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> mous letter, dropped in the office here, inform- your approval. I will not turn this unhappy my ears !” cried the girl, turning a withering judging from the specimen with which you have happiness, or social position for me; no wreaths, ing me that Esther Craig had attended a circus girl out into the world to follow her own de- look upon the three gossips. just favored me. How absurdly ridiculous such such as I used to dream of—only the few chance performance the night before—that she had gone praved inclinations down to utter ruin. I will “ Poor simpleton !" sneered her father. “ Know liigh-llown accusations ! Where is the proof to flowers that bloom by shadowed'paths.” alone by the wcods path to town; had there met a have her conveyed to-morrow in my carriage to that this wretched girl has herself put the seal on to substantiate them ? How will you prove that “And yet, Esther, you will bear this; you will nian one of the circus troupe—and had accom- the home of my venerable aunt. Mrs. Keener her condemnation. Has she not for months held I wrote any such letters ? They are not in my not speak—you will not explain 5” panied him inside the tent, where an alterca- Haywood, who resides on her isolated country correspondence with a man of low character? hand-writing any more than in yours. Indeed, “I will not explain—I cannot now, and here- tion had taken place between this person and a place, fifty miles distant. My venerable rela- Ask her if she did not meet him in the woods, at it is infinitely more possible that you wrote them after it would be useless. I would not be be- town rowdy, which had found its way into the tive, as you are aware, is noted for her severe night, in a house which no person of decency yourself through jealousy and a desire to get rid lieved without proof, and these I could not give, morning's paper, with a reference to the un- virtue and strength cf will. She is an exceed- would enter.” j of a rival in the person of Miss Craig. I think I cannot say any more—too much has been said happy girl herself. It was further stated in the ingly strict disciplinarian, and firm and vigilant “No, I will take no such questions upon my Dr. Haywood would catch at that suggestion, already; there lias been too much risk—there is letter, that her conduct in coming to town and in her rule over others. I shall infoim her by lips. But I will ask her this,” said Victorine, | He has noticed your fondness for my society, | danger. Oh ! what am I saying? I must go at having an interview with the circus habitue was letter of the circumstances which cause me to with her clear eyes shining into her sister's own. and your evident determination that Miss Craig once. Tell my little sister farewell for me; ask publicly known, she having been watched that put Esther Craig under her control, and shall “Esther, answer me; as God and our mother in should not enjoy it alone, as on the occasion of her sometimes to kneel in my little oratory and night by several young men whose names were make arrangements for the girl to be maintained heaven hears you, are you guilty of any act that my lecture, you remember.” say a prayer for me.” given. at my expense, and supplied with whatever she should make that mother, if she were living, Miss Grant deigned no reply, but as she walked “ Have you no message for Dr. Haywood, Es- “ Thunderstruck by this terrible revelation,” may need, that she may have no excuse for re- blush for you here?” away in silent scorn, the deep blush on her continued Mr. Haywood, wiping his brow and turning to evil ways, and may repent of the There was a pause. Miss Grant rose in her cheek betrayed her annoyance and discomfiture, sighing deeply—a sigh which was echoed by error that has made her an outcast irpm society anxiety. Esther Craig had not yet proclaimed He saw it and smiled, muttering to himself as Mrs. Pye—“I went at once to the two young forever. This course, it set ms to me, is the best her innocence; would she do so now? There was | he twirled his silky moustache: men named, and found that it was true. At the I can pursue in regard to this unhappy gi{l; I silence for a moment. Then, with her steady, j “I think that will keep her tongue still as re instigation of bd anonymous letter, they had . trust it meets your approval.” watched in order to satisfy their curiosity, and The Misses Bird stiffened their necks and had seen Esther Craig come to tow n alone tightened their talon-like clutch upon their fans, through the woods—had followed her and wit- ; Evidently, they did not approve of giving “the nessed her interview with the person, who after- creature” a chance for repentance. They were wards had a difficulty and was wounded on her for more stringent measures. But Mrs. Pye, account. They had just received letters in the comprehending the situaticn, clasped her hands same handwriting, directing them to watch and chanted admiringly: star-like eyes fixed only upon Victorine, Esther spoke: “You shall have your answer, Victorine; be lieve it if you can, in spite of circumstances that seem to give it the lie. By the God that made me, and by the memory of our dead mother, I swear that I have never been guilty of one act that should bring a blush of shame to a mother's “Ah ! how magnanimous ! What a heart, sis- cheek. I have gone through strange trials; I ter Sophronia ! what a Christian spirit, my dear have borne the burden of a wofnl secret; I have sister Symadotia. I know your own noble souls known care, and pain, and misery, but pollu- can appreciate such goodness.” tion —never! I ask you to believe this, my sis- Ylollified by the flattery, the sisters relaxed in ter, in spite of what they may tell you—in spite their severe deportment sufficiently to admit of this mystery that looks like guilt. One day, ther ?” A shadow of deeper pain swept over her face. “He would value no message from me,” she said. “Deceitful, degraded wretch as he will believe me to be, he will not care to hear my gards me.” name; do not mention it to him, Miss Grant.” The eventful day closed upon the “ Vultures ” “I believe that as soon as he returns and hears driven off in the Haywood carriage, filled to re- what has happened, he will follow' you, Esther, pletion with an excellent dinner as well as with and persuade you to return ” scandal-food sufficient to occupy a week in “He must not follow me !” she interrupted, ve- disgorging; Victorine locked in Isabel’s room hementlv. “Tell him I-entreat him not to at- and asleep on the rug, with the tears resting on tempt it. It would only give me useless pain, her flushed cheeks, her head on the footstool I will never return, and I will never accept any and Frisk at her feet, keeping one eye open to assistance from him • and, Miss Grant, if you watch if she had a relapse of the crying fit that are his friend, bid him beware of the Judas that had seemed to distress him greatly. Esther was sits at his table and eats his bread, but will not shut in her room. Miss Grant, after vainly try- scruple to betray his confidence, and sting him ing to compose herself to some kind of work, in his dearest interest. Oh ! is that nine that and finding that her thoughts continually re- the clock is striking ? How late I am ! What if again and they would see Miss Craig make the same journey that night, and visit the house of the woman, Ellen Western, where her lover had been taken atliis requestwbin wounded. Ikept watch on Miss Craig myself that night, being re solved that there should be no uncertainty as to her guilt. 1 that their noble hearts did appreciate Mr. Hay- it shall be made plain to you, if not to any other ; verted to her unfortunate pupil, unlocked the I should be too late ! Once more, good-by, Miss “She managed in some way to evade my ob- wood’s goodness, which was a thousand times on earth. Till then, I beg you to have faith in little box where she kept her money (saved to Grant.” serration when she left the house, but as I stood more than Miss Craig deserved, and she ought me—to remember me, and always believe my 7 j send her widowed mother) anil took out a fifty She pressed the hand of the governess and in the orchard watching the path between mid- to go down upon her knees, and thank him for parting words, that J am innocent.'” 1 dollar bill which she put in an old-fashioned w r as turning off, when Miss Grant clasped her night and day, I had a distinct view of her as taking pity upon her instead of driving her 1 “ Believe them ! Oh, Esther!— oh, my sister!” | purse netted of green and scarlet silk, with sil- in her arms and kissed her with streaming eyes, she returned and came up the path with a slow, , from his door. cried Victorine, throwing her arms around the 1 ver beads, rings and tassels. This she took with saying: “Particularly, since she is nothing to us— slender figure and raining tears and kisses upon her to Esther’s room. She found her sitting at “God bless you, my brave-hearted girl! Be merely an alien in our household, and a depend- the pale lips that had spoken so proudly, so i a table with a package of books and music beside true to yourself, Esther, and do not forget that ent on my father’s bounty —an ungrateiul de- sweetly, so mournfully. lit. She was writing a letter; as Miss Grant ap- in me you have a friend who will always be pendent always,” said Miss Haywood. , “Go to your room this instant!” commanded j proached she looked up and said: ready to help you to the utmost of her power. “We are well aware of that,” assented the ; Mr. Haywood, clutching Victorine’s shoulder! “ I shall leave this letter witli you for Victo- And take this to keep you always in mind of eldest Miss Bird. “We have heard enough of with a grasp like iron, and trying to diaw her j rine, Miss Grant. I am not permitted to say that person’s disobedience and ingratitude, as away; but she clung to Esther, sobbing and cry- , good-by to her: they have locked her up to keep well as of Col. Haywood’s forbearance.” ing: j her from the contamination of my presence. My tired step, and stopped just in front of where I stood in the shadow of the trees, to wring her hands and sob in a stifled way—being misera ble, no doubt, as the guilty always are. She has confessed to having gone off last night, and also to the truth of what was stated in the anonymous letter. She has furthermore acknowledged to having several times before gone to the house of that better friend—that best of friends - only Healer of bruised hearts.” -the As she said this, she pressed into Esther’s the disreputable woman, Western. Of the man- All this was exactly what Col. Haywood wished “ Let us alone ! I will not leave her—my own ; dear little sister! my mother’s baby, that I have hand her little pocket Bible with silver clasps, ner in which she became acquainted with such to hear. On first discovering the public scandal sister— my poor, wronged, orphan sister! Oh ! : held in my lap, that was put in my bed to wean Between its leaves she had put unobserved by a person, or of the beginning and the nature of that Esther Craig (a member of his household) if John were here, he would have stood by her j from the breast,though I was only seven years old. Esther—the fifty-dollar note that the girl had her connection with the circus habitue, she re- had brought upon herself, his immediate im- and saved her from this shame !” ' Yeti had even then something of a mother’s feel- refused to take. She might come upon it some pulse was to hurl upon her the fiercest abuse, to Mr. Haywood was speechless with anger. Isa- j ing for her, mingled with a sister’s love. And I trample her under his feet, to thrust her out of bel came forward and laid her hand on Victor- must leave her to see her no more. Thank God ! doors in his blind rage and mortified pride, ine’s arm. ' her lot is brighter than mine. She has friends But his more politic daughter locked the door “You are making yourself a spectacle of con- j and home. She will be forbidden to speak to of his room upon him, and gave him time to tempt, Victorine,” she said, in her clear, cutting [ me; she will soon forget me, and it is better she . cool down and consider how to make the best of tones that had often descended like ice upon the j should.” ~ . - . _ — " ~ Will you time, when she was in sore need, and its pres ence in the book that teaches humility and kindly dependence of fellow-beings upon each other, would so soften her pride that she would not reject the help thus offered. Miss Grant stood at the door to watch the de fuses to say anything. I can form no conjecture how it could have come about in a household like this. How she could have found the op portunity ” “ The serpent can slip nnperceived into the dark holes and foul places where it belongs. You forget, papa, the difference in blood and na- the situation. The affair was already public; j girl’s warm impulses. But she paid no heed to j “She will never forget you, Esther. Will you parture of this pale, slender girl, who was going ture between this person and yourself, or our- all that could be done was to give the tide of them now; she clung to Esther and continued to j not write to her?” out in the world, alone and unfriended, to meet selves. She could find opportunities that would i gossip the most favorable turn as regarded exclaim: ! “No; my letters w T ould only bring pain and what fate she cpuld not guess, never occur to one of us,” said Miss Haywood, themselves. Let it sweep Esther Craig down to “ You shall not take her away ! I will go with j the necessity for concealment. I would not have As Esther came to the stairs and was about to with her stately head erect and her eyes never 1 ruin as much as it pleased, if only the family her! I will not sit here in comfort while she j any such necessity forced into Vietorine’s life ; descend, a door opened just opposite the door once turning upon Esther. name could keep clear of being bespattered, has to bear poverty and scorn. You always hated I have suffered too much by it myself. ” of Isabel’s room, and Miss Haywood came out “Perhaps,” suggested one of the vultures, There must be a peace-offering served on the her, you two; you have broken her heart—you] “ Where are you going, Esther ?” handsomely dressed, fcJr she had been entertain- shrine of society. The three leading gossips of are driving her off in her wretchedness. But I “I cannot tell you—somewhere, to the soli- ing Col. Howard in the drawing-room, and had the town must be propitiated, for their represen- am her sister; I will go with her and comfort tude of a city or of a wilderness. I could not just run up to ascertain if her wayward prisoner tation would determine the color and tendency her- ” j tell you if I would.” was at last in bed and asleep, as she had com- of the “talk.” j “Silence !” thundered Mr. Haywood, “andgo | “ You are not going to-night—alone?” manded. She took no notice of Esther, but as “Send for them, give them a good dinner, and with Isabel to her room ! You shall not see that j “You forget how familiar I am with night- she was closing the door behind her, the girl defer to their judgment,” was Isabel’s sugges- minion again !” paths,” she said, with a short, bitter laugh, turned around as if by a sudden, irresistible tion, and she sat down and wrote charming He put out his hand to tear her away, but Es- . - " - - ther waved him back. transfixing Miss Grant through her glass, “this person the girl’s governess, I think you said— might solve the problem of her pupil’s conduct. It is hardly possible that these escapades were not known to her.” Mr. Haywood bowed his appreciation of the idea. “Miss Grant is aware that a responsibility severe tone. ’ “My jurisdiction was to be confined to the school-room, I believe,” said the governess, with proud composure. “I have been an inmate of your house for a few weeks only—a short time in which to make or mar the morals of a girl of ^seventeen. Miss Craig’s behavior as a pupil was ■all i could desire. If there were outside irreg ularities that so long escaped the notice of her notes to the Misses Bird, and to the relict of the ther waved him back. Involuntarily, he obeyed rests upon her as the person tinder whose charge distinguished Rev. Dr. Pye, requesting their that look and gesture of quiet command. She Esther Craig was placed,” he said, in a cold and presence, in her father’s name, upon a matter of bent down and said to the excited girl: utmost importance. The family carriage brought “Go with him, Victorine, my little sister; I them to Haywood, where the matter was laid be- \ shall see you again.” fore them in solemn council, their vanity 7 flat- Then, as Victorine loosened her embrace and tered by an appeal to their judgment, and was passively led off by her father, Esther Col. Haywood’s generosity to his disgraced step- turned and fled swiftly away—longing for soli- daughter held up to their admiration. tude that she might weep the burning tears that To tell the truth, the bitterness, of this public, oppressed hey. sjie wqs .passingthrough the discovery was very much sweetened to Colonel hall, a voice sai(f“‘Esther,” soft as the hiss of a Haywood by the knowledge that it would enable serpent, and a white hand touched hers. At the own family, it is hardly to be wondered at that him to get rid of an incumbent he bitterly 7 dis- same moment, she saw Mr. Werter standing in they should elude the observation of a stranger.” liked, in a way, that if properly managed, would , the door of the drawing-room, which was nearly She stopped a moment, hesitated, and looked reflect no blame upon himself. opposite the library, and whence he had been a at Esther, but the still, self-contained face gave He had heartily longed to turn his step-daugh- witness of all that had been said and done there no sigh. She spoke again: j tor out of doors; he could now do so, and society since Mr. Haywood threw open the library door. “I will not deny, however, that these irregu- \ would applaud the act; he would run no risk of “Will you still refuse the protection of my larities have lately become known to me.” j being “talked about” as heartless and mean and love?” he asked, with his magical voice and And then she went on and told rapidly and j parsimonious, for refusing to support the orphan look, briefly what she had seen the preceding night— daughter of his wife. \ She turned upon him, all the pent-up emotion He considered himself as rid of her forever, of her being blazing out in the scorn of the one Knowing her pride, he did not for a moment be- withering look she gave him—the one word of lieve that she would receive a maintainance at his fiery contempt she cast at him as she passed him hands, in the humiliating, the degrading way in and went on without looking back, which it was offered, nor accept that asydum un namely, Esther returning to her room after mid night. “I have made every 7 effort,” she continued, “to induce her to confide in me, but I have failed. There seems to be some outside con straint independent of her will. I have only been able to give her my sympathy in her trouble and my faith in her innocence.” “Innocence!” shrieked the vultures. “ Innocence !” sneered Miss Haywood. “Innocence!” ejaculated the relict. “What do you mean, Miss Grant? Innocence indeed !” demanded Mr. Haywood. The governess waited until the chorus had subsided. “ Innocence,” she repeated. “ I cannot asso ciate the idea of guilt with Esther Craig. The “Yes, I am going to-night; I have just written impulse, and laid her hand on the door, your name upon a little package of books and “Let me pass,” she demanded, but Isabel music,” she added, pointing to the bundle.upon stood firm, and attempted to shut the partially opened door. “ Stand back!” cried Esther, stamping her foot. “ I tell you I will see her; I will see my sister once—for the last time !” She seized Isabel Haywood’s arm and pushed her aside with the swift strength of passion. Then she entered the room and closed the door der the roof of his “venerable relative,” (a fan atical and tyrannical old maid), where she would . occupy the position of a slave in the galleys— watched, suspected, scorned, abused and en slaved. He was perfectly convinced that she would not accept his offer. He had only made it to enhance his importance and deepen the im pression of his generosity. Turning to Esther, he said: CHAPTER III. The scowl had not left Mr. Werter’s brow when Miss Grant came out of the library and approached him on her way up stairs. From the position in which he stood, she conjectured that he had been an eye and ear witness towhat had passed in the library after Mr. Haywood threw 7 open the cfoor. . “I see you are rehearsing high tragedy this ‘ You can make your preparations for leaving morning,” he said, with a forced, satiric smile, in the morning. I will have the carriage ready “ j was no t aware that we were to have amateur tor you at an early hour. Pack all your clothes, | dramatics at Haywood. Pray give me a part.” the table. ” “ That emboldens me to offer you a little keep sake upon my part,” said the -governess, laying the purse in Esther’s hand. “ It is the first work of the kind I ever did—a present for my father. I netted it w r hen a child. It is old-fashioned x but pretty, is it not? k.ii'As .passing through the.. . it Very nre-W^.; but you hav^left something in ■ behind her. * She .remained .there but a -moment. 41—’’ u,‘— - it, Miss Grant.” ' When she came out her face was strangely • She took out the rolled-up bill and handed j changed. The flush and the fierce defiance it l^Wi to the governess with a reproachful, sig- were gone. Instead, there was deadly paleness, njfionnt look that said, “I understand your and the w r ild, dark eyes swam in unshed tears, ntfce.” I Isabel and her father, whom she had summoned “You will not take my little present, Esther?” to her aid, were about to open the door with “Not the money, Miss Grant. I will accept 1 stern and angry looks, when she appeared so the purse ot your netting, though I have nothing quickly—with such a stony calm of despair to fill it with but remembrances of you.” i upon her face. She walked out between them “Take the money, Esther. It is given freelv; without seeming to be aw 7 are of their presence; take it as from an older sister—as from one I but presently she turned half around, and said man who knows how hard it is to struggle with in a low voice of unnatural calmness : the world, to another who is just entering upon “You need not lock the door. I shall not see the struggle.” , her again. I am gone, never to return.” “I could not rob you of your hard earnings, 1 Yliss Grant; I have not fallen so low as that,” | she said with sorrowful pride. “But I thank you for your kindness in offering it. Y'ou have j been good to me, and I have made you but a | poor return. It would have been otherwise, if— if there had not been a stone rolled to the well spring of my 7 heart before I met you (TO BE CONTINUED.) ABOUT WOMEN. glimpse I have had into her character—its proud, 1 ornaments, etc. If there is anything you need, virginal reserve, the crystal purity of her imagi- j let me know at once.” nation—-the very sight of her face, where truth, \ She sat silent—impassive, as if she had not and pride, and a high type of intellect have set heard him, only a shadow of scorn quivered their stamp—make it impossible for me to be- across her lips. lie\e her guilty ot a low, sensual sin. I know “Have you no thanks for such kindness, un- tliat circumstances are against her. I cannot grateful, perfidious girl?” demanded Miss Bird, myself understand her motives or explain her I It was the straw too much. She raised the lids conduct. There is mystery in the matter—there 0 f her great eyes, and their smouldering fire i fascinations to be jealous.” is miseiy in it, there is wrong judgment, per- burst into flame. “No, your part in this domestic tragedy is naps, but guilt—never . “Thanks !” she cried. “Thanks, for an offer rather that of Iago—the malicious plotter and The low, silver-clear voice of the governess he has only 7 made because he knew I w 7 ould die misrepresenter of innocence. I have just read thrilled her listeners electrically in spite of sooner than accept it! Thanks, for the food and 1 some letters of your concocting, to which you themselves. A portion of the mantle of her shelter he gave me only because he feared the should have affixed the name of Iago, since you gifted uncle must have fallen upon her—that world would condemn him if he turned me were ashamed to sign your own.” power of the born orator to persuade and control, adrift! Thanks, for the system of small perse- She looked like him at that moment with her cutions I have endured at his hands. Thanks, “ l'ou have already taken a leading part in this domestic drama—so I believe,” said Miss Grant, stopping and fixing her eyes upon his hand some, sinister face. “Indeed ! what passion does my part portray? It is not Otfiello-like, I hope. Really 7 , I don’t think I could throw enough feeling into a jeal ous part. I have too good an opinion of my own Then he said, fine brow lifted and her deep, gray eye lighted for the shame and torture of this hour, when, in with fervor, yet softened by pity and sympathy. ; spite of my appeal to him in my mother’s name — for consideration and suspension of judgment, As the last words fell from her lips, Esther’s stony composure gave way; the blood surged to her forehead, the tears to her eyes. Springing to the side of the governess, she caught her hand and pressed it to her lips. “Thanks !” she uttered, falteringly, and then I sat down, paler than before. His dark cheek flushed hotly 7 . ■with emphasis : “"Were those letters libels? Did they contain false statements?” “Not literally false, perhaps, but such state- you please, I will finish my letter; I have no time to lose.” Miss Grant went to her room and sat down in its unwonted solitude, a prey to gloomy thoughts. She had probably lost her situation by 7 espous ing Esther’s cause, and though she knew she would be welcomed back to the Northern Sem inary where she had taught so long, before her health obliged her to come South, yet she liked Haywood. She had grown fond of Victorine and interested in her progress, and she dreaded the severity 7 of the Northern winter. But anx iety for herself passed out of sight when she- thought of Esther. Her sympathetic, self-for getful spirit went out to this girl in anxious yearning: she was grieved that she had failed to win her confidence, she who had before always succeeded in finding the key to the hearts of her pupils. “There is, there must be some mystery—some hidden cause for her conduct and for her refusal to explain it. I can never believe that she is depraved; but why, oh ! why does she not speak, and clear herself of the darker blame? Dpes she not know that a stain once attached to a Among the lady candidates who were success ful at the recent Oxford examinations were the Now, if two young daughters of Professor Max Muller. woman’s name-whether justly or unjustly—can I have been made to listen to his degrading rep- ments as were meant to lead and have led to j never be effaced ? That tears cannot wash it out, resentations, and to endure the scorn, the hypo- false conclusions—statements that have made nor time wear it away? "Wherever she goes, it critical pity, the stinging tongues of serpent- public and put in tfle most disgraceful light a ; will follow her.” hearted women? mystery that I believe will yet be most satisfac- | At the instant she was revolving these gloomy 7 “Shall I give thanks to him who has watched torily and honorably explained—statements that thoughts, the door opened, and Esther Craig residence, which had just been invaded during me with the cat-like eye of hate since I was a have stained with public disgrace the name of entered. She wore a dark dress, a hat and shawl, the late war. The German troops were about to take her life, when Prince Frederick Charles came forward and pardoned the courageous A Brooklyn sick girl cleared space around thirteen ears of green corn at one meal the other 1 day, and picking the fragments from between her teeth with a hair pin, observed: “If ever I get well again to eat much, I think I could live on corn.” “Are the youngladiesof the present day 7 fitfor wives ?” asked a lecturer of his audience. “ They are fit for husbands,” responded a female voice; “but the trouble is, you men are not fit for wives !” The applause was great, and so was the discomfit ure of the lecturer. Here is a story of Yladame de Stael’s large feet. She went to a fancy ball as Minerva. “How shall you know your goddess?” inquired one of her admirers of another. “ I'ar la pied-de-Stael,” was the response. Had she gone otherwise than as a goddess she would not have needed a pedestal. A lady in Paris is introducing a new fashion in regard to furniture. She is having all her chairs, sofas, and even her carriages, stuffed with aromatic herbs, which fill the air with an agree able, but not too powerful, perfume. The fashion is derived from the Eastern nations, and prevails extensively over a considerable part of Asia. The convent is about to deprive France of one of her heroines, Mile Hassi de la Tour. This modern Charlotte Corday 7 killed a Prussian offi cer who had offered her an insult at her father’s There was a flutter and a snapping of beaks . child ? — who gloats, under his sanctimonious an innocent youi^g girl : for you, in your heart, '■ and carried a large traveling.satchel in her hand, i the part of the vultures, as though they were i mask, over the thought that he has thrust me Ylr. Werter, believe Esther Craig to be inno- She came up to Miss Grant and laid a portfolio about to pounce literally 7 upon both Esther and j down to despair and degradation ! No,” she con- , cent.” the governess. j tinued, keeping him back with her steady, burn- “Oh ! of course,” he said, smiling scornfully “I do not think you intended we should be ing eye as he seemed about to advance upon her; as he shrugged his shoulder. “Corresponding entertained with a melodramatic scene, papa,” “no, he cannot thrust me down so low. Iwilllive: with a dissolute young man, sending him money, said Miss Haywood, icily. I will rise. I will go out in the world and make making appointments to see him, meeting him on the table beside which she sat. “ Y’ou seemed to like some of these sketches of mine, Yliss Grant; I w 7 as at work on something better, and of more elaborate design that I meant go out in tfie world and make making appointments to see him, meeting him as a gift for you—but it is not finished, and never •No, he returned, echoing her tone. “Yliss my place in it. An humble place it may be, but in the woods at night and going to nurse him at will be now. Y’ou will find it among these. Take Grant, I am greatly disappointed in you. I did it will not be degraded. I will have God over me, a disreputable house, are very innocent proceed- i it as an emblem of my life with all its incom- not look for such weakness of judgment, such and peace within me,—peace, that I have never ings indeed. If they should be thought a little plete hopes and broken dreams.” silly, and piermit me to say, sinlul sentimental- known here. Here, where I have worn the gall- irregular, they must be set down as the caprice ism. I fear I can no longer entertain for you ing chain of a false position—where I have eaten of genius. Yliss Esther Craig is a genius, I be- the confidence that should be reposed in the your bread and despised myself for it. Only lieve.” person who is entrusted with the education of love for my sister, and ” * “ You believe also that Esther Craig is inno- my daughter.” t I “Don’t dare to take the name of sister on your cent, Mr. Werter. If you thought her degraded, “Yery well,’ returned Yliss Grant, bowing lips, iDgrate !” hissed Mr. Haywood, infuriated you would not seek her as you do. You would slightly, and making a movement to retire. beyond control. “Y’ou have no sister. Y r ictor- not be at so much pains to gather a rifled flower. “ Stay,” he continued, “ I wish you to be pres- ine despises you, or will, as soon as she knows Do I not see through your motive? You thought, ent at the final adjustment of this unhappy j your unworthiness; she shall never speak your by 7 disgracing this girl, to make her desperate: proudly; “not on my heart—my conscience. I affair—to hear it settled in the best way that it name; she shall be taught that you have brought you thought to deprive her of hope, of home, of have told you, Miss Grant, that I could explain can be done, according to my own confused shame upon her: do not dare to speak to her, or friends—to cut her off from all refuge, save the nothing.”' judgment and the excellent discretion of my approach her. Go, at once, and rid this house of insulting one you offered. This was your design, “But you do not realize the consequences of friends,” with a wave of his hand to the two on your presence.” but the justice of God will not permit you to your silence; you do not know how scandal will the sofa. I He had flung the door open while he was accomplish your purpose. Y’ou have wrecked j cling to a woman and follow her wherever she ‘After consulting with my daughter this morn- speaking. Victorine was descending the stairs: her happiness, blighted her hopes of fame, driven goes—that it will bar her way to fame or fortune, young lady. A Frenchman more noted for his conceit and for a certain amount of success with the fair sex than for the cleanliness of his linen, was posing the other day before a beautiful and witty woman, when he delivered himself of this rather arro gant sentiment: “Women ! I change them as I , ., , ,, , do my shirts.” “Ah.” said the fair one, looking She laid the portfolio back upon the table and attell ti V ely at the collar of his shirt. “I should mlt w “ a ~"’- lv,r Ar,ss firsint never have believed you so constant.” A young lady of literary tastes, who is staying for a while at Stafford Springs, awoke one morn ing last week and found her hair lying on the floor and near bv a pair of scissors. Her friends “Upon mv name—but not on’me,” she said gathered around her, and on calmness being A - • t restored and reason set to work, it was thought she must have got up in the night in her sleep and committed the offense herself. She had long, black hair, which was the admiration of her friends. “Trinculo,” in a satirical article on Yladame Tietjens, in the Arcadian, quotes the following held out her hand. “ Good-by, Yliss Grant. “Esther,” said the governess, clasping the girl’s hand and gazing at her with earnest eyes, “are you really going away like this—without the explanation that I feel sure would free you of the stain that now rests upon you ?” impossible ger in my family. ” “ Of course,” echoed the spinsters with em phatic croak, and “of course,” came lugubri ously from the parson’s relict. Ylr. Haywood proceeded : “ Under these pain ful circumstances, and after having spent an in solemn deliberation, I have determined a course of conduct that I trust will meet looking wildly to Esther, “what does this mean? What right have you to speak to my sister in this way ?” “Never let me hear you call her sister again. Stand off’ from her; let go her hand this instant! She is not fit for you to touch; she has brought disgrace upon herself.” He winced as her steady, level glance seemed I track a woman to the world’s end—will hound up a great deal of feminine envy: “Well, to pierce through him—he turned from red to her to her grave, where it often drives her, and thought Rwas a^ lively girl, but I pass.” I I _ _ Levy pale; but in an instant he recovered his self-pos- ; then stand over the moulding bones and mutter, wrote to Lafe Harrison from London: “Talk session. Bowing with mocking grace and his \ ‘Drop no tear of pity here—this woman was about cornets! Bah, mere crickets!—go and finest sardonic smile, he said: j talked about.’ No. Yliss Grant, I am not so igno- hear Tietjens !” And Rose Hersee, standing on “I see it is Yliss Grant who is to be prima don- rant of the world; I drew in bitter knowledge her toes at the Queen’s concert, uttered this mot: “ She has not ! I would not believe it if a thou- na in the forthcoming theatricals. High queen with my mother's milk. I know my fate in this “ It is a Sahara of talent—Heaven send sand malicious slanderers should croak it into ( of tragedy—or is it comedy? I think the latter, , world is fixed. No high built hopes of fame, or j oasis ot song!”