" Hates you. Nd^par-, I amWe h;e Vill come back sooh to claim 'your loi|e. _ \ .. ■ She did not speak Mf-'" J# gjSB was rivotted on I stately sh> P that was beating into havon W \ U\V'°™S the North Head. I saw Ijnab-theyefebg; would take more than an' hour to come up : and eat down W wait Ethel's;P^re. patiently. She seemed fully occupied ; _ She Bad already, as was her dkily wont, searched the empty crevice in the tree. >

I was very weary and fell asleep. How long I slept I could nob tell. I was suddenly awakened by a shrill, prolonged shriek and saw Ethel's white figure flying, as it were, terror stricken from some wild beast towards the rocks where lay the deep water. A oian ■ followed her, but he seemed, almost unable to keep speed with her. She reached the rocks, tossed up her white arms, and threw herself into the sea ; the man dived in after her. For a moment "I could not utter a sound. Then I called to the Maoris; they too had heard the cry and were running to the spot. Several of them plunged in and, at last—it seemed to me an eternity—Ethel and the man were brought on shore. ■ They were struggling violently, the Maoris said, he to save her, she to drag himjtader that they both might drown. w j It was hard to unclasp the clench of the strong, muscular hand. 1 did nob notice the man's face.; he breathe^ that I knew ; but Ethel, tho. one object of my solicitude. Oh, why had I slept? It was no time for reasoning or self-reproach. Maori women ; ran hither and thither, filling tho air with their whining lamentations, whilst others tried with me all in their power to restore life. It> was vain. People came from the, town jfrad carried her home. Neighbours comel|l|to help and console, but insuch moments words are idle, and I begged them all to leave me. *I watched alone. 1,1 Ethel's beauty had a subtle power in life, it awed one in death. It had never been earthly. I

wag asking from niyselfi an account, of my negligence. My thoujfcts\oppfessed- me; the nio-bt was warm. jjljbened the window. • Someone spoke., " MisiTSfcavely?" "Who calls ?" I nervously asked, and yet I might as well have said^ "Come in, Mr Everard," the voice was familiar as ;if I had heard it yesterSay. I opened the door. It was he, George Everard- His hand trembled with emotion, and his touch vibrated through and through me. ~ ; ','.,-:. ;, •'• It is not a time for me to ask you in, Mr Everard," I said;," you have come at a terrible moment. .'.' ~:■., , "Is it true V' he asked.;.'." is there, no hope? Miss Ramsay, I mean." "Miss Ramsay is dead. I do not know how it happened. Drowned- ( J think, she must hav^ailen off the rocks—some man! tried to gather." .. ■ : .•.-_.;- r isJ 5V12 : "Someman? Didyou-nofcknpwra'e,febert?! You were both under the tree;,when ?^:.ap proached, and Miss Kamsay screamed'when she saw me and fled tQthe?sea. Jnthetown they have told me that she is better! dead, ; that she was mad, that! was struggling, with a maniac. Forgive me for coming, to youi nowj.?! His voice faltered j, his wprds failed, :and I saw the agony that^ook the strong man. ', -W- ■■' l ■ ,-.,•*• -J Pity and. love urged me draw him _in, ,and ■ yet I tunied upon him with .all a woman's! vehemence. I reproached Tijm %itli 'M^lig ] toyed with and destroyed,this young h'&irt. I told him all 1 had observed, how^Ethers' love for himhfid consumed her very !bmiii. Asfconishmeiit, dismay, despair, seemed to gbupjfy Mm. I went oa and de^ribed hoy I liad seen ,her day after day search ihat crevice in the tree, and how for her sake I had prayed for a letter from Hint v ;fi;Ete spoke at Jasfc. "You wrpjig pie,".he said. "In thtitjetter yoii. sn\v me write tljaj; #phristnias Eye/ohd which EtheJmustJbayo ■^-found,' I to! 4 >her ihap it,was^he las.t she would receive before,l wojild ietiufri' .to iask her from her fath'e-r asjmy bnde. \.Zfys ■ her she was so you n^ that f fc would be bejbfcer ' H for me tißt to writd, fdv'titip Bajd beY father ■ ■ would not allow her to correspond with; P'genblemeh. ; That- tWo-Sh; 6rfc years '\tfM<s. soon be over, and then I tdfS'her al! ;tHat love and-hope can tell., I Bull was 'bMß.l *I j vshould Bave spdkeii id you/to fae^^'atbeVi' I! Ajivo killed,iiei:,.killed kex'.do&iy as qrM tortured her with two years' mental J "

Theforc«i of nis aegnisH fSyjSf came me, and J exclaimed, "lYes, it is, better as itlisf L^better toi herj and better for you, lyif liverdrd. The pfeojjle told you trite, i She Oiad"-lost her reason. There is madness in her family ! Her own ' tnotlifcr I otipe would have destroyed; her^-her only! child— in a ijt> of religious m^Sp Yoti nrntrt leafre me, Mr. Bverfer^; «ntf find c6tatdrt.if yott ■can!". •. *. '■'- ' ",•■; i .:.L- % !;;

Next day there was an inquesty then a sad funeral, and I was a desolate woman. There was no one to live for now. My pupils came back to me. I made efforts to teach them, but ray overtaxed sttength broke down. Through the long illness that followed flowers and books and fruit came daily from an unknown source, and when I recovered there came a letter from George. A very modest letter it -was, alluding briefly to the past and asking me to take compassion on his loneliness, to become his wife. He spoke of what he called my heroic sacrifice of self ; so much do people make of the fulfilment of simple duty put straight before them.: 1 had done nothing but what any trao woman's heart would dictate. However, ! I answered George's letter-; told him I was not strong, and asked him to wait until the pohutakawas were in bloom. . ■■■ ' '•> 'Neath their sheltering shade the " ye 3 " was spoken. They oloomed late that season, and George climbed the tree to get a blossoming spray for me. I heard him exclaim, when in its highest branches, and fluttering rdown at my feet there fell a yellow letter—his letter to Ethel. Then I renieuibered the boys on that memorable night three years .before, and how I heard them say, "hide it higher/ It was, a strange fate, bufi slight Often aro the caufes of serious results. - My hair has turned white long agp. I have tried to train my big boy« toemnla,te

the cle^r-headed, noble-mjnded'hieri wlib; were our parepf colonists^ when each Started fair and bore'&like the burden of the day F6 qilperfluitie^; were theirs, iio yaih:Bhbw; or wasteful consumption theirs, th6u£bf. a genuine- hospitality. We1 ate^'V'ha^ppy people. But I;am idfgressirig; . The'ohuron i in which we were wed has disappeared, the; much revered clergyman has gdne' to Ms! eternal anchorage ; sfcpl:t{j,e jojcl,CbFi|Sttl»aß■ trees remain, silent witnesses of many a lofe's *tdry. flP&ey ■arW- budding ttow. Long tnay they live, and I bud forth pefiCe and good-will1 to all raert and ttnaidenfcl i W

read! 6y tAe Zfff/it 0/ a 87?t«?Z ?a?itern w/u'cA he carried, : < ' : :1 ■■..■'-■■- : ■:{;■■.■',, ■'■ •■

wa %a rm Ud3%§iiqMk'h wntte figure Jwng> :]f>;H'; ; ■ipsf4i}lp.

A CHRISTMAS GREETING.

C^sfpajS£ -. itfayypur cares ■ ' ' In golden flpods of jpybe qrownecT; ' .Forgejbawhilp your wprldjy >Yfir?s»'.'. , ",-,, And send'the briiiimingl^y^-cup rpund, THe feagt is seh.' r Cbmo ypung ana 01d,,".', X'; And laugh awhile at cjiangeless fatß \ . Secure within the Christmas fold, : . Where watchful tpye ?paihWns iae ,ga|e LSfcropg liove,' that livp^in spite of'pare, uJ'^^L^a^jMM^^ 53^f> >Bsss i Our, fitter stiTJe, cojdr despair,". .; ', J' Ctaryairi^lie^ets,'apdifllp fears,, ; ' -i Areiost amidJj6ve*s cloudless "light— v "All fare alike benefath Love's feway1,) !J' Add all are welcomfe-fnone way slight '■'.',■: The wayward eheep.-tbab seefe to stay, >i All fare alike—the old and young, Tile rich and poor, the mean and;great* t cFrpijfl everyjand i= of 'every .tongue, -' :> n' <; | I Fpr.jeiirefuiliove Hiakes s^ide thfeigate; ,' .And; Jed by l«oye> f far'reacbjngjighb - -, •Theycc>in&-^a f 7a^^unnumberea jbhrong, l Whose hearts are tuned, bhisChristmasnight,. : ~Ti?jßiog the eMlesSjChristjnftSigong.'r-f.oi ■

A NEW YEAR WISH.

[■-u! Mibie to a fi»id§piß,wnl1 i«e ,(.; ertrjerf ttf«ci«lß God's blessings day by day. Lkonatos.

SILVER SPRAY. A CHRISTMAS STORY.

jEty Jljfri1 Harris (Jeww Wren), Tlittmca- j

31 te:l Chapter I* f'; :- '■ HRISTMAS j Eve ! What tender me mories are awaken &cl, bytherecur-f rence of the' festive .rea son ! How '*tfie heart ■ ( ,w^ms to \ wards • all __ l hur^anity when brought into such close felb^shlp and sympathy with the Christ-child, the Son of God manifest in the flesh.

Surely, in New Ze&land, surrounded by Nature's fairest scones, caressed by the. warm sunshine and soft zephyrs of an incomparable climate,' living among a pebple. so essentially free from the conventionalities 6i caste or station; surely if 'tis possible to pnd happiness and. content in this world of toil and care, we can find it here in thie favoured island,-arid' realise the truth of the assertion, "All'Uien are brethren." ■ - ;i , These were some of the thoughts that passed thrbugh Mrs Bernard's mind as she «at in her comfortable parlour, resting quietly after her long evening's ramble'with the little ones, in quost of certain Christmas treasures that may be found in Cioodson's Arcade.

"Yes, New Zealand is a beautiful country, and I certainly think Ralph will find him self mistaken in leaving it; I'm sure the climato in Victoria will not suit his fragile young wife, and whatever will he do if any thing happens to hor ? •• said tho good lady as sne crammed tha last "goodie" into Bobbie's stocking, and tied it up with a lorig xsoveted whipcord that should delight" his young eye? tho next morning. The blinds were nob closely drawn, and a weary woman- passing by, happened to glancp in at tho pleasantly furnished room. She stopped a momon(/ and noted tho ox* pre?sion of content on Mrs Bernard's face as she completed her motherly preparations for Chrisfcmaß joyv <■ >r " Suro|y she has up, caro ;" sighed tho poor creature,"-hor lot' is'cast in pleasant pl'aceß. I wonder whether I'shall ever bo happyagain?" a;. .-■.--; ■■•,.: Was it a sudden faintness that seizcij hor ? or was it only the thought of'her own lil'b'a barreness of all Christmas joy, that caused her to reel suddenly. against the. verandah railing, and fall upon tho very threshold of Mrs Bernard's homo?

, ''Dear me,! what is the matter?" cried that lady, Hastily opening the door as plio heard the fall—"Why, suwly the wuman'fi ill, or intoxicated ! I wonder, now, if she is respectable ?" , Poor Mabel- Davison opened her largo dark eyes, afc tho sound of tho lady's voice, and feebly answered,"Yes, ma'am, but mis fortune has overtaken me, and I am very weary to-night." - ' ~*'Poor tiling;" criedMYa Borhard, " she seems very unhappy,* would have thought it? Dear ..me !in this beautiful country-whererno o«e*ought to want for anything." Tenderly 'she raised lief and asafstedlior into tHa houso, where slip soon prepared her some refreshment, and then bade her sit and rtetit awhile. v Bye-and-hye, whan she Was* refreshed and rested, Mabel told her story to her kind hostess :— ;.;■>%■/:"";.■-:'■■■ : ■:-/"'".,

*'iMrs Bernard," she said, "you have befriended mo to-night; just-when I had fivenapfrtjiboipß, a«d the world Bpoihod so ark ana gloomy that my spirit fainted bo rieath it? heavy burden, and longed for death. .Seven years ago I was a happy girl, loving and beloved. The youngest of a faintly of~BoVen,-I trar thismatting' of our homo, and surrounded by every comfort that loving care could supply. My mother died whewj'wjcta■" sev^n yepr/old.'Jltfd" tliis was my tirßtlorfowl Elsio', my eldest ifisfcor, became our fathers-housekeeper, and ex cellentlyehe managed all the various duties devpivmg upon her. We were all edupated at htnme "veer.*" my brother, Harold, who was Rent to Eton, and afterwards entered a military college. IVjfy father was a prosperous me r rchao¥, aha bnV horne1 at' •Wiuthamsto'w was the abode of every luxury; while the poor who sometimes applied to, him for help neve^ met wjih,^epplse gr denial. When I was seventeen, Harold came home on leave of absence from Gibraltar, and brought wit h him a friend whom he had met during 'a brief visit to Florence. How shall I ctGrttiribe Gabriel Sevigney? To say that ho was handsome, noble", and falenled7 seems such a poor description of one who to havefooeVt favoured bynatare , to\ become a veryi'skin'g^iniong meni^ Soon' my5 youth ful affections were won, soon he led me to my father, a^d honourably, asked?mjr hand in marriage. Then began my troubles. 'Riel was poor, though gifted : an unkown artist, whose name the world knew not; whose works were barelymoticed "at* the stcaH"emy.'; *l' Wtfs "very beautiful, they said, and the hope of my family was matt should contract-a jwealtjiy alliance, and perhaps, elevate the social standing of the Davidson's, wno, a^ yet, could' scarcely r4nk s among the1 highfarnilies of^Eriglands ariatderaby; :"'| might ij^ .presented, they jsald, Bye-and^, by.e^,and n (|>>w^ known jfchai^,yonngJborc tjandlove (whose'chief wealth "confisted" in his 1 title,- the frlamily!'Estates'ljeing heavily feqrtgaged'to produce a ptecfridus income had enquired'oiicej as 'his passed ourbrough ani, 'whpthat lp/elygiri,co,i(ilfjcbe?', My father would not listen. 'Riel's pleading, my tearful 'etiti'e'a'tlesi wer/e ill in v'aih £ money oind i beau by i.must wed wmething' higher,th^ji ttjere. noHlity $ f ,cjj^racter, or possible fame, If Riel had nothing but these W, sr3sLf {t'''\Vas'hbt 'desirable to |jMorfg the infcefrview-• marriage was oiifc' of thef^ii'estioh1 5 '' Oh! that I were poor, ugly;' artd fri6ffdtes«<, If 1 mighb«then be*' Kiel's' brfd6, f>'\v4*;th§"etiy of my Sorrowful fieart? thdit Wight; fts'J1 "'paced my elegant apart-; ment;* andf viowed my bwtif face iri the mirroif (liat j*efl^Ct6d Such a pitiful couhte'" nance sj%e Stireljr cdiil&'Mif belong tiyfiihit Dayison, the belle of the ball. The !h^s<t' niorniHg /?Rlel went aw^ay," and Harold' itornied at- the indignity put -uport hi& favourite companion.l ■ ;Weeping,' I watched my chance,and when liiwet him alone a moment; slipped a-tiny mi^sivointo-his hand, knowing that be would ndfc fftii ?io forward' it to poor''Riel; I stole from myhomeV otfe faU-'summer'rmornjiijg, and'belng;ttiet«By: Haroldiin a? quiet' lane,- WW taken* to thel fitA-tionf in ja covered fI.V; and soon clasped in tnyy.lfiVer's arms. We wei'e parried in af little village chui'cb, my brother giving me' awayi' SDd then pßfill took tag away to Florence, 'ndkth the sunny skies of Italy, where we lived as happily "as mortals could for one brief year.' rMy father's I anger was unbounded when he found that I (had bedome thp wifeof a pe^hilefis aAis'tl; and I do not believe \m> eveci Veally -forgave Ipoidp 'HaroldforiMatsbar^ ia the 'business* !My Husbind worked; hardy and nis hopds 'rati high for the; suecesa of a picture liei was painting in conipefcition for- a Iprize Offered < hy: i 6 noted i affcisb/l ■ whofle; wdikg I wetei (ml vaHably iadmlifed, and Kwliom -stai emulate ' was the! desire/fpfkßial'sfhearf. , I /eat a 4 i Hisanodel forthJßpicfcuue, ■aiid-ihany,,ha|)py' baurs were thus £pent,in coatomplation of his genius, as he patiently laboured for Bweeb love's sake. JFor, if ho succeeded,

fame would surely follow ; and then, surely my father would? reletity and alliWomd be' Mil I shall nevei- forget the daytinwuch his piOtuEe was finished ; my po<}r darling! I >vaa afraid he would ber ill from feverish excitement arid the strain* updn his nerves during "those days,/ while: ho. waited) the decision of the judges. , Was it the han<J of an eneipy to our beautiful 'art 1, or, it thofirßtHnkin ; achairi of untoward accidents, ihai \vixi destined tq sever tivo lovih'ff-hearts ? Do.. you Jielidye in', the- tliisoryj of chatu;e, dpaflady ? 'How was it? ox, why was it t '"on'the very night before the day flppQinted for the decision of the competition the building, in which the pictures were hung, was burnt to the ground. Ah ! those were dark days that followed. Gabriel was nearly frantic with grief, and I was prostrate;- t purinß tll6:'ensuing Aveck our little cl|ild was born, a. beautiful b^be, with ■eyes life her fathorVatid lovely features fchat .reminded one of Raphael's child angols: _ I hoped this new treuHurc would comfort him for his lois ; bnt a settled melancholy grew upon him daily, and he seemed no lonper ab]o to interest himself io, anything. We wore very poor. I had scarcely means to procure necessary comfort apd attendance ■during Nature's trying houf. ' My babe was ' net enwrappeU in. costly garments, and I knew not any moment but wo might be compelled to leave our litt.lo home, as we ivere unable to meet the rent. I ventured

once to write totny father,bub received fiuch a cutting reply that I would suffer any pri vation rather than apply to him for assist ance. One morning I rose rathe* lato, on account of bodily we4kneas r and was Sur prised to heur from our landlady that my husband had gone away, apparentljrpre parod for an artistic tour. Ho had told the woman to provide mo with such things as I needed, given her sufficient money to cover ;tho rent for one month, and loft a no to lot' mo. With trembling hands I opened the wrapper, and road i— * ' My Hauling Wii.'e,- I can no longer bear to see yon miller privation tor my wcke. I lovo you niifl your child, but am povyerlcßsbjrftcruo! into to provide tor yon. So 1 go to neck bot'.cr for .urn', mid hone to foturn oro loiik will) Rolctcn trifeiito, Dear .Mullet, return to your father » home while you havo means left; ho will receive yon if you •lo not speak of mv. Host awhile, dear love, in jiatiuncu hikl hope, mul byo-nud-byo, in a low fowl yottw. tbo world may deal wore klndl/ withyournoov Iticl.whunhowtllctmwwith. «> lo claim HiN ditrlinj;«. Holinvom<\ iliac I«lotlu» for lovo's saku. my dear wif«. a»U paidon cvou us you iovu, your unhappy husband, 'QMHUU.U SISVIKNISY.' "I do not ..know how J .lived through the Succeeding daya. To go homo to my father was impossible. My child would bt> an un weleomed gnost, I know, arid my proud point could"not brook !riwill to my bnloved husband. Whore was *Hi«l.? W}ti bad he not allowed mo to accompany him? For dry broad with hipi* "watf. flweetur than tiro most luxurious fare without his loved pviwonoe. Would lie go to Rome ? Would the homo of the immortal Miuhnol inspire him with new cnuriry, and perhai)s dispel his .melancholy ? I would go thither and seek him. With my littlp otio in my arras and. only a, fpw coirm,,iu my ptirsso 1 jour >ieyed to,the great city.;,bub c6uld h'nd no fcraqoß of hipjl «oug"tt and srioy exhausted Mature forl?adei any further exortjomy »«« 1 was acaiii prostrate. -For Several weeM I lay ill, kindly tended by an English lady who had met mo during my wanderings, find often admired tho beautiful child.J bhusped no closely to jny lonely hcict. Beeing my friendless conditioji, she'begged Df me to allow her Uwidonb t,he HtUo one, as she was a widow 'ftnd childleis r W«*althy and lonely. DimnjjTOy illnos* she fepame knuoh attaofaea-to'tlw dar'ttg* *»d "ftjien I could sit up |lnd *peak of 'Riel uhe begged tno to commit, little '* Silver " to her par?' while I continued my ie&rch f ormy beldved JiusHand. Torn with conflicting emotions, for I jdearly loVed my tiaby, X afc length •consented, and being conefcrained to accepts 'feufficienfc funds f;ora toy -kind friend, I Vmrsujad jny -journey to London^ thiukine it jlikelf ihib 'feel might have/gone thither jto Mfetj^y. I fcok a smajl room in St. John's jWdodj and from fchencedaily walked put »my weary, sgeedleiSs errand, receiving no information, pbfcaining no clue, till my :heai"fc sank: within me, iftndj would* sit for [hoars at niy window wntching the'.papers !by %at by any chatice he lmght cross my ■vision. One day I happen&d fco take up a 'paper, in which I read^of the increased I emigration •to-New Zealand; of its lovely eceneryv juts * matchless climate," it* jfnany facilities for wealthy and its abnndafit industries, A wild thought Seized me." Would it bd possible that my poor^Tarling 'might haye'beeh aliuredby ouch a de^crip- Ition of tma'earthly Paradißc£and havegone" Ito seek there tfie" dO'mpetenco "■ !«# was her© 'denied? I could not sleei*,11-fcould ndt | work ; I made enquiries of several people 'and was assured that yearly hundreds of 'persons who were hopeless and fortuneless (went out to this beautiful land of promise land found wealth aad happiness, I wrpfce. jto Mrs Livingstone, begging her to be a [mother to my little "Silver," and then took jmy passage in the next outward-bound jvessel for Auckland. I arrived hero three imonths ago, Mrs Bernard, and have found !no reason to hope that Gabriel is here. I have worked for a fancy repository, I have jWorked in a factory, Iyhftve-applied, for a situation tip-countvy as governps.-,, but I have street been able to earn food', clothing, ; land rent." ':I hapl $pent my lajjb I shilling to-:• day foi-food, .-iiidjWas juat despairing and worn out, body;ancl spirit, when I,was led. toyourdoof. Tbat is all.l have to "toll. -. If I cannot, find; 'Mpl I will,,go^ back to [Florence, and; live there iLs a Wicl,6\v till hi comes back, op|kind death releases me. So 1 must find woi?k, £nd try 'to.- sav,e. up my., passage-money, ishat. J may. at least sco -my ! fittle^phild, and! t6i\^h^jthe story of her jnotHer^. sorrow,," ;! I "f^pGr- thipg," eaid Mrs Bernard, as"she held t^el thin White hand in her pwn> and j Jefc her .tears fall in dewy' syppatliy; '** you ; have hsLcL "ivialß, butl you' know our Father, i still rpga.r<ldtW the. lil(> of His children, 'Ho wilj restore^ you to both yoxir dear t oiieß in Hif bwn;gobd time, and in Hts own way; You; inufet rsiiayiltera quietly till you get I Btrpiig.Qr)'ihpbi'p^^p^.,w'(9??lifll^'.be, shown U the'nejfbJstep^f ■th'Q'^sif^iJow, dear,: jtisit." try td^'t^Ust, and watc, and the'Bame rGqd I who -hasf ghjb you here $P shcire our ChrisbmaS blessitfg will vSiirely: provide fojr. jiheNew^ear." W dMW '; ' f 1 With; a grateful;" lpoki ;|ylabbl preseed Mrs Bernard'g!-,hand. as she ,bado her "good tiij^it," ;j,nd soon she slept .amoug the snowy pillows as peacefully as a little child | f-sleptfei* very weaiine«sj*4and the angel''.'j Who leaned over her feed that night whis kered to her 6i sweet hopes,^W&fyffy&tet l^ ioys, as that poor, weary Mabel smiled in | her sleep, and was comforted.

Chapter 11.

TFoinan's CAri*rfw*«* Thoti(iM,

"KVhat lovely costijntesj" exclaimed ;Mra Bernard, as she sat among, the diaperoncf d! the young people who were assembled at the fancy dress ball, given : 6n Yew Years nifht by a lady in tho neighbourliood. V Yes ; are they not exquisite ?" said her friend, the hostess. "Theyhave been nil specially designed, for tho occasion; each on/is a study, exactly1 Bulling blip wearer,. Which iy nob ahvay the case at these fancy balls. For instance, notice that lovely Florentine flower girl; «co her name is traced in silver characters on the ribbon of her corsage. "Silver Spray ;" is it not ap propriate. Sho really looks as though sue had stepperljrom a picliluC" ; k 5 , J Mrs. Bernard ba&anoe much interested as her friend proceeded, "They certainly re flect-'great cfedit upon- their designer. 1 think ho will have his hands full during the season" ■ " ~, , "Who is he, pray, and when end lie commence his business amon« us? I have never heard of hini before, said Mrs. Bernard. . . ». ■~ ■ \j. ~ , " Oh ! lie is a very interesting individual; a travelling ucrbiHt, with Home great sorrow written on his handsome face. Ho 18 an Italian; I believe ; speaks very pretty broken English, and has* oh! the loveliest

i eyes you ever saw. Look! there he Is; . fcfiabhjaßk in tho black velvet costume. Hit* • figure alone lend? quite an tdni to the \ assembly." • Little did the lady think what emotions • sho was awakening in her listener's heart: •": for BUrely this miißt be nootherthnn ho/the »' husband of poor Mabel, whom ssh© had loft '. ' at home to amtiso the chiklren withiunny • HtoricH of Italian life, and descriptions of • ' different places aho had eeen. j : Poor, patient) faithful heart/ is there to bo a glad New Year for tbeo ? "1 would likojia introduction to tho [ , artist," waul Airs. Bernard, tiftorwuvdtii. "1 i should ho rmteh like to secure); hia servioes . for <llotiai(|'« Jakthdny pili'ty. They want ; name'tdhk'aitx, and it would, he. delightful t to have something quite fresh." t i Accordingly, when the dancers paused in \ their merry round, Mrs. Bernard was .' 'formally, introduced to tho aatiht, Signor t Gabriel Scvigney ; and tho good lady's i heartbeat high n* sho arranged with him for an interview on thci morrow. No sleep for Mm Bernard tljat night, so busy wan who planning a .surprise for the \ I Borrowing pair who should be so strangely j united. j -At lust (the was inspired with an idea. \ ** My dear," said Mm Bernard, " we arc to have a party on tho 12th, aud the young folks want some tableaux, I wish them to j have something original, if possible ; not the S fsamo old ffCQPQf that luivu appeared year ! after year, Would you mind ufsistin^ us ; ' you have such excellent Caste, and bwidei?, j you would be quite a fresh study. It would j give mo quite a pleasure." j "Anything that could do that, dear I madam," replied MttboU "I ehaU only Jbe 1 too happy to as.sitit in. Wiiut charactera do ! you propose?" . j ' M My dear, people ("omeiMtttes think I have 1 nueor notions, but Twill tify to explain :— | I believe in tho nobility of woman. I ' hope for the redemption of society through ' lier knowledge, patience, and devotion. 1 ■j believi; that if woman really understood her j sacred mission .she might become the saviour ■ of her sex, and also perform a trrcat work in j tho world. We keop the blessed festival of j Christmas; we love to think of the holy Christ child who brought such blessings to ] humanity, peace and healing, lov« and joy, from the presence of the Father.' Here we '. recognibo the fact that,He, the perfect ideal [man, was born of woman«j and shall wo not ■■•, go farther than that, and carry the lesson ! nortie to our own. hearts, and strive to* im«. ', press it upon the maidens around us. v My i dear, I bcliovo that children are born either' \ of spirit or flesh, either spiritual or sensual, j and I know that the characters of thd ;.children we bring into the world are in a great measure formed.before birth. Herein ' lies woman's sacred mission. Surely, the' i angels could not wish a higher ! If she lives in such pure und'lofty companionship us • the occasion of maternity requires j if ' her1 every thought, word, and action ...are ■ carefully modelled after the highest ideal; [if 'she'walk with the.pngelS/Karid/thereby j secure their blessing on her unbprn child; ": if she concentrate nor" thoughts On things ' that tend to moral and mental progress, and -yearneatly seek "the Divine blessing on her : efforts, :tbere-will Purely jjae born of woman . children t>f the spirit, even the spirit of Him ..{whose blessed birth we now commemorate. These are the thoughts that Christmas i always brings to my mind—the ideal ■ woman, the ideal child, who shall bye i and-bye become the ideal man. When : man recognises ' this fact more fully, j.he will strive to surround the expectant [ mother with objects of beauty, sounds of ; harmony, deedjß'of kindness. And thus together s|iafl th^y^wprk^w^ Godjia,r %c Balvatio'n of mankind. There was a pause— Mabel looked into the earnest face of her ! benefactress, and realised the truth of her j belief, andit seemed as though each heart 1 commuhe'd 'with the -Father in silent prayer ■that " so it mighi; be.',- M .: Mrs. Bernard resumed, i( A friend of mine ' hast recommended to me a connoisseur in these things, and 1 would lijce [his opinion on my idea,; so I propose to grdup such of us as can be placed, with spcty drosses, as I We have, and awaiti his approval before , making any new ones, which shall certainly j be designed by him.ias his taste is unques tionable, and, his costumes are so gi-eatly , admired.. I want one or two of; my own ideas, if they can be portrayed, and I thinjt ) you: will make a splendid figure for iriy purpose." .■ ■ • .' - • ' "■' ;, ( '. , ChAPTEB '111. » , . \, ■CI-ABRtEii Seviqnet, witll** his : roll ojf: I sketches, entered .Mrs. .■Bernards;I:' Bitting : room the following evening;^ Hbtle thinking I of the tableaux in wjiich he should, tako a Tile lady met' him cordiallly, and looking over his sketches^ ( chose some of themjor her par,ty; then allied him to iolldw her to the; parlour, Wjiei'O slie,.vvished his opinion \ ujpon -& ■•libllo scene sht) had composed for tho I occasion. - ■vr;r;-"-i~:/"::",^,,,„■-.,.,■,.- '*r:-- I :!„• The ro,Oltt;>yaa,,d.imiylig^ited. At the far end, on a little stage or ulatfoirm, a woman '; t af if in prayer. In the background j* appeared two figures, clad in while, with silvery wings, and hands outstretched as if

.•if* blesWitiK- - "Very soflily, t>ufc V6ry,cl^ady, they began >W»afaMM wh-le the coriipanied in s^eefc, lbwln^tes, the foUOWing Chrisfcmas Cardl j— , ~ ■ V Welcome, Christ child.pure anfi true,: | >■ Angels sinK thr nntAlWyS ■ v , I Bussed work thoxi hast to doj , \ f • : Born on boly ChrifitmaEl day. " May thy blesacil jbirtli foretell • Man's redeinotion fa.r knd wide, 1 Ank'dsbondc^oend to dwell h^. r With bur hearts this Christmas tide m .Woman! ttiou apt iallcd Of God,, i ■■■ \ ' . Blessed children thus to bear; In the steps His feet have trod. Thou must walk with holy care. " An"els bless thee, mother heart, God, the Father owns thy love; Choose ye now the better part, Leading man to heaven above.

Gradually the light increased,:ofitfl;1 uflder the full glow, there was seen a mother f&nding over! a sleeping babo, with hands clasped, and eyes bowed, aa though, en treating heavenly blessings for her little one. '■■'■- Gabriel regarded the scene for a moment in speechless admiration ; then, with a quick movement, advancing nearer, he gazed with intense earnestness at the beautiful young mother ; while Mrs Ber nard's hearb beat at a tremendous rate, and all the rent kept perfect -silence*-"In a_voice that quivered with emotion, he exclaimed, " Mabel! my wife !my love !my little, child ! my little Silver Spray if « ,- H ihe dark, soft-eyes opehed. the pale, efiiger face looked out'lrom itsijorobre Jolds; /and with one glad cry of recognition, Mabel was clasped oiice moro to the faithful heart of her loved hushand.

Here let us leave them in tho preeence_of this great joy, and as we sympathise with Mrs Bernard in her happy little strategy, let u« also realise the truth she wished to illustrate—that woman's love, woman's power, woman's influence is to bring about tho beautiful consummation of the promise, 11 Peace on earth, goodwill to men." '

V ; seGonß Prize. ; |, f -

••' Qabrkl regarded the scene for a moment in speechless aamir Hon." %

The Mystery of Holcombe Hall.

BY CARLSBAD,

The broad acres of the Holcombo Estate were clothed with a mantle of glittering white, and tho merry music of distant1 chimes was faintly borne by the frosty air over the enow-clad hills. Shouts of joyous laughter rang fchrougb. the hall, while gay groups of young people played ' kiss-in-the ring/ and the whole' /house -was pervaded j with a Cheerful odour of burning beech logs,? steaming plum pudding, mince pies, and paregoric—you're right \—sf course it was Christmas ! What else could explain the emptied stockings hanging from the mantel shcif, the seasonable greetings, or the'fly^ pepSia ofthc childrdn ? Nothing. "Estclle, 1 Squire liolcorobe had said to his daughter a month before, 'what do you say to spending the holidays in real English fashion, with a house lull of jfnes's,'..a Chrtscniaa tree, theatricals,* and a ball?' - .: ---• Oh, papa !' she cried, ' how delightful! .lust what! would adore .' You're as sweet as you can be 1* and she emphasitcd her ex clamations by kissing'her paternal relative on what she was wont to term 'his deli tiottdy biild old head.' ' In addition,' he continued, to Estelle, 'in order to lend an air of reality to the ghont stories we have told of; the Hall, I have engaged Brown the comedian to play spectre. He is going to stay at the inn, and come over Tiore every evening after dark to.waylay any of the men whom he can catch in dusky corners.' /Splendid !' cried-his daughter. 'Tell me, papa, whom you havea«kcd?' 'IVed Faningdpn and Colonel Clayton,' enumerated the squire, 'the two Oliver boyt-, and that extremely entertaining »nd aniiabte fellow, Mr Trotter.' ; 1 I don't like him at all, as you know,', said Estelle, in a tone of deep disappoint ment. ' But you surely have riot forgotten Harry Treharne, papa ? % , ' No,' replied her father M ' Then he's coming ?' she asked brightly, her faca lighting;up again. « Mi4%^9

*No fear t' said the gentleman ■i.y/iih, ,deoi(?ion. 'Not if, I kntfyjti ;'■ ~Herel,'ve provided every amusement, and askebt a jolly fellow like Trotter, and tjow I isUppoae you're dissatialied because I've left out that looking, good-for-nothin<j, penniless Treharne ! It's just like a girl!' 1 Well, I don't care !' retorted Estelle. ' I'll never marry that fat old Trotter as long as I live, and I care more for well, no matter! Of course, you're very kind to me, and all that, but I know I won't enjoy a riivjh minute cf the whole week.' , On the day before Christmas the guests arrived at the Hall. Estelle appeared to have forgotten her disappointment at the absence of Mr Treharne, and was in an ex ceptionally good humour —at least so it jeemed to her father.

'Has our hired j*host conoe yet?' she asked of him during the morning. 1 Not yet,' said the old gentleman. 'He ought to arrive this afternoon and gd" directly to the inn. In the evening he/will dress up and come over, entering b^one of the music windows, which is tq be left un latched for his benefit. I shall hob see hin\ at all while he is here, and iffl have-.;any orders to give him I will send hiitt over a^, note.' ■ ■ "•■•';, 'hf* ■-~""'

On Christmas Eve, as the gentlemejv lingered in the dining-room dYer after dinner cigars, Colonel Clayton, who had but a little while before left the room, hurriedly re-entered it, and asked the squire if he might have a word with him jih. private.- The colonel was excited, and he nervously clutched the squire's coat sleeVe as he talked. In broken sentences he^toidiiim how he had gone up to his room iii ' thje. north wing, and how, on entering, he had,; found a ghastly figure seated in bis easy chair —' with luminous green eyes, sir. And he was actually smoking my fa vourite pipe, by Jove ! As I started for him he shied a^book at my head and then pur sued me half way downstairs, sir ! Most fixtraordinaryiapjfiarition;l ever Baw!' j ' 01d v faiiujly lijysteryj yo\i kjpow,' ex plained the squire. ' The ghost, sir, of my ancestor, Sir Gregory Kolcombe, who died during the Commonwealth. Sorry he in vaded your room, but bolts are i>6 no avail, and there isn't a door jm the house with a lock on it.' Of ceurse,; thoiigf'h, a, military man like yourself is absolutely fearless. Don't mention tho occurrence to the others, if you please, colonel,' ' ; ■ ..;.-. Deep and blood-curdling were the groans that resoundedthi'oughthertoi'th wing that night, and once or twice* the wakeful colonel thought he heard the blanking o£ a chain and muffled *foqtsteps,in the corridor. About three*.in the'rnorning. the squire 1 was aroused b^ a tremendous rumpus in the next room', which was occupied by Charley and Harry OUyer.;: jLight m hanot, ho rushed in, and a seene1 cjf, confusion mot his eyes. Tho tables and chairs were over turned, and stifled cries issued fromi some one beneath ' thp bed.^ Oii stoopii)^ down^ the squit'esaw it was Ghai'ley Oliver.; \ ' For heavens-sake, what are; you doing under there ?? he asked. ' . ,; ■ : 'Has iigone?' said Oliver. I «Whab? There'snothinfrhere !' • ' ' ' D-did.you me-meefeitin thehall V ' No,' .said tho squire^ ?' V 11 don't know,', replied." Oliver, .slosdy. crawling out. ' It! .iyaa .wKiteijand.abQßbJ.o feet high. Its hands>)yerq cbld andclammy, and it pulled us bqth out bf bed. I went under there.to see if I couldn't find some* bhin£to Mbit} with.', '■' 'Oh, to TDe***feui'O,' chuckled the squire. ' Where's your brother, Harry V -■■ : - ' I think he's in the closet looking for his % pistol,' replied Charley ; and he added,.*ak". the squire left the room-, " I don't sco what you're laughing about.'

} *"Afc brftakfasb the* dlivers;/were both very reticent, and the colonel looked as if he had spent a sleepless flight. ■ ' i :, ~./, ' pptelie, niy dear,' Baift the squire, ' where is,yovir;Aunt Charioisce. Ah !i her^e, she come? Mferry Christmas" t>o you, 1 aunfc. Now the pnly absent orie is : }/Lv , Trotter. How verylatdHeiß.' * v . Aunt Charlotte appeared, muffled in a shawkwiiich was wound aroufid tfee hood that: completely covered the back oifher head, very much distVe^ed, and explained that sh§ had seyere nettf algio pains. The meal had been almost disposed of in silence, when Mr Trotter entered the room. With a bland smile he appraached his chair, holding alofb a large grey chignon, with two pendant corkscrew curls. -, •*• Merry Christmas f I'd bring it down,' Tie;*remarked., ' There was a whit©; robed peifson in my room last night who left; it on my bureau.' 13vcryohe recognising the trophy, turned towSrds'Auht Glrarlottfe, and with a panic stricken wail the old lady fainted away. Th,e square, >yas troubled,., He. glance 4 ,aj;, Eatelle with a look that said, ' Don't you think this has gone far enough? Hadn't I better tell them all, and discharge that im pndept fiiwnl* bwf in answer she ;shottk hernead in such a decided negative that the old gentleman contented himself with writing to Brown to acb ab least within the bounds of propriety. . That very evening, as they were all sit ting around the fire, Estelle, pleading a headache, left the room, and the squire saw his lonrg-Wiabed-for opportunity bo give Mr Trotter a tcte-a-tttc with her. I Ahem ! Don'fr -you think you'd better put on a smoking-jackct, before we sit down to whist, Trotter '!' he suggested, and the- /latter topic the I hint iind followed BStelle. '■ ,';:" v;- The squire waa well aware of, hia daugh ter's distaste for her fat old admirer, but he lipped she would succumb to his ardent declarations of affection and the'prospect of ton-thousand a year. He almost expected to see the pair'enter in, v a few Mnutefi and ; aek Ms paternal bleeaihg. Ihstead, how ever, the door burst open, and Trotter alone staggered towards them, evidently com pletely overcome. 'YVhabhashappenedt' Cried tha group. ''' Hai.ro you seen tne ghost V \ • Trotter sank into:a seat :an'l nodded assent. ' GonfounST that Brown ! That - infernal mischief has he been up to now ?' exclaimed the squire. 'I might as well confess to you all that the whole matter is ■ a joke. The spectre is Brown, the comedian, whom I foolishly hired to act the part, so "you can relieve yourselves of any apprehension. Don't mind what you've seen, Trotter—it's all a joke, man!' ;. ' ..'.;; ' , ■';,;>,-'>'.. 'How I wish it was a joke I' moaned that individual, with his head., between his hands. '.How I wish it was only Brown I hads'ee'w & ii" ■ ;-; % -.■" '"■';. . 'Good 'Heavens!' eaid the squire. 1 Doesn't my confession explain it all ? Do you still think'that it was anything else than "Brown dress.ett up? There is some niystery in it that 1 will" myself investigate —excuse me, I prefer to go alone !' "Prompted by curiosity, however, the en tire company deserted Trotter and followed the squire. They silently tip-toed after his retedlting form in the direction of the north wing ; they saw him go cautiously up the stairs, open the door that led into the gallery of the music room, peer down to wards its floor, and then stand transfixed with horror. The guests quietly crept in and stood in an awe-struck group^belilnd him. Down in the further corner of the room 1 the moonboams.poured in throvigh the; un curtained window, imparting to surrounding objects a ghastly whiteness. In 1 the middle of this moonlit) space the ghoulish appari tion which had disturbed so many of them gat on a small settee, and the .squire's blood ran cold in his veins as he saw his (laughter, Estelle, clasped in the spectre's arms and heard her murmur, * Oh, Harryj darling; %vhab shall I do if that ridiculous oldiTrot ter proposes to mo this evening ? I'll have to tell him that I'm going to be Mrs Tie •harnc !' ■"-;* " -''•■;-.7\'-,

FOR THE LADIES.

Women who wear flounces on all occasions ate often furbelow their sister^ %vho are clad neatly but in plain attire; »•; V i '. , >'. i During a large diitoer party, a ybaog forj/ who sat next the poetess, Phoebfi." CaifyJ chose to deride his host, arid eaill, VMisp Gary, 'tis very true that ' fools make leasts, and wise men eat them.'" ;;'!And ifc,is equally true," riesponded Miss Gary, " that ' wise men say smart things and fools repeat them.'" -; : ;:- 'y' Hf;'-: /.■/•/. " Pa, Mr de SWeefchas Afeked me to'share his lot." "Whoreds it?" "Within, the two mile limit, fjfty feet frqnt to Quieen street."j- you, my children." "Do,you know the nature of,an.oath, ma'am ?" "inquired the judge. :« " Well, j";; reckon I orter,"- Sv'^s the reply. ".My husband drives a cana?! boM." " Oh, fjor a thousand .tongues," she sang iji the chiirch clhoir. -Two hours afterwax"ds| !»ne tongue waifound sufficient to scandalise iour-fif Chs of the ■women in the'counties-; There is a young lady ijj Parnell so refined; in, her language tftab she never usei? the #ord " blacKguard," but substitutes *l African sentinel." " ' ■ ~, * J^ yoang1 widow: was asked why she was going to wed so soon after the death of her, Brst husband. " Oh," she said, "Idoifctd' prevent fretting myself to death on account of dear Tom." '<:vyhat ik your sweetheart by trade,. Lizzie?" ;"A miller;" "So was my last one: but missus always saw him standing in our dark pantry, and. sdi now; I've3got m chimneysweep." '■~:.- ~'':", '"." Mamrna;t " Jsut, Mora, my. dear ''.child/ how do you knj3W| *that this- young man loves you ? Hds he €otd'iyou so?" Flora: *"'* Oh, no, mamma ! But if you could only seetfie wayh^ looks |atj mj when I am not looKfttgatniin" !" J " . ' ' " An irishwoman, confined in the House of Correction^ ktely received a letter from her friends informing hey that her children were all well. In l'eply, she stated tha* she " had not received so 'much consolation since her husband died." She said it was a bright idea. He said he knew a brighter one, and when she asked h%xa what it was, she answered, *'Your^ eye, dear." There was silence for aimomenfe. Then she laid !aer? head upon the rim of his eat* and wept. '' Neve* kiss a young girl jf she doesn't want you.' to, "says art-article oi| the "Art of Kiasitig;" ; But pretty oftqn when a girl says she doesn't wan^Jrbu tojkisij her is the very time v that she does want you to; and you'd better &ke the benefit of tho ,doubt. 1: ' ■/"■ ■|fk ' ■ X ( ~-;; :"K- Widow of young author: " Yes, '.I nave Jived in poverty for months; but sijpice dear. Leanders death I have lolled in the lap of i luxury." Friend: " Rid he have his life in j cured?" ."W^dow : "No, but as soon as he i died the raaeazane bought up all his rejected i articles, and lam getting ricß/' " i Husband of Literary Woman : "Ho^rare you doming on with your magazine article??' Literary .Wbinah: "I'te got it alinosii finished;" "What isit about?" "Kde nounces- the 1 extravagance; in dress of 6u)c women.'- "What are you going to do with the moneyi you get* from it? -"l'm saving up- to buy^ me a; sealskin jacket." r /- v 1 ' \ Husband : " You know tb. at |>iretlby Mrs F;?" *-Wife : "For goodness!, sake, J«>hn» don't talk about that Mrs IV I can't "go anywhere * without 'hearing ■" her -praises.";l' ■■■^■■■■"- :".''"'",„.. - - ]','.„„,.,»,^. rf , vWr - praises fiouwded, until I am §iok to death of ithe'"sound Bf-hei' Mme.""~Hußbi!ilnd : "I wa,s onjy going^p J;eJ) you of a rumour I hlaMClbou^ he!1 * to-day." Wife: "A ru mour ? Oh, John, tell me all about it, that's a good soul."

see us a short ti^Jt ?M &| exclaimed the other g<% w ?» «*A 3 him in the hofi# m ?uldri fc kv e v first wife is a dSLJf y, °PlDi°i l i& S a third Pema Ss^b VSs« simply awful!" m M^^tS^ "Homely women up here in iv- ' the second occupant: '^Mrfls^ : wearing a gown i Wl,u»i, i d(le'l fend t f te>'fe .%-,WSj^KOt4 l the second speaker.- >.«-A^i'^ l|lrjn4 Jtihv, nature owes that 4 iot her looks." « And yet I 2 ff o!o W' she was s very atbteM^T^i^Mrt y^^ephed tf*,fecor,dj Payment, -" , (ss»*<» ■i - ■ • '.-....

A LADY SMUGGLER.

|Boston,in^: U mfcedStftt ee v ttM ' to. be proud of its .intellect It S given to culture, and'aJ?^ ,JJ very self-possessed lady smuggle* S( Kennedy, recently i a passenger V. ¥ £fc Gascoyne to New- York, bejifS learned city. She was caught .'rah-^ • attempting to defraud thS rexernarfL."* country. - They were no), matiW^ 2 bric-a^brac?th^^r6^'f6u^!N!fej|^i»S^;r: ' tween the lining and the outer material of her; numwew'-gamente, but la^bW white and black lace, satin dress pattens? flower designs/■and elegantf,jßilks< ' a»iJ a gentleman was to him sW sadly but coolly'wtaatfei as the spoils of war were inyentcded, r-''w"' ' Customs House ha>3 got me tfifictime/toie.'!i: We have spoken of Boston as-apke&of culture andtearning. MLsaiKennedy^aMSff tude is described by adttiiritifrYanLceiip^ V papers as - marked by " true UostoaUn calmness."

The Oldest Christmas Hymn.

Ijr book 111 of Clement of Akxabdria \$ given (in Greek) jbhe most .ancjtyib.hymn, of, the primitive' church. 16 is tibere (MjaaffSv affcw .the; Apostles) asserted fapfrft m&. earlier origin. The followir." ur-;.-i vtjll give some imj.-erfecl idea of iv. spirit;— Shepherd of tender youth, Guiding in lovoiuul truth, ; • ■ (Through- devious way h; Christ, out- triunij>i:aniKirg! , We come thy nams to 6in£, And here our children bring, Thoumifrht&stsavt.Wru^1 ■ • And K ive U6 iife."o -' 1" ' IT. '.;' ,■).;-,:'■, ■.■:.•'■ :t;; ; I*M*;;c^l:ei;!!:.■•■■^fH S|:|;: Thou art wisdom's High Priest I Thou luist prepared tbe feast I ! ■■■" ; . Of holy love, And in our mortal pun •/•■'' I ' Qur Btftff*iid'*opg. • i ■ . Jesujs, .thou Uhrlfifc o - ' ; By the perenniai'wonl, Le^d u§ where, tibpu \)§MJ> fcf*k Infants and the glad tfirong, : Who to thy church b6l9ii|, To Christ, otiP'Kihg. '*

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

Tis an old and wondrous story, • 1 Often Ibid, yet ever nfv, Angel visitants from GliVry . ' Bursting on'the shepherds'vicv/. \ While each shepherd watched lit sheta^.** j Perchance his thoughtsifr>ul3 jc of them, Or of a loved one locked in sleep, : Some-dark-^ed-m^idfaf Bethlehem. And as they mused on earthly t hings A suddeu glory round them shone: The -rustle of an angel's wings Their quickened senses broko uporv . j Fear fixed iteelf upon each mind | As ou the angel s form they gaze % - ■ s While He in accents soft and kind . | ; At enoß.lilieiiv!ieedless feai-iJla^?. o;fearnofeild Tbrfag/' jTo.;yoasf«?d'tidirigs of great joy.-- This day behold your Saviour King, Born to redeem from sins' annoy. . And as lie spake a dazzling fight Kevealed a brilliant angql throng Winsring earthward in their flight And minting in harmonious eong. Joy now possessed the eimplei swains As they beheld the heavenly s#t j Their ; eißW»*lwi?«*'g';'1 " Wtiich burst upon th^peacetul mgiio. "Now Glory be to God on High, geace on eVvth, goodwill^ naen. They sane, receding, from.the*y< They cleft the clouds to Heaven again. Then spake bhe wand'iw shepherds thus: » Letus now to Bethlehem haste And seelihiswhipn is known to us, b Anil where the Lowly Babe is plabed. They came a^d saw theirinfant Lord, ---' Born His And told abroad *}th J^^teard *ri The wondrous things wf a T*^; ; seen" , '. Leodiessis. August 30{h, 1887. j | ' "

A LOVELY BRIDE.

! AthometheirewYea^sbridalveU % Is woven A" 9* snow >; _ nI . ' ' Knl, here she wears a snmme).' gaw . -■ '■' j With' roses decked bokw, • H I And jf you would a bridegroom be, "^TrW to this lady fair, ■ •'. I Lo veWl her snow-white punty, , ; j And all her blossoms rare. ( '

HAPPY NEW YEAR .

On* more our thonghtsjand «*-« V In homely «pe«* "•^^T'

THE AUCKLAND ttVttWTiro STAR. SATURDAY, DECEMBERJ&JIgjL

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