And many a quiet evening, in hours of silent ease, We floated down the river, or strolled beneath the trees, And talked in long gradation, from the poets to the weather, While the western skies and my cigar burned slowly out together. Yet through it all no whispered word, no tell-tale glance or sigh, [pathy Told aught of warmer sentiment than friendly symWe talked of love as coolly as we talked of nebulæ, And thought no more of being one than we did of being three. For although we were but friends, 'tis hard for honest friends to part. "Good-bye, old fellow! don't forget your friends beyond the sea, And some day, when you've lots of time, drop a line or two to me." The words came lightly, gaily, but a great sob, just behind, Welled upward with a story of quite a different kind. And then she raised her eyes to mine-great liquid eyes of blue, Filled to the brim, and running o'er, like violet cups of dew; One long, long glance, and then I did, what I never did before- Perhaps the tears meant friendship, but I'm sure the kiss meant more. -William B. Terrett. "WO pilgrims from the distant plain Come quickly o'er the mossy ground. One is a boy, with locks of gold Thick curling round his face so fair; The other pilgrim stern and old, Has snowy beard and silver hair. The youth with many a merry trick But speaks no word by night or day. And thus before the sage, the boy Trips lightly o'er the blooming lands, To see him frolic in the sun- And now they leap the streamlet o'er, And now they lightly enter in : "God save all here "-that kind wish flies Still sweeter from his lips so sweet; "God save you kindly, " Norah cries, "Sit down, my child, and rest and eat." "Thanks, gentle Norah, fair and good, We'll rest awhile our weary feet; But though the old man needeth food, While passing by your mother's door- When Owen here the nosegay brought, And found you in the woodbine bowerSince then, indeed, I've needed naught.” A blush steals over Norah's face, A smile comes over Owen's brow, A tranquil joy illumes the place, As if the moon were shining now; The boy beholds the pleasing pain, The sweet confusion he has done, And shakes the crystal glass again; And makes the sands more quickly run. "Dear Norah, we are pilgrims, bound We pace the green earth round and round. I dwell with peasants, he with kings. Where'er I chance or wish to lead: DRAWN out, bees, t RAWN out, like lingering bees, to share Beneath the reddening maples walked A youth and maiden, heeding not Grave were their brows, and few their words, For stern the time; they dwelt with Care, And Fear was oft a comer; A sober April ushered in The Pilgrim's toilful summer. And stern their creed; they tarried here The temple's sacred perfume round But as to-day they softly talked, That serious youth and maiden, He said, "Next week the church will hold A silvery bloom, with fadeless leaves; "Mehetabel!" (at last he spoke) "My fairest one and dearest ! One thought is ever to my heart The sweetest and the nearest. "You read my soul; you know my wish; Too truthful for reserve, she stood, Her sober answer pleased the youth- She looked on high, with earnest plea, And when, that night, she sought her couch, Her prayer was praise, her pillow down, And still upon her throbbing heart, JOW A Stolen Kiss. Now gentle sleep hath closed up those eyes Which, waking, kept my boldest thoughts in awe; And free access unto that sweet lip lies, From whence I long the rosy breath to draw. Methinks no wrong it were if I should steal From those melting rubies one poor kiss; None sees the theft that would the theft reveal. Nor rob I her of aught that she can miss: Nay, should I twenty kisses take away, There would be little sign I would do so. Why, then, should I this robbery delay? Oh, she may wake, and therewith angry grow! Well, if she do, I'll back restore that one And twenty hundred thousand more for loan. -George Wither. A Woman's Love. SENTINEL angel, sitting high in glory, A Heard this shrill wail ring out from purgatory: "Have mercy, mighty angel, hear my story! "I loved-and blind with passionate love I fell; "I do not rage against his high decree, |