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., -ad Ihe Tbe world u very beautiful '. h ssi-l Ih brituuiinn .treem the trouiulon. ulou... I wetcUBd n carpeted mVle spr Wanthrotnewiutri wool, green ca W*th mail mini fern ud curving bremVle spray. And broil/. Hi. tboti.au I russet margin ed., Ami m the sparkling b.illy Kliui sud |'l< And kiudlu all the brier*' flawin "The world In very horrible '" I siib. Ai. iu uiy wonted ways, to-day 1 thread < bil streete. del.iruied with dim monotony Hidmt(traueu.y.t.rieot unknown dread- The ruekini coult. tbe breatble*e fever den. The haunts where thiuK* unholy tbroug and (iriui cnrueTtbe nerce de-pair o< strong-armed Chlld'Sfaniy an-1 nauieleea woiuanbood. Aud men have lookel upon this piteoui thing- Blank lives unvisited by beauty s spell Aud laid L*t be ; it ie uol meet to ormg Dnamiof sweet free.luiu.to tbe prison cell. hiugineiu no SOUK, of tbmgs ail briKht and Paiut'tbeui no vieious of the gla.1 and free. Li with purged sight lhair misenea they see Aud tb>.. vain lounge, pasito blank de- spuir. Oh. brother, treiilng ever darkening wiyi. Ob sister wheluiediu evoi deepening care. Would Ood we uiight uufoU before your a/.e Some viaion o( tb pure and true and fair Better to know, tho' suddeu things be kuo , u. Better to see. tho' toara half b.iud Ibe lbt. Tho thraldom to tbe seine and bean of stone And borrible couleutuieut with the ingot. Ob 1 bring we then all sweet and (jracloui To wuoflbe life, lhat lie so chill and drear Tbat they suav dream of some diviner iphere, Whence each olt ray of love and beauty spring., Kacb good aud perfect ift n from above Ao,l there is healing for earib'e direst woes (iod bath uu..led the s,.rlnge of hKbt and love To make tbe Jeeort blueaoni as the roue. PHYLLIS. slave whisper, slraifc-Utening himself u be nee* 'ue, and pointing iu the direction ot the oioeet. Very oioe." 1 answer with decision, and uot dark at all i .lite fair, leaked him about the wood when I got the ohanoe and be eaid we might go tbeie whenever we ohoae, and that u wolMd give him great pleasure if we would oouaider it an our own. There '. Aud it wan not be turned out old Nancy Haggard ; it was the wretoh Sim- uioue, the .toward, without any orders ; and Mr. Carringlou bai dismissed him, and -- " Here Billy slips off a jam-pot, on wbiah be has beu slaudiug. with a view to rata ing himaelf. etumblee heavily . and areutee au appalling row ; BY THE fJtCHaMW AOtLuI Of Molly Bawu," " Tbe Baby," " Airy Fairy Lilian," etc, etc. poeeibly get on without them in a aupid country place, and that it u more from a uoble deeire to iuatain tb renpeotability ol the faaiily than from any pleaeure that may be derived from them, that they are kept. We try to believe tuia but wedou t. We aoe very few neighborH, for the simple reason tbat there are ^ery few toaee. ThM limita dinner parties, and eaves expense m many ways, but rather throws us younger fry upon our own resources). No ouluiderB ooiua to disturb our unmteresiiuK oalm c turns i. "Billy. Billy!' I call eagerly, and al the top of my heal thy lung*; bul there u no reply. " Where can lhat boy be? ' -Billy, Billy!" I boul again, more lustily this time, and wilb my neck craned hall way down tbe kiiohen staircase, bul with a like reeult. There is a suddeu movement on the upper landing and Dora, appearing above, waves her hand frantically towards me to insurs attention, while she murmura, "Hush! Hush!" with hurried emphasis. 1 look up. and aee she u robed in her best French muslin. Ihe faint blue and white of which oonlraats so favorably wilb ber delicate akin. " Hush ! There is some one in the draw ing room," ayi my lovely Bister, with the slightest possible show of irritation Who?" I ask. in my loudest whisper, feeling somewhat mleresled. "Not not Mr. Oarrmgton -surely?" " Yes " returns Dora, under ber breath and reaJly. Phyllis, I wish you would uot give youreelf the habit of " -WbatT Already!" I interrupt, with a gasp of surprise. " Well, certainly, be has lost no time. v Now, Dara, mind you make a ootqueal of him. whatever you do, as, being our landlord, be uuy prove formid- able " Dora blusnes It is a common trick ot hers, and she does it very successfully nods, imilte and goes ou to victory. The drawing room door opens and shuts . I can bear a subdued murmur of voices ; some one laughs. Il is a man's laugh, and I feel tbe growth of curiosity strong within my breast. Ob, for some congenial soul to hare my thougbls ' Where on earth is Billy ?" 1 am about to prosecute tny search for him in person, when be suddenly appears, coming toward me from a tolally unex- pected direction What's up?" be asks, in bu usnil neat * Oh, Billy, he ia here-Mr. Carrington I mean," I exclaim, eagerly. "Dora ana mamma are wilb him. I wonder will they aak him about tbe wood?" He'd be sure to refuse it they did.' says Billy, gloomily. " From all I hear, he must be a regular Tartar. Brewster says he u the hardest landlord in the oounty, turns all the tenants out of doors ai a moment's notice, and counts every rabbit in tbe place. I'm certain be is a mean beaut, and I hope Dora won't aak any favor of him." I shift the conversation. "Did you see him oome? Where have you been all this lime?" Ouuide. There's a grand trap al the door, aud two bones. Brewster says be is awfully rich, and of course he's a screw. If there's one thing I hate it> a miser." " Oh, be is too young to be a miser," say 1, in the innocence of my heart. " 1'apa nays be cannot be more than eigbt-aud- twenly. Is be dark or fair, Billy ?" I didn't see him, but I'm sure he's dark nd iquat, and probably be squints," save Hilly viciously. Any one that could turn poor old Mother Haggard out of ber bouse in tbe frost and snow mutt have a _ ifter which, mindful of oouM-queuow. be picks himself up silently, aud together we lurn aud flee. . Bil'IXB il. I am 17 not sweet 17 ; there is nothing sweet aboul *u. I am neither fair nor dark nor lall nor short, nor indeed any- thing m particular tbat might distinguish me from the common herd. This is ralber hard upon me, as all Ibe rest of us can lay claim to beauty in one form or an 'Cher. Holand. my eldeot brother, is lall. very aristocratic in appearance, and extremely good to look at; Dora, who uomen next, is small aud exquisitely prelly. in a fresh fairy-like slyle , while Billy, the youugeal boru. has one of Ihe handsomest faces imaginable, wilb liquid brown eyea of a gentle, pleading expre-eion, thai smile oouliuually, aud utterly belie Ibe character of their owner. Why I was born at all, or why, my crea- tion being a settled matter, I waa not given to the world as a boy, ban pulled aud vexed me for many veers- I am entirely with - oul any of ihe llllle graceful kiltenuh blandishments of manner that go far to make Dora the charming creature she u ; t have wo much of Billy's recklessness, mixed up wilh nalural carelessness of my own. to make me a success in tbe family circle. To quote papa in bis mildest iorm, I am a " sad mistake," aud uotoneeasy to be reclined, while molher. wbo is the geutleat soul alive, reproves and comforts me from morning uulil night, withoul any reeuli to speak ol. 1 ain somelhing over five feet two, wilb browu hair aud a brown skin, aud eyee that might be blue or gray, according to fancy My feet are small aud well sbsped, aud so are my bauds : but as for aeveuteeu years I have borne an undying haired towards gloves, these latter cannot be re- garded wilb admiraliou. My mouth is of goodly M. -, and rather determined in expre'ssiou ; while as to my figure, if Kolaud B to be believed, il resembles nothing so uiuob as a tubing rod. Bul my nose ibat al leael is presentable and worthy of a bet- ter reeling-place . U is indeed a most desire able nose in every way, and, being my only redeeming point, is one of which I am justly proud. Nevertheless, ae one swallow makes no summer, so one feature will uot beau- Ufy a plain face ; and ia spite of my Ureoiau treasure I still remain obeoure. I uol ornamental, however, I manage to be useful ; I am an excellent foil to my sister Dora. She is beyond diapute our bright particular star, and revels in tbat know- ledge. To be admired is sun and air and life to Dora, wbo resembles nothing iu ibe world so much as an exquisiM lillke Dres- den figure, so dehoale. so pink and while so yellow haired, and alwaye so bewitch- mglv attired. Hoe never gets mto a paaton. is never unduly excited She is too prelly aud too fragile for tbe idea, else I might be tempted to say tbat on rare occasions ibe sulks. Hull, she is notably good-lempered, and hat a positive talent for svading all un- pleasant topics that may allect ber own peace ot mind. 1'apa is a person to be feared ; mother we have no companions, no friends beyond our hearthstone. No alarming incidents occur to season our deadened existence uooue ever elopes wilb the wife of his bjeom friend. All is flat. Hale and nnprofil able. Ii m then wilh mingled f**"ng of fear aud delight tbat we bear of BiraogJinore being pui in readiness lo receive its tua-ter. Mr. Carnngton, our new landlord our old one died about ti\e yeara ago baa at length wearied of a foreign eojourn, and IB hastening lo tbe laud of bis falbere. 80 ran reporl three weeks bufore my story opens, and for once truly- He came, be ii not ; consequently, we all love mother best. In appearance the bead ot our family is tall, lean aud unspeakably severe Wilh him a spade ie always a ipade, and bis nay is indeed nay. According to a Ira- diliou among us, that has grown witb our growth, in bis uoee which Bat be was in I talv then : perhaps he lu't know anything about il," I put in aa one giving the benefit of a bare doubt. 'Oh, didn't be?" aayj Billy, with -.ithering contempt. "He didn't send his orders, I suppose? Oh. no 1" Onoe i ,.rly started in bis Billingsgate strain, it . - impossible to say where my brother will loose to draw aline, bnt fortunately for Mr. Carrington's character. Martha, our parlor servant, makes ber sppearanoe at this moment and comes up to us with an jj. important expression upon her jovial (Mi Misi Phyllia, your ma want* you in the drawing room at ..aoet." she Bays. "Th strange gentleman is there, and " ' Wants me '" I aak, in astonishment, not being usually regarded aa a drawing- room ornament. " Msrtha, is my hair tidy?" 'Til lovely!" returns Martha. And, thus encouraged, I give my dress one or two hasty pulls and follow in Dora's foot- A quarter of an hour later I rush back to Billy, and discover him standing, with bent bead and shoulders, in a> tiny closet that opens off the hall, and n only divided from the drawing-room by tbe very frailest of partitions. Ills attitude ie crumpled, but his faoe betrays tbe liveliest interest a* he listens assiduously to all that is going on inside. Well, what U he like ?" he asks in a aingularly large and obtrusive lies all the harshness that obaracteiizes bis every action. Indeed, many a time and oft have Billy and 1 speculated as to wbethei. were he suddenly shorn of hie proboscis, be would also find himself deprived of bis strength of mind. Us is oalm, and decid- edly well-bred, both in manner and expres- siontwo charms ws do not appreciate, ar, on such frequent occasions ae when dis- grace falls upon one or all of tbe household, tbe calmness and breeding become so ter- rible that, without so muon as a frown, he can wither us beyond recognition. I am his particular littr noire ; my hoy- denish ways jar every hour of the day upon bis sensitive nerves. He never tires of con- trasting me unfavorably with his gentle elegant Dora. He detects guabing people, and I, unhappily for myself, am naturally very affectionate. I feel not only a desire to lore, but a times an unconquerable long- ing to openly declare my love ; and as Kolsnd is generally with bit regiment, and Dora is a sort of person who would die if violently embraced, I am perforce obliged to expend all my superfluous affection upon our darling mother and Hilly. Strict economy prevails among us , more through necessity, indeed, than from any unholy detire to save. Our annual income of eight hundred pounds goes but a short way under any olroum- stances, and the hundred pound* a ysar out of this we allow Roland (who is slways in a state of insolvency) leaves) us 11 poor indeed." A new drees is, therefore, a rarity not perhape so strange a thing to Dora aa il is to me and any amusement that costs money would be an unheard of luxury. Out-door conveyance* we have none, unless one is compelled to mention a startling vehicle tbat lies in the coach- house, and was bought no one remembers when and where. Il is probably an heir- loom, and is popularly supposed to have cost a fabulous sum in the days of ite youth and beauty, but it is now ancient and sadly disreputable, and not one of us but feeli low and dejected when, tucked into it on Sunday mornings, we are driven by papa to attend tbe parish church. I even re member Dera uhedding tears now and then as this ordeal drew nigh ; bnt that was when the Desmonds or the Cuppaidges had young man staying with them, who might reasonably be expected to pat in an ap- pearance during the service, and who would be sure to linger and witness our disgrace- ful retreat afterward. Of oourse papa baa his two banters. We have been taught that no gentleman could oe . No, we nave all arranged ages ago -it U Dora wbo is to oocqutr ' Be ie exceedingly to be liked." eays mamma that night at dinner, addressing papa, and alluding to our landlord. and so very distinguished looking. I rathertbinkbe admired Dora , be never removed his eyes from ber face the entire time be stayed." And mother nods and limits approvingly at my uater Tbat must have been rather embar raising," says papa in his even way ; but 1 know by bis tone be too is secretl) pleased at Mr. Carrington's rudeness. Dora bluabee. utters a faint diaoUioier and then laughs her own low cooing laggb that a euoh a wonderful piece of per (or matice. I have spent hours in my bed room endeavoring patiently to copy that laugh of Dora's, with failure an the only result And be is so good-natured ! " I break in, eagerly. Toe very moment I men tinned the tubject. he gave ua pertmiaion to go to Briniley Wood as often M ever we choose, and seemed quite pleased at my asking him if we might ; didn't he mother ? " Yes. dear." Gould you find no more interesting topic to disouaa with him than tbat ."asked pup with cjntemptuou* displeaaure. Was bis first visit a tilting opportunity to demand a favor of him ? It is a pity Phyllis, you ouuot put yourself and you own amusements out of sight, even on a occasion. There is no vice so detestable an selfishness." I think of tbe two hunters, and of bow long mother's last blaok mlk has been be bett gown, and feel rebellious ; but. Ion and early training having taught me i oubdue my emotions, 1 aooept the snu dutifully aud relapse into taciturnity. It waa not he turned out poor ol Mother Haggard after all, papa," put* i Billy -It was Bimmooi . and be is to be diimisaed immediately." I am glad of that," says paps, viciously " A more thorough going ranoal uever die graned a neighborhood. He will be doing rr , sensibls thing if be sends that fellow adrift. 1 am gratified to find Carriugto capable of acting with suob sound comuio Bonne. None of tbe abeurd worn ou prejudices in favor of old wrvante abou him. I have no doubt be will prove au ac-|uiutiou to tbe oouuty." Altogether, it is plainly to be seeo. we every one of u* intend apurov ing of our ue w neighbor. " Yen. indeed." says mother, 'It U quite delightful to think ot a young ms>n being anywhere near. We are nadly iu want of cheerful society. What a pity be did not oome home directly bis uncle died and left \>\ft> tbe property, instead of wasting tbe lal ti ^e years abroad ' " I think bs wae right." return* papa. gracefully ;" there i nothing like seeing life. Wben hampered with wife and onildrsn be will regret be did uot enjoy more of it before lying himself down irre- trievably." An uncomfortable silence follows Ibis speech. We all feel guiltily conscious tbat we are hampering our father tbat but for our unwelcome existence be might at tbe present hour be enjoying all the goods aud gayetiss of life : all, that is, except Billy, wbo is insensible to inusndoea, aud uever aeee or feels anything tbat is not pot before him in the plainest termt. He cheerfully puts an eni noa- to the awkward silence. " I can tell yon, if you marry Mr. Car- rmglon. you will be on the pig's back." he aays, knowingly addressing Dora. Hilly is not cboioe in bis expressions. " He baa no end of tin, and the gamest lot of horses in bii stable* to be aeen anywhere, llrew ster wss telling me about it." Nobody aayi anything. ' Yon will be on the pig's b*ok, I can tell you," repeats Billy, witb emphasis. Now, tkis is more than rashness, it is mad neas. on BUly'i part ; be isignorantly offer ing himself to the knife. Tbe fact that bit vulgarity has been passed by unnoticed once ii uo reason why leniency should be shown towards him a second time. I looks up blandly. ' May I aak what you mean by being on the pig's back T' be aaks, wivh a auspicious thirst for information. Oh, it means being in luck, I suppose returns Billy, only slightly taken aback ' I do nol tbmk I should consider ii lucky tning if I found myself on a pig's back," says papa, still apparently abroad still desirous of having his ignorance en lightened J don't suppose you would," reiponds Hilly, gruffly ; and. being an English boy abhorrent ot irony, be makes a mosi unnecessary clatter with his fork anc spoon. " / know wbst papa means," Bays Dora Jora, before you begin correcting other people." I wss uoi going to say tbat." declares )ora, iu a rather sharper tone. Yes, you were, though. It was on the erytipot your tongue." ' I was nui," reiterates Dora, ber pretty al cheekH growing pink as tbe heart ot a oe. while bar liquia blue eyes changed to teel gray. That'* a " William, be silent," interrupts papa, with auihoritv . and no for a lime put* a itop to tbe faualy feud. Ah ' Love wai never without Tbe |>aug. the agouy. th doubt. BYHON. CUATTKK III. The next day Mr. Carrington oalls again tb:i time oeteneibly on bunuene matters and papa and be dieouu turnips aud other farm produce iu the itudy, unlil the uterview beooiuea ao extended tbat it occurs to tbe rest of ua they must taint. Before leaving Mr. Carrington nods bis way to tbe drawing room, where Dora and I are seated alcie, be, haviot; greeted us, dreg* a chair U/ily after him, until be gate itbin a few foot cf Dora. Here he seats Dora u tailing. Dora is always tatting ; ibe uever does anvthing else ; and surely here is no work so pretty, so becoming to white fingers, aa that in which tbe swift .tile shuttle ia brought to bear. Never- heless, though be ii beside my sister, I never raise my bead without encountering IIH blue eyee fixed upon me. His eyes are very handsome, large and very dark, and wonderfully kind, eyes thai el one see into the true heart beyond, udeed bu whole faoe n full of beauty. He makes BO unwise al tempt to hide it, wyond ibe cultivation ot a fair brown 1.6 jatache tbat doee nt altogether MM tbe delicately -formed mouth beneath, the ipe of which are t: ae aud almost aensitiye enough to be wnmaoiab. bul for a certain touch of auiet determination about them aad tbe lower jaw. He is tall and rather slighlly i_olded, and has a very clean- shaped head. His bands are white and thiu. bul large . bis feet very passable Do you know," hs is saying to sympa Ibelic Dora, while 1 take the above mven wry of In. charms. " I have quite an efleo lion tor ibis bouse ? I was born here and lived in il until soy father died." Yea. I knew that." said Dora softly with a liquid glance. Aud all yeeterday aftrr you bad left, I kept wondering whether you felt it very strange and sad seeing new faces n your old home." Did you really bestow a thougbl upon me when I was oul of sijbl? he sai wilb mild surprise. " Are you in earnest Do you know. Mies Yemen, I beg n to believe il is a, foollab thin - to stay too lo ig away from one'e native laud away from ibe society of oue'e own oounlrymen man feeli so dangerously pleased with any llllle etray kind word that may be said to him on bis return. I have been living a rather up-and-down sort of life, not quit) o civil iied an might have been, I fear, anc it now seems absolutely strange that any one should lake the trouble to think abou me." Ue says all tbis in a slow, rsther etfeolive tone, looking pensively at Dora the while. Here is sn opportunity not to be wasted and Dora instantly bliutbes ber very bee blush ; then becoming charmingly con 'u.ed. leu ber glance onoe more fall on her, tiling. lualu awfully pretty work you are oing," aayi Mr. Carruigtoo, taking up ibe xueme edge of U aiid examining it with rave interest. " I like to see women work- og, when their bands are soft and while, ul tbis looks a difficult task : it must ave taken you a long time to master ibe ulricacies." Oh, no. It is quite iimple just in and ut, you see, like tnie. Any one can lean. if they just put their mind to it." Do you think vou could teach me, if I ut my mind to it asks Mr. Carrington ,ud then Ibeir eyes meet . their beads are lose together over the work ; they smile aud continue the ga/s uutil Dora's lids roop bashfully. 1 am disgusted. Evidently they regard is in the light of a babe or a puppy, so ttle do they allow my presence to inwr- sre with ibe ripple of their inane oonversa- on. I an. more nettled by their indiffer- noe than I care to coulees even to myself, and oome to tbe uncharitable conclusion list Mr. Carringtou ie an odiou. dirt, and my sister Dora a fool. sweetly, eoowag prettily to tbe rescue One of Dora's favorite roles n to act as peace maker on snob public occasions an the pros ent. when tbe innate goodness of ber diipo sition can be successfully paraded. " It is tbat he wishes yon to see how unmeauini are your words, and bow vnlgar are all back neyed expressions. Besides" running baol to Billy'i former speech " you ahould noi believe all Brewster tellx you . be is only a groom, and probably says a good deal more than Iban be ought." "There!" eries Billy, with wrathfn triumph, " you were just going to aa; more than bis prayers,' and if that isn't ' haekaeyed expression ' I don't know what' what. Yon ought to correct yourself, Mi Wben you left tbis house where did ou go then .'" aeks D)ra presently, reluru- og to tbe charge. To Slrangemore to my uncle. Then Ada tbat is my sister, Lady Hancock married, and I went into the Guards. You see I am determined to make frienda with (ou," be says pleasantly, "so I begin by elling you all I know aoout myself." I am glad >ou wish us to be your riends," murmured Dora luuocently. "But i am afraid you will find us very stupid. I'ou. who have seen ao much of the world, ill hardly content yourself in country quarters, with only country neighbors." Another glanoe from the large childish eyee. Judging by what I have already seen," sayi Mr. Carrington, returning the glance wilb interest, " I believe I sball feel not only content but thoroughly happy in my new home." Why did you leave your regiment ?" I break in irrelevantly, tired of being left out n tbe cold, and anxious to bear my own voice again, after Ihe longest silence I bad ever kept. Dora sighs gently and K*e back to tbe tatting. Mr. Carriugtou turns quickly to me. Because I am tired of tbe life ; tbi oaeaeleee monotony waa more than I oould endure. Ho when my uncle died and I came in for the property, five yean ago, I out it, and took to foreign travelling instead." ' I think if I were a man I would rather be a soldier than anything," I say, witb effusion. " I cannot imagine any cne dil liking the life ; it seems to me such a gsy one, so good in every respect. And surely anything would be preferable to being an idler" I am unraveling a quantity ot soarlei wool tbat has biien cleverly tangled b) Cbeekie, my fox-terrier, and so between wear meas and the fidgets brought on b; tbe execution of a task tbat is utterly for eign to my tastes I feel snappish, am have pointed my last remark. Dora looks up in mild horror, and caste a deprecating glance at our visitor. Mr. Oarrington laughs a short, thoroughly amused laugh "But I am not an idler." be says: "on may find something to do in life beside* king the Vueeu'n money. Pray, Mum 'byllii. do noi add to my many vices one f which 1 am innocent. I cannot aoouse myaelfof having wasted even live minukee) since my return home. Do you believe me?" I hasten to apologize. Ob, I did uot mean it, indeed," I say earnestly , I do assure you 1 do uot. Of oourse you have plenty to do. You must think me \ery rude." I am covered witb confusion. Had ba taken my words in an unfriendly spirit I might have rallied and rather etjjyed my Tiumpb ; but his laugh has upset me. I etl odiously, horribly young, buth in man- ner aud appearance. Unaccustomed to tbe s iciety uf men, I have uot bad oupor unities of i-aluvating the well-bred tntouci- IMV tbat dietinguiates tbe woman ot tbe world, aud therefore betray hopelessly the sbyutMi tbat is consuming we. He appear* cruelly oogui/.*ut of the Uot, aud is ev deotly highly delighted wuh uiy embar- imeul. Thank you,' ba says I am glad you exonerate me. I felt sure lhat you did not wish to crush me utterly. If you enter- laiued a bad opiuiou of me, Miaa Phyllis, it would burl me more than I oan say." A faint pause, duriug which I know his eye* are still fixed with open amusement jpou my crimson countenance. I begin to late him. Have you aeen tbe garden? '' asks Dora musically. " Perhaps to walk throejgb ibem would give you pleasure, a* ibey oau not fail to recall old days, aud the remem- brauce of a past tbat has been happy is so sweet." Dora sighs, as though she were in the habit of remembering perpetual happy pasts. 1 shall be glad to visit them again," answers Mr. Cartiogton, rising, as my sis- ter lays down tbe ivory shuttle. He glances wistfully at me, but I have not yet reoov end my equanimity, and rivet my gaze upon my wool relentlessly as he pa*ss throui;a tbe open window. in i i m i,. It ia four o'clock. There is a delicious bush all over the bouse and grounds, a bush tbat betrays tbe absence ot the male bird from bis nest, and bespeaks security. Billy and I. hat in band, stand upon the door- step and look with caution round us, prepa- ratory to taking flight to Brinaley Wood I Ever since my unlucky confession of having asked Mr. Carrington's permission to wan- der through the grounds thereby betray ing ibe pleasure I feel in such wanderings we Lave found il strangely difficult to get beyond tbe preoinota of our home. To-day .however, brings us such a chance of freedom as we may uot have again, business haung called our father lo an adjoining village, from which be cannot poesibly reloru until Ibe shades of evening have well fallen. Our evil genius, too, baa for oboe been kind, having forgotlen lo luggeel to aim before etarling ibe advisability of regulating our movements duriug tbe hours he will be absent. Il is tbat sweetest month of the twelve, September a glorious rips September Ibat has never yet appeared ao sweet and golden-brown aa OB this afternoon, thai brings us so near the close of il. High iu tbe ireen bang clusters of nlberla, that have tempted our imagination for some Uuie. and now. wilh a basket slung between us, that links us aa we walk, we meditate a aid. As witb light, exultant fooUtep* we lurry onwards, mialobea of soon fail from nay lips -a low, nofl contralto voice being my one charm. Now and Iben Billy's high, x>yib notes join mine, making the woods riog. until the song cornea M sudden grief h rough lack of memory when gay laughler changes the echo's tone. At laat tbe wood we want waa reached , be nuts are u full view , our .object is Attained. " Now," asks Billy with a sigh of delight, 1 at which tree sball we begin '" AU tbe trees are laden . they more than answer our expectations. Kaon ens ap- >ean so much belter than the other it is Ii moult to choose between them. At tbis,' I say. at length, pointing to ue, richly clothed lhat elands before ua. Not at all," returns Billy, oontemptn onsly : " It isn't half ae good as this one,' naming tbe companion tree to mine; and his being the master-mind, ha carries tbe day. Very good : don't miss your footing. , aay anxiously, an be begins to < lisnb. There are uo lower branches, no projec- tions of any kind to aaaist his ascent ; the task is far from easy. Here, give me a shove." calls oul Billy, impatiently, when he bad slipped back to mother earth tbe fourth time, after severely Barking bis shins. I givs him a vigorous push tbat raises him successfully to an iverbanging limb, after which, being merely oaud over-hand work, be rise* rapidly and, soon tbe spoiler reaches bis prey. Down oome the little bumping showers ; if on my bead or arms so much tbe greater fun. I dodge ; Billy aims ; the birds grow nervous at our unrestrained laughter. Al- ready our banket ia more than half full, and Billy is almost out ot sight among the thick foliage, ao biyh has he mounted. Blower, and with more uncertain aim oome tbe nuts. I begin to grow restless. Il is net i amusing aa it wae ten minutes ago. and I loook vaguely around me in search of newer joys. At uo great distance from me I epy au olher nut-tree, equally laden witb treasure and far easier of access. Low, almost to tbe ground, some of tbe braucbee grow. My eyee fasten upon it ; a keen desire to climb and be myself a spoiler seizes upon me. I lay my basket on the ground, and, thought and action being one witb me, I teal off without a word to Billy and gain the wisbed-for spot. Being very little inferior to Billy in the art of climbing long and dearly-bougbt experience having made me nimble, it is at very little risk and witb email difficulty I soon find myself at tbe top ot the tree, comfortably seated on a thick arm of wood, plucking tny nuts in safety. I feel Im- mensely elated, both at tbe eminence ot my situation and the successful secrecy with which I have carried out my plan, \flmi fun it will be presently to aee Billy looking for me everywhere I fairly laugh to myself as tlieae ideas flit through my Idle brain more, perhaps, through real gayety of heart than from any excellence tbe joke contains when, suddenly raising my bead, I see what makes iu v mischievous smile freeze upon my lip. (To be Continued.)