they could feel the calm, unclouded serenity which the end of a long and often wearisome toil had brought. The moonlight trembled through the shaded casement, and surrounded as with a halo the sweet, serious face that looked out upon the night; and far around, even to the rugged mountains that rose as sentinels over the green valley, earth and air were bathed in that pure and tender radiance. The flowering shrubs that twined about the little porch seemed to give forth a more delicious perfume than when scorched by the sun's warm kiss. The neighbouring orchards, almost bending beneath the clusters. of buds and blossoms that covered the green boughs, waved gently in the light breeze that showered the sunny petals as it passed upon the freshly springing grass beneath. The low cry of the whippo-wil came now and then from a far-off wood; save that, and the rustle of the vines clinging about the casement, no sound broke the sabbath-like repose. The church Scarce a stone's throw from the little parsonage-stood boldly relieved by the dark trees which rose beside it; and not far away-not too far for them to see by day the loved forms of its inmates—they could distinguish the sloping roofs and brown walls of Mary's early home. The young bride turned from the scene without, and when she looked up into her husband's face he saw that her eyes were filled with tears. "Are you not happy, my Mary?" said he, as he drew her more closely to his bosom. "Happy! oh, only too happy!" was the murmured response, as he kissed the tears away. "I was but thinking of my past life; how strange it seems that I should have been so prompted, so guided through all! Then, stranger than the rest, that you should love one so humble, so ignorant as myself. I may tell you now-now that I am your own true wife, how your love has been the happiness of many years. Ere I dared to hope that your letters breathed more than a friendly interest - and believe me I would not indulge the thought for an instant until you had given me the right so to do-though the wish would for an instant flit across my mind-I knew that one less wise, less noble than yourself would never gain the deep affection of my heart. I almost felt that I could live through life without dearer ties, if you would always watch my path with interest, awarding, as then, praise and blame." "But, strange as it may seem, you did love me through all, deeply, devotedly. Oh, what is there in me to deserve such affection! and when I read those blessed words—'I love you, Mary, have loved you from an early period of our correspondence,' it seemed as if my heart were breaking with the excess of wild happiness which rushed like a flood upon it. How could you love me? what was there in me to create such an emotion?" Allan Loring thought that the wife was far more beautiful than the maiden, as she stood encircled by his arms, gazing with deep earnestness, as if she would read his very soul. "I cannot tell you all there is in you to love and admire," said he, tenderly, "and, indeed, my little wife would blush too deeply at a recital of her own merits and graces. But this I now recall, that the first emotion of deep interest which I felt for you, arose as I listened to your brother's recital of your wonderful self-denial, and persevering effort for his sake. I saw, young as you were, the germ of a high and noble nature, best developed, believe me, in the rough and untoward circumstances by which you were surrounded. I wrote to you at first, thinking, perhaps, to aid you in the struggle for knowledge and truth; and as your mind and heart were laid open before me, how could I help loving the guileless sincerity which every act exhibited? I knew that the good sister, the affectionate child, could not but make a true and gentle wife. So I thought myself fortunate, beyond my own hopes even, when I found you could grant me the only boon I asked-a deep and steadfast affection." What heart is there that would not have been satisfied with such praise? and who, witnessing the calm spirit of content which animated both the husband and the wife, could have prophesied evil as the result of such a union. We might follow our heroine still farther-might show her to you as the companion and assistant in her husband's labours of love, as he fulfilled the high mission to which he had been appointed as the mother, training her little ones to usefulness and honour. But we will leave her now, assured that whatever storms may cloud the unshadowed morn of her wedded life—and all know that in this existence no home, however lofty or lowly, is exempt from suffering and trial—she bore a talisman to pass through all unscathed-strength, gained by patient endurance, and the knowledge of duties rightly performed. It may be, dear lady-you who are now glancing idly over these pages. that you are surrounded by every luxury wealth can command. You are lounging, perhaps, upon a softly cushioned divan, with tiny, slippered feet half buried in the glowing carpet. There are brilliants blazing upon the delicate hand which shields your face from the warm fire-light; as you glance around, a costly mirror reveals at full length your graceful and yielding form. "I have no interest in such as these," you say, as the simple narrative is ended. I pray, in truth, that you may never learn the harsh lessons of adversity; but remember, as you enjoy the elegancies of a luxurious home, that change comes to all when least expected. And if misfortune should not spare even one so young and so beautiful; if poverty or desolation overshadow the household, it may be your part to sustain and to strengthen, not only by words, but by deeds. God shield you, dear lady; but if the storm come, remember that honest labour elevates, rather than degrades; and those whose opinions are of value will not hesitate to confirm the truth of the moral. "THERE'S NO SUCH WORD AS FAIL." THE proudest motto for the young! The Sailor, on the stormy sea, The wearied Student, bending o'er The tomes of other days, And dwelling on their magic lore, For inspiration prays. And though with toil his brain is weak, His brow is deadly pale, The language of his heart will speak "There's no such word as fail." |