Leah Mordecai

. The certificates of scholarship, and the "rewards of merit," had been given to the fortunate competitors; the long-coveted diplomas

h the patrons and select guests that were honored with the fastidious Madam's courtesy. It was an elegant assemb

s, themselves just ready to emerge from college walls and ste

d far and wide through the country; young girls who, for many months, and even years, had lived and studied and loved toge

or less sorrow, according to their varying natu

, and the "finishing class" were free-free to wander for the first time, and that first the last too, among the spacious halls and corridors of the

ere bespoke the preparation for the dance. Sets were forming in drawing-ro

I claim your hand for

g before Lizzie at the

on he

I never dance,

ce! How'

learned

I supposed all of mada

m an exception to the general rule. If you desire a partner in the dance,

ou, Miss Heartwell; if

o know why you

told; and if you will listen a mom

leasure

ttle child. I have been her only companion in all these years of bereavement and sorrow, and it has never been her desire that I should indulge in any of the pleasures and gayeties that young people are fond of. From these causes m

e expression of her spirituelle face, she became in his eyes a model of beauty. The allusion to the death of her father had recalled to his mind the time and manner of his own fathe

adies who do not dance are generally so considered. A

n. I was thinking of the past-the past recalled

ng ladies?"

f you will allow me the pleasu

and clasping with her timid little hand the strong arm of the manly cadet, sh

orridor than here," said Li

e musical instrument I see standing in the li

d

not sing

not participating in the dance. Lizzie bowed her head slightly, and passed to the harp, now silent in one corner. Without hesitation she seated herself before it, and the slender fingers grasped the strings

again, with sweetness, the witching song, "

weeter smile, "Now that I have bewitched you with my music,

eed bewitched, and bowing a silent assent, he offered his arm to the enchantress, and soon Lizzie found herself among the dancers,

e way, with the young girl clinging timidly to the brave strong arm, that for months had known no tenderer touch

od at the eastern end that overlooked the sea, stretching he

ear to comprehend a problem in Legendre, now seemed beclouded and sluggish. At length, emb

of the sea,

d over the deep, he

tary life and service, and when my course is finished-which time is near at hand-if I am successful, as I hope to be, I shall offer myself to my country, and await impatiently her refusal or acceptance of my humble services. But I beg yo

ter, then," aske

art of God's wonderful creation. But, Miss Heartwell, there's something just visible in the hazy distance that I do love; it's old Defiance. You see the lights of the old fort twinkling far off on the water? They stir within me the martial spi

rrified me. It's the only object of the beautiful harbor that has ever cast a shadow across the loveliness of the sea. I

e lau

d Defiance, for then the enemy, should they ever come, would find ea

ast; and as I leave the Queen City to-morrow, old Defiance will fade from my sight th

rge Marshall in surpr

to-morrow

ves to-morrow for the port of -, in my native

eamer leave?" inquired th

M., uncle

o long, Miss Heartwell. I have two friends you must know before the evening closes-Edwin Calhou

nk y

at you make friends with old Defiance, for my sake, and recall that c

s only;" and throwing a kiss across the silvery sea,

turned to rejoin the revellers, and that sport

and indecorous manifestation of feeling, in madam's estimation. Blandly bowing her stately head, and kindly congratulating each upon having

spered Leah Mordecai, as she passed from

nd do not disappoint me. R

Every light in madam's great house was extinguished,