftion of the painful pafi:. f " sail ' hi 92 MARY M*NEILL; OH, Surely, if there were any circumftances fitted to make one think of * a holier, better life* than the prefent, they were thofe in which Mary M'Neill found herfelf at this period of her hiftory. She was friendlcis in a large city, a difowned outcaft. Lover and friend had forfaken her, and flie felt as if .^e had no help in man at all. But fhe had flruggled to live without God -in the world ; and how, whifpered the tempter, could fhe now look for anything at His hand but anger and righteous retribution ? She queftioned Mrs Carr as to which of her companions had afked for her in her ficknefs. A few had come to the door, but, on learning that her complaint was fever, had, as Mrs Carr exprefTed it, * gathered in their clothes as if the fever was a running out of the door to catch them in its arms, and fled as if the houfe v/as on fire.* Her friends, Mary bitterly remarked, of )or, ^as It, tch u fe THE WORD REMEMBERED. 93 were lummcr friends, who loved In fun- flilne and fmiles, but utterly failed and dis- appeared when the deep Ihades of forrow fettled down ed, t> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // m 4, m;f/ ,/-:^ «> ./. ;/. 1.0 I.I 1.25 Hf 1^ 12.0 IM 2.2 Photographic Sciences Corporation 1.8 14. 11 1.6 23 WSST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. MSBO (716) 872-4503 ■1>^ iV iV \\ -\ Wk\ i fpeedy refting-place, his alarmed confcience had fpoken out, and forced him to think of a future life. He fought, by change of fcene, and plunging into fuch excitement as the feeble ftate of his health permitted, to drive the * ferious fit' from his mind. But it would not be driven away, and his mental condition became more painful than his phyfical, and he had no friend to fpeak a word of counfel in that ftrange land. Ordered by his medical man to leave a climate which had proved fo hurtful to his conftitution, Arthur proceeded homewards, by gentle ftages — diverging from the direft courfe to a continental town, where the mineral baths, he fondly hoped, would do much to reftore him. And here he found not only healing for his weak body, but balm for his wounded fpirit. By a Angular coincidence, the Duke of B and his family were refident at this celebrated fpa. His eldeft daughter and mmm mm \ THE WORD REMEMBERED. 137 her hufband were alfo with their ducal parents. Both earneft Chriftians, Sir George and Lady Eleanor Hay fought, wherever they were, to do good as they had oppor- tunity, and were ever on the outlook for occafions of ufefulnefs. They heard, in the courfe of their vifitings, of the fick young Englifhman, and Lady Eleanor paid him an early viiit, carrying with her fome delicious fruit and flowers. Arthur was charmed with the unafFedted piety and elegant manners of the high-born lady who had come to cheer him in his lonelinefs, and begged her to renew her vifit. To this fhe readily aflented ; and having obtained entrance for herfelf into his heart, fhe refled not till, with God's blefling on her efforts, flie had gained en- trance, too, for her precious Saviour. By line upon line, and precept upon precept, as the invalid could bear it, this inftrument of the Holy Spirit led Arthur to fee his \\ 138 MARY M'NEILL ; OR, own vilenefs and Chrifl's fuitablenefs to his condition, and, with fimple faith, he caft himfelf on the word and work of Chrift. Oh, what reft ! Oh, what peace, flowed, for the firft time as a river, in the young man's heart ! Lady Eleanor foon gained from him his hiftory — how he was an orphan and friend- lefs in the world, and fearful left his health might prevent him being again engaged in commercial purfuits. He found his kind friends interefted in all his plans and pro- jects ; and when Lady Eleanor fuggefted a farm as an occupation, fhe but anticipated the wifhes and longings of the young man's heart. But how could fuch hopes be realized ? More eafily than Arthur could have deemed poffible. The Duke had become interefted in his daughter's pro- tegee, and faid to her, that as his farm of Glenrioch would be to let by another year, he fhould be willing to take Jones as his mmm THE WORD REMEMBERED. 139 tenant, if he would, in the intervening months, iludy agriculture and fit himfelf for a farmer's life. To fo kind a propofition Arthur joyfully confented •, and having ample means of his own, increafed by the recent death of his laft furviving uncle, he had no barrier in the way of making himfelf mafter of his new profeffion. His recruited conftitution improved fteac'I^ with his healthful life and occupation, and a fpirit at reft with God conduced to the vigour of his phyfical being. At a fubfequent period Lady Eleanor heard from him the paffages of his life, which were, he told her, indiffolubly interwoven with Mary McNeill. He reproached himfelf bitterly with having treated her cruelly, and poffibly driven her to ruin, and with deep emotion, added, that he prayed for her as for his own foul, and that he never fhould ceafe to intercede for her while life was 140 MARY MCNEILL; OR, granted. Thankfully aware of the gracious change in Mary's heart alfo, and of her return home, Lady Eleanor told him all fhe knew. With wonder and love, Arthur adored God's goodnefs; and when he learned that fhe refided within two miles of Glenrioch, whether he was fo foon to be removed, his joy knew no bounds. * And now, Mary,* faid Arthur, as he finifhed his hiftory, which, for the fake of our readers, we have thus condenfed — * fay, are you free to love me again ? * He paufed, anxioufly. Mary fluflied crimfon ; and, as fhe hid her face in her hands, fhe whifpered, * Again — Arthur — again — I have never ceafed to love you, and never — never fhalL' * Be mine, then, dearefl,' faid the fine young man, his voice tremulous with deep feeling ; * and oh, fhall it not be the one aim of our happy lives to glorify that God and Saviour who has led us both by a way that ^ THE WORD REMEMBERED. I4I we knew not, and has brought us thus to- gether, never again to part.' At this ftage of affairs, Mrs McNeill, having fruitleidly repeated a feries of knocks at the parlour-door, entered the room. Mary fprang to her mother ; and her father appearing at the fame moment, fhe exclaimed, * Father, mother, it is Arthur — my own Arthur — Arthur Jones ! * With unaffefted fimplicity the worthy couple welcomed the new young farmer to Glenrioch; and fuch good ufe did Arthur make of his time, that when he left the cottage that night, he carried with him the full confent of Mary's parents to her fpeedy union with himfelf. Thefe paffages from this ' ftory of grace ' have already extended fo far, that we muft, however reluftantly, forbear following Mary to her new home, or even glancing at her happinefs. One great purpofe, however, in recounting the paft fcenes of her life, 142 MARY MCNEILL ; OR, fhall be accomplifhed, fhould we have fuc- ceeded in fhowing that God's ways, and only His, are ways of pleafantnefs, and that all His paths are peace. In the Holy Spirit's hand, it was God's word of promife, re- membered in the perilous hour, which faved Mary McNeill from death, and led her to a Saviour God. That fame word proved ever afterwards * a lamp to her feet, and a light to her path.' In her happy ex- perience, and in Arthur's too, was fulfilled the divine declaration, that in Chrift Jefus all the promifes of God are yea and amen -, and that, having firfl: the kingdom of God, all things fhould be added thereto. But let it be yours, dear reader, to re- member now that word, and ere your befl: days are fquandered and fpent, yield yourfelf now to that God and Saviour who gave Himfelf for finners, and who, knowing well the fin and temptation which fliould vlfit us each one, cries in accents of love, * Come r mn wcc^-- '-M THE WORD REMEMBERED. 143 unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reft.' * Now is the accepted time ; behold, this is the day of falvation.' And to parents and teachers we fay, Sow the good feed ; fow it whether it be watered with tears or ilinned with fmiles — fow it faithfully, even though the foil on which it may be caft appear fterile and dead; and looking up for God's enriching blefling, it fhall produce in fome thirty, in fome fixtv, and in fome even an hundred-fold. He liveth long who liveth well, — All other life is fhort and vain ; He liveth longeft who can tell Of living moft for heavenly gain. He liveth long who liveth well, — All elfe is being caft away ; He liveth longeft who can tell Of true things truly done each day 144 MARY M'NEILL. Wafte not thy being ; back to Him Who freely gave it, freely give j Elfe is that being but a dream, — *Tis but to bcy and not to li^e. Be wife, and ufe thy v^rifdom v^ell , Who v^M^om /peaks muft linje it too: He is the vv^ifeft w^ho can tell How firft he U^ved^ ih^vifpoke the true. Fill up each hour with what will laft ; Buy up the moments as they go ; The life above, when this is paft, Is the ripe fruit of life below. lljmns of Faith and Hope, •i