The Duvenger Curse

smiled a little when she heard of Maurice pfathaivay ' s marriage , but gave no sign of regret . We missed the bright girl who had always been our companion , and yet , we could shed no tears when we heard that the steamer had gone down with all on boardand knew that Nip ' s golden

, head was lying far below the restless waters , and the curse of the Duvengers was fulfilled for the last time . But the romance begun in the old town was not yet ended . The next summer found Isabel and myself at Newport , and

strangely enough it found James Fairfax there also . Of course , he was at Isabel's side constantly , until one clay Mr . Hathaway and his wife arrived . It ivas not like Mr . Fairfax to make his uneasiness apparent , but he was far from comfortable . The bride and groom Avere as happy as could be expected . " He seems in a state of chronic

boredom , I remarked once to Mr . Fairfax . " That ' s the result of having nothing- to do , " was the reply . Mr , Hathaway ' s eyes Avould follow Isabel constantly , and I grow very nervous . I broached the subject at last . She and I were standing down on the sea beach , looking out over the opaline waters . " Mr . Hathaway isn ' t as handsome as he used to be . "

"No , said she , '' he is degenerating : the dark intensit y which made him so fascinating is fading out . Do you know he dared say words of love to me last night ! " The sands were all clotted over with gay

groups ; some one was coming down behind us . It was James Fairfax . " Excuse me , " said he , " I only came to say good-bye ; I am going away to-day . " E er face paled . "Going away ! " " Yes" he answeredsmiling a little

_ , , bitterl y ; " I am not as strong as I thought myself . I find I cannot see you here under the influence of the old love , when I would lay down my life for one quarter of which you gave him , so I am going away . "

A moisture came into her eyes . " You shall not go , " she said . "I ask you to stay . It is not as you think , at all . " The li ght of a great , glad surprise broke over his face , and I left them , thankful that it had come out all right at last . Voice of Masonry , America .

The Badge Of Innocence."

THE BADGE OF INNOCENCE . "

An Historical Sketch , and E ' applanation with Illustrative Plates , of the Origin of the Masonic Apron , and also of the Indented Border and the Tassels of fJ " Board , by Bro . tJ " ¦

M . A ' ' --. ' ¦ WE .: ¦ v ¦ . ' . " -: ¦; :

ing : ¦ - •¦• . - '" - ; " ' ' -: the ; . .. - ¦' " -... ' -y .-y ¦ - " ¦ meat --.-..-. ¦ - ' : ¦ . '¦ ' - ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ ' by w : ¦ ¦' for t ¦ . ,: ' : 7 when -7 \ -.. ¦ :

, y the inc :.. i togethei . : him , he . came the ¦ seem to 1 ¦ ' ¦ + " is to attemp : : - ¦ -. :. ^_ jy as may be ,

these two i .. __ . _ , uiat have perplexed so many , that these few pages have been written and committed to the consideration of the Craft at large . " More ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle , more honourable than the Star and Garter , or any other order in

existence . " Such is the assertion made , and as it meets his ear , he asks " Can this be so ? " Why ! the Prussian orders of the Red and Black Eagle were founded respectively in 5795 and 5705 ( A . . ) , whilst the Roman insignia , from which they were doubtless takenwere used not

, only by the ancient Romans , but also by nations preceding them in history . —the Persians used them even in the time of Cyrus the younger , about 3600 ( A . L . ) The Austrian and Spanish orders of the Golden Fleece were founded 5433 ( A . L . ) , whilst

the voyage of the Argonauts , Avho are reputed to have captured from --Eetes the Golden Fleece of Phryxus , must be dated as far back as 2741 ( A . L . )—Our badge more ancient than these V "Again , our own noble order of the Garter , instituted by Edward III , * on St .