"

"Oh, Mr. Young! surely you are not in earnest? You cannot intend to
separate yourself from your family."

She dropped her flowers, and leaned forward.

"Yes, I have had it in contemplation for more than a year, and, recently, I
have decided to remove at once."

He saw the great sorrow written in her countenance, the quick flutter of
her lip, the large drops that dimmed the violet eyes and gathered on the
long golden lashes, and far sweeter than the Eolian harps was the broken
voice--

"What shall I do without you? Who will encourage and advise me when you
go?"

She leaned her forehead on her hands, and a tear slid down and rested on
her chin. The sun was setting, and the crimson light flooding the room,
bathed her with glory, spreading a halo around her. He held his breath and
gazed upon the drooping figure and bewitching face; and, in after years,
when his dark hair had grown silvery grey, he remembered the lovely sun-lit
vision that so entranced him, leaving an indelible image on heart and
brain. He gently removed the hands, and holding them in his, said, in the
measured, low tone so indicative of suppressed emotion--

"Irene, my friend, you attach too much importance to the aid which I might
render you. You know your duty, and I feel assured will not require to be
reminded of it. Henceforth our paths diverge widely. I go to a distant
section of our land, there to do my Father's work; and, ere long, having
completed the prescribed course, you will return to your Southern home and
take the position assigned you in society. Thus, in all human probability,
we shall meet no more, for----"

"Oh, sir! don't say that; you will come back to visit your family, and then
I shall see you."

"That is scarcely probable; but we will not discuss it now. There is,
however, a channel of communication for separated friends, and of this we
must avail ourselves. I shall write to you from Western wilds, and letters
from you will most pleasantly ripple the monotonous life I expect to lead."

"Can't you stay longer and talk to me?" said Irene, as he rose.

"No; I promised to address the ---- Street Sabbath-school children
to-night, and must look over my notes before I go."

There was no unsteadiness in his tone, no trace of emotion, as he stood up
before her. Irene was deeply moved, and when she essayed to thank him,
found it impossible to pronounce her words. Tears were gliding down her
cheeks; he put back the hair, and tak