oned by
the cause I have alleged."

It required a strong effort on the part of Miss Minturn to keep from
betraying the painful shock her feelings had sustained. She changed the
subject as quickly as possible.

On the next day, it was whispered about that Mr. Erskine had arrived in
company with his newly-made bride.

"Who is she?" asked both Mrs. Minturn and her daughter; but no one to
whom they applied happened to know. Those who had seen her pronounced
her very beautiful. Two days passed, and then a bridal party was given,
to which Mrs. Minturn and Emeline were invited. They had been sitting
in the midst of a large company for about ten minutes, their hearts in
a flutter of anticipation, when there was a slight movement at the
door, and then Mr. Erskine entered with his bride upon his arm. One
glance sufficed for Mrs. Minturn and her daughter--it was Clara! While
others were pressing forward to greet the lovely bride, they, overcome
with disappointment, and oppressed by mortification, retired from the
room, and, ordering their carriage, left the house unobserved.

Up to this day, they have never sought to renew the acquaintance.

THE MEANS OF ENJOYMENT.

ONE of the most successful merchants of his day was Mr. Alexander. In
trade he had amassed a large fortune, and now, in the sixtieth year of
his age, he concluded that it was time to cease getting and begin the
work of enjoying. Wealth had always been regarded by him as a means of
happiness; but, so fully had his mind been occupied in business, that,
until the present time, he had never felt himself at leisure to make a
right use of the means in his hands.

So Mr. Alexander retired from business in favour of his son and
son-in-law. And now was to come the reward of his long years of labour.
Now were to come repose, enjoyment, and the calm delights of which he
had so often dreamed. But, it so happened, that the current of thought
and affection which had flowed on so long and steadily was little
disposed to widen into a placid lake. The retired merchant must yet
have some occupation. His had been a life of purposes, and plans for
their accomplishment; and he could not change the nature of this life.
His heart was still the seat of desire, and his thought obeyed,
instinctively, the heart's affection.

So Mr. Alexander used a portion of his wealth in various ways, in order
to satisfy the ever active desire of his heart for something beyond
what was in act