Beaunty In The Beast.

He said this with such an air of demure gravity , mingled with latent humour , that it was impossible not to smile . Fanny , however , tossed her head as wo roso to depart . "I see you have stolen my roses , " ho observed ; " bufc I will bo generous , and beg your acceptance of more . "

So we each went away with a lovely bouquet iu remembrance of onr visit to fche Beast's castlo . I was only eighteen at the time , yefc I coultl seo plainly how this affair would end . I knew Mr . Marsden would call to see us—asho ditl—and how ho anel Fanny would like each othor more upon acquaintance—as

proved the enso . ; and when I brought my visit to a closo I was as certain of the eventual result as though it had beon already settled aud arranged . I wont to Europe not long after for a six mouths ' sojourn , and before my return I received from Fanny a letter , iu which she said :

' You would hardly know thc castlo now , nor the dear old Beast , so entirely aro they transformed , aud ifc all camo of his saying , ' Beauty , will you marry mc ? ' aud my replying , ' Yes , Beast—yes ! ' So wo arc very happy , anil want you to hasten hack and share in our happiness . "—Saturday Right .

The Road Agent.

The Road Agent .

—*—BY CHARLES D . HILDRKTH . 4 . tt ^ W W ^ Y ronfe , which was tho only road between tho KJAV'J town of Ireton and Chester , lay for thirty S ^" M ^ Ss niilos through an almost unbroken wilderness . jfei . ^ i The track hud been badly cut to pieces by < H recent rains , and my progress was much slower «• than was either safe or pleasant . Sunset found mo still many miles from my destination , and I began

to reflect on the probability of a night ' s lodging in tho woods in no veiy coml ' orlahlo frame of iniiitl . My horse stumbled so constantly iu tho increasing darkness lhat 1 was forced at length to allow him to p ick his way at a slow walk . I had arrived at a particularly rough part of the road , and halted to make

sure that no pitfall lay hidden in tho obscurity beyond , when a form sprang out of the hushes and stood beside mo . In the dull light I could perceive that it was a small , slightly built man , clad in shabby garments , with a broad slouched Imt concealing his face , and that ho held a pistol in unpleasant proximity to my head .

" What do you want ? ' 1 asked , with what composure I coultl muster . " Yonr money , " was tho answer . " Fling it down in tho road and ride on . " Tho voice was singularly sweet for a man—a ruffian nt that—and thero was a tremor in it that belied his

threatening air . " The man is a coward , " I said to myself ; then aloud , " Suppose 1 refuse to comply with your very reasonable request , what then ? " " 1 shall blow your brains out , " was tho reply . " Throw 1110 your money , anil be quick about it . "

1 raised my hand from my side us il to comply with his demand ; but instead of doing so 1 suddenly lifted my riding whip anil brought it down on tho templo of my wnyluycr . The blow was a powerful ono , and ho rolled undoi' my horse ' s feel without a sound . Springing from my saddle to grapple with him , I

found him prostrated and insensible , with the blood flowing copiously from nn ugly wolind in tho forehead . In the act of lifting his head upon my arm , his hat fell off , ami 11 coil of luxuriant brown hair foil over my arm . Much astonished at this , 1 bent , over tho lifeless body , nntl beheld ft pale , beautiful face , with small ,

delicate feature . - ' , whoso " -expression , oven 111 uncoil-Bciousncss , was that of mingled sadness and despair . My assailant was a woman , young , and hearing traces of reliiioment about her , despite her rough male attire . After a littlo search I discovered tho weapon with which she had threatened inc . Ifc was an old pistol ,

broken and unloaded . With an impulse that I did not stop to question , I thrust it in my imckot . Then I turned to examine tho wound I had indicted . It was a slight one , but would leave a life-long scar upon her temple . What should such a woman ho doing in this desolate

region ? What crisis of misfortune bad driven her to an net so dangerous and unwomanly ? Thero was no timo to reflect upon the matter , for she stirred slightly , and a faint moan of pain camo through hor palo lips . With a sense of deep remorse for thc violence I had dono tho poor girl , I bound up hor wound with my

handkerchief nwl slipped a good portion of the money 1 had about me into the pocket of her coat . I felt that her need of it must bo desperate indeed . After a moment her eyes opened , undsho gazed wildly round . " What has happened ? " sho said confusedly . " Whore is my father ?"

Then sho gazed nt mo wonderingly . " Oh , I remember , " she cried , in a heart-rending accent . " Oh , sir , if you knew why I did it ! Lot 1110 go to my fathei—pray , pray , let 1110 go ! " " You shall , " said I soothingly ; " I will tako you lo him , for you aro not able to walk alone Poor child ! it wns a mistake , and 1 vvas very brutal . Say no more , but loan on 1110 . "

The Road Agent.

Sho obeyed iu silence , and , slipping my horso s bridlo over my arm , I lead her down fche road until she paused before a miserable bufc , whoso battered aspect and unlightod windows gave sorrowful evidence of fcho poverty of tho inmates . As I released her sho suddenly seized my hand , and gazing up into my face appealiugly , broko into a

passion of tears . " I understand yon , " I said . " No ono shall over know what has occurred to-night from my lips . No wrong has been done except through my hasty violence ; that I hopo you will forgive . Now go to your father . " Waving my hand in farewell , I sprang upon my horso anel rode away .

Cautious inquiry in tho next town elicited the fact that tho hut I had seen was occupied by an old man of tho namo of Windsor aud his daughter Julia , They had como from tho East some threo years previous , anel had evidently seen better days . Even now , miserably poor as they woro , they preserved a dignified aristocratic seclusion , so thafc thoir neighbours knew littlo

about them , and cared less . How thoy lived my informant coulel not guess . Tho father had beon in feeble health for a long time , yet the daughter , a fragile , delicate girl , had i'ound tho moans to support ; him . I hatl learned ono of those " means , " and I went away from tho town with a deeper respect for Julia Windsor than I had over felt for a woman .

Two years later found mo permanently established in New York . I had nearly forgotten my adventure with the road agent , and should have forgotten it altogether bufc for tho old pistol , which I still retained . Ono evening during a reception at the liouso of a friend , I observed among tho guests a lady whoso face seemed strangely familiar to me . Where I had met

her before I coulel not remember ; but there was something in her appearance that I recognized rather by tho heart than thc mind . On inquiring who she was , I learned thafc she had lately returned from thc West with her father , who hail experienced several reverses of fortune some years before , but had recently regained his property . Hor

name , they told 1110 , was Miss Leo . I had never known any one of the name , yet I certainly knew her . While 1 was puzzling myself for a solution of flic mystery , one of tho heavy braids which covered her forehead fell aside , and I saw a small red scar iqion her temple . Then 1 know hor—it was my would-be robber , Miss Leo or Julia Windsor ; I could

not be mistaken 111 her identity . As may bo readily imagined , I was not long in seeking nn introduction to hor . If , on her part , sho recognized me , she maintained her composure admirably . A small red spot , rising in her cheek anti fading instantly , was the only sign of anxiety Hint 1 coultl detect . If I had thought her beautiful in her ugly male attire

two years before , I found her doubly so now . Tho expression of care and grief had passed out of her face , but it hud left its traces in her soft eye nnd in tho tremulous outline of her mouth . An air of quiet thought fulness—tho repose of a soul heavily chastened with sorrow—had u supremo charm for 1110 . I had not been sitting near hor ten minutes before it

became painfully apparent to 1110 that my solitary lifo wns a very cold and sollish ono . This beautiful girl hatl lived and loved mul sullercd for another . If Iter experience had been a sad one , it had likewise been noblo . Somehow my adventure with her that memorable night seemed to give 1110 rt . right to hor regard . Perhaps it was because I had novel- forgotten her , nnd that tho

simple memory of hor hud kept her always closo to 1110 . Be that ns it may , when 1 left her that night it was in a very unhappy frame of mind . Emotions had been aroused in 1110 that would not bo put asleep again . For the fust timo in my lifo 1 knew what lovo meant—lovo for a large-hcartetl , noblo woman . 1 had hoped that I had secured tho means of a

familiar intercourse with Miss Loo , by which I might bo enabled to enlarge my acquaintance with hor . But I soon found that 1 was mistaken . Converse with her I might , but never freely . Enter her houso when ami so ofion us I choose , but . her sympathy not all . Sho seem to hold mo firmly at 11 distance . With all my efforts I could not oven establish a cool friendship

between tis . Ditl sho remember mo , then , anil lio-lo mo for my knowledge of that ono elark event in her past history ? lt seemed so , indeed . Yet was sho blind ? Or was it because , while stici-iticiug herself for her father ' s sake , I had indicted the wound whoso scar sho would curry to tho gravo ? Either way I vvas supremely unhappy .

Six months elapsed beforo 1 summoned up tho courage to put her feelings towards 1110 to tho test . Ono afternoon 1 entered her presence firmly resolved to declare my lovo for her and abide tho result . I could not bo more wretched than I was , nuel my lovo might at least teach her lo respect mo . Sho v , nH ahuio when 1 entered . Something in my fnco

must havo alarmed her , for sho aroso hastily , and woultl havo loft tho room had I not called her back . " Julia Windsor , " I said , calmly , " will you bear 1110 ? " "That is not my name , " sho faltered , turning very white . " No ; but it was your namo that night in tho Far West , when you pointed a pistol at my hoad anti

demanded my money . Do you remember that night ? " She hatl no reply for a moment , but stood with her faco averted ; then sho suddenly turned aud confronted mo with a gesture of contempt . " Yes , I do remember , " sho answered , passionately . " Am 1 likely to forget it while this , inflicted hy your hand , remains ? " Sho pushed back hor hair aud laid

The Road Agent.

hor finger upon fcho scar upon her temple . " Yon struck me down , bufc to pay mo for my wound you loft your money in my pocket . It saved my father ' s lifo—for that I thank you . But you may cancel all . Go toll the world what you know . Wake tho tongue of slander against me . Say that onco upon a timo I lived iu abjeefc

poverty under au assumed name , and to succour a perishing father I robbed passengers upon the road in malo attiro . I do nofc fear you . " " You need fear nothing , " I answered , quietly , " except fchat I shall love you too much for your noblo sacrifice . "

" Lovo me ! ' she echoctl , looking at mo suddenly wifch filling eyes . " I thought that you dospisod mo for my unwomanly action . " " Then you wronged mo deeply , " I returned , approaching and taking her baud . " My remembrance of that night is full of admiration anel respect . Since I havo

known you intimately I have learned to lovo you , how truly I have uo words to say . " " Bufc I threatened you with a pistol , " sho answered , demurely . "Ifc was harmless-, " I returned , smiling . "I kept it —I have it at homo now . "

" Do you remember the handkerchief wifch which you bound my head ? " sho asked , shyly . " Moro faithful to the spirit of that night than you , I havo always kopfc ifc near me . I have it now . " "Julia , " saiel I , earnestly , " answer mo truly , why ?" " Because , " sho returned , lifting hor soft oyos to mine , " I loved you from that hour . AVhon I saw you

again my lovo took now strength , and though I felfc that you despised mc , ifc remained uushakou , as it shall to my dying hour . " " My darling , " I said , stooping to kiss hor upturned face , " on that night you robbed mo of moro than my purse You mndo wholly yours my heart , my lifo , my future happiness . "

The Liqbilnon Robin.

The Liqbilnon Robin .

BY SAVAIUCUS . *• * [ Aceorclinir to the Xeiu York Tribune , a robin lately paid a visit to tbe Methodist Cluireli in Lebanon , Ontario : — " it perched itself otv a rail opposite the pulpit , s .-ini' alonel when the people sang , vvas silent durini ! prayer , but while the minister preached it chirped occasionally , as if to enci ) urni ; ehiin , remained until thecotiirrcgatiou was finally dismissed , aud then Hew away . " ]

he / t " fS * 3 ROBIN ! Hire ] of ancient story , \ ^ V A * "'" £ ° ^ tuco > ' ' ' < " '' "J" # ' ° ry . 'SsSffir Thy ways aro quaint , us tales of yore / IJ \ - " ° h'aly tc " ''» fairy loro . ? ii When our dear Lord vvas crucified , 4 1 Tho crimson stream thy breast thon dyed ; In pity thou dis ' t pluck a thorn

From out tho crown by Jesii worn ; A sacred sign wo seo in thee , Memento gravo of Calv ' ry ' s tree . Thy music hnth a solemn tono , A dirgc-liko sound of ono alono ; Thy name to goodness , love , and grace ,

Is fitly linked ; the human raco With chasto emotion spoaks of thee , Thou feathered friend , so spry to seo . What heartless talo of cheerless woo That happened many years ago Has such a sympathetic hold

As that of tlieo , so often tolet ?—Of ruffians twain , and undo had , And " Children in tho Wood , " so sad . A talc to rend , with sobs nnd sighs , To tender hearts anti weeping oyos :

How Hobin Hodbreast , it doth state , Tho children found , loft to their fnto , All elead anel cold upon tlio ground , Ami st rawed them with tho loaves ho found .

In nursery rhymo poor Itobin s killed By spurow boh ] , who vvas self-willed ; Anil all tho birds that clave- tlio air Camo mourning to his funerT there .

A modern talo I now will toll , Of Kohin Redbreast , loved so woll : — In Lebanon ' s commodious church , Where saint and sinner scripture search , This pious bird , with saint-liko ways , Betook itself to rentier liraiso :

There , perched on rail , with plumage gay , It sang its littlo soul away ; But silent was when pastor prayed ; Its thrilling notes wero timely stayed . Tho good discourse , wo't-e glad to find , Was orthodox , and to its mind ; It gavo assent , looked at tho preacher ,

Anil nodded liko a human creature—Nay , moro : its chirp was gently heard At head tho first , again at third . Tho sermon o ' er , with grace of heart , Tho bird devoutly played its part j It stayed to seo each empty pow , Then pinions spread , and onward flow .