deliberately lifted the lid of the stove and threw them in, thereby performing the rite of cremation of Rulus —gave D&n. a shove backward that set him down in.'the wood-box, and rushed out to look after her clothes.

That was her last novel, and Hobbs still wears his old over coat. Poor Hobs !

Mrs. Brandford's Guest.

A TALE OF NARRAaANSETT

PIBKS,

BY JUDITH KILSYCDH de RUYTBK.

'Lenore.' A face was turned toward Mrs. Brandford, and two large, sod, mellow eves met the view of Mrs. Brandford's

guest. ' This is Mr. Darcy, l.enore.' The tall, graceful figure arose from the chair, and the dainty musliu dress swept off it diaphanous folds, whilst the blue ribbons in the golden hair bewildered Mrs. Brandford's guest with their daintiness

'I hope you like Narragansett? asked Lenore, in a dreamy way. Her thoughts were not with the glory of the sea, dashing up against the rocks, or with the summer skies, but far away from Mr. JLJarcy, Mrs. Brandford, or the lovely spot where "Fate had decreed she was to spend the summer. Mr. Davcy saw it, as he replied — 'As for the place itself, nature has been lavish with it, but one cannot judge of its characteristics so early in the season.'

' It is,' spoke Lenore, ' so odd to be here before any one else. The hotels are like vast, haunted castles, iv which one imagines all sorts of ghosts of the Past. Mrs. Brandford has secured a pleasant cottage, has she not ?' ' Yes. There is a fine view from its windows. A.re you stopping near here ?' ' My quarters are at Taylor's,1 replied Lenore.

The soft, dreamy look stole over the perfect face once again, a look wherein Lenore seemed struggling with some inward grief, and Mr. JDarcy turned toward Mrs. Braudford, mentally observing that civilities over, conver sation would be a bore to this strange woman, whom he could not fathom. As he turned, Lenore sank back in her chair relieved, and gazed off at the sea. Hiram Darcy did not disturb her mood, but talked with Mrs. Brand ford unconstrainedly. They spoke of the people expected at Narragansett Pier, and as one name was' mentioned, Lenore turned suddenly, her face lighting up with a quick loos of joy. Mr. Darcy remarked this, and remem bered it later.

Rising gracefully soon alter, Lenorc Hastings lifted her shade hat troin the table, and with a courteous 'good morning,' stole avvay. 'A queer girl,' said Mrs. Brandford, 'but a great belle hers in the season. Although she appears so quiet, there is no one at tho Pier who possesses her fund of small talk upon occasions, or her stock of sentiment which wins men's hearts, after all, more than any thing else.' ' Is Miss Hastings alwas quiet when there is no one by to captivate ?' spoke Mr- Darcy, somewhat sneeringly. 'Take care,'reolied Mrs. Brandford, raising a warning finger, ' Lenore understands her subjects. Be assured she is acting in the very way to fas cinate a man like you '

' Pshaw ! I am proof against her wiles! By-the-bye, Mva. Brandford, do you think silence and abstraction are interesting to mo ?'

' Lenore sees you are a person to be won by indifference. Therefore she assumed the indifferent at once.'

' Well,' spoke Mr. Darey, warmly, * Miss Hastings will find me a difficult subject to deal with. In the first place, I detest blondes. They possess no character, are vain, insipid, posi tively unbearable. Secondly, I have seen too much of foreign society, not to understaud the wiles of its trans- Atlantic imitators.'

1 You are down on America as usual. I must not raise the lion. J ere is Mr. Brandford. Let him discuss the political situation with you to distract your attention.' Laughing gaibj, Mrs. Braudford arose, and so the morning passed away to Hiram Darcey.

The next day proving cold and gloomy, Mr. Darey started on a walk upon the Bocks. He had sauntered some distance when, looking up sud denly, he saw before him the figure of a woman, dressed in black, whose features were concealed by a heavy veil. He did not at once recognize Lenors Hastings, but, as the stately head was bent in salutation, he Btop

ped involuntarily, half turned' away angrily, then thinking his .behaviour discourteous, held out his hand saying, ■' You are so concealed by your veil, I scarcely recognized you.' ; A voice, in which he imagined there were traces of tears replied:

' It is a cool day, and 1 am a martyr to neuralgia Are you fond of walk ing?' 'Jama great pedestrian.' ' Well,' said Lenore, 'so am I, upon these bleak, autumnal days, when the air is so bracing. Ido not,' she spoke suddenly, 'understand myself lately; however, as everything seems so stupid stale and unprofitable to me.' She shrugged her shoulders, drew her shawl about her, and, stopping, seated herself upon the flocks, whereat Hiram Darcy felfc there was no alternative bub for him to place himself by her side. Mrs. Brandford was nowhere around. Why should he not study this strange psychological problem, by name Lenore Hastings ? 'Do you mean that your walk to-day has, been unpleasant?' « Dry, uninteresting, like everything else. I have exhausted life at my age, fancy it!' ' There is a screw loose somewhere. You are not a woman to yield to ennui easily—you are too excitable !' ' Oh, you mistake me !' said lenore clasping her hands gracefully upon her lap, and looking up at him with her soft, sad eyes. ' I wish 1 wore fond of excitement, but I am too quiet, I assure you.' ' Did you come thus early to the Pier to be away from the world then ?' 'Yes; but I am not happy even hero.' ' Pardon me,' said Mr. Darcy, as he scrutinized the face through, the veil, searchingly, ' but I am assured that there is some disappointment in life which has caused your ennui.' 'Disappointment! Everything disap points me. iam ivearied of disappoint ments. There is no friendship, no love, no truthfulness to life.'

'You offer the best refutation of that theory that can be found.' 'I?' looking up innocently out of her blue eyes. ' What can you mean ?' ' I will tell you some time.' <Why not now?'

' Became I do not know you suffi ciently well.' ' flow strange ! I feel as though I had known you such a long, long time ! Tell me, do I. appear to you to be a deep study ?'

' I hope you are not all upon the surface !'

' Shocking !' from Lenore, with the prettiest gesture of horror. 'I hope not, I am sure.'

Silence a moment or so, during which Miss Hastings looked off towards Point Judith lighthouse, meditatively. Mr. Darcy thought he saw through her easily, and came to the conclusion that she knew of his exalted position as a good matrimonial parti, and was ' set ting hor cap' for him, as the phrase goes, Well, she should not win !He was a man of resolve, and he had resolved upon this ! He already saw that she was in love with some one else, perhaps this Caleb Atherley, at the mention of whose anticipated visit to the Pier, he had seen her face light up with such animation ; yet, evideutly, she was ambitious, and had set herself to work to capture his purse-strings. Notwithstanding his virtuous indig nation, Mr. Darcy saw Lenore home over the Rocks, and as ho conducted hor past the portals of Mrs. Brand ford's house, his bearing was in no wise cowardly, but; that of a cavalier ser vante, proud of his ladye fair. At the gate of Mrs. Brandford's garden stood her -nephew, a pale-faced, grave young man, who wore a student air. A crutch was under one arm, for James Ken nedy had boon lame from his birth. As hs saw Lenore, he bowed gravely, a slight flush passing over his face.

' Do you think we are going to have a storm ?' he asked, pointing toward the east, where the clouds were black.

' I think we are,' replied Mr. Darey, and then he and Lenore passed on.

' Do you like Mr. Kennedy?' asked Miss Hastings abruptly.

' He is a very nice sort of a fellow, quiet and reserved, and what women call interesting.'

Lenore nodded her head, and spoke 110 more on the subject. Soon after, she and Mr. Darey entered Taylor's, and at the drawing-room window found the mother of Lenore sitting listlessly. 1 Mr. Darey, mamma' spoke Miss [Tastings in her sweetest tones. The presentation was acknowledged with an air of interest, Mrs. Hastings turn ing sharp, eagle eyes upon the man before her. He saw the sudden, keen

—— " : i ' -i s ' interest, and imagined hefktfvri cause. The mother, as wjll & tfc_ daughter, was fully aware o^higjfnpor tance in a matrimonial poiflt ot view. Mrs. Hastings was a keen Be* *■<>**■ woman, well "drilled in t)e« tactics. Mr. Darcy had met tb9 type before, women who set up, a golden calf and worshipped it zealoisl* ' I am delighted to nieec Mr. J^arcy, spoke the society voice, and She? ore seemed to shrink awaym^ae_of her apathetic moods, and left the mother to do the entertaining. From that time forth ..he inealstrom foamed about Hiram Darcj, and he found himself utterly unab.e to keep away from the fascinating presence of. Lenore Hasting.. Meaiwhile the season advanced, and Natfagan sett Pier was crowded with guests Taylor's was filled with a gay party of young people, and Qeunans, tableaux, teas on the Jiocks represented but a small portion of the gayefcy of the occasion. Caleb Atherley had arrived, and it appeared, was a,,.dstant connection of Miss Hastings,"4s well as her guardian. Did no neartr tie exist ? He was a man of fascirating presence, and, although his hah was snow-white,, which betokened his age, he was called a handsome man, and was even yet a desperate lady-killer. Lenore Hastings' deportment toward him was rather that of a dependent child than a woman who loved him, yet Hiram.Darcy was fiercely jealous, and told himself time and again that he was not deceived. Since Mr. Arthe ley's advent, Lenore had beei a different person.- She was the brightest Allegra one could imagne, and the quiet, subdued Penserosa was seen no more. The men at the .'ier fairly worshipped Miss Hastings, md it was considered the height ot blis to be able to catch a walk on the Itaks with her of an afternoon, or a daice iv the evening, or even a word-orsoat

any time,

During all this period, Mr. Dacy kept the strictest; possible watch upn all her movements, and if she notiied this, she shook off her feeling laufh ingly. She must have seen that she was all in all to this man, whose love could raise her to so grand a position in the world's estimation, but little as people guessed it, Lenore did not ca:e : , ; for the world.

One day, Mrs. Brondford gave a croquet party. The cottage was decor ated with flowers, and the grounds hung with flags. A.t three o'clock, or thereabouts, gay couples might be seen wending their way along the pavement in front of the hotels toward the scene of the approaching festivities. Len ore came with Caleb Atherley, aad she hung on to his protecting arm smiling brightly, and talking in the merriest possible strain. Mr. Darcy stood ai the side of Mrs. Brandford to help her dispense her hospitalities. His face had lost for a moment its haughty, conceited look, and instead wis filled with a desperate sort of glean, which betokened some fierce inward struggle. Lenoro, noticing this, stopped in her giddy talk, turning towards Mrs. Brandford's guest compassionately : ' V.on are looking just a little absent,' she said. ' What is the cause ?'

A voice choked with emotion re plied— ' If you will allow me, I shall tell you to-day !'

Lenore drew away quickly, a strange pained look stealing over her face. As she drew away, some one spoke to her in a quiet voice. It was James Ken nedy, and. as she wandered off with him, Hiram Darcy watched her move ments with an eye, filled with the deepest expression of adoration. Le nore had so gentle, womanly a look as she walked by the lame man's side! Slowly, gracefully she walked, accom modating her steps to his. He looked down at her pleasantly, and at that moment Hiram Darcy observed how very handsome a man he was. During his stay at Mrs. Bx^andford's he had never fraternized much with Mrs. Brandford's nephew. The latter was always reading, and once, as he picked up the book he had just laid aside, be read upon it the title of some deep religious work, and Mrs. Brandford had once observed casually that' Mr Kennedy had wished to be a, clergy man, but was'debarred from adopting this profession by his infirmity.' He at present occupied some position in Mr. Brandford's ' counting-house,- and and was at liarragansett upon his srnrnmer vacation.

Darcy was busied attending to one guest and another, and not until he was deep in a game "of croquet, did he have an opportunity to speak to Lenore. Then she looked up ab him with a

stranM Pained look, quite new to him. Whafr'iould. it mean i? ' Yoi promised once to tell me what you mb-u-t by saying that I waa a refutal°n of owu- theory of tlie world |eing devoid of frendship or love. U' you consider that you know mo suficiently well, tell me it now !' But^arcy only smiled forcedly, aad turned away

< I ciunofc,' he said. 'It would have been bisfc had I told you then. .Sow it is inpossible.' ' Di{ you thmk/ said Leuore, ' that there yas any one that I was pining about!"

' Yes.'

MisJ Hastings played with her croquet mallet persively. Never had her fare looked so beautifully as to-day Her gßac, glorious eyes, with a light of hapjuuess, into which, strangely enough had come a look at' pain, gazed Oufc in their bewildering glory to iiirain Darcy. The delicate white dress trimmed with yellow ribbons, and the yellow hair curling upon Lenore's forhead underneath her stylish posed Panama, with its India scarf fluttering in the air, made a lovely picture. One would have said to see Lenore that she was of the world, worldly, and would never have given her craditjfor the feeling of womaoly love, a,nd womanly pity aud remorse, with which she was momently torn to-day.

Hiram Darcy leaned toward Lenore, and gazed at her beseechingly.

' Was I mistaken ?' he asked

' No,' spoke Lenore, turning away from him, and pressing her hands to gether ass though the words gave her pain. By a strong effort of will, Mr. Darcy controlled himself, and spoke again. ' I understand you,' he said, ' and I suppose I may now congratu late you upon the successful finale of your hopes ?' Blushing deeply, Lenore nodded her head in the affirmative, and then arose to play croquet.

It is useless to attempt to portray Hiram Darcy's feelings at this moment. He was a man desperately fin love desperately scorned. He had begun by attributing to the object of his affection mercenary motives, which made him sure of winning her. Spite the love he had imagined she bore to another man, he had counted upon her woiidlinesa to make sure of his own success as a suitor. In the moment of what was a virtual refusal of him self; he loved Lenore more madly than, ever.

But Mr. Darcy was a man of the world, and lie hid his feelings most successfully. He at once attached himself to a rival "beauty of Lenpre's a bruriette of dazzling charms.

After the croquet battle was con cluded, and a dainty collation was in process of demolition, Mr. Darcy sougH Lenore's side once again. ' You have taught me/ he said, ' a lesson for which I thank you.'

Lenore looked up surprisedly.

'1 was a conceited, absurd fellow, and you saw it. You are sorry now you ever flirted with me, because you think you encouraged me only to cause me pain in the end; but you have 'shown mo that all women are not mercenary, and although it is now too late for me to expect to find a woman to love me "with the same ardor with which you can love another than me, I am glad to know that the world is capable of disinterested affection.' *-# * ,# # , # * *

Just then some one spoke to Le nore, and she turned, smiling brightly at the sound of the voice.

She replied to the question asked of her, and then, looking up at the questioner, said — ' James, Mr. Darcy knows our secret, and if you choose, other people may discover it now.' Mr. Darcy looked at Mr Kennedy strangely, then held out his hand, and shaking that of Lenore's successful lover warmly, he said lrusHly—

' I congratulate you sincerely.'

The nest day Mrs. Brandford's guest left Narragansett, and as Lenore Hastings saw the stalwart form disappear on top of the stage down the road, she bent her head, and wept bitterly. 11 am so sorry that I encouraged him, for it was very wrong of me/ Then his words come to her, and she felt she was forgiven. ' I hope he will forget all abont me,' she thought, ' and meet with some girl who will make his life happy, for, after all, there is something more than the travelled coxcomb about him, as I once imagined him to be.'

We are obliged lo confess that the summer skies had scarcely smiled upon

another season at Narragansett, g,.,1 Hiram Darc'y was the^e once agai' " but this time with tho sweetest 1 the sun ever shone upon, a 1 plucked freshly from the fields. ' ?£[ Lenore Kennedy took the pr^Mj!;. '. girl to her heart of hearts, and ]{•» V: needless to say that the past is f O . ? gotten, yet that the strange lessons | taught still hold their sway with T^j Brandford's former guest.

Punch's Phrophecies for 1876.

Punch's prophecies for 1876.—A. g r i ; many people will marry ia haste, jfof proceed to enjoy the delightful sensation known as ' repenting at leisure.' Af« will marry afc leisure and repent in ] las (. There will be several railway accidents Some explosions (domestic and otherwise'1 may be looked for. Lots of young a e |! will -have difficulties with their latchkeys about 2a. m. There will be some change! of Goverment in Prance. A lot of people will write bad novels. A lot more people will be intensely bored by reading tV same. Many people will send contribut ions to Punch, which will be rejected,' Many people will therefore hate, abuse! and loathe Punch for the remainder c[? their lives.

How to Prevent Striks.

An interesting festival, was recently held at Creuzot, the vast iron works of M. Schneider, so long the admiration of on-lookers for his tact and wit as President of the Legislative body under theenipire after thedeath of the Duke de Moray. Le Creuzot is a sort of model establishment, the work-people having a share in the profits over and above theit wages; and M. Schneider, seconded by his son, having built excellent houses for them, provided with gardens and various conveniences, schools, reading-rooms, theatre, a savings-bank, sick-clubs and many other excellent institutions, The • solemnity' in question was the in. au«;uratation of a new ' quarter' of the great inaustrial domain, with 300 work, men's houses, schools, &c, There was a substantial lunch, follewed by a few speeches; the whole domain was gaily 'decked out with flags and wreaths, and the day's excitements concluded with dancing in the large and handsome hall ;| that serves as a lecture and concert room, \ &c. Strikes are absolutely unknown at | Oreuzot.

Varieties.

A Franklin, Ky., man lately took a ilve bee into his mouth along with some honny, He then reflected —' Chew bee or not chew bee, that is the question,'—here his tongue happened to touch the hot end of the aggres- Bive insect, and he decided negatively.

There are glasses and glasses.—'What,1 said a husband to his wife, * are you always looking in the glass ?' ' Because, my dear,' was the answer, ' the glass I look into enables me to improve my appearance while that which you look into spoils yours.

A stalwart, burly Democrat, who. has desired to see his name on the pay-roll of Congress, in consideration of light servicos, was rewarded recently by the appointment of ' custodian of the flag.' His duty was to hoist the flag over the hall of the Honse at the hour of meeting, and to lower it promptly 1 after the adjournment. Rejoiced over his good fortune, he was on hand one day, and taking the ' Stars and Stripes.' he started for the flag-staff on the roof a few xniautes before noon. But ' there's many a slip' between 'an appointment and an office,'and so, on reaching the garret he found that he | could not sqeeze himself up through the small scuttle-holo. No prisoner bent on-J escape, ever tried harder to contract Hs|| dimensions, but it was in vain. At last he " was forced to give it up, and a more slender Democrat has been appointed ' custodian of the flag.'

Party with cold ia his head to party opposite(referring to open window in railroad 1 car) —'Say, widyou shub up that widow?' Middle aged female in weeds, who had been, talking the last half hour, turning round indignantly, ' What do you mean, sir? ,It : is ajpretty how-de-do when a woman can't I open her mouth ! I'll have you to know you jj can't shut me up I' Sensation.

Believe not those who much possess the only lords of happiness: Bub rather he who rightly knows to use the gift 3 that God . bestows: Who, cheerful, poverty can bear, and more than death, dishonor fear: Who life's last drop would freely spend, to save hii country, or his friend.

Says Gerfcie : I wish I had lived in the time of William the Conquerer, Annie. Annie: Why, love? Gertie: Because then we j should not have had so much history to i learn and we should not have had to learn ' the names of all those vvive3 of Kins Henry VIII.

One of the sad trials of woman's life ia keeping dinner waiting for a husband. An elderly D.inbury lady lias a remedy for this. She says she sita down to eat as soon as the meal is ready, and then he is sure to come. 'A watched pot,' she gracefully ob ' never biles.'

serves,

Squaring the yards—Paying for a dress pattern. A bad place to receive a blow- Temple place. A good thing to keep ' out' cold—lee. The old maid says that leap year doesn't suitor as ib did when she was young. Men of tast—Free ltinchers. A counterfit— The money draer,. The way that most people eat apples is a coreshun.

Printed and Publisliod by the Proprietor, Henry Brett, of Parnoll, at his General Steam Printing Office, Wyndham-street, in the City of Auckland New Zealand: - Saturday, July 1, 1876 ~

JffivenUig1 B£t*ur fcsuLpplei»e*fc* Jul^i 1 ' 187^