St. Elmo

St. Elmo devoted himself. There were elegant dinners and petits soupers that would not have disgraced Tusculum, or made Lucullus blush when Pompey and Cicero sought to surprise him in the "Apollo

, his uplifted hand smote all conventionalities and shams, spared neither age nor sex, nor sanctuaries, and acknowledged sanctity nowhere. The punctilious courtesy of his manner polished and pointed his satire, and when a personal application of his remarks was possible, he would bow gracefully to the lady indicated, and fill her glass with wine, while he filled her heart with chagrin and rankling hate. Since the restoration of the Dante,

nquered politeness, the mention of her grandfather's name seemed an insult from his lips, and putting her hand over her glass, she looked him full in the face and shook her head. Nevertheless he lifted his wine, bowed, and drank the last

leur sens, Font de

stom, and held the door open for them. Edna was the last of t

d to enumerate etiquette in the catalogue

answer spran

nearer home"; but her conscience smote her

hink only good friends s

ll, only remember I raise a black flag an

e scrutinized her closely, rendered her constrained and uncomfortable, when forced to enter his presence. Mrs. Murray we

e, with a basketful of camellias, she saw St. Elmo bidding his mother good-bye, as he started on his long journey to Oceanica. They stood on the steps, Mrs

e me. Better pray that I may find a peaceful grave in the ci

the saddle, but checked his horse at sight

e? Or do you reserve such cour

distress, softened her heart toward him; she selected the finest white camel

hope you will en

u know my motto, 'Nemo me impune lacessit!' Thank you, for this lovely peace-offering. Since you are wi

that he expected to be absent, possibly, several years, and while she regretted the pain which his departure gave he

ed his childish head in the sunny morning of a quickly clouded lif

is key, and no one but myself knows the contents. I wish to leave the key with you, on two conditions: first, that you never mention it to any one-not even my mother, or allow her to suspect that you have it; secondly, that you promise me solemnly you will not open the tomb or temple unless I fail to return at the close of four yea

en key from his watch-chai

Murray. You can certainly trust your own moth

"I tell you I do not choose to leave it in any ha

girl, and after a moment's silence, and a short struggle with her heart, she extended he

pen that vault, except in accordance with my dire

promise mos

y in her palm

e ever been indebted. I have left directions concerning my books and the various articles in my rooms. Feel no hesitation

hers for an instant only, and he mo

, looking back, but suddenly disappeared, and, with a sigh of indescribable relief, she retraced her steps to the house. As she approached the spot where Mrs. Murray still sat, with her face hidden in her handkerchief, the touch of the little

e miserable mother threw her arms around the orphan, and resting her cheek on her head wept bitterly. Timidly, but very gent

rlier than you expect. He will get tired of travelling, and come bac

m. He hates his home and forgets me! My loneliness, my anxiety are nothin

ry much, and that wi

you th

ake my mother happy while I am gone, and you will be the first person to whom I have ever been i

t pray for himself!

ful hands. You know Christ said, 'Whatsoever you ask in my name, I will do it'; and if the Syrophenician's daughter w

na closer to her heart

hing, that every time you pray you will remember my son, and ask God to preserve him in his wanderings, a

ou have family prayer, and let all the household join in praying for the absent master. I think it would be such a blessi

t a little while, and

up prayers before the family. I can pray for

ond pause, and

e willing to condu

morning and evening sacrifices; so it seems to me family prayer is such a beautiful offering on the altar of the hearthstone. If you do not wish to pray yourself, you could read a p

d. I will tell Mr. Hammond that I could not spare you. Beside, I want you to help me arrange some valuable relics belonging to my son, and now that I think of it, he told me he wished you to use

drawers of the cabinets. As she crossed the room tears fell on the costly trifles, and finally she approached the beautiful miniature temple and stooped to look at the fastening. She selected the smallest key o

rgotten to leave

o pick up a heavy cornelian seal that ha

arble temple in

s oriental fancies. I presume he uses

key with you when

eks since he brought this gem from the East. I must write to hi

i mysteries now suddenly took possession of Edna, as she looked wonderingly at the shining fag

rcumstances which not only rendered it her duty to pray for the wanderer but necessitated her keeping always

n, and gave the reason for her absence, she noticed that Mr. Hammo

n! So far, far away fro

ere he stood for some time, and when he returned to his ar

top to tell y

room, as I now teach you. But for fifteen years he has not crossed my threshold, and yet I never

ad, and Edna saw tears in his

he finest intellect I have ever met among living men; but it is unsanctified-worse still, it is dedicated to the work of scoffing at and blaspheming the truths of

nged him

about the time it was finished he went off to college. When he returned he avoided me, and has never yet been inside of the costly church which his taste and his

is he not a ve

sent irreligious state I hear that he has grown bitter and sour and illiberal. Yet, however repulsive his manner may be, I can not believe that his nature is utterly perv

her teacher was inattentive, and the heavy sighs that passed his lips almost unconscio

ily Prayers which she wished to purchase for Mrs. Murray, and the pa

uidance in the difficult position in which you are placed, and your influence for good in Mrs. Murray's family may be beyond all computation." Laying his hands on her head, he continued tremulously: "O my God! if it

e room, before she could even ca

nd autumn have no affinities-age has generally no sympathy for the gushing sprightliness, the eager questioning, the rose-hued dreams and aspirations of young people; and youth shrinks chilled and constra

es so favorable her progress was almost unprecedentedly rapid, furnished matter of surprise to no one who was capable of estimating the results of native genius and vigorous application. Mrs. Murray watched t

every earnest soul and honest, profound thinker these ontologic questions would sooner or later demand audience, he wisely placed her in the philosophic palaestra, encouraged her wrestlings, cheered her on, handed her from time to time the instruments and aids she needed, and then, when satisfied that the intellectual gymnastics had properly tra

od, nearer and nearer to the portals of that mystic temple of womanhood, on whose fair fretted shrine was to be offered a