A Life's Hatred.

Dating beings who have the power of irresistibly attracting all those with whom they are brought in contact . " It cannot be denied she was the pet of everyone , aud deservedly s 0 . lt was not long before merry little I'Mie made the acquaintance of Mrs . Percival , and they became fast friends . During ( he absence

of her husband the lad y used to have the child up ai ( he great house , as she poor creature in her loneliness apparoully yearned for i companion to gladden her heart anil lis her affections upon . The child was only too delighted lo be with Mrs . I ' crcival , and they were often seen hand in hand strolling through ihe beautiful grounds ol the mansion .

" As 1 have before said , Edith had a go ; id intellect , and thanks to the fostering care of the lady , she rapidly improved in her little studios , and by the time she reached her eighth year was accounted the best pupil in the old dame ' s school she attended in the town . The servants at the Limes used afterwards to relate how affecting it

was to sec tho charming child sitting on a low stool at Mrs . Poreival ' s feet in the open pavilion in the garden , softly reading aloud some old-world story , while the lady plied her needle . " I hope I am not tiring you , sir , " said the landlord , breaking oil in his narrative to drink a glass of wine .

" On the contrary , Mr . Newbury , your story greatl y interests me . Although an old bachelor , my heart is not yet steeled against sentiment , and 1 love little children . 1 may confess also , that at all times I mig htily love to listen to the innocent prattle of the young , and yearn to share in their joys , their sorrows , aud their sports , its they remind me of my own remote happy youth ere life ' s bright hopeful horizon was darkened by sorrow and bitter disappointment . Pray co on . "

"One day , sir , " resumed Newbury , '' in the month of May , Mr . Percival left his house , telling his wife that he should not return for a fortni g ht . His departure at this time was rather cruel , as his lady was in delicate health . He had no sooner gone than she sent a message to Edith's parents informing them that she desired the company of their daughter lor ten days or so . The servant returned to Mrs . Percival with the distressing news that her little

\ rJcye was indisposed . A doctor had been called m and he had pronounced the case to bo one of fever , lie laid , however , re-assured the alarmed father and mother b y telling them that the child ' s constitution Was good , and that lie apprehended no serious result . "Mrs . Percival , unmindful of her own condition , at , once proceeded to the pi'ettv cottage where her young friend lived . The

poor girl s iaee lighted up wilh pleasure as she held out her hand to welcome the kind lady to her humble abode . The latter was painfully struck b y the altered expression of the sufferer ' s countenance . The checks were unnaturally Hushed , the beautiful eyes were far ton bright , her breathing was laboured , anil the tiny palm she grasped was tremulous and moist . ' lt is very , verv good of you , dear lady .

to conic and see me , murmured the child . ' Please do not cry , I shall be better soon . AVhen 1 get out again the pretty May trees will be in bloom . 1 will weave you sonic garlands and bring thein to you , that is if you will let mc . ' ' Let you , my darling , why e . f course 1 will , ' replied Mrs . Percival , smiling through her tears at the earnestness of the speaker . * But yon must not talk too much just now

Ihe Doctor says that you should he as quiet aud as patient as you can , if yon wish to get well . ' 'To please yon , lady , 1 will' do anything , I so long again to walk wilh you in your beautiful garden while you tell me fhe stories of the good fairies , and the fables of the birds , the pretty insects and the beautiful ( lowers . ' In such innocent childlike prattle tho time passed quickly , and when Mrs . Percival arose to take her departure , she was pleased to see

that little Edith was more composed than she was before her arrival and was sleeping calmly with a faint smile upon her sweet face . The next day Edith grew worse , and the medical man gravel y shook his head when questioned as to her condition . On tlie third day he gave up the ease as hopeless . Her grief-stricken father came to me with the sad news , and as 1 had an affection for the child and wished to see her once again , 1 accompanied him home .

A Life's Hatred.

" Upon our entry we . found Mrs . Percival sitting hy the bedside bathed in tears . The poor mother sat opposite rocking herself uneasily to and fro . Some distance off stood the doctor sadly regarding his young patient . Presently the . stricken one moved restlessly on her pillow and opened her eyes . The delirium had

evidently left her , for her face brighleneil with intelligence as she recognised ( he features of those gathered around her . ' How kind you all arc to me , ' she miiriiiured in tunes so low as scarcely to be heard . ' J low do you do , Mr . Ncwliury r ' she continued as she made a feeble effort io o \ lend her poor baud . ' How good it is of you to

come . " 1 took her small palm in mine , but 1 daved not speak , a choking sensation in ( he throat waructl mo not to attempt it ; J should have lost my fortitude and broken down . There was a far-off look in thc child's lustrous eyes that ( old me that ere the sun set their glance would be closed for ever . For her earth wouhl possess no further

joy nor sorrow , and her innocent soul would repose in a better land . After an interval , she said ' Mother dear , open the window , 1 feel that I am dying , and I want to'hear tho birds sing once more . ' The doctor heanl the request ami opened the casement . It was a balmy evening fast drawing to a close , aud in the adjoining trees and hedges the feathered songsters were , gaily carolling . A party of

children homeward bound , anel laden with buttercups , daisies , and other floral spoils whicli they had gathered from the neighbouring fields passed the door of the cottage , and their sweet voices , resonant with health , tis they neared the window , burst forth in song . The dy ing child heard them , and she tried to rise from the couch to see if she eoalel recognise who the singers wore—as tho casement of

her chamber faced the road—hut in vain , ami she fell buck with a p itiful moan of disappointment . Her anxious mother , to gratify her darling ' s wish look her in her arms , but it was then too lata , as the children were out of sight . ' Lady , ' suddenly said the poor girl , after a painful pause , 'will you promise mc that you will visit my

grave in the churchyard yonder , and p lant some flowers that will gaily bloom in the sweet summer time—you know J dearl y love the flowers r 1 should like to lie , too , where the bright sun shines , not in the shadow of ( he frees . Please give me sonic drink . I feel faint and oh . so weary—how dark it is—oh , give me air ! Kiss me , mother . '

'" The doctor hastened lo her side with a stimulant , but it was useless ; her lips were sealed in death . He gently closed her eyes , and in a whisper fold us that till was over . Such , sir , was the calm tjiongb sad end of the beautiful child , Edith Vernon . "

CHAPTER II . The landlord paused for a lime its if overwhelmed by ( he painful reminiscences of that tleatfi-bed . scene . Neither did Mr . Mordaunt

speak , but there was a moisture iu his eyes that showed that his heart Intel been touched by ( he pathetic manner in which ( he sael episode had been narrated . "Well , sir , " resumed Newbury , "Mrs . Percival went home

greatly distressed at the loss of her little friend , was taken ill that very night , aud in three days had also departed for ( he silent land , leaving a tiny waif in ( he shape of a boy-child to meet the buffets of the world . 1 should have fold yon , however , ( hat when ( he condition of the lady became serious a messenger was despatched to London , whither Mr . Percival had gone , to acquaint him with the alarming news . Upon that gentleman ' s return home a few hours after the

death , to do him justice he appeared dreadfully bereaved at the loss of his gentle wife . At the funeral it was noticed that his proud bearing had disappeared , thai the tones of his voice were less harsh , and that his manner generally was more sociable . He performed one kind action , ioo , which gained him a number of friends , he paid all tho expenses of poor Edith ' s interment , in addition to the doctor ' s fees . During the next four years , ami until the tinal breaking up of his home his household continued lo reside at the

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