residence, the distance of three or four miles from the city of M. At our parting, we cried heartily in each other's arms, but anticipated meeting soon again; for one day in each week was at Bessie's entire disposal. We did not see each other again for a space of nearly two years. Unexpected circumstances compelled my residence at the South, and a visit to the North was rendered impossible during all that time. I heard only of Bessie's welfare from friends, for I could gain little intelligence of her own health, her sorrows, or joys from her letters, which were vastly entertaining and piquant on the topics of the day, and my own affairs, but utterly devoid of even a hint concerning herself, in the circumstances attendant on her life as governess. At the end of this period came a package and the following explanatory note from Bessie:

"MY BELOVED MARIE:-In the MS. which accompanies this you will find a history of the past months-my governess life. Because I purposed writing this, I made no mention, in my letters to you, of the trials and pleasures

+

+

attending my new employment.

Incredulous

as you were, and may still be, Marie, my residence in Mr. Forrester's family has been blest to me an hundredfold, and I thank God that my feet were stayed at his door. With a character strengthened, hope renewed, love made more triumphant, and faith more perfect, I feel that I am better fitted to meet life's cares and exigencies, better able to enjoy aright its blessings-better prepared, sooner or later, to 'go down to death and up to judgment.' Confident in a Saviour's sufficing atonement and constant intercession and aid, shall we not take willingly, nay, even with thanks on bended knees, the cup which the Father giveth us to drink, in order that, chastened, we may be made ready for the Kingdom'?

"For the happiness that came like the sunlight, after the downpouring of the rain, I await your warmest and tenderest sympathy. I know that soon I shall receive your letter of congratulation, which will come speedily, on the reception of this, or haply I may welcome yourself. Until then, dearest Marie, farewell. "BESSIE WILMERTON."

The pages that follow contain this history; for the removal and permanent residence of my friends abroad permit of its publication. I offer it to the perusal of unknown and various readers, without explanation or apology. The experience therein recorded may be read with interest by some, whose life-lines lie, as Bessie's did, for a time, not in the smooth places of the earth, but where is often needed the uplifting of clasped hands, to Him of the Thorn crown and the Cross.

"When the heart-sick earth

Turns her broad back upon the gaudy sun,
And stoops her weary forehead to the night,
To struggle with her sorrow all alone,

The moon-that patient sufferer-pale with pain,
Presses her cold lips on her sister's brow

'Till she is calm. But in HER sorrow's night

SHE found no comforter."

LIBRARY

ALEXANDER SMITH.

T was the evening of the day of my
arrival at Glen-Beck.

You will remember, Marie, that I was wholly unacquainted with Mr. Forrester, whose offer to me of the situation of governess in his family, and my acceptance of it, had been arranged by letters of application and acceptance. It was not to be wondered at,

then, that I looked forward with some trepidation to an advent into a circle of entire strangers. But my satisfaction may be imagined, when, on entering the drawing-room at GlenBeck, a young lady came eagerly to meet me, in whom I recognized Mildred, Mr. Forrester's eldest daughter; "our Milly" of a long ago boarding-school memory. She had been one of my companions the year I was separated from you, Marie, and sent to the Medville Academy. I encountered her gladly, and her charming face beamed with a hearty welcome very delightful to me. When she presented me to her parents and brother in turn, I was received with the warmth of manner with which one greets an honored and valued friend. At once I was at home; doubts and misgivings had vanished, all chill was gone. Miss Forrester's bright smile and affectionate greeting effectually altered the aspect of things, and the future was not altogether without a charm.

When dinner was over, the family, with the exception of Mildred, were assembled in the drawing-room. A chilly and continuous rain had fallen during the latter part of the after