for a change sometime, but not one so great as his countenance indicated.

His pale cheeks were flushed, and his dull eyes flashed with a radiant brightness. They seemed to be illumined by a wild light, softened by the presence of pure joy and unalloyed happiness. As I looked at his beaming countenance, I felt that the long imprisoned spirit had been released from its bondage. O! what a power there is in love to make the darkest skies bright, the most hopeless lot beautiful as a smiling landscape on a summer's morn! Those who truly love are invincible. This solidarity of hearts renders them impervious to the world's scorn or hate. Rather, I should say, renders it; for the two make but one. Separate and alone, we are fractions, exposed to many temptations and adversities; we are weak, and when the storms of life beat upon us we bend beneath them in bitter agony, unable to stand up and face them manfully. United, we become entire, - the two make one, and the weakness becomes power; like a three-fold cord, it cannot be broken. The strength of the two becomes the strength of the one; their powers melt and mingle together and consolidate, and, though soft as the petals of a rose, they are harder than the rock. Soft to humanity's touch, but to the cold fingers of misfortune and injustice hard as flint.

I rallied Ernest on his improved appearance, telling

him, however, that he had looked the misanthrope, but now the maniac.

"I shall not crave your mercy," he replied; "for I have a shield now that will render all your shafts impervious."

you

"The shield of love, perchance. Much good may it do ! How many hours did you sleep, last night?" "I will tell you when you inform me what right you have to ask such questions?"

"Of course you understand what right I have. I am your good genius, you know."

"I had forgotten that fact; but what right has my good genius to ask saucy questions?"

But how

"Saucy questions! You are improving very fast. I see that people change with circumstances. about those tears, was there a regular deluge? I fancy that I can trace the course of the torrents, which rushed with mighty inpetuosity over your face."

"Come, come, that will do. I am happier than I was, and I believe that my cup will yet be brimming with joy." "I hope so."

"Thank you. I thought, soon after you came here, that

you would prove a deadly curse to me; but, instead of that, although your presence has caused me hours of sorrow, it has been all for the best, for you have been the means of doing me great good."

"But greater injury, I fear; but I am willing to square accounts."

"So am I; and may you be as happy as I now hope to be!"

"O, I shall be; never fear for me!"

"You speak with assurance, and I hope you will not be disappointed."

"I hope so, too. Depend upon it, Ernest, the future has bright skies and sunshine for us both."

CHAPTER XX.

DEATH OF MY MOTHER.

I NOW had the pleasure of meeting Ernest and Irene frequently together. It made me happier and better, to see how happy they were. In feelings, hopes and sympathies, they were one. I knew that their union, should it ever take place, would be a true one; for the silken chain of love had so bound them that death itself could not sever it. They did not manifest so much sickly sentimentality that they might be called, as a quaint writer has expressed it, "a couple of lumps of love;" and yet you could see that love was the attraction that drew them together, and made them one. And therein was union, devotion, self-sacrifice, truth, honor, and beauty as joyous as heaven. Marriage without such love, is but a tragic farce.

At the request of Mr. Dinneford, Ernest gave him a truthful account of his life, which showed his character in its true light.

"You have suffered so much," said he, "that God forbid that I should stand in the way of your happiness!" The moody dulness and diffidence of Mr. Brown gradually wore away, as the fogs leave the valleys

when the sun pours its rays down upon them, causing them to creep up their sides, and disappear over the mountain tops. The sun of love now shone around him, dispersing the shadows of a woful life.

I now determined to remain in New York until the time had expired for which I had bargained. Ernest, instead of leaving on the first of January, renewed his engagement for another year, his salary being increased two hundred dollars. When my time had nearly expired, I received the following letter from brother Thomas :

"I feel it a duty, my brother, to inform you that "mother is sinking rapidly. She has not long to live "in this world. She does not speak of you; and yet I "know she would be glad to see you.

'set eyes upon you for a number of "must be a relief to her overburdened "you once more. Be sure and come. "fear the deacon, for you are a man now.

"did.

She has not

years, and it

heart to see

You need not

No doubt,

"( when you see him, you will love him as well as you ever And why should you not love your venerable "father? The deacon is now sixty years old, but his

"hair is black as it ever was.

There is a secret con

"nected with this; he colors it

"vanity in that, of course not!

man's portrait? I will do it faithfully; for I do so

want

you to love him, when next you meet !