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82 For no one seems to fill your thoughts less than she.” “That reminds me that I must make her a call this evening, as I have something of im portance to communicate to her.” “What! that you have purchased the wed ding ring? I’ve known persons to be forget ful of this—though ’tis strange.” She was checked.by a beseeching glance from her brother. “Well, in what other manner,” added she, “am I to account for your unusual gaiety ? unless indeed your heart is captivated by Miss Stanley. Dear Arthur you can't have the heart to slight May bedding, it is beneath you.” A more quizzical smile than ever light ed his face as he answered. “No fear of that, Sis, no fear of that. It was only last night that I proposed and was accepted ; now you see I have reason to be gay. But to change the conversation. We will have to weave you a beautiful chaplet for Tuesday, as none but the choicest flow ers can enter into competition with your brow. In truth I heard Fred say —” “Well, what did he say,” responded his sister who had been attempting to interrupt dim during his preceeding sentence, until he mentioned the name of one dear to her —and then her curiosity was excited. “I*ll not tell now, “he will, himself, whis • per it in your ear on Tuesday.” The happy day at length arrived. The first of May. A merry party had been plan ned for this day, and on this account the hearts of many beat high with bright anticipations of pleasure on its arrival. Octavia Camming had been chosen queen by common consent. Stanley had pledged his word tor his presence and that of his sis ter. Never dawned a day more auspiciously than this. It was exactly suited to the pur pose for which it was intended. One might search the world over and not find a better place for a May-party than the one selected on this occasion. It was at the foot of a mountain, at whose base flowed a stream, which filled the grove through which its chan-* nel lay with a gentle murmur. Its bed was j rocky, and as it dashed over and around these, it seemed also to partake of the spirit of the day. Presently it reached a place where ior merly there was intended to he a mill, and the stream was obstructed by rocks piled to the height of twelve feet or more. Most of this had once been natural, and formed a pretty little cataract. Now the water crept between the stcJhes, down the face of the precipice. In one place only it made a fair spring to the bottom, this part was only a foot or two wide, but rushed through with great force, and reached the bottom almost in one continued stream. Here it lingered a while, as though loth to leave this pleasant retreat, and then sped on its way. one place in this noble grove grew a dump of trees, so close that they formed a shade impervious to heat and rain. Under these there were benches, and the ground was cleanly swept. Flowers lay scattered around, and on places formed for the purpose hung baskets and also a fanciful paper box. In the most prominent part of this natural arbour, was a rude throne gaily decorated, and completely covered with light blue cloth. Garlands were hung from one tree to another, and evergreens around their trunks gave quite a picturesque, appearance to this May-day rendezvous. Farther back from tbe side of the mountain ! there sprung a crystal spring. Gushing forth from the roots of a wide-spreading oak, it me andered through the neighboring copses until it reached the stream before mentioned. The sight of this spring was as refreshing to the eye as its water was pleasing to the taste. — ( Round about it spread a thick carpet of green . grass. A favorite spot was this, and worthy j ~ e itself to stamp the place as fitting for the ; Dainrßis&ißY ©a smith* purpose to which the whole grove was as signed. The day was balmy and serene, a light wind gently stirred the trees, and birds gaily hopping from branch to branch, poured forth their gladsome songs. And now groups poured in from all quarters, and assembled around that rude throne. This was soon oc cupied by the peerless Octavia. For a brief while there was a general hush, a silence of expectation. Arthur Cumming arose and pro posed that the coronation should take place, and declared his friend Frederick the most fit ting to perform the ceremony. All eyes turned to behold Stanley, but he was not there. He and his sister had not arrived. What was to be done I They could not wait. At this juncture Arthur again arose. In a few words he explained the matter to all. “ Another,” said he, “ can perform, the office as well. Therefore I propose that we appoint Mr. Mansfield to place the crown on the queen’s brow.” This was addressed to a handsome stran ger who at this time was standing near Ar thur’s betrothed. For a moment he remain ed the cynosure of all eyes. His was a fine form. He had black glossy hair and whis kers. These extended from ear to ear cover ing the lower part of his face. Yet not at all did they seem too large. He had only arriv ed in the town the previous evening, and be ing acquainted with a. young man, named Edgar Hall, (a cousin of Arthur’s) was by him pursuaded to remain a while and attend the May-party. He readily assented, and was made acquainted with several of those present, including Arthur and May. As soon as Arthur had finished, Hall arose and addressed the stranger. He asked him if he would consent to set the crown in its destined place, upon the fair May-queen’s head? With graceful courtesy which gained for him the esteem of all, the stranger accep ted the proffered favour declaring himself only too highly honored. He possessed one of those mellow voices that find their way to the inmost recesses of the ear, causing the heart to thrill with vague pleasure. Arthur had by this time taken down the paper box before spoken of, and placed it on a bench near the throne. With ease and dig nity, joined with inimitable grace, Mr. Man field now took the chaplet and placed it on Octavia’s head. As he saw that garland con trasted with her dark hair, the jasmine rebuk ed by the fairness of her brow, and the rose vieing with her cheek in delicate hues, and ready to fade from envy, he uttered a compli ment full of high toned gallantry, which caused her very heart-strings to tingle with delight and happiness. The crowd now flocked to do her homage. The town’s fairest daughters saw in her one so superior to them in beauty that they felt no envy. Mansfield was now formally introduced to Octavia by her brother, as the son of distin guished parents in one of our largest cities. Mansfield took his station by har side, which he rarely left during the day. No servile adulation marked his conversation. But words breathed from a soul full of poetry and honor, and uttered with a magic tenderness fell upon her ears. Such words as we can imagine the high born cavaliers to have used in the days of chivalry. Suddenly the lively violin sent sweet invitations through that pleasant grove, and all repaired to the old oak tree, where, upon that carpet of green, to the tune of sprightly music, those gay couples tripped it lightly with untiring feet. To have seen Mansfield and Octavia, Arthur and May. together with others of distinguish ed mien, as they glided hither and thither near that limpid fount, one could have imag ined them a company of sylvan beings assem bled to do reverence to their Queen , and to enjoy themselves , so novel was the scene. The dance, over, they separated into cou ples. Some took their course up the moun- tain’s side, others in different directions through the grove. But Philip led his partner along the bank gently laved by the mountain stream, Behind them fol lowed Arthur and Mary. They reached the fall, and as Octavia had often done the same thing before, she did not hesitate to cross over the very edge itself. She walked in ad vance closely followed by Mansfield. When she was about half way across Octavia stepped on a loose stone. It trem bled under her. She tottered for a moment on the brink and then would have plunged headlong down, had not the stranger with ad mirable presence of mind, passed his arm around her waist, and borne her quickly to the opposite shore. It passed so suddenly that nothing was said by any one. When Philip placed his burden on the grassy bank, her face was blanched, but a look so full of thankfulness met his gaze, that it would have repaid a thousand dangers. Arthur though greatly excited led May, carefully across and then grasped the stranger’s hand. Nev er to his dying day did he forget that action. May clasped her friend in her arms and wept for joy at her escape. And there they re mained. Where was Fred. Stanley all this time ? Ales for his suit, a powerful rival was near, having the advantage of an open field. Phil ip Mansfield seemed likely to erase the im pression made on the heart of May’s friend by Stanley. True, the latter had been in the field longer than the former, but who could resist such a wooer as Mansfield, and under such obligations? Carefully crossing the dangerous place, they returned to the spring. There a cloth was spread, and on it lay many tempting vi ands. But at this time Arthur formed a de termination to go and see what had detained his friend and his sister Julia. His departure caused no derangement, as Hall had escorted May—and Mansfield would be sure to see Octavia home. After the meal they all affec tionately bade each other farewell, and re paired to their respective residences. Not again was that pleasant party to be assembled until a whole year should have passed. That night found Philip Mansfield paying his court to the only being that had, in all his wanderings, ever made a durable impression upon him. During the evening Arthur en tered, wearing his lately-acquired dubious smile. He only wished “to inform his sister that he had called on Fred, to make him ac count for his broken promise. That he would come the following evening with his sister and explain all to them.” Again was Octavia and her wooer alone. To his inquiry after the persons concerning whom she was interested, she informed him with a slight blush that “ it was an old and valued friend of her brother’s, for whom they w r ere solicitous. He had promised to bring his sister to the party that day, but had failed to do so.” During the succeeding day Octavia was sad, very sad. Should she prefer the hand some, flashing Fred., or the graceful winning Mansfield. She did not attempt to choose. Her heart fluttered like a bird in its cage. She loved them both. They admired her. One was her beau ideal of a gentleman the other more winning and her ‘preserver. She knew not what to do. That night however would decide. Both were to be there. She dreaded, yet longed for, the approach of dark- j ness. It came and Philip was announced. He being present she forgot all else. At length she began to look anxiously for the i arrival of the others. But they came not. ‘ Finally the bell was heard. Her heart beat tremendously. The door opened and Arthur advanced through it. He remained only a short time, and uttering something significant retired. “Have you been long acquainted with Mr. Stanley, ’ said Mansfield addressing Octavia. “Only a week or two. But I seemed to have been long acquainted with him the very first time I saw him. I have seen his letters often, and heard brother speak of him fre quently.” “He is then a favorite of yours?” Octavia attempted to deny this, but the tell tale blood rushing to her face rendered the de nial unavailing. “Would it please you if he was to arrive here now ?” “Certainly,” she replied. “Look then.” And he tore off those glossy whiskers, and hurled to the corner opposite that raven wig. Astonishment! Frederick Stanley stood re vealed to her w r ondering gaze.. She rose suddenly from her seat. She could hardly believe her eyes. Frederick Stanley and Philip Mansfield were one. “Your name is ?’* “Frederick Stanley.” “And your sister!” “I have none.” Amazement! did she not sit in the same room and converse with her for an hour at a time , more than once! Frederick dropped on one knee as she sunk into a seat. “ ’Tis useless concealing it any longer. We are one.' 1 And he poured forth in a full, impassioned tone his adoration for her, his hopes, his fears. He avowed unalterable love, unwa vering attachment, if she would consent to be his. He made known to her that it was alia stratagem undertaken at the request of her brother. He prayed for forgiveness for hav ing deceived her, as it was now over and no evil had resulted. Well vcas that suit pressed, for when he ceased their eyes met. He clasped her to his bosom, and she leaned on his shoulder and wept in unrestrained happiness. “Why did you make me the victim of all this. Why was it that you chose me as the object of your mockery?” “’Twas a mere trial of your powers of perceptior.—yen must know tlat one of the chief ingredients of my character is humor. And conversing of you, on my arrival your brother informed me of your natural clever ness, and dislike of being out-witted. To gether, we plotted to deceive you.—Having never seen you, I was unaw are of the person against -whom we were intriguing. Had I known you as I now do, one so matchless in beauty and accomplishments, and so bewitch ing, I would have been the last person to conspire against you. My fate was sealed as soon as I saw you, but Arthur would not let me deviate from our plan. Now lam glad it was carried through, as it has resulted so fortunately for me, and caused me to ac complish in days, what would have taken months in the usual way.” “ But you should’nt have deceived me so, you don t know how much pain you have caused me.” “ I humby crave pardon, nevertheless you should scold Arthur, as I was merely the instrument. He planned it all.” “Ha, ha, ha ! you understand the cause of mygayety now, sister of mine. In love with Julia Stanley—oh, but it’s rich. Completely deceived. The penetrating Ockie caught at last. Ah, b red, I knew you were a master hand. And your sister. Come Ockie let's visit your dear friend! 1 Thus did Arthur rally his sister, as he en tered the room followed by Edgar Hall anti May Fielding. “Your dear friend who must certainly come and remain with you. That was the best part of all, Fred. But I know you've ta ken lessons at it in our young days at college. For your countenance quickly decided the feminine characters in your favour, even it you had not been so very graceful.” “ Come explain all. And make Ockie own that she has been imposed on.” “You will perceive,” replied Frederick