hey
were going forth, each on a separate mission, and though in after
years, greetings might pass between them, the heart would be utterly
changed. The unreserved confidence, the warm affection of girlhood
passes forever away, when rude contact with the world has chilled
trust and child-like faith. And they knew this, though it was _felt_
more fully in after years.

But tears were dried, as the enthusiasm which lighted the face of the
reader--as her topic turned to their future life--was communicated to
those who listened. She spoke to her classmates of the duties which
devolved on them as women; of the strength which they should gather in
life's sunshine, for the storm and the trial which _would_ come. That
their part in life was to shed a hallowed but _unseen_ influence over
its strife and discord--

"Sitting by the fireside of the heart
Feeding it flames."
"In that stillness which best becomes a woman,
Calm and holy."

And when she ceased, and the gathered crowd turned slowly from the
threshold, many hearts--beating in proud and manly bosoms--felt
stronger and purer for the words they had that hour listened to, from
one who, young as she was, had learned to think, and to act, with a
sound judgment, and bold independence in the cause of truth, which
shamed them in their vacillation.

Young Howard was leaning behind a vine-wreathed pillar, to watch the
one in whom he had that day become strangely interested. His heart
beat fast as she approached his hiding-place, and then sunk within
him, as he noted the warm blush which stole over her face, as two
gentlemen, whom he had not before noticed, came to greet her.

"Dear sister," said one, kissing her burning cheek, "have I not reason
to be proud of you."

The other, older by ten years than the first speaker, grasped the hand
which she timidly extended to him, and whispered, "I, too, am proud of
my future wife."

Howard did not hear the words, but the look which accompanied that
warm pressure of the hand did not escape him. It destroyed at once
hopes, which he had not dreamed before were fast rising in his breast,
and he turned almost sadly away from that happy group to join his
sister.

"See," said the young girl, as she took his arm, "there is Mr. Loring,
one of the finest-looking men I know of, and belongs to as proud
family as any in Boston, yet he is going to throw himself away on Mary
Gordon. To be sure he is only a poor country c