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Ir was a pleasant morning in the month of April, and the sun shone down brightly upon the humid earth, as though it rejoiced in being able again to pierce the cumbrous clouds that for many weeks past

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had so thickly enshrouded it from view; and now, along the clear expanse of azure, it sailed in all its springtide glory, which a few white fleecy clouds that at long intervals chased each other slowly across the sky failed even momentarily to darken. And the tiny spring flowerets were invigorated by its beams, and they raised their diminutive heads from beneath their winter coverlets, unclosed their shadowy petals, and looked up to the subordinate source of their well-being with indescribable satisfaction; while others, less aspiring (bright tokens of humility), drooped their fragrant heads beside the parent stem, and strove to hide their beauty under their glossy leaves. Yet all displayed to the eye of the florist, and the admirer of nature, a brilliant corolla of rainbow hues, though in some instances of so delicate and fragile a texture that a blast of wind might shatter, or a footstep crush, and leave no vestige of its beauty.

"What a beautiful morning it is!" exclaimed Emily Dorine, as she tripped lightly over the beautifully undulated grounds of Hatherston. "Ob, it seems so pleasant to see a fine day once more, after so much wet weather; but I can't half enjoy it alone, so I shall just run over and ask Johnny Thurlow to come and help me to gather wild flowers in the woods." And absorbed in the prospect of the pleasure to be afforded by this anticipated ramble, she bounded on with increased rapidity, while her long curls streamed lightly in the wind, and her cheeks glowed with health and exercise.

And very happy indeed she looked when about ten minutes after she stood panting for breath beneath the shadow of a stately elm, among the upper branches of which the blackbird, the thrush, and the robin seemed vying with each other in warbling forth

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their sprightliest airs, as a lively welcome to returning spring. And, as she stood there, they brought back vividly to Emily's recollection one memorable evening, nearly a year ago, when she had roamed with her dear mamma over the pleasant fields and coppice of her own loved home in search of wild flowers. How sweetly and melodiously the little songsters then raised their tuneful notes in concert from the wild green woodlands! How lovely all nature looked clad in its early summer vesture! And how gloriously and majestically did the brilliant orb of day retire to rest behind the western hills! and what a rich flood of golden light did he cast upon the surrounding landscape! She remembered it all so well because her mamma had admired it, and expatiated on its beauties, and from them had striven to direct her daughter's mind to the great Creator of a scene so lovely. Ah! how little she then thought that that would be the last walk they should ever take together, for she did not know that the deep bloom of colour which she often noticed on her mother's face bespoke declining health, and was attributable to the hectic fever that was burning within, and slowly but surely destroying life and vigour. Yet such was autumn winds

the case and when the ruthless swept the leaves from the trees, they scattered them brown and withering over a newly-made grave in the churchyard, where all that was mortal of Emily's mother had been recently deposited by the side of her husband, who had been killed by a fall from his horse more than two years before, and together they were now awaiting the resurrection at the last great day.

The reminiscence was a sad one, and a shadow like a summer cloud gathered upon Emily's countenance, that a few minutes before had reflected only what

was bright and joyous; and she raised her handkerchief to her eyes to wipe away the blinding tears that would come in spite of all her efforts to restrain them, for the sunniest days of her life were already passed away, for the stern uncle to whose sole guardianship she had latterly been consigned was too much engrossed with business to have any time or attention to bestow on his little orphan niece, whose warm affectionate nature greatly needed more sympathetic kindness than it was in his power or inclination to give, for the silken cords of love had never united uncle and niece very closely together.

Soon rested, Emily again pursued her walk, though with a slower step and a sadder heart; but the natural buoyancy of her spirits had well-nigh returned, when she swung back the little wicket on its hinges, and stooped to inhale the fragrance of the clusters of snowdrops and crocuses that flanked the path on each side that led up to the door of the cottage. Evidently this was not the abode of wealth and opulence, for it possessed little to attract attention save its neat and trim appearance; yet it was no child of poverty that gently raised the latch and entered the clean and spotless kitchen, secretly wondering that Johnny's merry laugh or cheerful voice had not already saluted her expectant ears.

The room was quite deserted, and looked rather dull and gloomy, for one of the shutters was closed, and the light that stole in through the other was partially obscured by a large laurel bush that grew close to the window, but when swayed to and fro by the breeze occasionally suffered a few bright streaks of sunshine to pierce through. The fire, too, had well-nigh expired on the hearth, leaving little to tell of its past greatness save a heap of smouldering ashes, from which life and heat seemed rapidly

waning for the want of a fresh supply of fuel, which it did not seem likely to obtain, as not a single sound beyond the ticking of the clock could be heard, however faintly or indistinctly, to tell of the whereabouts of its inmates, if indeed it possessed any, though Emily listened very attentively, and then paced the floor backwards and forwards with as much noise as her little feet could make; but finally, yielding to despair on finding that all her efforts to attract attention were equally useless, she seated herself in the window seat to wait till she was discovered, while a sort of gloomy foreboding of something she knew not what took possession of her mind.

Presently, a door on the opposite side of the room gently opened, and Mrs. Thurlow stepped noiselessly in; but the expression of pleasure that lighted up Emily's countenance on seeing her, died away in an instant as she observed the look of deep sadness and sorrow that was depicted on that mother's face.

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though there was no open demonstration of grief, no traces even of recent tears in her eyes, it was evident that some dire calamity had crushed some cherished earthly hope, and threatened to cast a shadow on her future pathway.

With the unnatural calmness of a sorrow too deep to resolve itself in tears, she sank into a chair near the fireplace, and fixed her dark eyes wildly and vacantly upon the decaying embers, without seeming in the least conscious of Emily's presence, or, if conscious, other weightier matters had so completely engrossed her attention as to render her a subject for neither a word of welcome or inquiry.

"Oh, what is the matter, dear Mrs. Thurlow?" whispered Emily, as she advanced towards her, and gently laid her hand on the poor woman's shoulder.

But Mrs. Thurlow did not answer, did not move a

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