than usual, but her beauty heightened by the deeper tint of rose which the annoyances of the morning had given to her transparent complexion.

"Mr. Julius Spendall, my dear,” said Fritz, introducing his beautiful wife most reluctantly. Julius, in her presence, was transformed to an angel of light. His manner, so rough before, was mild and elegant; his language was chosen and fascinating. He talked of the beautiful May morning and its perfumed prayer that rose to heaven from the cups of the little violets and daisies, and compared it to the spring-time of their life, when all their hopes and joys were pure as that air and incense.

Alice was young, and listened with delight to his long and poetic speeches, while Fritz looked angrily toward them seated side by side near the window. With the quickness of perception with which God has blessed woman Alice read her husband's heart and sprang from her chair, playfully whispering in her husband's ear: "I would not anger you for worlds; say to me I have not, and you may do just as you please."

Fritz replied in a few words, and those few were charmed words. The burden was taken off from Alice's heart, and the reaction made her so happy, "it were almost worth the while to fall out for the pleasure of a reconciliation," thought the

young bride. A dangerous experiment, my good friends.

Julius left with adieus and compliments: and an explanation was given on both sides which we will not intrude upon.

Fritz proposed the visit home. The drive was delightful, and the meeting of the mother and daughter (she was an only child) I cannot hope to describe. Here, again, my sterner nature is at fault. Fritz and Alice went once more to the old places of meeting, and told again their love and renewed their promises of devotion till death. The sky was clear, and the beautiful grounds around the old homestead were met like old familiar friends. The tall old trees seemed to waive their branches in welcome, and the little birds that had sung Alice to sleep in her cradle, now sang a song in her honeymoon, that chimed in with the joy of her young heart, and youth promised the young bride that it would always be thus.

Her mother wept for joy at her return, and buried in her own breast, as good mothers do, the pang the parting had cost her. To her new son she gave the treasure of her heart, whose price to her

was far above rubies," and kept not back the value of the priceless jewel.

Julius continued to visit Fritz, and oftener called upon Alice in the morning. He read her

pure mind, and suited his conversation and deportment to her ideas and tastes; usually relating pleasant circumstances that occurred with Fritz and himself during their intimacy, and often read beautiful selections to her from Byron and Moore. Unconsciously she began to look for these visits with pleasure. He was intelligent and agreeable, and so fond of Fritz! Then, while she sewed it was delightful to hear one read; Fritz had no time. She often spoke to her husband of Julius, but he dared not offend his former companion, lest he might, in his anger, make disagreeable revelations of times gone by, and for some time he bore this intrusion upon his domestic happiness.

Fritz brooded in silence over the dangers of the introduction of so unprincipled an acquaintance to his wife, and though in a thousand ways in his power, he decided to speak boldly to Julius, and tell him he feared his influence over his young wife's mind, and requested him to make his visits in the evening, when he would be at home. This confession cost the proud spirit of Fritz much pain, but he made it, and Julius assented to the arrangement; in return for which Fritz promised to go regularly to the billiard room once a week.

"This can easily be arranged with Alice,” said Julius, "can't you have a business engagement, or any other lie you choose to manufacture? I never

saw so great a coward as you. If she objects, be positive; if she cries, rave and thunder."

Fritz went weekly to the billiard room. At times he was elated and excited, and promised his little wife the world and its treasures; at other times moody and unreasonable, and said many things that his regret could not efface from the heart of his devoted wife.

A year had passed; frequent were the returns of these fitful humors, and poor Alice wept alone many a night while waiting for his return from revels, of what nature she dared not ask. Their parlor was usually dark and but little occupied. Its gaudy hangings and rich furniture illy-suited the feelings of the heart of his wife while she struggled to conceal its bitterness from her mother and her friends. She dared not question herself upon the probabilities of his course of life. She knew that of late many demands had remained unpaid, and every day added some new proof that all was not right. She expostulated, entreated, pleaded, but in vain, that he would tell her all. He took his friend's advice and grew angry, furious and excited, and warned her not to interfere in his business.

Alice was of the most delicate mould, and required sunshine. Shade made her droop and die, and like a tender plant she faded day by day. No one but the great God and her own heart knew why.

Her husband did not notice the change, for the color of her cheek was still there, and the lustre of her eye bright and almost too beautiful.

Fritz was more frequently from home in the evening than heretofore, and grew impatient if Alice expressed regret at the loss of his society. The more gently and tenderly she spoke, the more annoyed he seemed, for conscience made him see that she was justified in her inquiries. One morning Fritz was more cheerful than usual, and Alice ventured on a little persuasion. He was ready to leave the house.

"You'll come home early will you not, Fritz? this will be my birth-night." He paused a moment, then replied,

"If I can. I promised some friends to dine with them to-day, and if I can get away early, my love, I will come home. You surely do not doubt my wish to come. Circumstances often keep me

away."

"I do not doubt your love, Fritz-I'm weak enough to believe you love me, but I doubt your strength of mind to resist temptation, and I have sometimes feared that Julius is not a good companion for you. Pray do not be angry with me, but let me tell you before you go all I have in my heart against you. I ought not to keep it from you. He sat down, half inclined from curiosity to hear