d as my mother
used to ejaculate,

"'Thank Heaven! neither Emma nor Alice are belles; they at least will
not trouble me with their exaggerated notions about love and all that
nonsense.'

"I passed a miserable, wretched existence for a year or more after
Harry and I were separated. How earnestly I prayed for death, so
completely prostrated was my spirit by my disappointment. I felt as
lonely as I had at the time of dear Aunt Mary's death. In time,
however, I aroused myself from my morbid feelings, and in reading and
study found at first occupation, then strength and content.

"The week after my youngest sister was married my father was stricken
down with paralysis. I was the only one at home with my parents, for
my bride sister had sailed for Europe the day after her wedding, and
Emma was far distant in her Southern home, having married a wealthy
South Carolinian two years before. Faithfully I devoted myself to my
father, and when my mother, a year afterward, was seized with a
painful, lingering disease, I made myself so necessary to her comfort,
that she at last acknowledged, that what had appeared to be her
greatest trouble had proved her greatest blessing. She altered very
much before her death, and lost entirely all those worldly feelings
which had actuated her during her early life. She suffered for many
years at times agonizing pain, and during this time I was sole
companion and nurse to my parents. Often I thanked Providence for
having denied to me my early love, granting to me in lieu an
opportunity of fulfilling the most holy of duties. See, Enna, to what
an unromantic and yet enviable state of mind I at last attained.
Believe me, dearest, we never should grieve over unavoidable troubles,
for many times they are but the rough husk of that sweet kernel--a
hidden blessing."

ZENOBIA.

BY MYRON L. MASON.

'Twas holyday in Rome. Her sevenfold hills
Were trembling with the tread of multitudes
Who thronged her streets. Hushed was the busy hum
Of labor. Silent in the shops reposed
The implements of toil. A common love
Of country, and a zeal for her renown,
Had warmed all hearts, and mingled for a day
Plebian ardor with patrician pride.
The sire, the son, the matron and the maid,
Joined in bestowing on their emperor
The joyous benedictions of the state.
Alas! about that day's magnificence
Was spread a web of _shame_! The victor's sword
Was st