u might often have seen
the doctor and his beloved quietly strolling by wood-sides
and along the banks of the green meadows, listening intently
to the warbling of the tender birds they loved so much;
while young Longtail Marten and his bride, fonder of more
boisterous excitement, devoted themselves to the pleasures
of the chase, scouring rapidly over hill and dale whenever
they heard the huntsman's loud horn, or the hounds' deeper
notes; and never so happy as when, after the sports of the
day were done, they finished up with a ball, and danced
joyously till the next day's dawn.

[Illustration: JACK HARE AND GRACE MARTEN LEADING OFF
THE BALL.]

As for the good folks at Holm-wood, as soon as Mrs. Hare
discovered that her daughter had run away, she sent for her
eldest son, Jack Hare, who lived in a farm close by, and
asked him to pursue his sister and bring her back; but Jack
said she was quite old enough to know her own mind, and that
he would have nothing to do with it. When, however, the old
lady learned that her daughter was married to the rich young
Marten, and not to the poor physician, then she was greatly
rejoiced, though she confessed she could not make out why
her dear child Pussy should run away with the doctor and
then marry the schoolmaster; but she supposed it was all
right.

As for Jack, when he heard that old Mr. Marten had died,
leaving great riches behind him, he, to follow the fashion,
fell in love with Grace, the only daughter of the deceased,
and only sister of Longtail. Miss Grace listened favourably
to Jack's suit--for she was very lonely now her father was
dead, and her brother away; and as there was no papa to
consult in their case, they got married quietly at home,
and asked all their neighbours to a ball, when Jack Hare and
Grace Marten (that was) led off the polka in grand style,
greatly to the admiration of all the young folks in the
island.

THE WONDERFUL HARE-HUNT.

Merrily sounded the cock's shrill horn, and brightly shone
the early morning sun, when a party of young sportsmen set
out to the field, armed with their guns and game-bags. Four
beaters from the neighbouring village attended them, each
with a long stick to rout the hares and rabbits from their
hiding-places. Gaily went they forth, these merry sportsmen
and their helpers; light was their step across the green
meadows and up the sandy hill-sides; loud was their laughter
when one of them, trying to jump thr