Beulah

t encouraged and cheered the lonely heart, yearning for affectionate sympathy, yet striving to hush the hungry cry and grow contented with its lot. Duri

before the door, she could no longer repress the request which had trembled on her lips more than once, and asked permission to take her little charge to Mrs. Grayson's. A rather reluctant assent was given, and soon the carriage was drawn in the direction of Mr. Grayson's elegant city residence. A marvelous change came over the wan face of the nurse as she paused at the marble steps, guarded on either side by sculptured lions. "To s

Benton. Miss Lilly Grayson is my young mistress' name; but I can tel

rs. Grayson Beulah Benton wishes to see her sis

eternity to her, and, as the door opened again, she leaned forward and held her breath, like one whose fate was in the balance. Costly silk and dazzling diamonds met her gaze

believe, and the girl I saw at

if you only knew how miserable I have been since we were parted, you woul

ttered in a tone o

far above you; and you ought to be more than willing to give her up, when you know how lucky she has been in securing a home of wealth. Besides, she is getting over the separation very nicely indeed, and if she were to see you even once it would make

er knees, and, extending

be parted forever? I p

see her! let

a of a hired nurse associating familiarly with her adopted daughter was repulsive to her aristoc

ink of changing my determination. I hope you will not annoy me by any fu

s, and the grating sound of the key, as it was hurriedly turned, seemed typical of the unyielding lock which now forever barred the child's hopes. The l

husband! May God answer their p

ith its large eyes, brimful of burning hate, as the injured orphan walked mechanically on, unconscious that her lips were crushed till purple drops oozed over them. The setting sun flashed his ruddy beams caressingly over her brow, and whispering winds lifted tenderl

trong, rushing hours-That do the

isanthropy. Had Mrs. Grayson been arraigned for cruelty, or hard-heartedness, before a tribunal of her equals (i. e., fashionable friends), the charge would have been scornfully repelled, and unanimous would have been her acquittal. "Hard-hearted! oh, no! she was only prudent and wise." Who could expect her to suffer her pampered, inert darling to meet and acknowledge as an equal

hushed, and caressed her dying father's last charge, and now strange, ruthless fingers had torn the clinging heart-strings from the idol. There were no sobs, nor groans, to voice the anguish of the desolate orphan. The glittering eyes were tearless, but the brow was darkly furrowed, the ashy lips writhed, and the folded hands were purple from compression. Turning from the crib, she threw up the sash, and seated herself on the window-sill. Below lay the city, with its countless lamps gleaming in every direction, and stretching away on the principal streets, like long processions; in the distance the dark waters of the river, over which stea

ock; and a

ed. "All's well!" The mockery madd

n left with Lilly, for people love the beautiful, but nobody will ever care for me. I am of no use to anything, and so ugly that I hate myself. O Lord, I don't want to live another day! I am sick of my life-take me, take me!" But a feeble ray of comfort stole into her shivering heart, as she bowed her head upon her hands; Eugene Graham loved her; and the bleeding tendrils of affection henceforth clasped him as their only support. She was aroused from her painful reverie by a movement in the crib, and, hastening to her charge, was startled by the appearance of the babe. The soft

r; will

on the bounding p

Where is his moth

t a concert, and

told that they might return any moment, and t

ll Mrs. Mart

When shall I give

ain until sh

h, leaning his elbow on the mantelpiece, and watching the slight form as it stole softly to and f

ou will walk yours

ook it in reply, and re

is you

ah Be

e flitted over his mustached lip. She obser

h! Oh, my father! I have neither sunshine nor flowers, nor hear the singing

m's Progress' then?" said

nful reflection to frame an answer. The despairing expression set

you here in the

en here by

our parents

I am alone i

ve you been

catingly, nay commandingl

he right to question, no

ble grief, and, understanding he

tly spoken to the nurse, was only acknowledged by a slight inclination of the head as he passed her. Little Johnny was restless, and constantly threatened with a retu

y, and would rather st

ch when I walk with hi

will be t

relieve her, but the arms refused to yield their burden. A little after four the mother slept soundly in her chair. Gradually the stars grew dim, and the long, undulating chain of clouds that girded the eastern horizon kindled into a pale orange that transformed them into mountains of topaz. Pausing by the window, and gazing vacantly out,

ep. Beulah, how is Johnny?

r; his fever is not so high. I will take care of him,

re, in sad vigils, she had spent the night. Dr. Hartwell bowed as she entered, but the head was bent down, and, without glancing at him, she took the fretful, suffering child and walked to the window. While she stood there her eyes fell upon the loved face of her best friend. Eugene Graham was crossing the street. For an instant the burning blood surged over her wan, sickly cheeks, and the pale lips p

Beulah? Do tell me,

ed to comfort her by holding out hopes of brighter days, but her eyes were fixed on shadows, and his cheering words failed to call up a smile. They stood in the hall near the front door, and here Dr. Hartwell found them when he left

being up all night. I know from your

the door, Beulah seemed to breathe freely again. Poor child; her sensitive nature had so often been deeply wounded by the thoughtless remarks of strangers, that

iteness costs nothing, and you might at least ha

tremor passed over her mo

e; but I dread to have peop

, pr

and they are sure to sh

remarkably learned one, yet I confess there is something in his manner which fascinates me, and if you will only be like yourself he will always speak kindly to you. But I am staying too long. Don't look so forlorn and ghostly. Posi

longer? It seems such a great while since you were here.

atch, he held it before her

be cured must be endured,' you know, so do not despond, dear Beulah." Shaking her hand cordially, he ran down the steps. The