Mrs. Geoffrey

falling on the woodland paths, and the trees are throwing out their last bright autumn tints o

ature has built to receive them. The soothing voices of the air are growing louder, more full of strength; the branches of the elms bow down b

ightly turns to thoughts of love;" yet it is in the autumn that our

t slowly but surely are winding themselves around him,-steel bands, decked out and hidden by perfumed flowers. As yet he feels no pang; and

hould fall a victim to the innocent wiles of a little merry Irish girl of no family whatever, seems too improbable even of belief, however lovely beyond description thi

owed by the gods;" Theophrastus says it is

ain and dou

oss that fad

ieth when first

ss that's bro

d, a gloss, a

roken, dead wi

expression, which varies with each passing thought, changing from "grave to gay, from lively to severe," as the soul within speaks to it, that her chief charm dwells. She is never quite the same for two minu

ither her, no

inite v

ines come to me

rhaps because of it,-has proved delightful in his sight. Here coveys come upon one unawares, rising out of fields when least expected, and therefore when discovered possess all the novelty

as grown quite familiar with the gentry around) "is without, an' would like to spake wid him." Need I rem

a gracious nod. Mickey instantly removes his caubeen and tells "his honor" (regardless of the fact that his honor can tell this for himself) that "it is a gran' fine day,"

n general and grouse in particular, finishing up with the announcemen

an' as full o' corn as i

, though he plainly feels it his duty to make a face at it as he swallows it off neat. And then Geoffrey sallies forth and goes for the promised covey, follo

e eaten by that little gourmand with the rarer pleasure that in her secret heart she knows that

blackberry-bushes that are throwing out leaves of brilliant crimson and softe

dering in the land where love holds sway, because he is empty-handed. The bo

think of any decent excuse that may enable him to walk with a bold front up to the cottage door. But

a young woman whom he had seen happy and robust on Tuesday. But the trial is not successful, and he is almost on the point of flinging up the argument a

has expressed for it the keenest admiration. Oh! blissful remembrance! She

dwelling (already she is "she"), and triumphantly, albeit humbly, lay the fern at her feet

looks around him to see by what means he shall gain possession of this luc

desired end. It is indeed slim to a fault, and unsatisfactory to an alarming degree, but it must do, and Geoffrey, swinging

e slimy rock that holds the desired treasure, it can be gained; but with a lazy desire to keep his boots dry, he clings to

e would think I was speaking of a tooth! but this is by the way), from its native home, when cr-r-k goes something; th

. Having watched the (seemingly) light catastrophe from afar, and being apparently amused by it, she now gives way to unmistakable mirth and laughs aloud. When Mona laughs, she does it with all her heart, the correct method o

look creeps into her eyes, and, hastening forward, she reaches the bank of the stream and gazes into it. Rodney is lying face

etermination settles upon her lips, so prone to laughter at other times. Sitting on the bank, she draws off her

ded and fair as those of any court dame, beneath Rodney, she lifts him, and, by a suprem

thes her name. Once again he is trying to reach the distant fern; once again it eludes his grasp. He has it; no, he hasn't; yet, he has. Then at last he wakes to the fact that he has in

othing less than a "poor creature" to lose consciousness and behave like a silly girl for so slight a cause. And something else he feels. Above and beyond everything is a sense of utter h

it bleeds still," says Mona, with a should

pretending (hypocrite that he is) to be still ov

d a rich accession of coloring, that renders her

sh that kindles

ttle loves and

ct that no one else is near, betra

o regard her earnestly, though very loath to quit the

r eyes. Feeling herself discovered, she makes her confession slowly, without looking at him, and with an

you drown I would? I-I didn't want you to find out; but"-quick

taken her hand. "Nevertheless, though, as you say, I am but one in the c

ilfulness, perhaps pride

purposely mistaking his meaning: "

e more than water," returns he,

ing on the grass with her gown spread carefully around her. "Or perhaps"-reluctantl

shall, if you w

s Scully, hastily. "I sha

ares he, easily. "The day is fortunately warm: da

her with impatient fingers, her mind

ntly, "you would do what I say.

, and I'll stay til

't," f

in a surp

prefer st

ht have said so long ago, without all this hinting," says M

grily; "and if you insist on the truth, if I must explain

t all now. Stepping into that hateful stream to save me, you inj

n. "You mistake everything. I have not even a scratch on me; and-

ance he might perhaps at this juncture have made a mild request that he might be allowed to assist in the lacing or buttoning of her sho

s woodland goddess. "I am sic

ey, very humbly. "I beg your pardon a

ce, to return his parting salutation, and, looking at him, sees a tiny spot

, everything! Springing to her little naked feet, she goes to him, a

"I am sure-I am certain-it is a worst wound than

ept you," says Mr. Rodney, truthfully. "Even

ly?" asks Mo

stly,

y, "and when my shoes and stockings are on I'll go home wi

, Mona having got into her shoes, she tells him he is at liberty to follow her

efully; "and such a pretty gown, too. I don't think I ever saw you looking swee

h her old gay laugh. "You compel me to retaliate. Just look a

they both laugh, with the happy enjoyment of youth, at their ow

ridge before mentioned he sto

ame I shall always cal

rs, "No. How shoul

e poet says of her w

She has grown a little pale,

er is to

but her

made her

made sie

s something in it almost startling, so

first to rec

s, quietly. "But I do not know th

e but dignified

t Coolnagurtheen," he says, somewha

e faintest hesitation, which but enhances the value of the pe