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 sudden elevation, nor ambition to seek higher honors. What she deemed most noble he appeared to be.

Mr. Livingston could not overcome his natural aversion to the man, neither did Mr. Carleton feel quite easy at the intimacy existing between him and Miss Blanche, but he was wary of his opportunities and in the moat nonchalant manner discussed with her, when they met, plans that he knew would meet her approbation.

He watched her kindling eye and repressed enthusiasm with suppressed emotion, never for a moment betraying the concealed purpose of his soul. Imperceptibly her life glided into a fairy dream where all sense of beauty and promptings of duty were so magically blended that the roses which bloomed in her pathway were divested of their thorns, ever winning the purest homage given to girlish innocence and true womanly charms. A May day Festival was held on the Scripture plan of inviting the poor and the unfortunate, which originated with these devoted ladies who, during the previous six months, had labored so assiduously in their behalf. Speeches were made of the usual complimentary character, but foremost among them all for its disinterestedness and graphic flights of eloquence was that of Mr. Carleton. It was an ambrosial treat to Grace Blanche whose artistic taste for all that was beautiful lent her a keen appreciation of the divine gift of oratory. She had yet to learn that it, no less than music, may be bestowed upon the voluptuary as well as the saint.

He watched the rapture with which she hung upon his lips, and measured the probabilities of the present