Brotherly Love.

when he descended from the rostrum , and ivhich sent a flush of gratified pride across his sallow countenance . An interval of some minutes elapsed after the cheers had subsided , and the mayor announced , that if no other candidate appeared , the prize must be awarded to Simon . A movement was then visible at the extremity of

the building , and a young man announced that he ivas ready to compete for the prize . The crowd immediately divided , and' the youthful candidate having reached the rostrum , ascended it , and bowed gracefully to the magistrates and the multitude around . A murmur of approbation ran through the assemblage , excited by the prepossessing appearance of the stranger ,, and the pleasure of witnessing a contest for the prize .

' Perhaps a more striking contrast to Simon could not be presented than the new-comer . He was tall , slight , but admirably proportioned ; his configuration indicating grace and agility . His features ivere strikingly handsome , and his complexioa was almost femininely fair . A mass of light auburn hair , which ivas thrown back from a lofty brow , floated in curls doivn his shoulders , and his dark blue , lustrous eyes beamed with

intelligence . Such were the principal facial and personal traits of Alfred ' Beaufrere , for it ivas he who now stood forward to contend with his former associate and rival .

To Complete the picture , ive may state , that he was attired m a light blue suit , ivhich set off his fair complexion and eyes , and his collar ivas thrown open , revealing a throat and neck symmetrically moulded , and rivalling the marble in whiteness . In reply to a question from the mayor , he announced his name , which ivas received Avith renewed applause , for the remembrance of the beautiful

and gifted youth , who had left his native place some years previously , was not forgotten by many of those present , though feiv at first recognised him in the form that then stood before them in the maturity of manhood .

There ivere two who did not share in the reeling lylnch the appearance of Alfred Beaufrere excited . These were Simon and Ida St , Claire , the young lady to whom the reader has already been introduced , and ivho ivould have endeavoured to dissuade her cousin from engaging in a contest ivith Simon , had she been aivare of his intention . Simon felt instinctively that the prize of ivhich he was so sure , and to obtain which he had spent

many an hour in preparing his address , was about to be ravished from his grasp , and that he was to be hurled from that intellectual supremacy which he had so long enjoyed in his native place . It was with difficulty he could repress the groan that sprang to his lips , while an icy shudder crept through his frame , and he trembled as if strucken with palsy . But he

knew that he stood in the presence of many who ivould gloat over his agony , and that consideration enabled him to stifle any indication of emotion . He withdrew into a recess in the wall behind the rostrum , and ; folding his arms , awaited the address of his unexpected rival . He was tempted to turn his eyes towards Ida , who was seated in the gallery opposite , but he dared not trust himself . Had he done so , he would have seen there revealed the depth of a love which in the hour of his trial fully developed itself . He would have read in her pale cheek aad gliirt ? u ?