ace and bracelet of pearl, and a string of the same encircled her
beautifully-arranged hair. The rich color that mantled in her cheeks
deepened still more, as she acknowledged the salutation of the gentlemen;
but Alice, who entered immediately after her, went at once to her uncle,
and putting her hand in his, looked the inquiry, "Are you pleased with me?"
No wonder the old man held her hand for a moment, deprived of the power of
answering her. She stood before him glowing with health again, the coral
lips parted with a smile, awaiting some word of approval. The deep-blue
eyes, the ivory skin, the delicately-flushed cheeks, the oval face, the
auburn curls that fell over brow and temple, and hung over the rounded and
beautiful shoulders; the perfect arm, displayed in its full beauty by the
short plain sleeve; the simple dress of white; the whole figure, so fair
and interesting, with no ornaments to dim its youthful charms; but one
flower, a lily, drooping over her bosom. The tears gathered in his large
eyes, and drawing her gently towards him, he kissed her lips. "Alice, my
beloved," he said, "sweetest of God's earthly gifts, you cannot be always
as fair and young as you are now; but may God keep your heart as pure and
childlike, until he take you to the Heaven which is your destiny." Before
any one could reply, he had bowed to the rest of the company and left the
room; and even Alice, accustomed as she was to his partial affection, felt
solemnized at the unusual earnestness with which he had addressed her; but
Mrs. Weston hurried them off to the scene of fashion and splendor which
they had been anticipating.

* * * * *

Mr. Weston was about to retire, when Bacchus suddenly entered the room,
preceded by a slight knock. He was very much excited, and evidently had
information of great importance to communicate.

"Master," said he, without waiting to get breath, "they're all got took."

"What is the matter, Bacchus?"

"Nothing, sir, only they're all cotched, every mother's son of 'em."

"Of whom are you speaking?"

"Of them poor misguided niggers, sir, de Abolitioners got away; but they're
all cotched now, and I'm sorry 'nuff for 'em. Some's gwine to be sold, and
some's gwine to be put in jail; and they're all in the worst kind of
trouble."

"Well, Bacchus, it serves them right; they knew they were not free, and
that it was their duty to work in the condition in which God had placed
the