ngly the meaning of the thing. Therein centres the gay consent of all mankind and womankind to an innocent, sweet apostasy from the ranks of both. The value of living-which is loving; the sacrede

dressing. True, here was neither wreath nor veil, but here was very young wifehood, and its re-attiring would be like a proclamation of victory

nly in the manner of a crab, with palms turned upwar

it till de doctah

e's coming; it's

as

hen threw up one hand again, with th

a lill f

en at length she brought from the wardrobe, pretending not to notice her mistake, a loose and much too ample robe of woollen and silken stuffs to go over all, she moved as though she trod on holy ground, and di

e that droll," s

ce confessed

h mine as hi

se, as she drew its silken cord

tie the knot tight. That will do; there!" She smiled bro

and, smiling in response, did tie i

t may have been by chance-at the street door,

stair he paused, and, bending

o you

bosom, and drawing a cheek and sh

tti

ner's sever

u smile at

her fingers upon her

Reechin." The smile forced its way through her fingers. The vi

turned, and, as the other stepped across the threshold, nestled her hands one on the other at her waist, s

it. The girlish form lay in it, with eyes closed, very still; but his professional glance quickly detected the false pretence of slumber. A slippered foot was still slightly reached out beyond the bright colors of the long gown, and toward

the corner of her lips; she faintly stirred, opened her

put her hands over her eyes, and her face into the pillow. "O Doctor!"-

lied while she

hair toward the fireplace, and asked,

eling to-day, m

nd pleased him. "I thank you, Doctor, for my recovery; I certainly should thank you." Her face lighted up with that soft radiance which was its best quality, and her sm

or, thumping and brushing from his knee some specks of mud that he may have got

ward from the back of the great chair and letting

t smile. The face was one of those that show not merely that the world is all unknown to them, but that it always will be so. It beamed with inquisitive intelligence, and yet had t

ll,-for John's sake." She looked up into his face from the tassel she was twistin

man, seemingly not overmuch pleased; "I dare say

or a moment a pained perpl

and waited his answ

think of their own sa

with unprecedente

re might be a difference; but I don't see how a woman"- She ceased, still smiling, and, dropping

then again of this-child, thrust all at once a thousand miles into it, with never-so far as he could see-an implement, a weapon, a sense of danger, or a refuge; well pleased with herself, as it seemed, lifted up into the bliss of self-obliterating wifehood, and resting in her hu

m going to take

is your father a

small church. No, sir; he had nothing but his small salary, except that for some years he t

abstractedly through the upper sash of the large

entered. A tired look vanished from his face as he saw the Doctor. He hurried to

ooking up playfully, with her cheek against the chair-back,

emphasis was so pronounce

he opposite condition, Do

es

ee, it requires

they are poor as it is to show good cause why they're rich. Good-day, madam." The two men we