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. . rr .-u-, Whu wuarinesi with Ufa my apirlt fllli, When Jeep diaguat OOUSUII.M me w.th uiy lot I draw ouie store of comfort from the ill* 1 baveu'l got. To find tht fortune at your oomiug flits. To b baokruut iu health in fame, ia puree. It bad enough ; but, I phlloaopblse, It uii(-bl be wont. iDconuLQtly we make a great ado. The mouth of Mitery i wide K|w . Hut happier we, I fancy, if we kuo Wbat we Tint common woaeof life are had enough, alufortuuee fall aa etxy tbe dew, Aiid mill for evry uiorniug m4k tbat'i tough, Tburo nuuht be two. Thu one u aiok ; bin wayward fate crlei out Ageiut the leech, the calomel, the bed, U i u. i"i lert< pereou. cean* to pout- Yon might bo dead ' And thli one hath the mitten ; he hat wooed ; Vainly, alack, buwoulDgic ha* stwd, Well eveu In this thero'i comfort, rujhtl viewed Be uigbt be wed I And bere Is one wbo whinei : bin all U swept Away in panto : be has bad to " (all " Henbould, I think, be cheerful, that bei kept Hale out of jail. But late I lost a twenty -dollar bill And <iul 1 wrtDg uiy hau.la that 1 bad blun dered? Mot I, iiulec-d t I'm very thankful itill 'Twan not a buuiirv.l. Booth, iboald I e'er capeise wbea walki are In! Auii uiy good clavicle iurolve in wreck, Serenely, 1 xhould aay how very glad It'i not my neck. O trail me butter not to make a<lo At the few uiiwriea of oar coaiuaoo lot, There'll milliuuiuf 'em If we only knew!" We haven't got. PHYLLIS. BI ran UOCHIIB. Author of "Molly bawn,' "The) Baby," Fairy Lilian." etc . etc. Airy " A veritable little goose. No, no ! per feotian, I mean," seeing me pout. Then suddenly putting his arms round me anc drawing me down to him, he wbiipera, with deep feeling, "Phyllis, my darling, darliu) girl, don't yon know it ? Must I tell it to yon over and over again ? Cannot you every hour ot your life how fendly I love you, juit for what you are? And you Phyllis, tell me do you " He stopi abruptly and regards me with a curious for a minute, then laughing constrainedly, put* me gently back him and goes on ; What other guests shall we name ? Mark Oore ; would you care for him ?" " Tee ; I liked what I saw ol him. Aud Dora, Marmaduke." "Dora, ot course. And some one u meet her, I suppose ? Whom shall we say ' I think George Athnret is an eligible who would just suit bsr. Be i not exactly bnl liant, but be is thoroughly good-hearted and a baronet, with unlimited ooio." " I don't think Dora would like him if he u stupid," I say, doubtfully. Oa, fas is not a fool if you mean that ; and he has as many golden obarnii as would uiake a duller man clever." "B*\ wtoo i mercenary now?" I say, lifting a finger ot conviction. " Am I ? You see what comee of marry ing a nan of the world. Now, bad yon seen ae much life as I have you might be equally unpleasant." " But / don't think yon unpleasant, Duke." " Don't yon ? There is consolation to ba found in that. And now whom would yon like to invite, darling '.'" " I would like Billy," I nav, disconso- lately ; " but he ii never in the way when wanted, like other boys. And Roly is in Ireland, by special desire, ol course. And I would like mother, only " " Perhaps you would like the whole family? ' says my husband, mildly. " Tee, I would," I return with alacrity . "every" I was going to say " man jack ol them," but thinking this though purest English to Billy's ears may be considered vulgar by mere outsiders, check myself in time, and substitute tbe words " every one of them," rather tamely. All, that is, except papa; I doubt it be oould be amiable for two hours together. But where is the use in wishing for what I cannot have 7" " We oould get Billy for a week, I dare ay, later on," says Marmaduke, kindly, 1 while (he rest are bere, if only to keep you from despair. Is there any ooe else '.'" " No ; papa looked upon friends as night mares, so we have none. Besides, I shall have quite enough to do making myself agreeable to those yon have named. I only hope they will not worry me) into an early grave." "Well, then, I suppose, witb two or three spar* men, this list will do?" Don't yon think you are asking a great manv?" " No ; very few, it seems to me ; at least barely enough to make the house warm. Here is a tip for yon, Phyllis ; when making up your mind to invite people to stay with yon, always ask a good many together, as tbe more there are tbe easier it will be to nrnnse them, and much trouble is taken off e shoulders of tbe poor little hostess. H be you will like, sbe is so gay and bright; ry one la fuud of Uer." " How old iasbe?" "Very young not more than nineteen or twenty, and she looks almost as young u. She will suit you, and help yon to do the honors. The only thing that can be said gainst Bebe is, she i* such an Incorrigible little flirt. Do not learn that accomplish- ment from her." " How shall I be able to help it, if you throw me in tbe way of it ? 1 think you are acting foolishly," with a wise shake of my bead. " What if one of those ' spare men' should obanoe to fall in love with me?" " That would be a mere bagatelle to your falling in love with one of the spare men.' " " I see nothing to prevent that either." "Don't yon?" Then, half earnestly, taking my face between his hands, " Yon would not dp that, Phyllis, would you ?" " No, I think not," I say, lightly, letting him have hie kiss without rebuke; " I feel no desire to be a flirt. It must be an awful thing, as it seems to me, to have two or three men iu love with yon at tbe same time, /find one bad enough" maliciously " and that ie what it comes to, ii it not ?" "I snppoee so, if on* is * successful coquette." " Well," I say springing to my feet, " I only hope D&ra will get a good husband oat of all this turmoil, if only to recompense m for Us misery I am going te endure." . IIA1IEB III. Daring th* morning of the day on whio! L uiy Randoook is expected to arrive, I fee strangely nervous and unsettled. Proba bly shs will be cold and haugbty and iudil ferent, like the generality of grand dames or, worse still, Buperoillious and filled witl a well-bred mockery only half oouoealad like Lady Blanche Ooing. As she ha* written to say they will no arrive until five o'clock, I put ou my out door things after luncheon and wande forth alone in search (/f good spirits and frame of mind so altogether radiant as ball help me to conquer fate toward evening. A< at 4 o'clock, however, I retrace my steps, I am by no means certain that 7 have found anything beyond a brilliau color. I cross tbe threshold and move toward the staircase with the laudable intention of robing myself tor aonquest before theii coming, when to my consternation I am met by Tynon, tbe buil.r. with tbe pleasing intelligence that "Sir James aw , llaudoook and Miss Beatoun" have ahead; arrived. Have entered my doors witb no bostes to receive them or hid them welcome What will they think ? Hew awkward i has proved, my going for that stupid walk I smother a groan, fling my bat at Tynoc and, just as I am, with my hair slightly disarranged, enter the drawing-room. At the upper end etande Marmaduke laughing and talking gayly to a fair-haired prettily-dressed woman, who in a lower clans of existence, might be termed bux om." To say she is inclining towardi rmbonpomt will, however, sound lees shook lag to ears polite. I have heard from un husband that sbe U about thirty years c age, but in the quiok glanoe I take at her '. decide she might bejany age under that, she is so white and soft and gay. Ob I bere sbe is," says 'Duke, gladly M I enter. I am so sorry!" I murmur, with i rising color, coming quickly forward ; " bu we did not expect you until 5 o'clock." As I advance, so doe* she, and when wi meet sbe lays two small plump, jewellei hands upon my shoulders. It was all my fault," sbe says smiling " When you know me better you will under stand that I cannot help being iu a hurry However, you must forgive me thie time as my appearing at this hour is in itself a flattery, proving bow impatient I was to you." Then, regarding me attentively " Why, what a child !" she cries ; " what a baby I and what delicious eyes I Really Marmaduke, I hardly know whether most t j congratulate or pity you." Sbe epeaks with a curiously pretty accent putting ao empbakie on every third or lourtb word that fascinate* aud pleases tbe Iwtener. " 1'tiyl" return I, amazedly, making an unsuccessful effort to elude her firm grasp while the indignant ooler flame* into my cheeks. " You speak as if <chg should you PI f y him ?" Because, cannot you fancy what a life you are going to lead him," says hsr lady ship, witb a little arch laugh '.bat wrinkle* up her Grecian nose. "Child, I too have eye* aud I oan see minchiel written in every line ol your up'y little lace." I try to feel angry, but cannot. It is in her power to make every word sbe utters an undeveloped compliment. I sn.-oumb kt once and f jrever, and Kive myeelf up to ner merry true-hearted influence. Putting ru v frown* in my pocket, I laugh. " II you keep on saying these things Before 'Duke," I say, " hs will nnd me out, and perhaps in lime repent his bargain." Here I make a little moue at my husband wbo is standing rather bebiod bis sister which he returns with interest. " How do you know 1 have not found yon out long ago? It it my belief I married you lor my sins. Harriet, I leave her now u your bands ; reform her if you can." " Go and look alter Jaines," says Lady llaudoook. ' He alwaye gets into misobiel when left by himself . I want to make friends with Phyllis." By and by Miss Beatoun comes iu, and 1 get through another introduction. Sbe is hardly as tall as I am, and won dsrfully pretty. No need to disbelieve the eport that last Manou all m*n raved of her. KT eye* are large and dark and soft, her lair a very, very light brown, ihoXigh hardly {olden, and giultleu ol dye. A tiny black mole, somewhat like a Qaeen Anne's patch, grows close to her left ear. As I look at her, I decide hastily she is more than pretty she is attractive. Her hole faoe i* full of light ; th* very corners of her month express uuuttered laughter ; t it) altogether tbe most riante, kissable, oveable faoe conceivable. Her hands and eet are fairy like in their proportions. Nevertheless, her eyee, though usually soft, betray the coquette ; they cannot entirely oauoeal tbe mischievous longing for mastery that lurks in their velvet depths. Is she not young, Bebe?" asks Lady landoock, indicating ms. Very. Much younger than I dared to hope. Of course" to me" we all heard ou were /""' a girl; yet that did not eatwure me, at it oan bs said of most Tides, and as a rule they are a disagreeable ot. Bnl you have forgotten to give your- self airs, and that is 10 novel and delightful ao .naoy young women tciU go in lor that sort of thing. I feel," says Miss Beatoun, yly. " I am going to have a delicious autumn, and to be Tory happy." I hope so," I answer, earnestly. " Do ou know, Lady llaudoook, I quite dreaded our coming? it kept me awake several ighte, thinking perbaps yon would be cold and diflioult, and would not like me; and low I am 10 relieved you cannot fancy rbat a weight ii off my mind." I say this witb snob evident feeling that bey both laugh heartily, and Bebe gives t a her opinion that I am a " regular dar ng-" " But yon muat not call me Lady Hand- cock," corrects my eister-in-law. " My ame is Harriet or Harry, for the most art. I do not want to be made an old oman jmt yet, though Bebe trill tell every ue I am her aunt, instead ol saying James her uncle." " It ie the only hold I have over her you te," exclaims Bebe, "and I keep it as a hreat. But for knowing I have it in my ower to say that, she would be under no ontrol. And with mamma so given to tinerant habit*, and Harry being my atnral chaperon, I have to protect myself as beat I may." By dinner bonr our party is still further enlarged by Dora, Mark Gore, and Sir George Ashnnt, a very fair young man witb an aquilins cose, plump faoe, and long white moustache lie at once impreeai. me with the belief that he is thorough! good-natured, and altogether incapable < "'-temper of any kind. Perhaps, Indus* he were to smile a little leas frequent!; and show some symptoms of having a opiniou of bis own, it would be an improve ment. But what will you? On* eanno have everything. And be is chatty avu agreeable, and I manage to spend my even ings very comfortably in his society. The next day Captain Jenkins and M Powell, from tbe Barracks at Cbillington put in an appear auoe ; and a very youth ful gentleman, with a calm and oberubi countenance, arrives from London. Tbi latter is iu tbe HuHnars, and is full of modest self-appreciation very muoh to be admired. " Well, Chips, to > ou have come, in spit of all your engagements," says Marmaduke slapping this (air-haired warrior affection ately upon the shoulder. (His correct nam ie John Cbippingball Thornton ; but bi friends and brother officers having eleote to call him "Chips" or "Chip," be usual) H*e> *y that appellation. Though why have never been able to fathom, a* it woul be a too pajDable flattery to regard tbi very erratic 44w! man as a " chip of th old block," hUT father being a peculiar! mild aud inoffitaive clergyman, residin in a northern villa**). What did Lao, Emily nay to you defection, and Mandie Green, and Carrie and all the rest of your trends ?" Oh, 1 say, now." tayi Master Chips with an ingenuous blush, " it i*n't fair to show me up in this light ii it T >od befor Mrs Carrington, too. She will b>ve n opinion of me if sbe listens to all you fcy. " I am only anxious to hear how you tori youraelf away from their taaoinationM." " Yes, do tell us, Mr. Thornton," says I We are so afraid that you have aaorinoe yourself to oblige us." " Don't you believe a word Marmaduke says, Mrs. Camngton : be is eJwayi retire aeuting me faUtly. I shall be unbapp forever it you won't understand bow prou and charmed I was to receive your invita tion. Just to show you how be exaggerates tbe Carry and Maud bs ipoke of are m cousins, and that the same an sisters, >o know." Only far more dasgerous," I return laughing. Well, at all events, they have every on gone off to Germany or country-houses, s< tbey must do without m*. I couldn't g trotting after 'em everywhere, yon know do enough of that in the spring to last th year. And, besides, I don't muoboare fo any ef that lot now." "No? Tired of them already ? What a deitperale Don Juan! Really, Obips, : nhudder to think where you will end. Au< who is the idol at tbr present hour? some thing more exquisite still ?" " Not to bs named in the same day.' says Mr. Thornton, confidingly. "Faotii he is a sort of connection of your own Met her last season in town, you know aud er " ao eloquent sigh " 1 mean iliH. Ileatoun." Marmaduks burst out laughing, and so do I. " Then, yon are all right," says 'Duke With your usual luck you bare fallen upon your (eet. At this mutant tbe Maine roof covers yon auo> your iMrnarwIs." " No I" orie* Chips, eagerly. Yon don't mean it? Of eourae von are only joking You're not in earnest, now, Marmaduke are you?" " Seeing is believing," return* 'Duke But if you don't go and drees yournelf ibis very minute you will get no dinner md lose a good chance of exerouiug your fascinations upon Mias Beatoun." Later on he take* her iu to dinner and is supremely happy ; while Messieuri Jeukiue kud Powell, who have reached their thirty third year, look on aghast at the young oue'i "cheek." They are estimable men, and useful in their own way, but refuse to shine in conversation. At my right band sits Bir James, a tall, di*tiogui*bed-looking man, with hair ol ron-gray and deep aet eyes. He la grave kiid remarkably silent such an utter con- rast to his laughter -loving wife, of whom ie never appear* to take th* smallest notice. But for Mermadnke's aasertiou that tbey adore each other I would be nolined to thii k them at daggers drawn or at least indifferent. Not to hi* wife alone, however, is lit irred ; all tbe rest of th* world he treate n a similar manner, and I corns to tbe oonoluM m bs abhors talking, and ii a man i th no settled taste or pursuits. Bearing, udeed, that his one passion is banting, I broach the subject oautiouily, and, feeling certain of making a score, expreu myself leairounof being informed as to the express nature of the "bullfinch." "Explanations always fall short," is bis reply. " Some day when we axe out I will hoa yon one. That will be best." So my ignorance remains unenlightened i'ora is doing the amiable to Sir George Aaburst. Anything so simple or innocent ks Dora in ber white dresi and coral rib- bom oould hardly be conceived. I am admiring her myself with all my heart, ,nd wondering how it ii shs doee it ; and I anoy Bir Mark Gore is doing the same. >noe, as shs raise* the ohildieh questioning blue eyee to ber companion's face, and mcrmurs some pretty speech in her soft r.ble, I Me Sir Mark smile openly. It is only a momentary merriment, however, a* directly afterwards he turns to me, suave aud charming ai ever. " flow beooiLiug white ii to yoursister I" ie says. " It suits her expression so won- erfully. I don t knew how it ii, but the '"" IV as, uuv bUc ord ingenue always comes to me when I ook at ber." , " She i* very pretty," I return, coldly, have not yet quite decided on the nature f that smile. ' You do her an injustice. Surely she more than pretty' a word that means BO ttle in these degenerate days. If I were n artist I should like to paint her as Moonlight,' with a bunch of lilies in her aude,ai.d just that dreissbe is now wear ng - uiihoiit the ribboui-and a little tream running at ber feet. I have seldom een so sweet an expresiion. One oould ardly fancy an unkind word coming from hose lips, or a hidden motive in her Mi" I think of our " Moonlight's" designs pon Marmaduke and the man wbo 11 now so loud in hsr praise. I think of th* many nd euergrtio/M, . between her and Billy, d an silent. I don't know why, but I am positive Sir Mark is amused. I oolo and look up. " Wbat age*) ago it Menu sinoe last w met !" say* he, promptly. " Ages? No, months. It was laot In Jnn we met, I think-rand bare.' " Oh, that wag tbe barest glimpse ; on oould hardly call its, meeting. I was refer ring to my visit to the Leaalies two year ago. You remember that little scene tbe High street, at Canton ?" I laughed merrily. " I do indeed. But for yon tbe final would have been too ignominious. And tbe we met again, and Shall I peel one o these for you?" "Please." " And I flattered myself you treated m with some degree of graoiousueee ; flatter* myself so far that I presumed to send yo a little volume of poems I had heard yu wish for, and which you returned, that was rather cruel, was) it not?" " I have aJwavH felt bow rude yon mas havs thought m* on that occasion." reply, blushing hotly. " I did BO long tc tell you all about it, but could not. Itwa not my fault, however ; I oonleae I would have kept it if possible ; it was paps. H said yon should not have sent it, an lUBiHted on it* being returned." Well, perbaps he was right. Yet it was a very barnile*si and innocent little volume alter all, ojntainiug only tbe mildeel senti menu. (Is tuat a good one?) ' (Very good, thank you). It was Ten hyson's ' Idyl*' 1 remember perfectly and it was filled with tbe prettiest illustra tions. Ob, I was so sorry to part with tba neat little book ! Do yon know I wan sill enough to ory th* day I posted it back to yon Sir Mark regarded me earnestly, alrnos curiously. I am laughing at my own pa* lolly, but he does not even smile in tym pathy. " I an sorry any aet of mine should hav cost you % tear," he says, slowly, "bn why did you not write a line to explain al this to me when sending it?" "fancy tbe iniquity of such i thing I the very suggestion would have brought down untold wrath upon my poor bead. To ask permission to write a letter to a gentleman Ob, horror!" "And you would not but no, of course you would not," says Sir Mark rather unintel ligibly. And then I glanoe at Lady Haudcook and she glances at me. Sir Mark rise* to >peu the door, and I emits and nod gayly a QIUI as I ernes the threshold and pass into tbe lighted ball. We are all beginning to know each othe well, and to be mutually pleased with each other, when, towards the close of the week Lady Blanche Ooing joins our party. Sbe i* ooking considerably bandsomer than when 1 last saw her iu town, and ii apparently in tood humor witb herself and all the rest of ihe world. How long thii oomfortabli state of affairs may hut, however, remains a mystery. She brings witb ber a hone, a pet-poodle, and a rtry French maid, who makes herself extremely troublesome, anc causes much dissension in tbe servant* ball. Sir Mark Gore and ber ladyship are evi dently old friends, and expreea a well >red amount of pleasure on again meeting 'erhapsber ladyship's Expressions are by a shade tbe warmeet. " I had no idea I should meet yon bere, sbe winds up, sweetly, when the srabject ol i*r satisfaction is exhausted. " Mrs. Car ing ton, when alluding to hsr other gneste never mentioned your name." No? Mrs. Camngton, how unkind of r ou to dismiss me so completely from your bought*' 'Never to mention my name ! l is horrible to picture oneself ao totally orgntteo." ' Yon could not surely hope to b* n my thoughts ?" I answer lightly. Her ladyship flashes a sharp glauoe at us roin ber long dark eyee. " I might not expect it, certainly ; but I m not to be blamed if I cannot help hoping or anything so desirable." "Vain hope!" return I lauoilv, "and a oolish one be*idee. Have yon nvver heard hat ' familiarity breed* contempt?' and bat ' too much of anything ie good for nothing?' Were I to keep you perpetually n my mind I might perhaps end by bating on." " Wbat an appalling idea!" murmurs jady Blanche, softly, speaking in that >ecuhar tone of half -Huppremied irony I so reatly detest." Should anything HO dread ul ever occur I doubt if Sir Mark would eoover it." I don't suppose I should," replies Bir dark, rather bluntly, an it seems to me, rithout turning hii bead in ber direction, There ii a moment's rather awkward use, and then her ladyship laughs lightly, nd, crossing the room, sits down by Bebe ieatoun. Her laugh i* an unpleasant one, and jars ippn m* painfully. Her very manner of ising sod leaving me alone with Sir Mark as something in it so full of insolent meaning that for tbe instant I bate her. be makes me feel I have said something jolish something better left uonaid, though aoroughly unmeant. I color, bite my lip, and, without another word to my oom- anion, wbo is looking black as night, I go ut through tbe open window. S j for tbe eeoond time the little thorn nters into my heart and pricks me gently. A seed is sown that beare me bitter trait. :ui run XX. Nobody seems to mind me in the least * a hindrance to their rather open Sim- ons), though, with tbe exception ol Lady llanobe, all my gueits appear preposBeiieed n my favor. I am no giod at all as a chaperon -look- ng at the necessary evil in tbe light ol a uardian ol morals ae no one, I teel tterly positive, would listen to a word of advice given by me, even had I the courage o speak that word, which I feel sore I have ot " Tell you why I like yo so muoh," *yn ebe to me, one day, with charming candor we have become great friend*] by this me) ; " you have so little of the married oman about you. You don't look the thing t all. Nobody would feel in tbe least put ut if you caught them doing anything, ven a liitle bit /i. You'd be afraid to soold, and you are too good-natured to peach.' Now there's mamma, her eyes Tike terror to tbe hearts of the girli she haperoru. Only let her Cktoh yon with our band in tbe posceaeion of any Detri- mental, however delightful, and it i* all up ith jon half an hour later." " Hut I luppoM your mother is right. I shall remember what you nay, and take her as a model from this day forth." " It IBU i in you. Yon would make a hor- rible moes of it ; and you are infinitely nioer as you are. A strong stars is a neoat- ary ingredient, and you don't possess that. Yon should b* able to wither with a stare." 11 Yen don't seem any the better for al tbe indignation." " No, that is just it That shows tbe folly of wasting so much valuable breath. I am a born flirt, and as such I hope I'll die. There I that is extra naughty, is it not ? So, out of respect tor you, I will unisy ii, and hope instead I may depart this life a calm and deooroua matron." " l ' > yon know I Lever bad a flirtation in my life '.'" 1 say almost regretfully. No.' really I How absurd 1 ' says Bebe, bunting into a much-amused laugh. "That is just what makee you the curious, dear, darling, little child you are. But you need not be so poverty-stricken any longer unless yon please, as any one oan see how eprit with you is Sir Mark Gore ' Nonsense !" ory I, blushing furiously. ' How oan you say anything so untrue? I hav* known him this ever so long ; be is quite an old friend." " And a /<u( friend," say Bebe, laughm* again at her own wit. " Having waited so long yon do right to begin your campaign with a seasoned veteran." " Yon muil not say such thingi ; if yon do I shall rouse myself and assert my authority a* a very dragon among chapenni; and then where will you and Captain Jenkins and Master Chip* be ?" " No, don't" entreats Bebe, pretending to be frightened. "Al you now are you are perfection ; were yon to change you would cot b* Phyllis Carrinitton at all. When I marry I intend taking you a* an example, and so make myself dear to the heart* of all my spiniter friends." " And when will that be, Bebe ?" A shade crosses and darkens her face. For a moment sbe look* sad ; thea it disap- pears, and she laughs gayly. " Never, probably. I don't get the obanoe. Generally, wbtn I pay my autumn visits. I live in a state ol constant dread of being pounced upon by offioioui matrons, just as I am going in for an bonr of t Htnugh eij jyment with a man who has not a penny on earth besides bis pay. Bat here it is different. You would never pounce, my Phyllis, woull you ? Yon would make a delightful olitter clatter, ith those little high-heeled shoes of yours, long before you turned the corner ; there is nothing mean or prowling about you. Phyllis, is all that hair really your own? I won't believe it till I see it. Let me pull it down, and d* it up again for you in a new style, will yon ? I am tremendously good at bair-dreesing, really. Harry says I am better than her Frenib maid. When all trades fail, and I am a lonely old maid, I shall biud myself to a barber." With tbif sbe pulls my hair all about my boulders, and makee me endure untold tortures for at least three quarters of ao hour. Meantime Dora is improving th* shining hours witb Bir George Annum. Kb* u making very fast and likely running, that looks as if it meant to make tbe altar-rails its goal. As for ber victim, be has neither eyes nor tongue nor ears for any but Dora, and Huooens lends enchantment to my sietsr's [toe and form. Always pretty, she has gained from the excitement of the contest an animation hitherto unknown, and that adJi considerably to ber charms. I experience little throbs of satisfaction aud delight a* I contemplate this promising lirtation ; though as yet I do not dare to think ot marriage as its probable terrains- tion. I long intensely to aisouaa tbe subject with Dora, to learn bow far I may beguile myself with hope : but one day, having touched upon it very delicately, I am met with such ao amount of innocent blackness as effectually deter* me from making any 'urthir attempt. Nevertheless, speak it I most, or die ; and, coming upon Marmaduke suddenly, directly after receiving Dora's rebuff, I proceed ith much caution to sound him about the matter. As I enter hs is bending over some new avorite among tbe guns, and is endeaver- eg with the assistance of the largest pis I over saw, to pick dust from some intricate crevice. He is crimson either from steeping or anxiety I don't know which, though I noli as towards the latter opinion as on itsiog me he says, Irritably " Phyllis, have you a small pin ? loan lot thmk. ' flinging the large one angnly mm him, " why they choose to make them this size ; they are not of the mi i all est use to aay fellow who want* to clean a |un." ' They may have been designed for some other purpose," I suggest, meekly, produo ng a more reasonably n/id pin, which h* seize* with avidity and return* to his task. I seat myself near him, and for a few niuutee content myself witb watching th* oving care he bestows upon his work. No careless servant's bands should Muoh hose new and shining barrels. 'Marmaduks," I say at length, " I don't hink Sir George so very stupid." "Don't you, darling?" absently. "No. Why did yon say he was?" "Did I say it?" Evidently every idea he posset see is centered in that absurd gun. " Dear m*, 'Dake, ol course yon did," I ry impatiently. " Yon told m* h* wa* ot ' brilliant,' and that mean* the same bing. Don't you remember ?" Well, if he brilliant?" " No, but he converses very nioely, and quite as agreeable as any of the other men, in a general sort ol way." "lam vsry glad yon think so. He is* rest friend of mine ; and, after all, I don't nppose it matters in the least a man's not being able to master his Greek and Latin, r tailing to take his degree." " Of courts not. I dare say he did not ut hi* mind to it. I am convinced had he one so he would have distinguished himeelf a* as much as anybody." " Just ao." " I think" witb hesitation " hs would nit Dora very well." " I agree with you there ; more partiou arly as Dora is not clever either." Yes, she is," I ory hotly ; " sbe ii xoeedingly clever. Sbe ean do a great eal more than most girls ; she oan do lots f thing*) that I can't do." (To be continued Good nature is the vsry air of a good ind ; the sign of a large and generous oul, and the peculiar soil in which virtue wsp*rt)