suffered; and with her heart strengthened to perform with cheerfulness what her Lord should require of her, and walk unmurmuringly in the paths that he had appointed, assured that they would lead her to pure and unending peace at last, she turned with the small band of mourners to seek her humble home. The remembrance of the young companion who in her early griefs gave her the sympathy of his kind heart, came to her as she marked the village group of children, and grateful thoughts were busy in her mind of his relinquishing the sports of boyhood to cheer her a lonely little orphan. Just then his mother, who had walked by her side, whispered to her that Edwin was returned and would speak with her; and so busy had been imagination that she raised her eyes to meet the young face and form of her playmate, when the hand of a tall, dignified young man was stretched out to greet hers. The tear of disappointment filled her eye from the sudden impulse of feeling, and the blush of modesty tinged her cheek as she thought of the eagerness with which she was about to greet an almost stranger. Edwin-for it was indeed he-saw her confusion, and with the same frankness and kindness that marked the boy, he expressed the joy he felt in meeting her on his return home, and begged that she would receive him with the same unrestrained welcome that she always greeted the school-boy. He spoke not of her trials, for he saw that her heart was full, but by the unaffected simplicity of his manners toward her she gained her composure, and ere he left her she was surprised to find herself conversing with him with the warmth and affection of early days. 'Will he come again as in my lonely childhood to give joy to the evening hours?' thought Elenor as she drew the curtain and made her poor aunt as quiet and comfortable as she could, with her easy chair before a snug little fire, after their sad repast. If a doubt or fear lingered after the mental query, it was soon dispelled, for true to the impulses and memories of his younger days, he sought again the heart that needed his sympathy, and ere he left her she felt the assurance that she should never while he lived be deprived of it. His home for the future was to be in his native village, and his industry and perseverance soon gained him friends and prosperity. Elenor's nineteenth summer promised as beautiful fairylike dreams as the sunny time of her last rambles with little Frank, and from the never neglected garden in the churchyard, her walk was always extended to the pine grove not far distant, to look at the daily improvements on a neat little cottage which the villagers prophesied was one day to be hers. And so it proved; for when it was completed in its inner and outer arrangement, its owner-the young Edwin-chose her for the priestess, for he knew she had been truly and fully consecrated for the service by her short but stern years of trial, and her oracles, which he should gladly consult in times of care and doubt, would be those that should secure to him joy and contentment. And, reader, if I have interested you enough to turn and glance again at the window, you will see another figure seated by the side of Elenor, with a satisfied and happy look, plying her needle, and I must tell you that it is her aunt, for you would hardly recognize her in the gentle and lowly minded woman, who by the teachings of that open book has been won from her errors and repinings. 8 'HER might is gentleness-she winneth sway Where she, the gentle, loving one hath failed, But sweetness is a woman's attribute By that she has reigned, and by that will reign; The dearer empire of the beautiful; Sweet sovereign in their natural loveliness.' 'GREAT deeds of benevolence, great acts of generosity, no doubt produce a great deal of joy, and make many hearts light; but a humane consideration, a rational and habitual indulgence for others, evinced by an uninterrupted sweetness of manner, does more-infinitely more, for the substantial and abiding comfort of human life.' So said an eloquent city divine to whom I had been listening for the first time, and with all my little 6 talent of reasoning I tried to convince cousin Fred of the truth of this sentiment, as he led me down the stone steps, and we pressed slowly through the crowd for our home. 'O fie! little coz !' said he, with the usual roguish curl of his proud lip at what he called my country simplicity.' You have lived so much among woods and flowers, lambs and birds, and all such spiritless beauties, that you have become too tame; such trifling acts and deeds no doubt are enough to immortalize you in your rustic village; but you should dwell amid the excitements and bustle of city society, to gain the true idea of the spirit and energy that is requisite to secure fame or precedence. It is not the kind voice and gentle movement that will make the crowd give way for us, or gain us a seat among the high and noble.' 'O,' said I, a little piqued at his railery against our sweet country home, 'You are for the wreath of fame! I could gather you one from my garden that would wither no sooner, and would rest far more lightly on your brow; and as for a seat among the noble, you can have one with pleasure at any time in our old church, and it would be no slight compliment were I to say you were entitled to it,— for where would you find truer nobility than among our good old fathers?' 'I tell you, coz,' interrupted he impatiently, I would not chain |