sprinkling of white on the pavements. Kenelm Chillingly entered the town on foot, no longer a knapsack on his back. Passing through the main street, he paused a moment at the door of Will Somer

ght him back the old elasticity of his stride. In his lofty carriage and buoyant face were again visible the old haughtiness of the indif

le visit to the home of her whose face was changed to him,-for the smiles and the tears of it had become the property of another man,-how much more should I be left without a scar! I, the heir of the Chillinglys! I, the kinsman of a Mivers! I, the pupil of a Welby! I-I, Kene

ered. As he did so, a man, touching his hat, rushed beside, and advanced before him,-the village postman. Kenelm drew back, allowing the man to pass to the door, and as he

ighted windows. He had, meanwhile, advanced along the whitened sward to the light, saying to himself, "Let me ju

d, stationing himself at the angle

, the dwarf bookcase, with its feminine ornaments on the upper shelf; the piano standing in the same place. Lily's own small low chair; that was not in its old place, but thrust into a remote angle, as if it had passed into disuse. Melville was reading a l

essage. "He has had joyous news," thought Kenelm. "He has sent for his wife that she

ray. Melville was standing by the table as she approached him. He put the letter into her hands with a gay, proud smile, and looke

d his smile. They exchanged a hearty sh

, "the letter is fro

birth of a

ast. The expression of his face changed; he uttered some low exclamation. Mrs. Cameron took the creature from his lap, stroking it quietly, carried it across the room, and put it outsi

e table approached the window. Kenelm retreated into the shade, the servant closed the shutters

r was it possible-here a thought of joy seized his heart and held him breathless-was it possible that, after all, she had not married her guardian; had found a home elsewhere,-was free? He moved

icate wire-work; of its dainty draperies a few tattered shreds hanging here and there; and on the depopulated floor the moonbeams resting cold and ghostly. No spray from the tiny fountain; its basin chipped and mouldering; the scanty waters therein frozen. Of all the pretty wild ones that Lily fancied she could ta

belonged to me-" The thought choked even his inward, unspoken utterance. He turned away, paused a moment under the leafless

l enough for one night to stand on the old ground. I will return to the to

abstracted thoughts, when he came to the spot in which the path split in twain, he did not take that which led more directly to the town. His steps, naturally enough following the train of hi

he past-sympathy only vouchsafed to the tenderest women and the highest poets-didst thou lay thy flowers on the tomb, to which thou di

f each humbler grave-mound. Motionless in the frosty air rested the pointed church-spire, and through the frosty air, higher and higher up the arch of heaven, soared the unpausing moon. Around and below and above her,

d bordered with votive flowers. Yes, in that direction there was still a gleam of colour; could it be of flowers in tha

him; no pale flower, no green "everlasting" on its neglecte

oken a promise; and she had given a promise to the dyin

le "everlastings," dwarfed blossoms of the laurestinus; at the four angles the drooping bud of a Christmas rose; at the head of the

e Mem

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ve the grave to

gned, beside that

is consecrat

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L CAM

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tle children to