The True Mason.

the castle , and then strolled up the hill towards the barracks , nominally to see the view from thence , so Mabel said , but really , if the truth must be told , iu hopes of meeting some of the officers , most of whom Avere knoAvn to the " Belle of the County , " as Mabel was called . I cannot really say Avhether Mabel loved her gay , clever , handsome cousin in the truest sense of the word , or Avhether she Avas only flattered at attention from a man who

Avas already of some rank in the literary world , ancl promised to be one clay great among his compeers . I think she loved him in her Avay , but I am afraid she Avas so thoroughly a flirt as to have lost almost all that pure , true affection which cannot long exist where love is scattered far and wide like largesse to a crowd . But a coquette never forgives one who , being bound to hercasts an eye of favour upon anotherand if ever there Avas a

, , coquette born and bred , Mabel was one . This little excursion , then , Avith one " AA'hom to look on Avas to love , " had led Fitz into that train of thought in Avhich Ave found him just noAV , as he was arranging Ins toilet for dinner on a day soon after his arrival . Reginald Fitzgerald Avas a man of action in his way , and it Avas not long before he had made up his mind to propose .

I am afraid he had often made love before , so he was no tyro in the art . To-morrow Aveek Avould be the bespeak at the theatre , Avhen all the county magnates AVOUIC ! he there , ancl Mr . Seymour and his family Avere going as they did every year . Fitz thought to himself , " I'll propose there , it will be just the thing , romantic and peculiar . "

On second thoughts , however , it struck our friend that there might be difficulties in the way of his doing it properly then , so it would be better to do it to-night . " Yes , to-night , " he added to himself , " I'll get some excuse to leave the table before the others have finished their wine , and go to the drawing room to the ladies , and then Dame Fortune befriend me . "

There Avas only the family party at the dinner table , but as that numbered tAvelvo in all , nobody felt any need of more . Dinner over , the ladies soon retired , and Fitz , pleading some excuse about the Avine not agreeing with him , ancl a Avish to try over a new duet or two , before the rest joined them , speedily found himself seated by Mabel ut the grand piano in Uncle Seymour ' s handsome drawing-room , Avhispering to her pretty nothings as she listened , Avell pleased , to his cooing .

Master Fitz Avas particularly cool in the way in Avhich he proposed , but he had p lenty of modest assurance , that young gentleman . There were tAvo pictures on the Avail opposite to them Avhich speedily caught the eye , and he instantly recognized them as " proofs before letters " of Frank Stone ' s most popular subjects , "The First" and "Last Appeal . " No doubt the reader knows the pictures to Avhich I allude .

One is of a youth ancl maiden dressed in the costume of a century ago , loitering near a rustic porch , ancl it is evident from the happy smile on the face of him who appeals that his prayer is answered , ancl she has consented to be his . The other is of a youngman standing at a Avell , Avhere a fair peasant girl has gone to draAv water , like Rebekah , or Jefchro ' s daughter of old . He has seized her hand , and with passionate tenderness implores her to listen to one last appeal . She turns aAvuy Avith a look of inexpressible grief and sadness , and tries to free herself from his grasp , as she casts a look upon him Avhich says as plain as eye can speak— " I cannot love you . "

* ' Mabel , do you see those pictures : Avhich is it to be 1 " Fitz murmured in a low A'oice . His voice Avas very dulcet Avheu he spoke IOAV , and so was Mabel's . The three sisters Avere at the other end of the room , busy at some game , which seemed to thoroughly occupy their thoughts , and they paid little heed to the conversation Avhich was going on betAveen the cousins . " I don't understand you , " Mabel said . " Do you not understand that I love you , Mabel ? Have you not long seen that my