Western Reserve Chronicle, 1855-06-13

the charge of having been once an honest man, and proved to the satisfaction of his. friends that he had always been on the . side of the oppressor. ' All other qualifications could be dis pensed with, (and they had to be) if they could only be assured that he was base enough to employ the power tha would be placed in his hands for the support and extension of Slavery. He has not disappointed the high expecta tions of his friends. " In his inaugural address to the assembled multitudes, he maintains the institution of Slavery, and invokes the Almighty God to maintain those rights, and thus sanction the vio lation of his own laws 1" - He implores the Divine aid and protection in his ef efforts - forts efforts to rob his brother of Liberty, and to shut out the light of truth from millions of his fellow-men ! His subsequent course has demonstrated his entire subserviency to the slave-power. The moral charac ter of a majority of the people has been sufficiently indicated by their choice of such a President When we turn from scenes of political depravity, and contemplate the churches and their Pastors, the prospect does not brighten much. Though from some of those Golden Candlesticks, in the midst of which the Saviour walks, the light still shines with brilliancy ; though some of the "angels of the churches" the stars in his right hand are still pouring their mild rays over the surrounding darkness ; yet it is a sorrowful thought that many stars, which we believed were firmly held in the right hand of the Son of God, seem to have become " wander wandering - ing wandering stars, to whom is reserved the black blackness - ness blackness of darkness forever." If, as Dr. Griffin conceived, there has "gone down to hell, with the most of his congrega congregation, - tion, congregation, an unfaithful Pastor, more deeply scathed with thunder than the rest," it seems to me it must be one who in the pulpit has attempted to vindicate Ameri American - can American Slavery; who, standing there as the embassador of a holy God, has prostitu prostituted - ted prostituted his powers of eloquence to the defence of the greatest possible sin "the sum of all villanies." If it were possible for any thing to shake the strong confidence which the true Christian feels in the divinity of the Gospel, and awaken in his mind the ter terrible - rible terrible suspicion that it is a humbug; that the venerating" power of the Holy Spirit upon the human heart is a delusion, sure surely, - ly, surely, the strange, distressing sight of an advocate of slavery in the pulpit would do it. To see, perhaps, his own belov beloved - ed beloved and venerated Pastor, in whose char character - acter character he had seen combined "whatsoev "whatsoever - er "whatsoever things are true and honest and just and pure and lovely ;" whose genuine and fervent piety he had never doubted; in whose ministerial and private life he had constantly seen manifested " the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long long-suffering, - suffering, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, against which there is no law," (except the Fugitive Slave Law;) to see him, who had so long and so powerfully inculcated the holy principles of the Gos Gospel, - pel, Gospel, attempting now to defend a system, the flagrant wickedness of which must be clearly evident to his own mind ; to hear that dear familiar voice "employed to clear the guilty and to vanish crimes;" to hear him say, that if a single pray prayer - er prayer would annihilate that system, he would not dare to offer that prayer ! ! Were it not that "he that believeth hath the witness in himself," such an exhibi exhibition - tion exhibition as this would overthrow his faith. But though "the foundation of God a"delh sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his," such a spec spectacle - tacle spectacle must have a most disastrous effect upon the minds of men, predisposed to regard the Gospel with aversion, and eager to embrace every plausible pretext for rejecting it And they could not de desire - sire desire a more plausible one than the appa apparent - rent apparent fact that its influence upon its most devoted advocates has been to harden the heart to steel the soul against the cries of suffering humanity, and to dis dispose - pose dispose its ministers to employ their pulpit eloquence in defence of the greatest wrong and outrage of which man can be guilty. We can point to the merciful and com compassionate - passionate compassionate Redeemer, and say triumph triumphantly - antly triumphantly to his enemies, ".What evil hath He done ?" But when they refer us to some of his ministers, whose praise are in all the churches, and say, " Behold the advocates of oppression and cruelty!" we hardly know how to answer them. We can only say, What have they to do to declare his statutes, or that they should take his covenant in their mouths.

"How much would I give if I had not been the means of bringing Talfourd and Miss Carr together." As I better read Meeta's passionate heart, I feared she would break through conventionalism, and threw herself upon Talfourd's compassion. How much pride had she already cast aside for himl The Baths of Lucca are " located," as a Yankee would say, in a narrow val valley, - ley, valley, on both sides of which the sun is ab abrupt. - rupt. abrupt. There are many lovely hill-side walks. One day I came upon my friends seated beneath the shadow of a spread spreading - ing spreading chestnut. Meeta's uncle, who had been her companion, had strolled further up the mountain. Talfourd was trying to sketch the drooping arch of her eye eyebrow. - brow. eyebrow. Failing in the attempt, he began tracing over the original with a corner of a card, "to get his finger into the way of the curve," he said. Suddenly stop ping, he pressed the card to his lips, and replaced itnot in his pocket, but iu his bo bosom. - som. bosom. Meeta sat still with her usual grace. I found myself de trop. Miss Carr's manners, however, had lost their former retenu. .They had become rest restless - less restless and impetuous. Foreigners thought nothing of it, but 6he would not have been as much admired in England as formerly. At the next ball given by the duke, Talfourd was constant at her side, and hanging upon his words, she seemed scarcely aSle to spare a thought for an attempt to veil her preference. She se secretly - cretly secretly watched his eye to guide her in every little particular. One trifle struck me that evening. All Italians have a horror for perfumes, so that Miss Carr's Hediosma and Ess. Bouquett which she used profusely, attracted attention. A day or two before I had heard Talfourd strongly express his agreement with the natives of the country. That night, for the first time, I lifted an unscented hand handkerchief. - kerchief. handkerchief. Talfourd and I occupied a sitting room in common. As I was pulling off my pumps that night I heard him leap leaping - ing leaping up stairs. He dashed across the room without a word and bolted him himself - self himself into his bedroom. The next morn morning - ing morning he asked me in a melancholy, but fit m tone, if I was ready to go with him to England. And so the day of our de departure - parture departure was fixed for the next Wednes Wednesday. - day. Wednesday. On Tuesday there was a sketching party made up. We wandered about for some hours, Talfourd hovering near Miss Carr with wistful looks and silent attentions. Our cloth for a late din dinner - ner dinner was laid upon the grass. Poor Charley Carr sat at the head in high glee. He had been carried up in a chair, for his sister never could bear him long away from her. The sloping rays were glimmering through the lovely chestnut woods. We were standing on the brink of a cliff watching the shadows creep up its sides, when we heard a sudden cry. Miss Cair sprang around the angle of the cliff and uttered a scream of horror. Her little brother had ventured on a ledge in quest of berries. The rock on which he had crawled had loosened and fell, and he had barely time to fling him himself - self himself towards another crag, where he hung by his hands. - All access to him seemed impossible. The precipice was almost perpendicular, and far below among the crsgged rocks foamed a moun mountain - tain mountain torrent. What was to be done ? The poor child looked up with a face dumb with horror. Talfourd'seye caught a jutting rock near, and he instantly thew off his coat. "Let me go, signor," said a Luccese peasant, who had been with us during the afternoon, "1 am used to these mountains. It were madness for you." The man instantly began to climb down the cliff. With suspended breath we watched his progress. He reached the rock, but the distance from the child was greater than he had thought. He could do nothing. Sick with disappoint disappointment, - ment, disappointment, we looked in each other's faces. The man retraced his steps to reach another crag, from which grew a stunted tree. Carefully he began to climb out to the end of its branches. In the mean meantime, - time, meantime, Charley had managed to draw his feet up on the rock, and crouched there, clinging to the matted vines. Meeta had been cheering and encouraging him, but now 6he covered her face. A German girl by her side breathed a low "mien God," and she suddenly looked up with an expression I never shall forget in intense, - tense, intense, puzzled, eager, wistful. Many an ejaculation of prayer was uttered aloud ; and she looked from one to another, and then almost writhed in agony. She has no God no God to pray to ! The peasant had now reached tho outermost branch, from which hestretch hestretch-ed - ed hestretch-ed down his atheletic arm to the child who could just grasp his 6ngers. "Climb up to my shoulder, so that I can get hold of you, can't my boy ?" he said. !

The ball was broken up. I heard Talfourd make engagements for meeting the little girl in blue, at the bowling-al ley the next morning, and also to drive her on the beach at six. Miss Carr had refused several invitations for the beach ' in hopes he would invite her. I joined her in the embrasure of a window. The music ceased, and we heard the melan melancholy - choly melancholy roar of the sea. The night looked dreary without. There were tears in Meeta's eyes, and I knew the fast-thin- ,i , 3 3 .1 U ning Dan-room loouca areary mruugu them. I half wished Talfourd would approach, but Meeta knew better. She knew that a ball room is no place for woman's most subtle weapon. The next moment she looked up from her droop drooping - ing drooping wreath with an easy smile, " I be believe - lieve believe my mother is waiting." Oh, smiles and flowers and jewels, how much do ye hide 1 Was hers the only aching heart in that Newport ball-room that night ? Dancing, flirting, promenading, ma manoeuvring, - noeuvring, manoeuvring, ten-pins, fast horses, sherry -cobblers, moonlight tete-a-tetes and Polka Redo was went on at Newport. Well for those who had not put their hearts on the game ! I beheld with wonder the transformation of my friend Meeta Carr. Her quick and practiced tact prevented others from seeing anything in her ac actions - tions actions but the caprice of a petted beauty. She had a constitutional fear of horse horseback - back horseback exercise. I had once seen her, after many solicitations, tremblingly al allow - low allow herself to be placed on the back of a steady, old worn-out Rosinale, but at his first step she turned deadly pale, and but for assistance would have fallen fainting from the saddle. Now Talfourd greatly admired a lady cquestriau. On this account she determined to conquer her dread. Bui her riding lessons were hours of torture. She often returned to her room with a headache for the day. She learned to ride with grace, as she did everything else, but never without a palpitating heart, and a sigh of relief on dismounting. Talfourd was a wonder to me as well. His behavior to Miss Carr was always distant and reserved, and yet he almost constantly sought her society. "Law "Lawrence, - rence, "Lawrence, I leave Newport to-morrow," he 6aid to me one day. I was not surprised to hear Miss Carr announce to her bevy of admirers, that the time set for their return to the city was the beginning of the next week. Again in New York, her trial to win Talfourd's love continued. I knew that her mornings were passed in the close study of the German metaphysical works he loved, and urged upon her. She had no fancy for such things, but still would dim her bright eyes poring over them when she longed to be abroad in the breezy October noon. All at once she stopped and drew back She was cool and smiling as a snow- drift. Was it jealously ? I had seen that pas passion - sion passion urge ber to the putting forth of all her powers. Had she concluded it hope hopeless - less hopeless ? No, the change would not have been so sudden. I watched her for a week and learned the explanation. She had a poor cousin, plain and delicate, to whom Talfourd's feeling heart had made him show many attentions. He would bring her the lingering flowers of au autumn, - tumn, autumn, move her chair to a sunny window, reach her a fire screen, tell her the gos gossip - sip gossip of the town, and in a thousand name less ways cheer the poor girl's existence. These things Meeta had understood and admired, but one day she saw him pick up a bunch of faded chrysantheums that lay beside the piano, and conceal them in his bosom. They were Laura's and he stood aghast. God forbid that she should come between that poor girl and a love that would be to her as the one ewe-lamb of her life ! With all the dis discreet - creet discreet generosity of her nature, she be began - gan began at once to crush back her feelings. I even reverenced her as I looked on her trembling lips and calm brow. With another, even her proud spirit would have struggled, but with her poor, sick cousin no ! Talfourd saw hei anxiety not to eclipse Laura in her presence, saw she had misinterpreted his attentions, and took care that she should do so no more. The incident of the flowers was accidentally explained lie had thought them hers. Her proud spirit was laid open before him, and by her own gener generosity. - osity. generosity. And so it was that meeting at a bridal reception, after a month or two more of eager trial and heart-burning on Meeta's part, Talfourd said, in the most every day manner, "Ah I Miss Carr, I am glad to see you here, for I should "have only had time to leave my P. P. C's at your door. I am going abroad." Meeta went through the suitable sur surprise - prise surprise and regret. "When do you sail ?" she inquired calmly. "On Monday. I will not ay goodbye. Ah rtvoir." Each took a smiling and careless fare

ion, hardly of God. I do not mean that she was an Atheist, neither had she the easy creed of the world. But the senti sentiment, - ment, sentiment, the feeling, even in its most gen general - eral general form, was not in her. She told me, with wonder at my wonder, that the idea of a Disposer of all things had never en entered - tered entered her mind till suggested by some one else. She could talk and think of a future life, but the thought of a God ru ruling - ling ruling over the present, with whom she had any connection, could find no foot foothold - hold foothold in her mind. I tried to rouse a feeling that I thought must only slum slumber, - ber, slumber, but in vain. She would look at me calmly and smile. One day I concluded an eloquent burst, " Do you understand me, Meeta ?" I asked. "No," Bhe quietly replied. I desisted ' after this, but wondered that such a lack was not more risible, and that it did not extend farther. When our party was made up for New Newport - port Newport in the summer, I wrote to Job Tal Talfourd - fourd Talfourd to meet us there. In common with every one else he was dazzled with Miss Carr, and at once devoted himself to her. The drives and polkas he beg begged - ged begged for were granted far more freely than to older acquaintances, his flowers were worn, his instructions at the bowling-alley accepted, etc. One day I was praising him to her, when she said quietly, "I do not under understand - stand understand your friend. Tell me his peculiar peculiarities." - ities." peculiarities." "I think his character easily read," I answered, watching her closely, "with the exception of a sensibility as tender as a woman's. He is a poet, as you may have discovered, and has, perhaps, in indulged - dulged indulged too freely in the license of genius; but you ladies will not like him the worse for that." As we rose to go in we had been sit sitting - ting sitting on the piazza in the moonlight Job suddenly came up- the steps. I looked quickly around at Meeta. Her face was quiet, but I saw she was holding her breath to keep the color from rising. I felt convinced that she had undertaken to win Talfourd's heart undertaken it with all a woman's wilfulness, the more quickly because she saw it would be difficult Yes, ths proud beauty, so dis disdainful - dainful disdainful of admiration and homage, would change her character and bearing, and try all ways of winning devotion. Strange inconsistency ! Fain would I have given her more help, but I too was puzzled with Talfourd. He went too far to go farther. Late that same night, I was walking down to the beach with him, when he suddenly collared me, exclaiming, "Do yon love Meeta Carr ?" " What the deuce do you mean ? Hands off," I replied, shaking myself clear. "Do you love Meeta Carr I ask ?" "Do you?" "Yes no I don't know." "Say no, then. Meeta Carr is not a woman to be loved with a hesitation." " I know it." After a pause he con tinued, "You have not answered my question. You have been playing a part. You love Meeta Carr and she loves you." "Take care, Talfourd, what you say. I have not the patience of your name namesake." - sake." namesake." "Namesake be hanged." "I will answer you in plain words. X do not love Meeta uarr, ana never shall." "And why not." " I deny your right to ask the ques lion." "Is she not worthy of being loved ? ' "Aye ! nobly, sincerely." "Has she not a true heart ?" "Truer thnn you think ; with feelings far more deep and underlying than you have any idea of." There was ahop the next night. How radiant Meeta looked ! She was dressed in white, her skirt caught with bunches of ivy-leaves, and a garland of the same twined in ner rr lossy curls. She wore a splendid wreath on her bosom, reaching from shoulder to shoulder, which a little marred the symmetry of her costume, but I fancied, and afterward learned, that it was Talfourd's gift. He did not come until late, and then only said a few words to her, and devoted himself to a little, ri a a 1 v Dlue syiphiue irom i miaaeipnia. 1 no ted the fierce pang of jealousy that shot through Meeta's heart. All that evening she eagerly tried to attract his attention. Sbe who before had scarcely deigned to accept. Satin slippers were beginning to look soiled and frayed, when he relinquished her hand after the single dance he had asked that evening. I saw the feverish expression in her eyes. Suddenly she extended her arm in a strange manner, I thought, and her bracelet lay broken at his feet. He raised it, and asked per permission - mission permission to have it mended. She haugh haughtily - tily haughtily refused. He seemed nettled at this, and turning hastily, left her without a word.

well. Meeta hurried into a refreshment- room, where after a hasty glance to see that she was not observed, she filled for herself a brimming glass of Margaux, and drank it almost at one swallow. Before Talfourd sailed, I discovered that he had found out Meeta Carr's great defect. The birds had sung the new music of two spring times to the skies of America, blue as those of Italy twice had the for forest - est forest fairies of the New World kissed every branch and stem with their loving and glowing lips, while Talfourd and I wan wandered - dered wandered in the "foreign parts." I had joined him in the Levant, and we had travelled over the East together. We had got bank to Paris again, and found it ringing with the beauty and grace of a young American girl. At the opera, a few nights after our arrival, we obser observed - ved observed a 6udden stir and rising of glasses. " Voila, said ine entnusiastic young Frenchman, who had been gabbering to us of large wondering eyes, and pearly teeth, and exquisite shoulders. It was Meeta Carr. We went round to her box. At Erst I was deceived by the well trained self self-possession - possession self-possession with which she greeted Tal fourd, but I happened to look down among the folds of her ermined cloak, and my eye caught the quick clasping and unclasping of her small hand. Her remarks to me were in French, but after the first words of salutation she spoke to him in English. The unconscious com com-pliment - pliment com-pliment was not lost. He seemed at once under a spell. I had never really thought that he loved Meeta, and had fancied that two years had effaced all impressions, but a true poet's heart was that of my friend Job. What a name for a son of thine, Apollo ! The em embers - bers embers of affection could never become en tirely dead. And Aleeta 7 1 soon saw that the struggle was to recommence She had much to tell the next morn morning - ing morning of the events of two years. The great sorrow of her life had fallen upon her. Her mother had died very shortly after mv departure. -For a moment I hoped that grief had led her to a high er power, but alas ! no ! Her lame brother's health had brought her with her uncle to Europe. To this child, the last of her immediate family, she clung with idolatrous tenderness. I knew there was little food for hope that glittered through her downcast eye lashes when she spoke of Talfourd ; and Paris was of all places the last in which to indulge it. Frivolous and perhaps heartless as French women maybe, they are most of them unaffectedly religious, and this without the embarrassment and secrecy in it which distinguish Protes tants. Poor Meeta. I was hardly prepared for her passion' ate turning away from all homage to seek that of Talfourd. Paris was at her feet. Men of the world, scholars, military men, noblemen, poets, pursued her with ex quisite gallantry, delicate flattering at tentions ; but she sent them down the winds as though not worthy of a thought Oh ! how many arts love taught her, and how day by day her feelings grew more easier, her heart sickness more in tense. She did nothing unmaidenly, nothing forward, but it seemed as if her feelings could not be repiessed. Tal Talfourd - fourd Talfourd was too absent-minded to be a very close observer, but I thought he must see this. Many an irascible Frenchman looked at him with a muttered "tacre," as his own attentions were repulsed for those which Talfourd offered with such a strange, variable, uncertain manner. Summer drew on, and the Baths of Lucca were recommended for little Charley Carr. To my surprise Talfourd insisted upon going thither also. "You had better stay where you are," I said. "Do you know what you are doing ?" "What do you mean ?" he asked. "You understand me. I do not wish in such a connection to speak the lady's name even to you ?" He looked offended and turned away. The next morning he said, "I am going to Italy when the Carrs go. You can come with me or not as you choose." "But Talfourd " "If you wish to continue your last night's remarks, Lawrence, you must excuse me. We will not resume that subject at this or any other time." I knew Job did not get his temper from the land of Uz, so I said no more. At the Baths the same scene was re re-enacted. - enacted. re-enacted. There was much company there, and Meeta queened it over all. The impressible Italians raved about her. There was a wealthy English no nobleman, - bleman, nobleman, one of the most striking men I ever met. who would have given half his fortune to bear back such a bride to his velvet Westmoreland glades. I did hope that some one would succeed in di diverting - verting diverting Meeja's regards. "This is my first and shall be my last at match-making," said I to myself.

I never saw two people that seemed so "made for each other," as did Meeta Carr and my friend Job Talfourd. One rarely thinks of such a thing in reference to persons that hare never been brought together, but the first time I saw Miss Carr, as ber head appeared above the ship's side, she was climbing, I felt that Job's Venus had risen from the depths of the sea. I wished that he was there. It was a glad day. The vessel was to be christened, and notwithstanding his name, Job was well-fitted to play his part in such a scene. I suppose his god godfathers - fathers godfathers and godmothers had to answer for the rounds of imprecations he be be-stowed - stowed be-stowed upon his cognomen. He always wrote himself J. Talfourd, and consider considered - ed considered it a personal insult for any one to ask what the initial represented. It is a wonder that I did not fall in love with Meeta Carr myself that day, for I never saw any being so beautiful, as she broke the bottles of wine ; but I had a previous engagement. I became an intimate friend of hers, however, a fre frequent - quent frequent guest at her uncle's splendid house in Fourteenth street ; sat by her at din ner parties, feeling all the charm her grace and tact lent to her deep-toned thoughts and feelings, and danced Ger German - man German quadrilles with her at midnight. The men, without exception, worshipped and flattered her, and she seemed, by a sort of chemical analysis, to seperate whatever there was of truth or sincerity in their compliments that only she re received - ceived received ; all felt that the rest floated down the stream. She had none of those lit little - tle little nets and lines by which many women gain admiration.' It took well this gay indifference. ' The conservatories were ransacked for choice boquets for her ; and her door was besieged with anony anonymous - mous anonymous presents which were straightway forced up in a dark closet. It was almost as exciting as cham pagne to study daily such a deep heart and mind. And the sparkles were not wanting. Some were flashed from Mee Mee-ta's - ta's Mee-ta's pride; which would admit very few into the peotralia of the sanctuary, the exception in my favor, a great compli compliment - ment compliment therefor. Another was that she never looked upon me or behaved to towards - wards towards me as if there was any probability of my ever beccming ber lover. ... But in talking to Miss Carr, one now and then seemed, if I may so express it, to the bottom of affairs unexpectedly. You could not say it was too soon, but it was when you had thought a fresh fount of feeling just opening. I discov discovered - ered discovered the reason of this by merest acci accident. - dent. accident. . Meeta Carr had no idea of relig

Slavery may be considered as the darkest shade of that moral night which still hangs over our world, but which must soon pass away forever. Believing that the Universe is governed by a wise and holy and omnipotent God ; that He has condescended to reveal his purposes to man ; and that the Bible contains that Revelation, we look with confidence for the triumph of Righteousness in the earth. There may be some who look for such a result from what they suppose to be the independent action of human minds, who overlook, or deny the Divine agen agency - cy agency in human affairs : but God is our strength. If "Truth is mighty, and will prevail," it is because truth is an instru instrument - ment instrument in the hand of a mighty God. Were it not for his powerful agency, Falsehood, on earth, would forever prove itself mightier than Truth. In all our efforts to advance the cause of righteousness, our hopes of success are founded urxn the iovful fact that God rei-ms. When we see the King of kings j seated upon the throne of the Universe, and seem to hear, as John did, the glad hosts of heaven, "as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth," we can look with lew alarm upon the darkness that hangs over our fallen world ; can anticipate a glorious result of all the chaotic movements of human minds. The hearts of all are in the hands of God. He cannot be disappointed by any of his creatures. He has said, "As truly as T live, all the earth shall be lied with lite glory of the Lord." It is the confidence inspired by such declarations as this that sustains the good man in all his conflicts with the ruler of the darkness of this. world. Were it not for this confidence, built upon the immutable purposes of God revealed in his word, a survey of the piesent moral condition of the world, and especially of our own beloved coun country, - try, country, would be discouraging indeed. What indications do we see of the tri triumph - umph triumph of Righteousness in our great Re Republic, - public, Republic, called so free, so prosperous, and so happy ? Alas, we see the whole pow power - er power of the government arrayed on the side of oppression ! It is humiliating to know that Ine present cniei magistrate oi we nation has been placed in that high posi- by the vote of a large majority of the people, solely on the ground of his known devotion to the interests of Slave-1 ry. He had defended himself against

Poor Charley's lameness almost pre vented this. He tried often vainly. "The branch is parting," whispered some one, as a loud crack was beard, i be brave Italian cast one glance at the body of the tree, then at the abyss over which he hung. "Signori, my wife and chil children," - dren," children," he said, looking up ; and then to Charley, "once more for life-for life 1" ThU time he was successful, and the man's strong grasp was on his arm. One mighty effort, and he swung him clear over the overhanging crag, away above his head, to a broad rock whence many eager hands bore him to the top The peasant had just time to get off the branch when the last fibre parted. For a moment I thought the revolu tion of feeling would absolutely strangle Meeta. Then she bowed her forehead on a rock near which she knelt, and her lips moved in thanksgiving to God. Yes, in that hour the heavens were open ed for her. Her burden of gratitude forced her to scale them, for all earth flung it back. There was silence while she lifted up her awed and overwhelmed heart When she ' rose, and Charley sprung to her standing embrace, there was an altogether new expression on her countenance. She looked around on hill, and vale, and river, as if a new world had burst upon her. I do not think she thought of Talfourd then, but his whole soul was laid at her feet That one prayer had won won what absorbed and wearying effort and affection had failed to do alone. Dizzy with emotion, her tottering steps were supported by his arm. His whole being went back to her with a passionate aban abandonment - donment abandonment that could not but satisfy even her. The brave peasant was generously re warded, but I think he cared more for Meeta's tears on his hand. What a delirium of pleasure glowed in my beautiful friend's eyes the next day Time and eternity, this world and the next were casting their floods of happi ness at her feet " I thought we were to be on our way to England to-day, Talfourd." He looked at me as if I was wild then laughed. " Oh ! I recollect. Well I'm not going to England just now, my dear fellow." They were married in Italy, and Tal fourd's ardent affection for his lovely bride was I'll leave it to novel writers to describe.