LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 461, 6 December 1875, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE WITCH THORN. ( Concluded.') The sudden boldness with which she confronted him seemed to take Kearney by surprise. He heard her in silence, with a strange expression in his eyes. As she ceased, he took two or three turns up and down. When he came back t® her side, his look was changed, and his tone, as he began to speak, was low and broken. He said that he would press her no more. He loved her too much to bring any trouble on her, and he would forgive her father for her sake, and he would go away where neither she nor he should see him more. He then asked when her marriage was to take place. When she told him, he drew a hard breath, but showed no other sign of emotion. They parted amicably. Miriam hoped never to look on his face again, but a dread weight and presentiment pressed on her, that she had not seen it for the last time, that a peril, greater than any yet passed, awaited her. The day before the wedding, a messenger brought her a letter from Kearney, asking one more interview, to bid her farewell, and naming the hour after her marriage. She feared to refuse, lest his anger should be again kindled, and what was there he might not do ? but her heart sank within her at the prospect. In reply, she wrote the note which was found on Stephen Kearney. The result of this last meeting lias been seen. What passed between them ere the final, fatal act, none but Miriam herself could tell. The diary stopped with some expressions of dread and fearful apprehension regarding the interview before her.

Chapter VII. CONCLUSION. It was a brilliant summer afternoon ; and under the ash-trees, Owen and Miriam walked side by side. Her eyes were upturned to her companion’s face, with a tender, loving gaze, as she listened to his words. In those soft black eyes, shining with serene happiness, it would be hard for any one who had seen them only as their expression alternated from restless tire to (flooruy despondency, to recognise those of Miriam. Her pale cheek, alone, told of recent severe illness. With the sunlight on her brow, the sunlight from the blue sky above, and the untroubled heart within, she looked like one from whose path some dense black cloud, whose gloom had always overshadowed her, had been swept for evermore. And now, she stood beneath a cloudless sky, with the fresh breezes blowing round her. ‘Do you know, dearest, 5 said Owen, ‘I used to feel, completely as I loved you, as if there were something separating us, some barrier between us. That was because of the secret you kept from me. There should have been uo secret between us. 5 t And you used to feel a little dissatisfied with my love. You thought it wild, and

tthsuitedfor daily use. Now it is calm. But the ocean is not deeper when the wind divides its waves and shows all its fathomless abysses, than the next morning, when it Is smooth, and the ship can safely sail over it. You understand my simile ? ’ At that moment the gate creaked on its hinges, and a light figure came up the path, a young girl, whose soft brown eyes shone with health and animation. _ ‘Dear Annie,’cried Miriam, as the two embraced each other affectionately. ‘Have you come that we may say good-bye ?’ ‘ You go early to-morrow morning, do you not ?’ ‘Yes, to-morrow we start on our long delayed wedding tour,’ said Owen. * And you will be away a long time, I suppose. How lonely I shall be !’ ‘ We shall not be longer than two or three months,’ said Miriam. ‘ And you won’t be lonely. I think you are afraid we mayn’t be back in time for your own wedding.’ Annie blushed. *My wedding! what nonsense, Miriam. You know there is not going to be any wedding.’ • Then I know that you are a heartless coquette, and I think the gentleman you parted from at the gate, just now, would say the same.’ Again Annie Blake blushed, but was silent. The three walked slowly up the avenue towards the house. And the sun streamed through the branches of the ashtrees over their heads, enveloping them in a golden haze as they passed from view.

It is a well ascertained fact that housewives are seldom out of temper on a washing day, if they get well on with their work. But if they have obtained inferior soap, and their hands are chafed therewith, there is generally a late tea, and the fireside is not pleasant until the children are got to repose. When purchasing soap, if you ask for the star brand, and see that you get it, there will be no fear of late washing or chapped hands, as the greatest care is taken when it is being manufactured to render it free from all injurious properties. Besides, it is the best, the bars are the largest, and it is the cheapest soap in the market. Try, and you will be convinced.—[Advt.]