Waiting For Her—A Mesmerists' Story.

That year Ave were all together ; not one had left the nest ; UOAV , alas , they are all scattered , and perhaps may never meet again on this side of the grave . Tom has gone to Australia , Philip has married my sister Lizzie . He is a

clergyman in the West Riding , and she makes a very good little parson ' s wife . My cousin Maud , dear Maud , she has gone out as a governess , but sonfe day I hope to be able to offer her a home . You see I live in a large toAvnand I am a young surgeon Avithout

, many friends ; but I mean to push my Avay , and Maud is willing to wait , so I daresay Ave shall be married some fine day . Bertie , Mary and Constance are Avith an uncle in Ireland , and Willie , poor boy , Avent to India and Avas drowned . Dear old

uncle Archdale died last year , he Avas then 60 , but looked at least ten years older ; and so I have told you IIOAV Ave Avere all separated . Well , as I was saying , uncle Archdale gave his usual Christinas partyand Ave

, were all there . I hardl y know why he liked to give it either , for he Avas always rather grave on Christmas-day , though merry at other times ; but though he was

kiuchiess itself , yet on these occasions of our annual visit Ave always felt it rather melancholy dining at Staiuley House . Philip had been trying to draw me out during dinner on the subject of the HCAV anaesthetic sulphuric ether as applied locally

( by the Avay an old idea ) , Avhich he said was not by any means so perfect an anodyne as another remedy of Avhich he spoke iu great praise . We afterwards had some conversation about Sir Bulwer Lytton ' s "Strange Story , " which I said Avas

rightly described as a " sick man ' s dream , " but which he maintained contained the germ of many truths Avhich the Avorld did not perceive as yet , Quoting Hamlet , lie said impressively , " There are more things in heaven and

earth , Horatio , than are dreamt of in your philosophy , " and then abruptly changed the subject . Uncle had been roused to some strange show of interest Avhilst Philip was holding this argument Avith mebut presentllapsed again into a

, y fitful dreamy state which , overcame him frequently UOAV . Ho AVIIS a man Avho had evidently seen much trouble iu his younger days . AVe had heard that there Avas some romantic love affiair Avhich had saddened

his youth , but he had always been strangel y reticent about it , so Ave had never learned particulars . But for this conversation I do not think Ave should have heard it then , and as I look back upon the memory of that day , I remember uncle seemed distressed at the enthusiasm Phili p

displayed Avhen talking about this science or art , or mystery ( he said it was all three ) , in which he had so suddenly become interested . That he intended to Avarn

Philip and tAVo or three more of my fail cousins Avho seemed equally fascinated with the study of the occult sciences I feel UOAV quite-sure , but at that time I did not see it all so clearly . But to resume . AVe were all sitting round the table at dessert , the yule log was burning in the grate ,

uncle had feasted us Avell , and we young fellows were very happy sipping our wine ; some of the port Avas 1820 brand , whilst my fair cousins were more intent on the Avalnuts and chestnuts , the almonds and rasinspreserved gingerratafias and so

, , forth , though of course they drank to a merry Christmas like the rest . Said uncle Archdale "I think , my dears , I'll tell you a story . " " 0 do , uncle , " Ave all answered . " Tell us about that pretty locket you always AY ear round your

neck , " Lizzie slyly put in . I never saw the locket , but uncle seems almost to Avince as Lizzie speaks . ' * Tell us , uncle , " said Alary , " Avhy you always are so grave on Christmas day ?" " No , no , tell us , ' ' says Philip , " Avhy you never got married ?"

'' Well my clears , " said my uncle , " suppose I answer all three , and yet make one story of it . " " Oh , do , uncle ; we should like it so much , " we all chorused . " I don't know that yon will care about the story , my dears" he said" but perhaps

, , it may do you no harm , " he continued , looking particularly at Philip and me . I think then he knew all about our feelings and about Lizzie and Maud , for he smiled very kindly on them , and I think also that he wanted to correct Phili p ' s credulity

and my scepticism as to that other subject . "It is a long time ago , my dears , " he said , " since I first remember -waitingfather , and I must Avait a long time yet , I think , before she comes . You can look at her likeness if you like . " " Here it is ; " and the old man—older