been tidings of one or two vessels on their return voyage from Europe being in danger of wreck, and one was supposed to be lost in a furious gale that had swept the Atlantic for days. I was filled with a wild fear until I learned that Lawrence's name was not among those of the passengers in the illfated ship. What kept Larry absent and silent now? I questioned. Alas! the wings of my fair hope were fast becoming fettered by doubt and fear.

I paced the garden-walks of Glen-Beck one eventide, and marked the red gold of sunset tinging the tops of the trees, and heard in the distance the gentle murmur of the Monoskisy as it flowed over its pebbly bed, and beheld the clouds hang purple and red above the distant mountains, lending a last glory to the dying day. "I must bid farewell to this pleasant spot erelong," I said to myself, as I looked about a little sadly, for the beauty of the place had charmed me from the first, and it was but natural I should experience a pang in leaving it. Mildred's marriage was to take place soon, and then, although she earnestly

entreated me to remain at Glen-Beck, I was firm in my decision to leave for Madame Merillat's establishment, where as teacher I was to receive just half the sum paid me by Mr. Forrester in my capacity as governess. Dim and drear the future looked, and as I approached the house when night fell, I contrasted the richly colored life which had been mine but a few weeks before, with the almost barren uncertainty of my present lot.

Sister Kate was standing with a gentleman upon the steps of the piazza as I drew near. When I beheld her companion, I stopped transfixed. It was impossible to mistake the lift of that noble head, the bearing of that fine figure. It was Larry, but I neither moved nor spoke. Presently he perceived me, and came rapidly down the steps and along the path towards me. Soon he held me in his embrace, but I had no words of welcome for him; I could only put my arms about his neck and burst into tears.

When I became composed-for I was soon calmed and solaced by Larry's words and presence we talked, oh! how we talked of

the past, of the future. Anticipation's stern sister, Reality, seldom gives what the former so abundantly promises in her name, but in these moments of reunion with Lawrence, I tasted fruition.

What had detained Lawrence?

Through all the days that I had awaited his return, with a sickening heart and a fainting hope, he watched beside a dying friend, who had accompanied him to Europe in the hope that the change and milder air of the Continent would restore his failing health. Impatient as Lawrence was to hasten his return, he could not leave his friend to die alone amid strangers, and he remained with him to the last, receiving his dying message to kindred at home, and finally seeing him laid in his lonely grave on a foreign shore. Then he came as speedily as wind and wave could bring him to me. Oh, how I reproached myself for my faithless and repining spirit during late days. Unselfishly performing the "task that was nearest him," Lawrence truly merited the Master's words, "well done."

Late that night, when enclosed within the

370 LONG LOoked for, coME AT LAST. walls of my own room, I stood before the glass and loosened the front bands of my hair, thinking that I would henceforth curl it in the old fashion again, now that Larry was come. Mildred entered to offer me her congratulations. Kate had told her all. Then Mrs. Forrester came, and finally Ellice Manvers and Kate; for sister and her beloved companion were spending a few days at Glen-Beck. Kissed by all in turn, warm and earnest wishes were spoken for my future well-being. I was very happy, but when the door closed upon my dear and kind friends, a sorrow mingled with my joy, as I listened through the silent watches to the measured tread of the occupant of the chamber nearest mine. Walworth Forrester paced the floor the night through.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE WEDDING.

Angel.-"Go, child!
Fulfil thy fate! Be--do-bear-and thank God."
"Festus."

O the sound of choral singing went
Dana Poinsett and Mildred Forrester

up the aisle of Moreton church, to be wedded. And the minister questioned, and they made answer, to take each other "from that day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death did them part;" and the bridegroom looked up, and the bride drooped her lids, and both were praying; he after his man's fashion, and she in womanly meekness; and the blessing of God rested upon the two.

Who wept at this bridal?

None save Philip Arran and the little chil

AN