ngendered a dislike in the minds of those who were
little accustomed to meet one who could not enter into all their
feelings, plans and projects--which dislike was constantly kept alive
and fostered by the united exertions of the two sister spinsters. Good
Mrs. Jeffries, too, the fond old nurse who had never left her beloved
mistress through all her varying fortunes, was all too faithful and
true to reveal aught that that kind mistress might wish untold; and
thus it was that the curiosity of the good people of Aberdeen was kept
continually in check, and about the unsuspecting inmates of Woodbine
Cottage was thrown a mystery that was becoming constantly augmented by
their incomprehensible silence on the subject.

* * * * *

Weeks--months--years sped swiftly away, and the widow, by her free and
unostentatious charities and her angel-ministering to the poor, the
afflicted and the bereaved, had almost eradicated the first
unpleasing impression made upon the simple-hearted people of
Aberdeen; so that, although the Misses Simpkins still held their
nightly confabulations, they did not venture as at first, so openly to
propagate their animadversions concerning the "mysterious stranger,"
but on the contrary, always made it a point to preface any sudden and
amiable suggestion that presented itself to their minds with "not that
I would say any thing against her, but it does seem a little
singular," &c. But of Miss Fanny--sweet, witching Fanny Layton! who
had grown in beauty and grace day by day, not one word did they dare
to speak in her dispraise! For was there one in all Aberdeen who would
not have resented the slightest intimation of disrespect to our lily
of the valley--whose joy-inspiring and sorrow-banishing presence was
welcomed delightedly by young and old, both far and near? And oh! was
there ever music like her sweet, ringing laugh, or melody like the
low-toned voice which was always eloquent of joyousness. Whether she
sat in the humble cottage, lending kind and ready assistance to the
care-worn matron, by playfully imprisoning the little hands of the
children within her own petite palms, while she recounted to them some
wonderful tale, her brilliant fancy, meantime, never soaring above
their childish comprehension, although she was regarded by her little
auditors as nothing less than a bright fairy herself, who was thus
familiar with all that witching tribe, and who could with her own
magic wand thus o