That ever in shadow swings ;
Echoing back the eed heart's moan.
Denying tbe peal of joy to none,
A leeson your ministry brings
Of sympathy shared alike w.ta all,
Bear they bridal wreath o funeral paiL
Love and Hope-
"A ('icen of hearts.'' Such was the
name the admirers of Kstelle G'.yndon had
given to her, and, petted and praised for
her grace and beauty as she had always
been, it was hardly to be wondered at that
the girl had come to the age of eighteen
with a conviction that not for hei were the
trials of life.
As she stands now, beneath the shade of
the old eok which guards ber favorite seat,
the most casual observer could not help but
pronounce her rarely beautiful. But the
lovely mouth is marred by a haughty ex
pression, as with averted bead she listens
coldly to the young man by her side.
It is Douglass Macdonald, and in earnest
tones he is speaking thus:
Ou, Estelie, can it be that 1 have de
ceived myself In thinking that you cared
for ui ? Acd r.il :Ms summer, in which 1
have been so foolishly happy, have you
only been playing with me! It cannot be
true ; you cannot be so heartless ! I have
been told that Foster Severne is the favored
suitor who has superseded mi; but I said
that until you confirmed it with your own
lips I would not believe it. Oh, my dar
ling, whom I love more than life, do not be
so cold: Look up, Estelle, and tell me it is
false!"
Kstelle hesitated. Only the previous day
another had laid his heart at her feet, and
with it the richest fortune in all the country
round.
