eyes, and value them accordingly.
People are not so very different from the highest to the lowest, and
nearly all view the world from one stand-point, and plan and speculate
as to how they can best make it subservient to their own interest. Mrs.
Wynn, if no better, was at least as good as the majority of her sex.

That evening Clemence went down to the boarding place which was next in
order, and which was the residence of a family by the name of Brier. The
night was glorious. The moon rode proudly through the heavens, and the
stars glittered brightly upon the deep azure of the evening sky. The
trees cast dusky shadows across her pathway, as she walked onward, and
far away to the right of her, stretched a dark forest, shrouded in
impenetrable gloom and silence. All was calm repose. Sweet odors floated
to her, borne on the evening breeze, while afar off came the musical
plash of falling waters, and the murmuring leaves bent to whisper a
benediction. Charmed by the calm beauty of the hour, she did not observe
that any one was near her, until a carefully modulated voice fell on her
ear:

"We meet again, my fair young friend, by a most fortunate train of
circumstances. What, may I ask, was the subject of your contemplations,
when I disturbed you? Judging by the sweet tranquillity of your
countenance, your thoughts were of the most pleasing description."

Clemence recognized the well-known tones at once, even before she turned
to glance at the new comer.

"Why, good evening, Mr. Strain," she said, trying to conceal that she
had been at all startled by his vicinity, and feeling somewhat
re-assured, upon recognizing the village editor. "I was not aware of
your close proximity. I was admiring this lovely evening. Is it not
really beautiful?"

"Beautiful!" exclaimed the gentleman, rapturously, "it is more than
that, it is gorgeous beyond description!" continuing in a newspaper
advertisement way, with some more remarks of a similar nature. "May I
ask, Miss Graystone, if you were walking for the purpose of calm
enjoyment and meditation, or whether you had any decided object in thus
going out unattended?"

"I had an object," replied Clemence, "I am going to Mrs. Brier's. I
thought I would go this evening, because it was so pleasant, and in
order to be ready for my duties in the morning."

"Ah, yes! the Brier's are good, worthy souls, I believe, although I
cannot say that they are particularly known to me. You must have
obse