Beulah

nt to know why you did

ave honored me with

the following day, whe

out the s

ressed to your mother, and probably she forgot to m

red Vincent was as grum as a preacher all the evening, and when I asked him what on earth made him so surly and owlish, he said, 'It was too provoking you would

and Beulah fancied she looked very sad and abstracted.

ll you; and as for manners, I com

our excuse?" pe

o inclination to go to parties and dance when you

cried the heedless girl, and qu

he is the handsomest boy in the city, and promises to

proud lip

ll her other beaux, and that is great praise, coming

d angrily, as she answ

her beaux! It i

ith you, Anne will withdraw her claim," sneered Emily, happy in the opportunity

oice prevented, as, leaning from the platfo

rvant has just bro

ote and broke the seal with trembling fingers. Glancing over the con

r' has arrived at Amsterdam.

on her desk, and just

n Heaven, I

en accents, and they looked curiously

umstance. You knew him very well, I suppose?" said Cornelia, addressing herself to the orphan, and crumpling

blood come into her cheeks, and she ill bro

sked my father to send to the pu

nelia's gaze, and seemed to answ

ut she is so heedless that I scarcely believed he

incent, I am disposed to think. Don't be so inquisitive; it pains her,"

ous, I will warrant. At least, s

do," sai

vely, and turned off,

an see in such a homely, unpolished

aw the ashen hue that settled on her face, as if some pain

rous, too, and will repent her rudeness. She did not intend t

g back the locks of hair that had f

fessing to love Eugene I did not expect her to insult one whom

an only child, and her f

uld teach her to feel for the unfortunate

has such an effect upon the heart of i

. I discovered that pleasant truth s

. Do not call yourself unfortunate, so long as Dr. Hartwel

e of intense feeling, and a

very good," replied t

say of him?" The soft brown eyes

urned the orphan eagerly, while the conversation in th

for a moment, and then avertin

hich you should mention your benefactor." Beulah's in

know h

ery well indeed.

like him

y mu

some sorrow had called tears to the eyes,

nd he has been to me-me, the miserable, lonely orphan,"

oble heart; and, therefore, child, I say

gly. Later in the day, as she and Pauline were descending the steps, the door of the primary department of the school opened, and a little girl, clad in deep black, started up the same flight of steps. Seeing the two above, she leaned aga

d the thin face with passionate kisses; then heavy

ut her arms around my neck every night, and go to sleep close to me; and whenever she

dy," poor Beulah gro

ou all the time; and the evening they moved me into the next room she was asking for you. 'I want my sister Beulah! I want my Beulah!' was the last thing I heard her say; and when I crie

no more! She would not suffer my sister to know that I was waiting there on my knees to see her dear, angel face. That was long before you were tak

to soothe her, by winding her arms about her and kissing her repeatedly. Pauline had looked wonderingly o

your eyes and come home; those

sensitive nature shrank from observation, and, rising hastil

you again?" cried the la

mamma would n

-please, do! Beulah, you don't love me now, because

st come to see me. I cannot go to that house again. I

net over her fac

and see you!" cried Claudia, r

arge, brick house, out on the edge

o all the particulars of the orphan's early life; but the pale, fixed face gave no encouragement to question, and the

tle one any

n this world," answe

to elicit confidence. On entering the house, they encountere

'Morning Star' arrived safely at Amsterdam

near him, and an

I heard it

r bonnet, looked searchingly at the sorrow-stained fac

thought you would be very happy

Pauline, who stood swinging her sachel

ach other, and cried, and kissed, and-you never saw anything like it! I thought the child must be a very dear relation; bu

Beulah's hand, he led her into that quietest of all quiet places,

n, or I should have interfered, and carried you to her. I called to see Mr. and Mrs. Grayson last week, to remove the difficulties in the way of your intercourse with Claudia, but they were not at home.

e past; it will always be

rofessed to beli

p instantly,

sir.

harges you to 'forgive and love your enemies,' and here y

and, sinking down beside him, she laid

ible tells me it is very sinful; but I have been so miserable, I could not help h

ad, softly, reverently, as though he touched something ethereal. He little dreamed that, even then, that suffering heart was uplifted to the Throne of Grace,

as not Mrs. Grayson a pew in the most fashionable church? Did not Eugene tell you he saw her there, regularly, every Sunday? Professing Christianity, she injured you; rejecting it, he has g

as you please with yourself. I shall not be home to tea, so good-night." She look

onnet, and come down to the front door; I have nearly an hour yet, I se

anse of water, rippling, sparkling, glowing in the evening sunlight. Small sail boats, with their gleaming canvas, dotted the blue bosom of the bay; and the balmy breeze, fresh from the gulf, fluttered the bright pennons that floated

pect me; I am comi

of your engagement. But,

you of. Beulah, th

ward as he raised his hat, their eyes met. Both started vi

friend! I am truly g

pression of pleasure stole over her fac

what do you

charmingly," answered

ul

hen I was at the

ng part of the

entertainment. Look to it, Guy, that she is present. But I am fatigued with my unusual exercise, and must return home. Good-by, Beulah; shake hands. I am going immediately to my room, Guy; so come as soon as you can." He rode slowly on, while Dr. Hartwell shook the reins, and

e ill

is yet quite feebl

t he spoke to me one evening some

n a visit occasionally. Much of his life has been sp

ouds cast their shifting shadows on its bosom; and, forgetting everythi

d, approached his home. Beulah longed to speak to him of what was pressing on her heart; but, glancing at his countenance to see whether it was an auspi

home; I have not

ng up at him as he rose to adjust so

y ride. I have not had such a pleasu

ary, child. I am g

hout looking at her. But she put her hand on the

ou come home? I want to ask you something." Her face

ome to-night. Can't you tell me

t detain you." She opened the gate and entered the yard. Dr. Har

aiting for me. Of course the stu

voir, and, taking off her bonnet, gave unrestrained license to her wandering thoughts. Wherever her eyes turned, verdure, flowers, statuary met her gaze; the air was laden with the spicy fragrance of jasmines, and the low, musical babble of the fountain had something very soothing in its sound. With her keen appreciation of beauty, there was nothing needed to enhance her enjoyment; and she ceased to remember her sorrows. Before long, however, she was startled by the sight of sev

ooks all the flowers himself. I often tell him I am jealous of

s him such a recluse! Why doesn't he visit more? He neglects us shamefully! He is such a favorite in society too; only I believe everybody is rather afraid of him. I shall make a most desperate effort to charm him so soon as an opportunity offers. Don't tell him I said so though-'forewarne

the book of fate is written the decree that he shall not marry again. Take care, you are tearing your lace point on that

me! Why, you look as unsociable as

de no attempt to approach her. Mrs. Chilton smiled, and, claspin

opportunity offered of placing her in a respectable home. I have teased him unmercifully about this display of t

n. I thought I would ask you about it. Mother here declared that she knew it could not be so; but

of charity, and Guy brought her here to keep her from

effect an escape without attracting the attention she so earnestly desired to be spared, and therefore kept her seat. Every word of the conversation, which had been carried on in anything but a subdued tone, reached her, and though the head was unbowed as if she had heard nothing, her face was dyed with shame. Her heart throbbed violently, and as the word

eep out of sight?-answer me!" She spoke with the infl

ed me a moment since; nor will I answer questions a

do you propose to help yourself?" answered M

very unhappy; not because I needed food or clothes, as you asserted just now, and as you knew was untrue. Madam, I have known, ever since my recovery, that you hated me, and I scorn to accept bounty, nay, even a shelter, where I am so unwelcome. I have never dreamed of occupying the place you covet for Pauline. I intended to accept Dr. Hartwell's kindness, so far as receiving an education, which would enable me to support myself

ut perfectly conscious that her brother would accept no explanation or palliation of the girl's departure at this juncture, and that she and Pauline would soon follow her from the house, she felt that her own interest demanded the orphan's presence for a season. Nearly blinded by tears of indig

and adopted child was too preposterous to be entertained, and you can see the absurdity yourself; but so long as you understand matters properly, and merely desire to receive educational advantages, of course you can and will remain. I do not wish this to go a

not at all afraid of poisonous thin

ch had fallen on the grass at her feet, and, fixing her eyes

ulted. You need not seek to detain me. Take your hand off my arm. I am going now; the sooner, the better. I understand, madam, your brother will not countenance your cruelty, and y

ere compressed till they grew purple. Clin

and don't make a fool of yourself. In future I shall not concern myself about you, if you take root at the front d

he words whispered during her illness, and the offer of assistance when she "got into trouble," as Harriet phrased it; but, dreading to meet Mrs. Chilton again, she hurried down the hall, and left the house. The friendly stars looked kindly down upon the orphan, as she crossed the common, and proceeded toward the asylum, and raising her eyes to the jeweled dome, the solemn beauty of the night hushed the wild tumult in her heart, and she seemed to hear the words pronounced from the skyey depths: "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end." Gradually, the results of the step she had taken obtruded themselves before her, and with a keen pang of pain and grief came the thought, "What will Dr. Hartwell think of me?" All his kindness during the time she had passed beneath his roof-his genial tones; his soft, caressing touch on her head; his rare, but gentle smile; his constant care for her comfort and happiness-all rushed like lightning over her mind, and made the hot tears gush over her face. Mrs. Chilton would, of course, offer him some plausible solution of her sudden departure. He would think her ungrateful, and grow indifferent to her welfare or fate. Yet hope whispered, "He will s

you!" As she kissed her white cheeks, Beu

quiet little room, and took the bundle and the antiquated bonnet, which

u until I can get a place somewhere? Th

ll? Here I have been, ever since I heard it from some of the managers, thinking how lucky it was for you, a

ugh of what had transpired to explain her leaving her ad

it was your duty to have told him so, and then decided as to what course you would take. Don't be hurt, child, if I tell you you are too proud. Poverty and pride make a bitter lot in this world; and take care you don't let y

er, and has a claim on him. I have none. She expects Pauline to inherit his fortune, and could not bear to think of his adopting me. I don't wonder at that so much. But she need not have been so cruel, so insulting. I don't want his money, or his

even if he did, he will not suppose you were actuated by any such Christian

but how can I support myself in the meantime? Eighteen dollars would not board me long, and, besides, I shall have to b

gin before autumn, and what could you do until then? No, I will just inform

, and your doing it would amount to the same thing. I would not be the means

arth possessed you to p

e house (for Dr. Hartwell's disposition is a secret to no one who has lived in his home), and I wished to show her that I told

ing dependent on anyone. But he will n

would filled her min

use to fret over what

but I don't see an

in sewing? Perhaps the ma

oon kill you, to have t

an you think," answered the

ild; but don't fret about it any more to-night. Come, get some supper, and then go to s

never will speak of what I have told you re

will mention it, since you pre

ot be banished; and, unable to sleep, Beulah tossed restlessly on her pillow