[Footnote 2:  Copyright 1885, by Elizabeth Porter Gould.]

* * * * *

A BIRTHDAY SONNET.

By George W. Bungay.

  Our days are like swift shuttles in the loom,
  In which time weaves the warp and woof of fate;
  Its varied threads that interpenetrate
  The pattern woven, picture bride and groom,
  A life-like scene in their own happy home. 
  There are some frayed and shaded strands, fair Kate,
  But lines of purest gold illuminate
  Our wedded lot, as stars the heavenly dome,
  And come what may, sunshine or chilling rain,
  Prosperity and peace or woe instead,
  Untruth and selfishness shall never stain
  The web of love and hope illustrated. 
  Not even death unravels when we die,
  The woven work approved of God on high.

* * * * *

ELIZABETH.[3]

A ROMANCE OF COLONIAL DAYS.

By Frances C. Sparhawk, Author of “A Lazy Man’s Work.”

CHAPTER XX.

GREEK MEETS GREEK.

It was two weeks after the scene at Colonel Archdale’s dinner-party.  There was quite a knot of people in Madam Pepperell’s drawing-room.  All the household at Seascape had come on the way home from a drive to pay a morning visit here, and found the in-door coolness refreshing.  Colonel Archdale, who had joined his son, was there also.  Mr. Royal, as it happened, was in Portsmouth that morning.

Edmonson had been exemplary enough in avoiding the cant of pretended regret for what must have given him pleasure.  Archdale had no complaints to make on that score, but he distrusted Edmonson more and more, and perceived more clearly that he was attracted by Elizabeth.  He wondered if she encouraged him:  that was not like the person she seemed to be; yet why not?  She had assured Archdale more than once that she was free, and her certainty had given him comfort.  But he was here this morning for another purpose than to weigh the question of Miss Royal’s fancy.  If she did encourage Edmonson she was all the more inexplicable.

Stephen bent over Lady Dacre’s chair, talking gayly to her; yet his eyes wandered every now and then, and, gradually, after he had stopped several times beside one and another, he came up to Elizabeth, as she was sitting listening to a young lady who, with her brother, had come back from town with Madam Pepperell, the night before, to spend a few days at the house.