The Lady Muriel.

and a pretty little emerald ring I had given her was sent back . I was dreadfully cut up about it , but , then , you see , I was 27 , and she 20 . I buoyed myself up with the hope that she was infatuated with this man , that the thing would wear off ; and that ,

in time , it would all come ri ght again . Our regiment was ordered to Chatham , ancl I never saw or heard anything more of Muriel for three years . I wrote to her once a year during that time , telling her that whenever she chose to change her

mind I was ready and willing to keep my promise if she would only keep hers . The first time she returned my letter without comment , the second year she wrote me a civil little note , saying she was engaged to Captain Mandeville . He had exchanged

into another regiment , and was going out to India . AVhen last I heard—it was soon after I had written to her for the third time ( I always wrote on the anniversary of the day I first met her at the county ball ) —in reply she sent me this" andas he

, , spoke , Falcoubridge pulled out of his vest a small Russia leather pocket book , and taking out one little perfumed sheet of paper , read the following : —

"' DEAK MB . FALCONBRIDGE , "' I am going to be married to morrow , and I want you to forgive me the wrong I did you three years ago . I fear I did not know my own mind then ; perhaps I do not know it now . . I shall always

look upon you as a dear friend , and I feel that I was quite unworthy of your love . AVill you forgive me" !—Your sincere friend ,

"' MURIEL ALDITHLEY . " The next day I saw the announcement of her marriage to Major Mandeville . " " How did you answer that letter 1 It sounds like the letter of a kind-hearted Woman 1 "

"AVell , I kept a copy of my answer , because I thought that the sentiments I th en expressed I might by constant reiteration , teach myself to feel , and I used to take out the letter and read first hers and then my reply . You can read it if you like . " l I took the paper from him , and read as follows : —

The Lady Muriel.

" MY DEAR MISS ALDITHLEY , — " Thank you very much for your kind letter . I shall prize it dearly , as I prize anything of yours . I forgave you long ago , and now that you are married , I shall do my utmost to forgive your

husband . He knew I loved you , and knew also that you were affianced to me . He came between us , and I can hardly blame you for admiring one who was so much handsomer and richer than I . "It is I who ought to beg you to forgive

me for aspiring to your hand . Our paths are different now . You go to India ; our regiment is ordered to Canada ; we may never meet again . Pray remember this , however , that if ever I can render you a serviceif ever I can be of any use to you ,

, command me , and I will as happily obey your wishes as if I had not been ' , —Your discarded lover , " JOHN FALCONBRIDGE . " ( To le Continued . )

The Massorah.

T HE MASSORAH .

AA E have felt it to be our duty to many of our readers interested in such questions to call their attention to the following striking article on a recondite subject which appeared lately in the Times . Its masterly analysis and lucid

explanation of what is a mystery to so many , will command for it the attention it so full y deserves . Jewish literature is , like the Jewish people , a mystery . It is an unknown land , or known only to a few hardy ancl

resolute explorers . When a few years ago an enthusiastic ancl accomplished Jew wrote his tale of the Talmud , it came upon the world with the surprise of a discovery . Men marvelled that such treasures should so long have lain hid . To the vast majorit y

of Christian students , to the vast majority even of the Jews themselves , the Talmud was like a buried city—a few fragments had been dug out , but these seemed of no great value , and did not invite to further research . " Let it alone " men said ; " you