The Masonic Language Of Flowers.

and holding a trefoil clover in his hand . But lest we tire the reader ' s patience with these floral mysteries , even in the midst of this season of bloom , we forebear further mention of flowers and their occult significance . This symbology , however ,

should possess a charm for the Freemason , since much of it has a present force in reminding him of momentous truths . The nearness of man and nature to God , and the immortality of the human soul , are facts in the divine economy that even blades of grass and flowers of the field , the forest and the fen may impress upon the mind and heart .

My Lord The King;

MY LORD THE KING ;

A MERE STORY . BY BRO . EJIRA HOUIES , Author of " Tales , Poems , and Masonic Papers ; " * "Mildred , an Autumn Romance ; " " Another Fenian Outrage ; " "Annabel Vauglum ;" "ThePath of Life , an Alleyory ; " "Noteson the United Orders of the Temple and Hospital "

, etc ., etc . CHAPTER III . A DREAM AND A REALITY . SWEET Maid Marian ' s sleep was disturbed that night .

She thought the old days of knighterrantry were come back again , and she was Queen of the Tournament . A strange knight came forth into the lists , and with proud lance in rest , unhorsed each combatantand claimed the victor ' s crown ; and

, as he knelt before her to receive the champion ' s meed , he raised his vizor , and she saw his face . The grey eyes and the drooping moustache brought back the memory to the stranger of yesterday , and she awoke full of sweetsacl thoughts .

, Again she slept , and dreamed of a great peril and disaster , a something vague , mysterious , unknown , a dread of pending evil , whereof no recollection remained save a dun feeling of obscurity and gloom . There was a rush of many waters and the

thunderous plunging of some mighty niiliwheel , and many faces full of fear , and one pale face with a heavy , drooriing , tawnev moustache—and some one said , "Marian " and she thought it was he with the j ) alc face , and so she awoke . " Marian , are you not up yet ? " and Sir ,

Mauleverer is tapping at the door of the ladies' cabin , seeking his daughter . " No , papa ; I won't be long , though . " Half an hour afterwards , our heroine conies in to breakfast , and is mildl y censured by her father for being so late . " Well , papa dear , I am afraid I overslept myself ; and I have had such queer odd dreams . "

" You have certainly heen . very lazy , Here ' s Mr . Mennell up two hours ago , and we have been all on the look-out for land . Captain Wrightson says we shall see it in about an hour , he thinks . " After breakfast they go on deck and eagerly scan the horizon , and by 10 o ' clock a dim faint line of cloud is pointed out as beinff the Dutch Coast .

Marian is very quiet this morning , the natural pensive loveliness of her face is heightened by the tender melancholy of her eyes , and the expression of thoughtfulness on her countenance . She has been sittiiig some time looking dreamily into the ocean . The glory of yesterday ' s autumn

splendour is repeated in the lovely weather of to-day . There is a majestic languor on the sea—a sense of perfect serenity and repose—which added to the cloudless beauty of the sky , fills the heart of sweet Maid Marian with a sense of thankfulness

to the Almighty for the goodness and excellence which surrounds her , and which she so keenly feels that her eyes fill with tears as she surveys the scene . Harry , who has been conversing with Mr . Mauleverer , hastily approaches her with kind inquiring

eyes as if to ask the cause of his fair companion ' s evident emotion ; but she , with a woman ' s instinct , anticipates his questioning , and hastily brushing the marks of trouble from her face , looks up smiling , and bids him " Good morning !"

"I declare , Miss Mauleverer , you are like an April day , all smiles and tears , " our hero rejoins , as he returns with meaning courtesy her salutation . " Yes , it is very silly of me , I know , hut if ever I see very lovely scenery , hear very elo-