Your melancholy look distresses me. Is it any

ZZI

e leaves of a book that lay upon Leah's desk

from study. Then Leah stepped across the room, and ge

d a play-ground for the younger scholars and a pleasant promenade for the older ones, and then tur

f the building, was securely protected in all kinds of weather. As Leah and Lizzie turn

of graces. Helen is willing.

replied. "I do not feel well; my head

ate, Leah; what is the matter with you? Do you contemplate

e the veil, Bertha. D

eproac

my game of graces not even begun. I wish the old thing was still in its native ore, and not always ready to call us

he graceful movements of the hoops as they flew from the fairylike wands of the gi

that I have such a telltale face; but I am unhappy, Lizzie; yes, I am miserable, and I cannot concea

the secret of your heart," responded Lizzie; "but I thought

from the lustrous lashes of the Jewess; "I thank you again and aga

ove always, whether that will comfort you

lict upon any one's hearing, and yet, I have always found you so tender and so true, that when any addi

e who love us, I think,

my mother, were she living. With this feeling at my heart, I long to look upon my mother's miniature which I once had, but which is

ith a tender glance, and said, "Trust me, Leah, for that sympathy which you

abruptly. "Let's meet after school in the upper corridor, th

d it's but a short two hour

okes of the great clock; when Leah said, "It's growing chilly, Lizzie. Wrap your shawl closely arou

reached the upper corridor that ran across t

hat would she think?" said Leah, as the two girls cro

books; and perhaps we had better look ov

s together the girls were silent for a time, pretending to study. At

athy that is so constantly gnawing at my heart. As I have told you before, my heart strangely turns to you in sorrow. In the three yea

! L

briefly told; and I have one request to make, my dear. It is, that you have c

ot know; but my old nurse used to intimate to me that it was by no honorable means. Be that as it may, he married her when I was four years of age; and from that date my miserable story begins. The first incident of my life after this second marriage which I remember most vividly was this. A year after my father's marriage to Rebecca, business of importan

d woman, she i

s cousin had been as a brother to him in his young days, and on my father's return from Bohemia, he passed through Saxony and paid this cousin a visit; He still speaks occasionally of that delightful event. I must not

are and exquisite workmanship. How distinctly I recall it now! It was in the shape of an elk's head, with spreading, delicately wroug

sket, never to be returned. It was on the occasion of the third anniversary of my father's marriage to Rebecca Hartz-an occasion that richly deserved sackcloth and ashes instead of feasting and merriment. But the day was one of grand demonstration, and many guests and friends were in attendance. All the articles of

y father's last admonition, as he retired t

and being fatigued herself, hurriedly r

of the late festivity; and so I descended the stairs and entered the silent, deserted drawing-room. In a few moments, Rebe

acherous fringe of her shawl caught in the delicate antlers of the elk's head and dragged it from its place upon the table. It fell to the floor with a crash, and we bot

o that for, you

I whispere

hat will your father say?' she continued. 'Pick up every piece, and go and

ated and

she angrily exclaimed,

pered again, scarcely knowing wheth

was gaining the mastery over me; 'but the sooner you seek his fo

will that has withered and crushed out, by slow degrees, the last trace of moral courage that might have beautifi

fragile horns, and the eyes of the elk's head, that lay scattered ar

go at once to your father; and mind you

my helplessness. Trembling with fear, and a sense of my supposed guilt, I approached my father,

m and held out

o broke this?' he al

and last time in his life. It sent me reeling against a table; the sharp corner struck my forehead

and displayed the long, hard scar, that was so carefully conceal

" sighed Lizzie,

wound, my father caught me in his arms, and kissi

h suppressed, brought my mother to the room. With a well-assumed air of innocence and tenderness, she sought to wipe away the blood from my face, and bind up the gash upon my forehead.

he has never alluded in any manner to that occurrence. Always kind and tender to me, he seems to be ever endeavoring to aton

aculated Lizzi

ung life. I never comb my hair away from my face, so morbidly am I impressed with the fear that those who see it will read the cause of its e

have said, in that evil moment when I yielded to her wicked, imperious will, I lost all moral power, and to this day, am worse than her vassal. Try as I may, I cannot shake off the habit; it has become second nature, and her

, he knows nothing of it, for I have never told him any of my trials and sorrows, since the day he struck me that undeserved blow. I love my father tenderly, and yet I cannot, dar

rowing older and and stronger day by day, and yet morally weaker and weaker, with no

sun, and cast me among pleasant friends, who seem to love me, and at least are true and kind. True and kind! Dear Lizzie, you cannot comprehend the significance of that expression. To

know you, Lizzie-you, to whom my heart has learned to turn as a wounded, help

d a few tears fell through the slender fingers. Observing these tears, Leah bent forward and k

enough to say that many events in my home-life have left their searing impress on my heart and brain; and many, I thank God, have faded from my memory. But when

my father came to my chamber and congratulated me w

nough properly to appreciate its value. Now to-day, on your fifteenth birth-day, I have called forth the treasure, and give it to you forever. Take it; keep it carefully, my child, for the sake of the living as well as the dead.' My father laid the mini

that I was, to the floor, prostrate with emotion. How long I remained thus overcome by sorrow and weeping, I k

there crying like a booby? What's t

my sobs, dried my tear

u there, baby?

ket, and as she regarded the sweet,

er? Didn't you ever see a painted-f

'and it's the picture of my mothe

r that you have no mother now; from all this whimpering. See here, Leah,' she added as a sudden thought seemed to strike her, 'You are

aid excitedly, daring to h

angrily replied, pushing

now, mind you, Leah Mordecai,' she continued, with a triumphant smile upon her wicked face, 'if you dare tell your father I took this from you, you'll repent it sorely. Mark

e woman who thus dared to crush a helpless little worm beneath her wicked foot, and, falling on my f

the corridor, and find shelter in the hall of the wing. We can sit in the great window

wo girls were snugly seated in the g

e has worn it, in great state, in her treacherous bosom, my father always supposing that I loaned it as a special token of affection,-such, at least, was the story she told him, and

y sense of justice so blunted but that one day I shall have that miniature again. I have sworn it, and as I live, I'l

red what the world would be without Mark Abrams in it. He was always the object of my childish admiration, and, indeed, the only friend I ever had who dared, or cared to show me any kindness. A year ago now; a little m

, and I fear I am conquered and ruined forever. For some months I have thought that my step-mother suspected my secret, and have imagined that I could detect her intention to break the attachment if she found her suspicion to be correct. Her every action has betrayed this intention. I have at times vaguely hinted my trials and sorrows to Mark, but of the extent of that woman's evil designing, he has had no conception. I was ashame

l to unfold! Even yet, my poor heart struggles to disbelieve it." Leah dropped

ah. Tell me all

day after Bertha's party, and, feeling unusually unhappy, I determined, if possible, to see my mother's face once more. It was Sunday, and that night we were invited to some private theatricals at Mr. Israel Bach

lorations began. First one key, and then another, was applied to the lock, but without success. I worked away hopefully, knowing the right one would come in turn if I were not interrupted. Drawer after drawer was opened and when the right keys were at last found, not one yielded up the coveted prize. I trembled with fear of disappointment. Only one remained t

e coming. Mark obeyed, and drawing his chair nearer the fire waited till she h

ou before as mildly as possible, there are reasons why her father would never consen

would like to know how she is deformed? She, the mo

t just and proper that I acquaint you wi

Mark utter

will in time render her a hideous deformit

ocked and incredulous expression, as he sa

am to hear that, for I l

f her story, my step-mother with

l, and in case of improvement, which is scarcely supposable or to be hoped for, he has long ago promised her

rk looked up

believe that Miss Leah is aught but what she seems-the embodiment of health and be

l be but a small disappointment to her, if indeed she ever thought seriously of marrying you; and I re

words, and replied, 'She

uble, if you still like the name, remember, here is Leah's sister Sa

aid Mark with feeling; and then he bowed his head upon the ma

ttle assumed hesitation, 'after reflection, you may speak

! Think of my weakness, in mutely listening to the lie that was, perhaps, to wreck my whole life! Think of me, and pity me!" L

of it, for he continued to stare blindly at the glowing grate, apparentl

Mrs. Mordecai, I

,' rejoined my step-m

en I was free again-free to breathe, and to move, and to sigh, if I chose, without betraying my hiding-place, or the cause of my concealment. I need not, could not if I chose, tell you of my feelings on that occasion. I remember them but dimly, even now. But this much I do remember, and so it shall be. I resolved that Mark Abrams should be free, rather than be undeceived by any word of mine. My pride, the little that is left in my soul, and my resentment, the shadow of it that yet lingers about me, struggl

lue eyes the tears glistened, and she looked with surprise into the cold, hard face of Leah, whic

p you, Leah, by sh

me, Lizzie. I am ill-starr

it in Leah's lap; and her silent prayer, though unheard by mortal ear, ascend

he street lamps are being lighted, and I shall hav

is growing late,

I trust you, Li

all never betray

through the hall and corridor, down the spiral st